Chemo Round 2 and other stuff

The second round of Chemo started out pretty mellow. Unfortunately it didn't stay that way. Brian was in and out of the hospital most of the month of May. We had our follow up appointment in Tamp on the 11th, and he was in the hospital for his first stay in May on the 12th, and was out by the 17th. It was not a fantastic stay at all. They did many tests on him when he was in the hospital because of the pain in his abdomen and the constant vomiting. They determined the pain was due to the tumors on his liver. Brian had an endoscopy which revealed a hiatal hernia. Then they thought he may have had a pericardial effusion. That basically means that there is too much fluid around the heart making it difficult for the heart to beat and causing shortness of breath. Fortunately the CT scan gave a false reading on this and all was well.  However, due to all of these issues we had to make another trip down to Tampa. While we were there we learned that Brian's cancer is a stage 4 cancer. What does that mean?? Well I can't really tell you. It all depends on the cancer you have, and with Brian's being so rare it basically means that treatment and lots of it is needed...


We came home from Tampa with this news and a new appointment for a follow up CT on June 11th to find out if the Chemo was helping or not. Well between the appointment on May 19th and now, Brian was in the hospital again. Once again it was because he was vomiting and could not keep anything down. Well, they found nodules on his thyroid, and have since done a biopsy; We are waiting for the results.


On the last day of Brian's stay in the hospital he saw a commercial for CTCA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America). He made a call that day and found out just how easy it is to talk to the people there and how informative they are.


It's amazing how fast they worked to get Brian an appointment. He made the call on Tuesday June 1st, and by Thursday we had an appointment set, and plane tickets ordered. CTCA is paying for our flights, and they are picking us up at the airport in a limo. It's crazy what they do.... OK, maybe crazy is the wrong word, but I never would have expected our plane tickets to be paid for and to be picked up by a limo.


Brian and I have never ridden in a limo, so this will be a first for both of us. We will take pictures. So on Sunday June 13th Brian and I will be flying to Chicago. Brian has been through Chicago before but this will be my first time.


On June 10th Brian, Mom, and I drove down to Tampa for his appointment on the 11th. Brian had to be at Moffitt by 9 am for his pre CT scan drinks. He so hates those, but he did really well this time around. By the time 11:00 rolled around we had all had a nap in the waiting room. Brian was taken back for his CT scan and mom and I went for coffee. It was going to be a long day...


Once the CT scan was complete, we headed for Brian's next appointment for labs. We were 2 hours early, but what could we do?? We were in Tampa and had no where to go. Fortunately they took him in early and we were then on our way to lunch. YAY cafeteria food. I think we have had enough of that to last a while. Anyway, Brian's appointment with the Dr. was not until 3:00... So, we had a little bit of a wait. By the time we got to see the Dr. we were all ready to hit the road.


So, you probably want to know what the Dr. had to say.. Well I won't keep you in suspense. Brian's tumors have shrunk by 20%. Which is FANTASTIC news. We are very excited about this. Finally the tumors are moving in a direction we want them to. So, after we go to Chicago Brian will begin round 3 of his Chemo. We have new nausea meds for this round and are very hopeful that Brian will be able to stay out of the hospital this time. We are also hopeful that the Chemo continues to work on these tumors, and if it doesn't that the folks at the CTCA have some other ideas...


Brian has lost so much weight in the last month from not being able to eat that he now weighs less than when I met him 13 years ago. I can put my arms around him, and his clothes are not fitting so well. I only wish that it were from a healthy lifestyle change than from cancer.


Pictures will be coming soon, and we will do our best to get some in Chicago too.


Love to all!!!