A Setback

The attempt to place the stent was unsuccessful. There was swelling where the ducts open into the duodenum, and the doctor was unable to thread his wire up the correct duct. He is to visit with my other doctors. Maybe tomorrow we will learn what the next step will be.

More doctors

In last week's blog I mentioned an enlarged lymph node that might cause problems by creating blockage of a bile duct. By last Friday evening I started having symptoms such as my hands and feet itching. I went in for a blood test on Monday morning and that indicated a probable blockage. Tuesday was spent with phone calls between us, doctors, nurses, and the insurance company. This morning (Wednesday) I had an Ultra Sound on my abdomen so that the Gastroenterologist would have something to look at and determine what I needed. In the afternoon we visited Dr. Kirkpatrick in Bartlesville to see if he could help. Tomorrow morning (3/24/11) he will put a stent in the bile duct.
The procedure is endoscopic, meaning they will run a scope, and other instruments, down my throat, through my stomach and duodenum, and into the bile duct. Somehow they are able to then place the stent which holds the duct open for the flow of bile.
The doctor said the same type of procedure is used for gall stones which block the bile duct.
There is a possibility the stent would need replaced in 6 months or so. There is a more permanent metal stent, but placing one of those involves incisions. We'll see how it goes tomorrow, but incisions do not sound like fun.
Being in Bartlesville gave us the chance to go to Dink's BBQ and bring home supper. That made the trip worthwhile.

Houston visit, March 2011

Ben went along with us on this trip, so we drove to Houston on Saturday, giving us all day Sunday to do other things. We slept in, then took the train downtown. Vicki had read about a couple parks that had activities so that's where we headed. We ate a Greek breakfast at the first park; very tasty! The second park had a farmer's market and vendors, including a beer garden. We wandered around the park, then Ben & I each had a beer while Vicki had wine. We just enjoyed the weather while we chatted and watched people and their dogs. We got to meet an Italian Greyhound that looked very much like Ben's dog, except he was much fatter. We wandered around downtown and checked out a couple stores before we headed back to the hotel.


On Monday, my appointments did not start until 3:00. We had lunch at the Spicy Pickle, then wandered around Rice Village before heading to MD Anderson for tests. It was after 8:00 pm when my tests were finished.

Tuesday morning we learned that there were mixed results from my CT scans; the tumors on my liver had shrunk, but the spots in my lungs had grown (not hugely, but enough to be definite). There is also a lymph node slightly enlarged that may be putting pressure on one of the ducts from the liver, which could be causing a slight rise in a couple liver enzymes. Another of the liver enzymes is normal. If this becomes a problem, they would probably put a stint in the duct.

We spoke with the PA first, and she seemed upbeat, optimistic, and talked of treatment options. Our doctor, on the other hand, seemed serious and only spoke of 2 treatment options. He is certain that since the lung spots had grown, the chemo is not working. There is an older chemo drug we could try, but the doctor only gave it a 5 to 10% chance of working. In his opinion, my best option is to get into a clinical trial. Our appointment to talk with the researchers is on April 4, so we will be heading back to Houston in three weeks. In the meantime, I am off chemo. In a few weeks, maybe I'll have hair again.

I don't know much about the clinical trials, but we would have to do them in Houston. Maybe that means staying in Houston for 6 to 8 weeks (we don't know) or maybe it means frequent trips to Houston, then home in between. We have more questions than answers.

One day at a time.

Joe

Vacation day!

Taking a vacation day today because I had 5 to use up before April 8. It's hard to believe that's my 9th anniversary at Deere already! The weather is good, except for the wind, so how to decide what to do first?
The good thing about this chemo is that the worst of the side effects are relatively short-lived. Last weekend was mostly a loss, and I didn't feel like working Monday, but Tuesday on I felt OK, although a little fatigued. Today looks like it will be a great day!
This weekend we leave for Houston. We'll probably leave tomorrow and have a little time to do something in Houston instead of our usual rush trip in and out. Ben is going with us this time. He will drive to Coffeyville after work this evening. Wish Sally could go, too, but it would be a very tiring trip for a pregnant lady, and she would have to take time off from work.
I'm pretty anxious about this scan. If the chemo has been working, the days of feeling rotten are worth it. If not, the doctor has to find a different treatment. I just pray he doesn't run out of options.

Addendum

This chemo was worse than the others. I didn't make it to work today. I didn't set my alarm because I haven't been getting enough sleep. I woke up in time to call in, and I intended to go in this afternoon. I got showered and half dressed when I decided I just didn't feel like I should go in.
I'm just fatigued and didn't feel like I could sit at my desk and do anything constructive.

Another chemo behind me

Had another chemo on Thursday afternoon (3-3-11). I didn't feel as unaffected as last time, but still plenty good enough to enjoy the nice weather and go for a walk afterward. We probably hadn't been on that kind of walk since we were in Houston last November.
As mentioned, this chemo seemed to have more effect, and by Friday afternoon I was feeling tired and just generally not too good. I did not sleep well Friday night; I just couldn't seem to get comfortable. Felt terrible all day Saturday. Right after lunch, I started having pain around my rib cage and up my back which is one of the side effects of the drugs. I had that for the first round, but not the previous 2. Ibuprofen helps, but it sort of comes and goes. Part of the time, I felt like I was hot and cold at the same time. A heating pad and a recliner help, too. I still didn't sleep too good.
This morning was better, but still not good. This afternoon I was getting restless, so we went for a walk. It felt good to be out, but I feel pretty sensitive to the cool wind. Seems like some of the back pain may be creeping back in this evening.
My hair hasn't changed much since the last post. I still have some on my head, but it's way too thin to grow out into anything, so it has to be shaved. I still have my mustache and goatee even though they are much thinner and more gray. It appears that whatever whiskers I lost were the dark colored ones. The good thing is that I probably won't lose my eyebrows and eyelashes.