ME

Yes folks this is an update on ME! Back in late August I stopped chemo so I could have a bunch of test/biopsies. First they did a regular broncoscopy just because they wanted to. Then I met with the Thorasic surgeon again. He still was not ready to take me apart so he sent me for an endoscopy with an internal ultrasound with a needle biopsy of the lymphnodes behind my lungs. The Dr who did this was only able to see one node and he biopsied it...Good Grief ...Good News...it was clean! So as of then at least the cancer had not reached there. Then he sent me to Dr Pope (aka Dougie Howser) 34 years old ...Looks 16! He is a pulmonary guy...he sent me for a pet-ct scan and scheduled a broncoscopy with a needle biopsy on my glowing nodes in the middle center of my chest. This took place in the Broncoscopy Suite of Htfd Hospital on October 29th. He did tell me that my Pet/CT was even better than the June Pet/CT so the chemo was still working...another Hurrah! Later in the week he called me to confirm what we both knew...the nodes front and center have rectal cancer in them! At this point and time surgery is not an option. So I gave my three Musketeers a week and a half to confir (the would be Pope/pulmonary...Baker/Oncology...and Underhill/Thorasic Surgeon. Then I called Dr Baker...we spoke about the results and he confirmed what Dr Pope said that surgery was not an option but he also confirmed another comment from Dr Pope that this was by no means a death sentence. Dr B told me we would switch to the other chemo regimen FolFox with the avastin chaser and then after 8 to 12 treatments with Pet/CTs after each 4 treatments to see how its going. I met with Dr B the day after Thanksgiving and we also dicussed other things we might do such as irradiate those suckers in my chest to vaporize them and there is also a cryo procedure to freeze anything left of the tumors in my lung, plus there is an infusion drug called Herbatux that is for colon cancer. He said it is now just a matter of co-existing with my cancer and staying one step ahead! So all and all I am still feeling good and yesterday I had my first dose of FolFox which is why I am up so bright and early telling you all this. Yes folks I am getting the steroid decadrom and although I do cat nap from about midnight to 3am I am basically awake all night...but I will sleep well tonight...the effects only last for 24 hours. I know this blog was a biggie but since I really didn't know what was going to happen till last Friday I figured I'd save it all up.

Well Ta Ta For Now...the 2007 Christmas tree will be coming soon!

Love you all!

Mary aka Moose and Cancer Woman