January update

Here is the latest update.  I have now received a fourth treatment with the new chemotherapy regimen (the twelfth overall).  The drug combination is called FOLFIRI, with Avastin as an addition.  The difference between this and the FOLFOX that I initially received is the OXaliplatin, which caused my neuropathy, has been replaced with IRInotecan, which causes diarrhea and hair loss.  The Avastin can cause bleeding.  Sounds like fun stuff, doesn't it?  Fortunately I haven't experienced any hair loss (as far as I can tell) and the diarrhea has not been bad as long as I watch what I eat.  It is really only rough for the first few days after treatment.

The plan going forward is to have another treatment on the 8th of February, and then return to Houston and MD Anderson on the 20 and 21st.  I will have another appointment with my oncologist here on the 22nd and possibly get chemotherapy depending on what the doctors in Houston say.

I asked my oncologist here if I could have a CT scan done before I go to Houston, to see if there has been a change that would necessitate the trip.  He suggested that they will want to do their own scan at MD Anderson (the oncologist I met with there told me as much last time), and getting two scans is not a good idea. 

So in the mean time we are hoping that this is the treatment that works, and that I become a candidate for HIPEC.  At least that is what I am hoping as I think it gives me the best chance for survival, not that the procedure sounds fun at all.  Teresa is just hoping that this can all be done and I will live for a long time.

Layne