CT Scan Result --Dad

To Judy’s Army,

Ryan, Julia and I accompanied Judy to the doctor today.  We were all apprehensive because she had a CT Scan yesterday for the first time since the tumors were discovered three months ago.  

We were all worried that she may be declining because of her weight loss and weakness.  We feared bad news.  But the visit was a relief.  Her tumors are about the same size and her kidney and liver functions are good.  

The problem is that the blood disease that precluded the cancer is insidious and they have not been treating it because the cancer treatment could make it worse.  As a result, she has had to get transfusions to replace red blood cells and this process seems to be accelerating.  It’s a double whammy.  

Her main doctor decided to cancel her chemo session today and convene a conference of doctors on Monday to discuss her situation.  We also talked about immunotherapy, which is a possibility.  It was approved for kidney cancer two years ago and although it has not had a high success percentage and there is a minimal chance of severe side effects, when it does work, it can eliminate the cancer.  

I think we are all hoping for this treatment, knowing it’s a longshot, but also thinking it’s the best shot to not only survive this but get back close to normal.  If she can beat the cancer, the worst-case scenario is that she may continue to suffer with MDS, which could make her transfusion dependent.  But that would be a minor inconvenience compared to what she is going through now.  In that event, she would get her strength back and resume a graceful aging process.   And, of course, they may come up with a way to revive her bone marrow in the meantime and cure the MDS.

One thing that is clear is that it is going to be a long road to recovery.  Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.  She is able to entertain visitors, but because she grows weary quickly and also has home visits from nurses and therapists, it is better to plan a short visit. Shorter is sweeter these days.  Luckily, I have been getting better at my stay-at-home grandad dotage.  

Julia and Ryan have really made us proud.  And if God hears our prayers, she is in good hands unless he wants her more than we do, which I suppose is possible.  All of us combined can’t match that kind of love.

Larry