It has been quite some time since we have updated the blog so we will try to summarize what has happened in the meantime. From October to January, Cliff continued chemo treatments, completing 17 treatments over the past 12 months. During 2018 we had two changes in our Huntsman oncologist, from Gilcrease to Whisenant to Garrido. As you might imagine, this has made us all the more determined to follow orders from Dr Kopetz at MD Anderson in Houston.
At our January visit with Dr Kopetz, Cliff was allowed to go on "chemo vacation". This is because the lung spots had remained relatively unchanged for the last two CT scans. The plan for follow up was to see Dr Garrido in March, then Dr Kopetz in May. At the March visit, the CT scan showed that the lung spots were relatively unchanged, but that a lymph node outside the lungs had doubled in size. Though Dr Garrido pressed for more chemo, we asked that he consult with Kopetz and they decided to hold off until May.
At our January visit with Dr Kopetz, Cliff was allowed to go on "chemo vacation". This is because the lung spots had remained relatively unchanged for the last two CT scans. The plan for follow up was to see Dr Garrido in March, then Dr Kopetz in May. At the March visit, the CT scan showed that the lung spots were relatively unchanged, but that a lymph node outside the lungs had doubled in size. Though Dr Garrido pressed for more chemo, we asked that he consult with Kopetz and they decided to hold off until May.
We arrived at our hotel in Houston at 1:00 am Thursday morning (5/16). We were tired and full of anxiety. The CT scan later that day indicates the lung spots are showing signs of growth again, as well as the lymph node (possibly two). Dr Kopetz explained it this way, "We have basically frozen the cancer and now it is thawing out - the machinery is starting up and beginning to produce cells." We were not surprised to hear the recommendation to resume treatment.
Here is a little info about chemo. Think of a cancer journey as a marathon that you don’t want to finish. You need to pace yourself. The slower the better. You only have so many types or "lines" of chemo that you can try before you run out of options. The longer your cancer responds to the first “line”, the better. We don’t know how many lines or different types of chemo are an option for Cliff, but we do know it is not many and that as you progress through the lines, it typically gets harder on your body. Some of the side effects are just downright nasty.
Having two oncologists is sometimes tricky. We have Garrido, who wants to go to "second line" chemo, and we have Kopetz, who wants to stay on "first line". We consider Kopetz our main doctor. He is one of the foremost in his field and we think he is a rock star. We trust him and feel like his plan for Cliff is right on the mark. He is all for stretching our run time on the marathon.
Looking at things on the positive side... Cliff's level of disease is still fairly low. High enough to get back on treatment, but still at the point where first line chemotherapy, will hopefully keep it in check for a long time to come.
As always, we will continue the fight. We plan on coming in last in this race.
Cliff and Arvonne
Looking at things on the positive side... Cliff's level of disease is still fairly low. High enough to get back on treatment, but still at the point where first line chemotherapy, will hopefully keep it in check for a long time to come.
As always, we will continue the fight. We plan on coming in last in this race.
Cliff and Arvonne
