Good News, Bad News

Or not so great news, but not terrible news.  Trying to put a positive spin on today's doctors appointment at the Duke Cancer Center to get the CT scan results from Sunday.  The not so great news, at least a couple of the lesions on Joe's liver have increased in size.  The better news is that the tumor in the pancreas seems to have shrunk just a bit.  The growths in the liver are not large, but growth none the less.  Dr. Zafar and Leigh Howard were hopefull that the new 3 chemo infusion regimen would show better results and therefore he is switching Joe to another regimen.  Another reason for the change, all the fevers that Joe has been having.  Although they can't difinitively point to the chemo, they can't rule it out as a side effect.  Therefore it's on to a new treatment. 

Initially this one will be every Monday, about 2 hours of infusion time.  If Joe tolerates that well, then it can be administered once every three weeks as one 6 hour infusion.   So we will start with the weekly and possibly move up to the longer treatment.  Needless to say, once every 3 weeks would work better scheduling wise, but if he doesn't have a positive reaction with regard to side effects, then a massive 6 hour dose might not be a good alternative.  Only time will tell. 

Of course we are somewhat bummed.  But since it wasn't all bad news, we will just forge forward.  Joe seems to have taken it in stride (he usually does better than me).  One other positive aspect, no more home infusions.  So I won't have to go off and have a hissy fit when the home infusion nurse comes in the room Monday...because she won't have any need to!  I can't speak for Joe but I think he is just really tired.  Tired of bad news.  Tired of not feeling well.  I know that I am tired.  Tired of many things!

Many, many thanks for the well wishes and words of concern.  Your prayers and words of encouragement are truly helping both of us.