Friday, February 29, 2008
The Best Scenario
After Mark's cancer returned so quickly, our biggest concern was that it was spreading so fast that it may have invaded his vital organs. However, today, we visited the oncologist, Dr. Aviles, and discovered that the PET/CT scan revealed that it is fairly well contained in the area of the shoulder/neck and the blood test results were perfect.
Mark started daily radiation treatments last Monday, February 25 and will have ten treatments and then reevaluate possibly adding more. The radiation physician and oncologist have both assured us that it was good that the surgeon did not attempt to remove the tumor because it was much too deep and attaching to arteries and veins. Radiation and chemo are definitely the only modes of treatment which will be appropriate for this tumor.
In addition to the radiation, Mark will start a new chemo regimen called "Alimta" on Monday, March 10. This will be a more aggressive chemo than the previous oral dosage. The Alimta may cause the usual chemo side effects and will be administered intravenously for 30 minutes every 21 days. Three initial treatments are planned with more treatments and higher doses possibly added later.
Mark also had two skin cancers removed from his face this week and will have another removed in April. The huge bandaging they applied made him look like he was wounded in a war but the long term scar should be minimal.
The chemo was delayed a week because we have a family ski vacation planned. Mike, Steph, Gary, Kristina, Barbara, (3 year old) Nick, Mark and I are renting a house at Sunday River to watch Kevin's national ski championship competition. Mark will miss a few days of radiation but make it up after our return and start chemo then too. Kevin won a race in the season finale so that makes it exciting, plus none of us have seen him since mid-December!
My father was released today from the hospital after his third stay in the past few weeks but we are confident that his problems are under control now and he is on the mend. My mother had a second possible mini-stroke but tests are not revealing much. It seems to be a result of sporadic escalating blood pressure readings, maybe the result of nerves. She has remained at home and is doing great but tiring easily. My sister and cousin have come to their rescue countless times lately and a visiting nurse will help out for a while as well. I've seen them twice this week and they look good and are sure to improve with all the great care they have been receiving.
I assure you that Mark still looks great, has gained weight recently and everyone who sees him is surprised at how healthy he appears despite a year and a half of rigorous cancer treatments. He has even been driving himself to Hyannis for daily radiation. I will update the blog again towards the end of March at which time we should have some feedback on the effectiveness of these new treatments. Meanwhile, it is always best to reach us by e-mail at sheehan@cape.com Thanks for your continued support throughout the past 20 months.
Mark started daily radiation treatments last Monday, February 25 and will have ten treatments and then reevaluate possibly adding more. The radiation physician and oncologist have both assured us that it was good that the surgeon did not attempt to remove the tumor because it was much too deep and attaching to arteries and veins. Radiation and chemo are definitely the only modes of treatment which will be appropriate for this tumor.
In addition to the radiation, Mark will start a new chemo regimen called "Alimta" on Monday, March 10. This will be a more aggressive chemo than the previous oral dosage. The Alimta may cause the usual chemo side effects and will be administered intravenously for 30 minutes every 21 days. Three initial treatments are planned with more treatments and higher doses possibly added later.
Mark also had two skin cancers removed from his face this week and will have another removed in April. The huge bandaging they applied made him look like he was wounded in a war but the long term scar should be minimal.
The chemo was delayed a week because we have a family ski vacation planned. Mike, Steph, Gary, Kristina, Barbara, (3 year old) Nick, Mark and I are renting a house at Sunday River to watch Kevin's national ski championship competition. Mark will miss a few days of radiation but make it up after our return and start chemo then too. Kevin won a race in the season finale so that makes it exciting, plus none of us have seen him since mid-December!
My father was released today from the hospital after his third stay in the past few weeks but we are confident that his problems are under control now and he is on the mend. My mother had a second possible mini-stroke but tests are not revealing much. It seems to be a result of sporadic escalating blood pressure readings, maybe the result of nerves. She has remained at home and is doing great but tiring easily. My sister and cousin have come to their rescue countless times lately and a visiting nurse will help out for a while as well. I've seen them twice this week and they look good and are sure to improve with all the great care they have been receiving.
I assure you that Mark still looks great, has gained weight recently and everyone who sees him is surprised at how healthy he appears despite a year and a half of rigorous cancer treatments. He has even been driving himself to Hyannis for daily radiation. I will update the blog again towards the end of March at which time we should have some feedback on the effectiveness of these new treatments. Meanwhile, it is always best to reach us by e-mail at sheehan@cape.com Thanks for your continued support throughout the past 20 months.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Does Puerto Rico Cause Tumors?!
We left for our condo in Puerto Rico on January 31 intending to stay until Feb. 20, however, after a week there, Mark discovered a new tumor. This is our second consecutive trip to PR in which he found tumors while there! This one is on his shoulder, close to his neck. We spoke to the oncologist, rescheduled our return home to Sunday February 17 and arranged a pre-op appointment with the surgeon on Monday, with surgery temporarily scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 19. However, when the surgeon looked at the spot where the tumor was growing, he thought it would be too tricky to operate in that area due to all the veins, arteries, proximity to neck and throat, etc. Today, we met with the oncologist to review options and he would like to start a regimen of a newer IV chemo that Mark has not tried yet. He also referred Mark to the radiation doctor for an appointment Monday. Radiation has been very successful in the past and we are hoping that because this particular spot has not yet been radiated, he will be eligible despite having already had 75 radiation treatments in the past 16 months.
Wednesday of next week, there will be a PET/CT scan which should be very revealing. We are hoping that the cancer has not spread to any vital organs and that this new tumor is all that we are fighting at this point. We will have the results of the scan after meeting with Dr. Aviles, the oncologist, again next Friday, February 29. The tumor has more than doubled in size since Mark found it two weeks ago so we are hoping to get going on treatments quickly. Radiation could begin before we even have scan results. Nevertheless, I will report back next Friday afternoon, February 29 with all results and treatment decisions.
Despite the disappointing discovery, we went on a previously planned side venture from Puerto Rico to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Gary and Kristina were so impressed with The Biras Creek Resort, where they honeymooned, that they wanted to send us there as a treat for a few days. We took a 40 minute plane ride from San Juan, then a 30 minute boat ride to an indescribably breath taking, peaceful, remote island with no vehicles. Our accomodations were an adorable ocean view cottage with an open air shower and we rode old fashioned bikes around the property, explored the area in a motor boat and indulged in gourmet meals for two days. It was the most incredible place with the most panoramic views we have ever visited. We had been promising ourselves a side trip from Puerto Rico since we bought the condo two years ago but it took this generous gift from Gary and Kristina to finally get us going. What a memory!
My parents had lots of medical problems in our absence and we hope to see them this weekend. My father had an operation for prostrate problems, complications after, a heart attack and was hospitalized twice. My mother had a mini-stroke and has been undergoing all sorts of tests as well. They are both home now. My father is recuperating, a visiting nurse is tending to him and my mother has returned to many regular activities. My sister, who lives near them, was called to their house many times in the middle of the night and spent endless hours at hospitals, pharmacies and in waiting rooms and was a great strength throughout.
All else is well and I will report back to you February 29 with more details on Mark's situation and modes of treatment. As always, you can best communicate by using my (Nancy's) e-mail address: sheehan@cape.com
Wednesday of next week, there will be a PET/CT scan which should be very revealing. We are hoping that the cancer has not spread to any vital organs and that this new tumor is all that we are fighting at this point. We will have the results of the scan after meeting with Dr. Aviles, the oncologist, again next Friday, February 29. The tumor has more than doubled in size since Mark found it two weeks ago so we are hoping to get going on treatments quickly. Radiation could begin before we even have scan results. Nevertheless, I will report back next Friday afternoon, February 29 with all results and treatment decisions.
Despite the disappointing discovery, we went on a previously planned side venture from Puerto Rico to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. Gary and Kristina were so impressed with The Biras Creek Resort, where they honeymooned, that they wanted to send us there as a treat for a few days. We took a 40 minute plane ride from San Juan, then a 30 minute boat ride to an indescribably breath taking, peaceful, remote island with no vehicles. Our accomodations were an adorable ocean view cottage with an open air shower and we rode old fashioned bikes around the property, explored the area in a motor boat and indulged in gourmet meals for two days. It was the most incredible place with the most panoramic views we have ever visited. We had been promising ourselves a side trip from Puerto Rico since we bought the condo two years ago but it took this generous gift from Gary and Kristina to finally get us going. What a memory!
My parents had lots of medical problems in our absence and we hope to see them this weekend. My father had an operation for prostrate problems, complications after, a heart attack and was hospitalized twice. My mother had a mini-stroke and has been undergoing all sorts of tests as well. They are both home now. My father is recuperating, a visiting nurse is tending to him and my mother has returned to many regular activities. My sister, who lives near them, was called to their house many times in the middle of the night and spent endless hours at hospitals, pharmacies and in waiting rooms and was a great strength throughout.
All else is well and I will report back to you February 29 with more details on Mark's situation and modes of treatment. As always, you can best communicate by using my (Nancy's) e-mail address: sheehan@cape.com
