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.
# posted by The Sheehan Family @ 7:47 PM 
