Tumors are Stable

Greeting,

My apologies as I have been somewhat remiss in updating this blog, but the new update contains good news. Bridget and Craig meet with their Neuroendocrine oncologist, Dr Polite, on the best treatment path. It was decided to move forward with Folfox chemo. After 4 rounds of chemo she had a PET scan and it showed stability, no progression! So she decided to continue with the chemo and was able to extend the time in between treatments. So now she gets chemo every 3 weeks which gives her a couple weeks of feeling good. After another 4 rounds of treatment, she had another PET Scan and it showed stability as well. In the Neuroendocrine world, stability with no growth is a very positive thing. Her recent scan also showed that the fractures in her hip and pelvis had healed although she still struggles with low bone density from the cortisol. She receives an IV every 3 months with a drug that stops the bones from breaking down.

Gigi has a nice routine set for treatment days that at least is somewhat tolerable. She typically gets treatment on a Monday morning at University of Chicago Orland Park. She gets the first drug in Folfox via her port. Then they connect her to a small pump for the second drug. She is able to go home at this point. The infusion runs for 46 hours and then a home nurse comes to disconnect her. The chemo comes with a strange side effect of having a sensitivity to cold. That first week she can't drink anything cold or touch anything really cold. She has been spending the 3 days of at home treatment at our house. We have a room set up for her with a large screen TV. Monday is normally pretty good, but by Tuesday tremendous fatigue and some manageable nausea sets in. She sleeps a lot during these 3 days. Nancy is there taking care of her, making sure she is eating and drinking.

She has two more rounds to go before another PET Scan. She starts round 10 tomorrow morning. We are praying for continued stability and shrinkage. It was encouraging to see that her tumor marker had lowered after the last 3 treatments.

Big shout out to Craig, as these times have extra burdens falling on him to do his job and take care of the kids. Many thanks to Anita, Craig's mom, who was here in June for 3 weeks helping out. She is flying in again today and staying for a couple weeks to help while Craig is out of town. This sure helps when Craig has to travel. Thanks Anita!

Please continue your prayers and words of encouragement, they seem to be working..