all systems go!

I met with my Dr's on Friday and everything is set for surgery on Monday AM. The latest CT did not show any new areas of cancer and that was GREAT news.

Surgery could take 6-8 hours. My first estimate was way off as I really was just guessing. I'm not looking forward to being sore afterwards but will be glad that I'll be back on the road to recovery.

Hopefully this is my last surgery!

I will have Nicole make a post after I get out.

LiveSTRONG,
darin

heading back to Houston

Well, I'm done with radiation and now have surgery scheduled for March 2nd. Being away from Nicole & Carter was the hardest part of radiation. I did get to come home a couple of times, including Christmas.

With surgery, the plan is to remove the two lymph nodes and repair the hernia. There will be three surgeon's on my case and the surgery, as I guess, could take between 2-4 hours. Usually I have had a very early check-in time on the day of surgery, around 6am.

I will post more updates as they become available.

LiveSTRONG,
darin

treatment schedule

I will be starting 30 rounds of radiation on Dec. 17th. and will be also taking an oral chemo pill that will help the cancer cells be more receptive to the radiation. This treatment will be done at M.D. Anderson in Houston, TX.

I plan on being home for Christmas but will be in Houston for New Years. My schedule is still somewhat in flux as I am unsure what weekends I will be coming back to KC. I will miss being at home and spending time with my wife and son.

LiveSTRONG,
darin

upcoming trip to Houston

My doctors at M.D. Anderson have all spoken and determined the best treatment path for the affected lymph nodes is to radiate first along with oral chemotherapy. I plan to have appx 28 treatments, adminstered once a day during the weekdays. I would not be getting radiation on weekends or holidays. My appointment with the Radiologist is Wednesday Dec 10th and I could start treatments as soon as Monday the 15th.

Once the radiation is complete I will rest appx 30 days and then they will attempt to surgically remove the affected lymph nodes. I will be back and forth to Houston several times over the coming months as all of my treatment will be at M.D. Anderson, not here in KC.

That's what I know for now.

LiveSTRONG,
jupe

update from trip to Houston

I returned last night to KC after spending two days at M.D. Anderson in Houston. The results of my latest CT showed some activity in the lymph nodes still. This was expected and as of now the plan of action calls for radiation, more chemo, then surgery.

Both Dr. Kopetz and Dr. Feig remain optimistic about my prognosis as the cancer is still localized to one area.

I will post again when I have dates and confirmation of the treatment path.

Cheers,
darin

PET/CT results

I got a call today from KCCC and my PET/CT results came back with good news.  The report reads "presacral region has decreased in activity significantly."  This is good news and I will discuss the results with Dr. Pendergrass on Tuesday.  I am seeing about getting down to MD Anderson in the coming weeks and will have them do a re-assessment.

PET/CT scan

No real news today but I had a PET/CT today in KC and will meet with Dr. Pendergrass at KCCC on Tuesday to review the results.  This will help him determine what the next step(s) will be in my treatment.  Currently I am receiving a chemo infusion every three weeks and take an oral chemo pill for the first two weeks, the third week I have nothing.