Everything was set to go; the transplant call would come any day, followed by surgery, recovery and then my return to life as usual in six months or so. My last several CT scans indicated that the tumors were responding well to chemo and the transplant would remove the cancer completely from my body. Since the liver's function is to filter the blood, I held the mental image of replacing the oil filter on a car - take out the old one put in a new one. Done. Back on the road.
I was not ready for the results I got this week. My CT scan shows that the tumor has grown aggressively in the past 8 weeks. The direction of its growth has taken it into my liver's portal vein and caused an obstruction. The blood will seek out a new path, like a blocked stream, and has the potential of creating all sorts of undesirable side effects. The biggest problem related to the tumor invading my portal vein is that the cancer cells now have a free ride to other parts of my body. The cancer cells are no longer confined to the liver. There are a few more tests to be performed, but it is looking like transplantation is no longer an option for me.
I still have no symptoms at all. No pain, discomfort or any indication that this scene is playing out inside my body. On Monday, I will be having another chemo-embolization treatment, my third, at UPMC. This time around I will be getting a stronger chemo drug than I have had in the past and will be staying overnight in the hospital for observation. I will feel lousy for a week or two but the side effects usually don't last any longer than that.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Michael-I feel, having worked with Julie as long as I have, that I share the heaviness of the weight of the most recent events you have posted. You have one of the most amazing spirits of any human being I have ever known, even if by association. I believe in faith, miracles and hope, all of which are wrapped in a blanket of prayer for you as you fight the good fight.
Dear Michael - We've just read all of the entries on this blog. I'm sure you can understand the range of our emotions. But on top of all of these emotions is a feeling of gratefulness that you are sharing your process in this manner, and also, amazement that you are such an eloquent writer. We look forward to many many many more posts. we love you. Renee and Harry and Maxx and Scout and Atlas and six unnamed and still unlaying chickens
Post a Comment