Brand new plan?

I met with the Oncologist today for a complete review of my progress, or in my case lack of progress.  I did have a PET scan done on Monday and the results were not very good.  I am showing an increase of tumor activity in both lobes of the liver.  The scan also showed the cancer has spread to my adrenal gland.  The doctor told me not to worry about that because it seems like a small amount and the treatment for an adrenal tumor is the same as what I am doing for the my liver.  Also my tumor marker went up again to 149 and my platelets were only at 71.  After some discussion we agreed that the current plan is not working very well. The doctor explained that the platelet problem is the immediate problem right now.  If my platelets stay low, or go lower, I have an increased chance of internal bleeding, stroke or aneurysm.  He looked back at my history and decided to bring back a drug that was easy on my platelets and showed some success on the tumors.  He is putting me back on Erbitux. That's right, the drug that caused my face rash and finger infections.  We are going to start at a lower dose than what we had used before.  I will still get the rash and probably have some finger problems but we hope they won't be bad enough to cause us to stop the drug.  Our goal is to attack the tumors in a slow and steady pace while giving my platelets a chance to rebound.  I will not be taking the Xleoda oral chemo drug either, until my platelets increase.
As I was receiving nothing but bad news today, I was continually reminded that I am still in a much better place now than where I was in the beginning.  I have to continue to trust in the Lord's plan for me and stay positive.  Keep praying.

Appointment update

Yesterdays appointment turned out to be very interesting.  Matt was kind enough to take me to the hospital and was able to see what is involved.  My blood work numbers, as usual, contained both good and bad.  My liver function is good.  My platelet count went down to 55.  This seems to be the natural cycle for my platelets.  The good news was that my tumor marker went down 9 points to 138.  This is the first time my marker went down in a couple of months.  I hope this means the Avastin is finally starting to work.  Speaking of Avastin, I am experiencing one of the side effects from this drug.  High blood pressure.  The doctor has put me on meds for that but, my pressure has been high and I have been getting headaches.  I mentioned these headaches to Vic, who passed along that info to Allison, who then decided, with Vic, to call my nurse and tell her about the headaches.  My nurse talked to the doctor and they decided to order an MRI on my head in order to rule out any bleeding or cancer in my brain as being the cause for the headaches.  This plan was told to me during my exam and I had an MRI done immediately.  Good news, the test results were negative.  I have to thank "Team Family" for their concern and action.  It is better to be safe than sorry.  They did increase my blood pressure meds so hopefully the headaches will be controlled.
I am now going to administer the best medicine I have.  The grand kids are spending the day and night with their Nana and Papa.  It doesn't get any better than this!!!  Keep praying.

If you can't bring Muhammad to the mountain.........

If you recall, a couple of weeks ago I was told by my doctor that I could not take a trip out to Baltimore to see my new Grandson.  This broke my heart.  Well, the mountain came to Muhammad.  Matt and Allison made the drive out so the grand kids could see their Papa.  I cannot describe the joy I felt the first time I held Charles Owen Katula.  He melted my heart.  I have been in heaven all week.  The girls sleeping over, playing make believe, helping to cook pancakes for breakfast and a whole bunch more is now combined with Owen sleeping in my arms and ooing and cooing to his Papa.  I am truly blessed to be able to experience this.  I will admit though that every time I am with these angels I can't help getting emotional.  I look at them and I wonder what will I miss.  When I tuck the girls in at night I say a silent prayer asking God for as much time as possible.  I held little Owen and just talked to him telling him how much I loved him.  I realize the chance of Owen getting to know me is slim.  My prayer for him was to be able to hear my voice and take comfort in the fact that I will always love him and be there for him in spirit whenever he needed me.  This has been a really tough week, but a great week.  I am by no means giving up.  I know the Lord will allow me all the time I need and I accept that.
I do have an appointment on Wed for blood work.  My platelet count will be evaluated along with my tumor marker.  I am going to meet with the nurse and discuss our plan of attack.  As a bonus, Matt is going to take me to the hospital for this appointment.  I will post the results.  Thanks again for all the support, prayers and positive thoughts.  God bless.

Steady....Steady

I'm sorry for not posting as often as I had in the past.  I really enjoy writing this blog and I've felt it has been very therapeutic for me during this battle.  The problem I have had lately is that I feel my situation has kind of been on auto pilot.  I don't feel as if I am heading in any particular direction.  My main problems have been with my low platelets.  I am told this is a very serious situation and I have to be very careful not to do anything that would cause bleeding.  This is a life threatening condition.  I am then  told that I would have to suspend my treatment in order to get the platelet count up.  When I suspend my treatment the result is my tumor marker continues to increase.  I am then told not to worry because the increase is relatively small.  This has been going on for a while now and I feel like nothing is really happening good or bad.  Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining, I am just explaining.  I feel as though everything is the same and there is nothing new to report.  I also know this will not be the way it always is.  I do have some appointments and a PET scan coming up this month.  I'm sure this will cause the needle to move one way or another.  I am still a believer that God has a plan for me and maybe this was his way of giving me a little rest before we go at it again.  If that's the case, I'm ready to go.  Keep Praying.  

Back on the juice

I made a visit tot the hospital today.  I had blood work scheduled and a meeting with the nurse practitioner.  Over the past couple weeks the doctor and nurses have been putting together a game plan for me based on my need for treatment vs low platelets.  I had been taken off all treatment in order for my platelets to increase.  Once my numbers are at a decent level we can start chemo again and try to figure out which drugs are doing damage and which are doing good.  Well, today was the day to start.  My platelets came in at 83, still below the magic number of 100 the doctor would like to see but, for me it is good.  My prior numbers before they took me off chemo were down to 38.  The doc decided to give me the Avastin infusion, at full dose, and postpone the Xeloda pills for another two weeks.  I think this is the only way to see if the Avastin or the Xeloda is causing my platelet problem.  On the bad side, my tumor marker is continuing to rise, it's at 149.  Hopefully the full dose of Avastin will start to slow the tumor growth.  All we have to do is figure a way to kill off the tumors without the side effects killing me off first, simple.  By the way, the Avastin has caused my blood pressure to go up to levels high enough to need medication to control it. So far those meds are working.  Overall today was a good day.  I pray this is a new start and we can get back to attacking the cancer.

Just for a quick update, Owen (my grandson) is doing quite well.  He's gaining weight and getting bigger everyday.  I've been able to talk to him via computer and I can't wait to hug and kiss him.  Soon enough, if I can't go out by him, he will come by me.  I can't wait.  Grandchildren, the best medicine I could ever have and the only side effects are....love!  THANK YOU LORD.  Keep praying.

Quick update

I just felt it would be a good thing to give an update regarding some important information.

The Packers will have all of their receivers available for tonights game.  Jordy Nelson has a sore knee and Randall Cobb has a sore ankle but they will play.  Charles Woodsen will play.  Other than a couple of linebackers the Pack will be at full strength.
The Vikings quarterback, Ponder, will not play due to a bad elbow.  Joe Webb will start.  He is a very athletic quarterback and he will run.

I bet you thought this update was going to be about me.  Come on, it's the Packers and the playoffs!!
Actually there  is really nothing to report on me anyway, just taking it easy and trying to build platelets.

Go Pack

Happy New Year

Happy NewYear everyone.  I pray you all have a great 2013.  It looks like I will have some challenges ahead and I thank you in advance for all the prayers and positive thoughts.  Make a resolution to enjoy all that you have been blessed with in 2013.