Christian's Cancer Journey

Today was a long day.  We got to the hospital around 10:15 to get the day started with labs & a meeting with Dr. Paluri. During this meeting, he went over the Liver MRI results. The MRI confirms that there are numerous tumors in the liver. We discussed a lot of information about steps moving forward, and like this entire process, there are a million different scenarios.  The only thing that we know for certain about the path moving forward is this: -Christian will need 4 more chemo treatments (this includes today's treatment). -After the 4 treatments, she will get another CT scan of chest/abdomen/pelvis. -After we have the CT Scan results, we will plan a path forward with that information. Beyond that, there isn't much to talk about. Right now, we need to determine if the chemo will shrink (or stop the growth of) the tumors in the liver. The outcome of that is what will dictate the next steps. So the best thing anyone can do right now, is to think of her, and pray for her t

Yesterday I took the day off work and made us breakfast. Then we went to Hanging Rock for a few hours. We came home, and went to the hospital for her Liver MRI around 3pm. That went as well as any MRI could go. I just checked, and those results are not back yet. Maybe we will get them over the weekend, or we might get that info when we see Dr. Paluri on Monday before beginning treatment. Either way, that info will be shared here when we have it. This morning, we are going to head to downtown Asheville, NC for today and tonight, to walk around, eat food, explore, and get away for a little bit before Monday. Then just try to relax when we get home Sunday. Monday morning the schedule shows Cath Care (port access) at 10:30am, meet with Dr. Paluri at 11am, and treatment begins at 12pm. The chemo regiment is basically the same as the last 3 treatments she had (#10 - #12). Those consisted of Irinotecan and 5-FU (48hr infusion, take home pump, Franklin). There has been no Oxaliplatin the last

 It has been a long day, and this is probably one of the hardest posts I have had to write. This morning, I took Christian to her CT Scan appointment for her chest. This scan was basically a follow up to evaluate the spots we saw on her lungs during her last scan (which was on December 27th).  On that last scan, we saw that she had a few new spots show up on her lungs. Two of them are 1-2mm, and the largest one was 6mm (the size of a #2 pencil eraser). When we talked to the doctor after the scan, one of the first questions asked was if she had any respiratory symptoms. On that day, she had none, so there was some question there. The next day, she woke up with a sore throat. She was coughing, and hacking. We assumed that maybe the CT had picked up some info for a respiratory infection or something that had not actually presented any symptoms yet. A few days later, the symptoms were gone, and we had continued on thinking that maybe the couple small spots were related to that.  Fast forwa

 Hey Everyone, I had my appointment with Dr. Paluri yesterday to check labs and draw blood for the Guardant Reveal test. My CEA came back this morning and GOOD NEWS! It has dropped down to 1.4! I was so thankful to get positive news this morning. I posted a chart below. You can see it has been dropping consistently with chemo and surgeries. The only thing they were concerned about is my Vitamin D being slightly low. Mine is at 26 and the normal range is 30, so not a huge deal. We discussed it and I just need to start taking my daily multi-vitamin again. I have been slacking on that since colon surgery, so I will start taking it again and everything should be fine.  I have a chest CT scheduled for February 16 to check on the lung nodules. My post-op appointment with Dr. Ashburn is scheduled for that day as well. I am hoping the Guardant results will be back by then, but we will just have to wait and see. As always, thank you all for the prayers, support, and love.  - Christian