Fun Medical Information Update and More
Many have asked recently how Sarah is doing, so despite my continuing promises of no more updates until something changes, here’s an update.
We recently had another round of scans, both CT scans and Octreoscans, and then the visits with the corresponding doctors. The scans continue to show either no change or positive change. Some of the spots continue to get smaller while others appear to be stable. Beyond the liver and specific lymph nodes, any time something “new” has popped up on a scan, it’s later been debunked. No new spots, no growth, some shrinking. All good. And we simply can’t stress enough how fortunate we feel to have friends in town who can and gladly do help us decipher this stuff.
More detail, Sarah has been diagnosed as having “atypical carcinoid”. The main feature that makes it “atypical” is that it grows faster than typical would, a diagnosis based on where Sarah’s carcinoid started, how it metastasized, and the tissue sample from that removed tumor. However, it’s not behaving as a typical atypical carcinoid would. Specifically, it’s not growing and has shrunk.
Based on the diagnosis, the standard treatment at this point should likely include chemotherapy. In fact, the physician we saw in New York recommended a specific (eventually) combination treatment of two chemo drugs, to start immediately and last at least 4 months, potentially for years. While not decided for certain, we don’t feel now is the time to start that treatment. If the CT scans were showing something different, then maybe. We’ll continue to monitor closely (more closely than every doctor we’ve visited recommends, with the exception of our local oncologist) and to investigate options.
One hope, among many, is that perhaps the situation has changed enough to make surgery an option on the lymph nodes, the liver, or in combination. If we can get the disease limited to the liver, then that opens additional proven treatment options. That’s where things stand as of today. The decision on chemo hasn’t been made fully, but that’s how we’re leaning.
A common question when we’re discussing the situation with others is “How’s the football team going to be?” We’re happy to report that another 14-0 season is in the works. Tigers open the season in 10 days (6 days using Melissa Smith’s magic counting tricks) against Illinois in St. Louis for victory number one. We have lodging arranged for 11 of those 14 games, with others in the family taking the bold lead and reserving hotel rooms in San Antonio for the Big 12 Championship game.
Adelaide and Jack have both gone back to school this week. Adelaide’s in her third-year at CDC, or “Jack’s school” as he calls it. JT has started there as well, going 2-days/week to “Adelaide’s school”, as she calls it.
That’s where we are. Hope you’re well where you are. Go Tigers. Screw carcinoid. Screw ku.