CT Scan #1
Sarah & I just returned from the doctor’s office where we got the results of some blood work, had a CT scan, and heard the preliminary report on that CT scan.
First, blood work was all great, further indicating the tumor was a typical carcinoid as suspected. Also indicated Sarah is healing from the surgery wonderfully.
CT scan showed NO signs of any tumors we didn’t already know about, so that too is very positive. Lungs, stomach, lymph nodes were all seemingly clear, so that is good news.
On the liver, her oncologist indicated he saw about 12 spots, which he said is similar to what he suspected. The largest tumor is about 3.3 centimeters across. The remainder all appeared to be in the 1-2 cm range, to my uneducated eye. The doctor has prescribed thrice-daily injections of Sandostatin (or Octreotide), which began this afternoon. If you’ve ever wanted to inflict minor pain on Sarah, the shot schedule will be approximately 7 a.m, 3 p.m, and 10 p.m., with her insisting she’ll be unable to do the deed herself.
We have another appointment tomorrow morning with a surgical oncologist at Ellis Fischel, where we’ll further discuss treatment options. At this point, the most likely immediate option is hepatic artery embolization. That would be a series of outpatientish surgeries where they restrict the blood flow to Sarah’s liver, a procedure which makes life very difficult for the tumors, but doesn’t harm the liver too much. This procedure is good for two different reasons — first, it harms the tumors; secondly, it treats the issue without eliminating other treatments from possibility down the road. We are very anxious to have the opinion of the surgical oncologist tomorrow too, though.
Sarah, Adelaide, Jack, and I are all doing well. Sarah’s report to the nurse was that she was ‘almost normal’, which is about as good as any of us can hope for really.
Once again, thanks to all family, friends, co-workers, and even fairly random acquaintances who have offered kindnesses, kind words, prayers, and positive vibes. Thanks also to the NCAA, who gave a bid to the MU baseball team, so their last game of the season didn’t have to be a sickening loss to the prairie chickens of beakerville. Down with the shoebirds, and All Hail the Scarfman (read Sports Illustrated’s letters to the editor, if you haven’t already. And if you haven’t already, you should probably consider reevaluating your priorities).
Jason