Decisons Made

After the doctor appointments today, Bob, Kathie and Lauren waited around to re-meet with Colleen, the nurse practitioner, to discuss getting an oncology appointment and seeing where they were with everything. Of course, the three of us had just bought lunch when they came out to talk to us. Lauren stayed with the food, and Bob and Kathie went in. Dr. Rodriquez ended up coming in and they continued to discuss options since Dr. Abdalla completely ruled out liver surgery. Bob ran out and grabbed Lauren to come in during the continuation of the conversation with Dr. Rodriquez during round 2.

Kathie has been symptomatic more this week than last, burping about every 15 minutes. This fact, coupled with the fact that Dr. Rodriquez can feel her tumor, just by pushing on her tummy and that she got pretty sick last night led him to keep his opinion that she should have surgery before starting chemo. He added that it just depended on how much risk she was willing to take. Bob and Kathie scheduled the surgery for this coming Friday, with the understanding that they would come back and discuss it with the family and could cancel it.

Upon returning to the hotel, Bob put in a call to Dr. DiMartino to see how she felt about doing the tumor removal surgery prior to starting chemo. After hearing about the symptoms Kathie has been having – she agreed with Dr. Rodriquez. The pros and cons were discussed for literally hours between Bob, Kathie and Lauren and then for another hour with Lynette and Eddie. We have all come to the conclusion that the short term immediate risk of a blockage was the most important issue to deal with first.

Just so everyone can be on somewhat the same page: Major cons of starting chemo first – 1) Can’t start with the sidekick drug, Avastin, because if emergency surgery would occur, it would prevent healing, 2) Blood count/White blood count would be down from chemo – again, a problem if emergency surgery became an issue, 3) Colon tumors are slow responders to chemo, so it may not eliminate the possibility of blockage, 4) It’s an overall risk: we’d be risking blockage, rupture and would not be going full force against the cancer (with the Avastin). Of course there were/are pros too, and some cons of waiting on chemo… but these other issues outweighed them in the end… and we’re going with gut feelings – pun 100% intended:)

So that puts us here: Wednesday, Kathie has an appointment with internal medicine to make sure she’s a-go for surgery. Bob and Kathie are meeting their friends for lunch while Lauren checks out a couple of things at M.D. Anderson – including attending the family/patient orientation.

Lynette is coming into Houston either Wednesday or Thursday to be here for the surgery. Eddie will be coming during the recovery time next week so that he can be ready to talk the oncologist in case Bob is on a business trip.

Thursday will be a prep day for the surgery and Friday will be surgery. Lauren is looking at heading back to Connecticut either Monday or Tuesday… and then posting may fall to one of the remaining siblings who will be more in touch.

Posted by Lauren