Like Putting Lipstick on a Pig
This is how Sam described his visit to the doctor yesterday after hearing the results of the CT. It's just impossible to try and make this situation look pretty but we certainly keep trying. Dr. Posey reviewed the results of the CT with us and started out with the good news and then followed with the bad news. It appears that the Erbitux did have some positive results - nothing to jump up and down and shout about but we had seen no results from Gemzar, Oxaliplatin, or the XL-119 trial vs 5FU. There had been a decrease in the size of the retroperitoneal adenopathy (aortocaval nodal mass) and there were no new liver lesions. The ablation procedure on the liver appears to be successful so far. The spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, kidneys appear unremarkable and there were no ascites.
Now for the bad news. We have not seen a copy of the chest CT yet but preliminary results showed an increase in the size of the lung nodules. Apparently the Erbitux had no positive results in this area. At one time there were approximately 22 nodules in both lungs; I'm not sure if there are any new nodules are not. I also do not know if the lesion in the sternum had changed or not. I'll find that out when they fax us a copy of the CT. This was disappointing but not really a surprise. I remember somone saying (I think it was the Petersen family) - we didn't get good news; we didn't get bad news - just slapped with the reality of this disease.
These are our next plans. Dr. Posey is adding Camptosar (CPT11) to the Erbitux and we will start a round of six treatments beginning May 18th. He is going to give Sam two weeks off from everything except the ProSure. He again stressed the importance of the ProSure because studies have shown that it helps combat whatever the tumors in your body are giving off and should make you feel better overall. He said he wasn't concerned too much about Sam taking in calories - just be sure and drink two cans of ProSure everyday.
Thanks for all of your prayers. We are still hanging in there!!
This is how Sam described his visit to the doctor yesterday after hearing the results of the CT. It's just impossible to try and make this situation look pretty but we certainly keep trying. Dr. Posey reviewed the results of the CT with us and started out with the good news and then followed with the bad news. It appears that the Erbitux did have some positive results - nothing to jump up and down and shout about but we had seen no results from Gemzar, Oxaliplatin, or the XL-119 trial vs 5FU. There had been a decrease in the size of the retroperitoneal adenopathy (aortocaval nodal mass) and there were no new liver lesions. The ablation procedure on the liver appears to be successful so far. The spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, kidneys appear unremarkable and there were no ascites.
Now for the bad news. We have not seen a copy of the chest CT yet but preliminary results showed an increase in the size of the lung nodules. Apparently the Erbitux had no positive results in this area. At one time there were approximately 22 nodules in both lungs; I'm not sure if there are any new nodules are not. I also do not know if the lesion in the sternum had changed or not. I'll find that out when they fax us a copy of the CT. This was disappointing but not really a surprise. I remember somone saying (I think it was the Petersen family) - we didn't get good news; we didn't get bad news - just slapped with the reality of this disease.
These are our next plans. Dr. Posey is adding Camptosar (CPT11) to the Erbitux and we will start a round of six treatments beginning May 18th. He is going to give Sam two weeks off from everything except the ProSure. He again stressed the importance of the ProSure because studies have shown that it helps combat whatever the tumors in your body are giving off and should make you feel better overall. He said he wasn't concerned too much about Sam taking in calories - just be sure and drink two cans of ProSure everyday.
Thanks for all of your prayers. We are still hanging in there!!
posted by Betty Johnson | 11:37 AM
2 Comments:
Jesus,
I pray for Sam. I lift him up to you Lord. You are our creator. You created our inner most parts and we are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are the author of our lives Lord and we trust that your ways are just, true and merciful. I pray that you touch Sam Lord. Create a miracle Lord. This is what we ask. In your name Jesus, I ask for Sam's tumors to shrink disappeasr and die. Cancer is not from you and in your name Jesus, I ask it to leave. I also ask that you strenghen Sam Lord, physically, emotionally and spititually. Shower him with grace, mercy and power to face this battle. I pray for the chemotherapy to WORK. We ask for good news. Thank nyou Jesus for being so faithful. Your words are true and your promises real. We cling to them Lord.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Thinking of you Sam,
Valerie McCrea
Dear Johnsons-
Love the "Lipstick on a Pig" analogy!
Keep hanging in there! I know it's hard to do, as I am looking at a new treatment plan - got taken off the clinical trial.
Good luck with the next round of chemo.
As always, prayers and thoughts are with you,
Caroline from Coloardo
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