On Wednesday I did see Dr. Marquinez for my follow up to Chemo. We also did lab work right in the office and the results are instant. My white count was only down slightly and everything else was good. Nothing to be concerned about according to Dr. Marquinez.
Dr. Marquinez told me that round 2 of Chemo will be exactly the same as round 1 with same side effects. However, he said that the entire Oncologist group of doctors did a case study of my case and all concluded that i would benefit most on round 3 of a combination of Radiation and Chemo. I will be seeing a Radiologist Oncologist in next few days to consult and determine that side of the treatment. It will consist of daily treatments, Monday-Friday for a period of 4-6 weeks. The treatments only usually take 10-15 minutes. This will also be on conjunction with Chemotherapy 1 time per week at a lessor dose. He said if they kept the same dose of Chemo that I get now and Radiation that it would "lay me out". So, round 3 with consist of daily radiation which focuses on smaller target and continue chemo for larger area. This is the most aggressive way to attack the cancer cells. This gives us the best chance to "shrink" the size of cancer so that it may be removed. As I get more info on Radiation, I will pass it along.
Today, I will be going to Akron City Hospital and have outpatient surgery to get MediPort placed in my chest. This give easy I.V. access for chemo/lab work. Chemo is hard on veins. I have to be at Akron City at 11:00 a.m. and the procedure is scheduled at 1:00 p.m. I am fasting, nothing after midnight for this procedure. So, by the time we get home, I guess 5:00-6:00 pm, I will be starving!
Just wanted you to know we are following your blog. Thanks for doing this, Don. I know you probably don't always feel "up to it," but it helps us know how you are without interrupting the time you need to rest, etc.
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