Archive for January 5th, 2009

Back in New York

Monday, January 5th, 2009

Paris and I made it to New York on January 1st.  We had a MRI scan on the 2nd of the brain and spine.  We have a CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis on the 6th.  Depending on those results we may have surgery in the thorasic area on the 8th.  If the scans determine that there is enhancement due to post surgery, chemo and radiation then she will be declared “cancer free” at this time and ready for antibody treatment to target any free floating cells.  If there is enhancement due tumor, which will be decided when the scans from September to now are compared then surgery is needed.  It will be declared that there is tumor if the area has responded or changed based upon the chemo treatment she had received.  If the area stays the same in size and doesn’t change then it most likely is scar tissue.  

 

I’ll let you know as soon as I know.  Hopefully we will be ready for antibody.

 

Talk to you soon

 

***News from Dr. Kramer***

 

I just spoke with the doctors and they began by telling me that they had good news.  They reviewed the MRI scans that confirmed that the initial site in the thorasic area was in fact disease, however it was initially very small and now that Paris had gone through Chemo in December it even further decreased the enhancement site area to almost nothing.  Now they are consulting whether or not (risk vs benefit) to have surgery on the 8th because the area is so small.  They think that maybe the antibody will be enough rather than to put her through surgery.  The team will schedule surgery for the ommaya and start antibody (8H9).  This is a different antibody than what I had researched.  I had assumed that we would be doing 3F8.  Another option is to keep the surgery date to remove what is left in the thorasic area and after she recovers begin antibody. Either way we are beginning our first cycle of antibody !!!  For now they have determined that the area in the brain is enhancement due to post surgery and radiation.  They will continue to watch the area closely.  Paris is doing well here at the house.

 

When I gather more information I will let everyone know.

 

Thanks again for the ongoing support, thoughts and prayers.

Posted in Chemo, treatment, Radiation, MRI, Cancer, Hospital | 1 Comment »