Short Executive Status (Summary) -- Blog is below

Active Tumors:
»
5+ liver tumors -- largest is 7 cm by 5.2 cm (70 x 52 mm), Gold tracers inserted Nov 21 for CyberKnife x-ray 3D movement tracking. Thu Dec 1st,2011, CyberKnife planning. Dec 16th, treatment 1/3 done to whole liver. Dec 19th, treatment 2/3 done to whole liver. Dec 21st, treatment 3 failed, couldn't get tracer alignment. Dec 22nd, treatment 2.5/3 done using 2 of 4 tracers. Final 0.5 treatment was to be done Tue Dec 27th. Cancelled due to complications and hospitalization.

»
12 lung tumors -- largest is 8 mm in size (0.8 cm)

»
1 lymph node tumor -- near left renal vein & artery of left kidney (1.4 cm). Nov 14th: Ultrasound done of both kidneys and bladder area, all 3 areas are cancer free.

» 3rd-8th brain tumors -- 6 new brain tumors. Sizes all less than 5mm(0.5cm). Some as small as 2mm(0.2cm). Full brain radiation or CyberKnife TBD in Jan after 2nd MRI to see speed of growth.

Inactive Tumors:
» 2nd brain tumor -- Killed via CyberKnife Sep 29/2011, 5 mm in size (0.5 cm).
» 1st brain tumor -- Killed via CyberKnife May/2011, was 20 mm in size (2 cm). Nov 21st, still showing brain tissue swelling, but not active.
» Original Esophogeal Cancer tumor (source of everything) -- Surgically removed June/2010 by 3-field Esophogectomy. Was roughly large egg sized.

[ Note: 2.54 cm = 25.4mm = 1 inch ]

5 pictures included in album


2011_11_16, Shane in BIG CHAIR



Link to 34 surgery June 2010 pictures and some post surgery shots.

Latest Picture

Latest Picture
Shane - 2011_11_27, Photo Shoot lighting prep

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

2011-11-22: Recovering from tracers. More bad news.

Recovering from Tracer insertion surgery:
» I'm recovering well from the tracer insertion. It doesn't hurt as much today as yesterday. I didn't require any breakthrough pain meds today (not like the tonnes of it yesterday). I'm not doing any lifting today, just taking it easy. Kaye took the day off school yesterday and today to watch me and make sure she does my lifting for me, not me. (Example: laundry needed to be done today, kids have karate tomorrow and their gi's weren't washed.)
» Thanks to mom and dad Boyce for bringing stew last night. The family enjoyed it.

More bad news (new brain tumor activity):
» The brain doctor's nurse called about my MRI last week Thursday. It unfortunately shows more tumor growth (additional tumor(s)) and that there is activity in an old tumor in my left lobe (so the first 2cm tumor's looking alive again, probably the cause of the seizure).

» I was talking to the doctor's nurse over the phone, so she could only give me general info, no specifics. I'll find out on my doctor's appointment on Monday. I think they wanted to see me earlier this week and to possibly start immediate full brain radiation, but since I'm on paliative care, and my liver is a potential immediate life threat, I will concern myself with that first.

» To go on full brain radiation would fatigue me greatly and possibly turn me into a useless vegetable until it's over. If I am on my last legs due to my liver, I don't want to go out as a vegetable. So I will pass on the full brain radiation until something is done about my liver. If I'm given a number of months extra life from relief of liver pressure, then I'll consider worrying about my brain. As I'll have time to work on it.

» When asked if I was having any head-aches or anything, I said no. So the nurse says that after talking to me and hearing that I have no present symptoms, she understands my decision and we'll talk more (with the doctor) on Monday's 9am appointment at JCC.

Regards,
Shane

No comments:

Post a Comment