PET scan update

It's Andrea, this time....a visiting "writer" to this blog. We're a little pressed for time tonight, since we have to be at Trumbull High soon. So while Dave is eating dinner, I am posting an update from our visit to the doctor this afternoon.

Dr. Cooper was disappointed to see that the PET scan showed that there was still a spot of cancer -- it's 80-90% gone, but there is still a spot that showed up on the PET scan. Usually, he says that by the 4th round of chemo, they don't find anything on the PET scan and then the 5th and 6th treatments are kind of like "clean up" chemos. Since there still is cancer there, he wants to change the last two treatments to a different kind of chemotherapy which uses different drugs. He said that the residual lymphoma cancer cells that are still there MAY be resistant to the other treatment he was on, and using the new drugs may prove to be effective on these resistant cells.

Treatment WAS going to be on Tuesday, as originally scheduled, but they want to have a port put in first so that giving the treatments from now on will be easier. -- The nurses who had a hard time finding a decent vein for the infusions will be happier, too! :) SO, we are supposed to get a call tomorrow, letting us know when the port will be put in next week and then they will tell us when the treatment will start. We are guessing Dr. Cooper wants to stay as close to the schedule as possible, so if he gets the port on Tuesday, we are thinking that he may have treatment on Wednesday. Stay tuned....!

This new treatment is a little different...instead of being given all in one day, like we have been used to, it will be given in 3 consecutive days. Then he will have a 2 or 3 week break before getting the last treatment. When we asked about side effects, he said it all depends....some people think it's the same as the other chemo, some think the chemo we are on now is worse, and others think the new chemo Dave will be having has worse side effects. Obviously, we continue to pray for healing of ALL the cancer and it would be really nice if the side effects are not any worse than what he has been experiencing.

The plan of action after these last two treatments is kind of like before.....after his blood cell counts "recover", they will harvest his stem cells. When they have enough, he'll have the 6-day- every-day chemo "blast" to "wipe out everything" (as the doctor says). Once that is done, they will put the stem cells back in and then do another PET scan. If it is all clear, he still wants to do radiation on the spot where the cancer was concentrated just to make sure there is nothing left.

The time frame of all this?? We really have no idea...but we know the Lord does and we continue to trust Him for each day and for His perfect timing and perfect will. Thanks SO much for all your prayers!