Thursday, January 31, 2013

I Wish I Had Better News Today



This morning I had CT scans of my chest, abdomen and pelvis to see the status of the tumors in my lung, liver, and bones.  I’ve been feeling better the past week and the hope was that the chemotherapies I’ve been getting were shrinking my tumors.  Wynn, Nathan, Nina and I then went to see my local oncologist late in the afternoon to get the results of my scans.  Unfortunately, I did not get good news.  Although the primary tumor in my lung shrank, the lesions in my liver and bones are bigger and more numerous. 

Next Steps:
So the sobering reality is that I need to set myself up for clinical trials, which are therapies that are offered only under strict research protocols. I will start a new chemotherapy next Thursday, which will work to preserve my liver.  In the mean time, I will have another liver biopsy, probably tomorrow, which will be tested for information needed to help my doctors choose the best chemos to try next and help me decide the best clinical trial to choose down the road. 

Given that I am likely going to enter a research protocol at some point, I thought I’d let you know that my family is participating in Cycle for Survival, a fund raiser for Memorial Sloan-Kettering, a nationally known cancer research center.  Along with other family members, Wynn, Nathan, and Nina will be cycling for me at the Equinox Fitness Center in Chicago on February 9th, to raise dollars for researchers who are looking for new therapies for all cancer patients, including me.  


This link will bring you to my family’s page if you’d like to make a donation:


Thank you to all our friends and family members who have been an incredible support system to me, Wynn and Nathan and Nina. We love you all!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You said earlier, "come on, can't I catch a break". , It seems like you heard some really lousy news today again, but the good news is that there are investigational trials to go into. You are in my thoughts and prayers as well as your whole family. I am looking forward to seeing you soon. Kathy in Omaha

ark said...

Luna, we all wish it were better news. But we are hopeful for better results with the new protocol. We're glad to support the cycling team, what a great thing to do! Love, the Kennedys

Denise Friesen said...

LUNA,

YEAH, so glad to be able to leave a post instead of making your read yet another email.

Sorry about the not so good news. You have always been my cutting edge friend when it comes to science, so I'm so glad that you can be in some research trials. I pray, pray, pray that some new chemo's may be just what shrinks those liver and bone lesions.

SO glad you got the boots!! They look awesome and with our weather you'll get plenty of wear out of them in the next two weeks!! So, is that the Anita S I know??? Old friends indeed. I just told Roger last week, I was probably gonna want to make a trip up to Chi town. To think I missed a shopping trip!!

But I'd really like to take and/or accompany you to any of your appts or treatments. Let me know of a time that would be good for you.

love you dear Lu,
denise

Brian S said...

Luna,
Trish O'Malley let us know what was going on. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Continue to be strong.
Thinking of you,
Sharon (Sih)

Shirley Kroot said...

Luna,
So sorry about the not-so-good news. Know that you and Wynn & the kids are in our prayers daily. As soon as we get home, we will make a donation. Love you all. Shirley

Anonymous said...

Luna, I'll get the hang of this blogging eventually - guess I have to be signed into my profile first before I comment (?) Anyway, it is good news that your primary tumor has shrunk, now if we can only get the good news on the others. Hang in there with the chemo - you are a very strong woman but I'm sure it takes all your strength to endure them. I'm keeping you in my daily thoughts and prayers. I look forward to hearing good news on your next scan. Hugs, Gwen

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