Surgical recovery...slow going

  We returned to St Francis on Wednesday for the post surgical check-up... and again on Thursday so that he could receive 2 more pints of blood. His levels just aren't staying where they should. The surgery has left him very sore and fatigued, he has no real appetite and he's losing weight. On the bright side, he is sleeping well and even though he needed 2 more pints yesterday, the Dr still feels that he is heading in the right direction. The Dr will be conferring with Yale to get a second perspective and we go back Friday to recheck his levels... they have 2 units on hold just in case :) I know he's frustrated because he can't get around too well but he's trying to be patient. All other treatment is on hold until he can be stabilized. Hopefully this can be done without further Surgery. Kids all started back to school so it will be a little less hectic during the day and probably a little boring, but it will give him a chance to rest. Hope life is being good to you and yours, thanks for all your warm thoughts and prayers.

Home sweet Home

    Finally got to bring Kenny home today :)  He's tired and sore but very glad to be home. We have a follow-up back at St Francis on Wednesday. The clinical trial is on hold because one of the side effects is bleeding so we can't take that risk at this time. Yale has recommended that we return to the first chemo because even though it didn't shrink the tumor, it also didn't allow any growth so they believe that we should be a little more patient with that treatment. We'll find out Wednesday if St Francis agrees. This has been a very scary week and I for one am glad it's done.
Some folks have asked for our address to send a card- they really do brighten his days so feel free... 185 Cassidy Hill Rd. Coventry, CT. 06238
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Major detour

This post is a little late but I couldn't manage it any sooner.
Kenny wasn't feeling great over the weekend but he really couldn't put his finger on what was wrong. I called the Dr. and they said watch for fever- so no fever we figured things were ok. On Monday we headed to Yale New Haven to do the intake for the Clinical trial that would supersize his immune system. Half-way there, Kenny got very sick, but afterward he felt a little better so we continued to Yale... the Smilow Cancer Center. We met with the Dr first thing and let him know what happened. He took vitals and sent us straight to the Emergency Room- no waiting, straight in. Lots of tests, poking and prodding.. then more testing all within a short time. Drs of all shapes and degrees started pouring in... they couldn't believe that Kenny was conscious and coherent but his hemoglobin was only 2.5. Your hemoglobin is normally around 14...you're sick at 9 and usually unconscious around 5. Many of the Drs said they had never seen numbers this low. The tests showed he was bleeding internally and had been for quite some time. They admitted him into the ICU and gave him 6 units of blood and a unit of Plasma ( God Bless the Blood Donors!)
On Tuesday the gastroenterology team did an Endoscopy to find the source and to possibly stop the bleeding. They found the bleed but it was arterial so the Vascular team came in and stopped the bleeding. Surgery went well but he needed two more units of blood and all kinds of antibiotics afterward. He moved from ICU to the oncology floor yesterday but he's running a slight fever so they're keeping a close eye on him. Too soon to know whats next. Thank God and all the wonderful Drs and Nurses at Smilow for such good care. 
And to all our friends and family, your Love and Prayers are so greatly appreciated!

New Possibilities

Yale New Haven Smilow Cancer Center today proved to be quite informative and has offered some new possibilities.
   The most exciting is a Clinical trial for a new "designer" medication that enhances your immune system to help it fight off your cancer rather than the medication fighting the cancer. There is a waiting list for this study and they need a few more of his test results to be sure but it looks like he is eligible. Stomach cancer is not very common so the list is not too long.We will know by Friday. 
   If the clinical trial doesn't work out, they have a new "DNA testing" for your tumor. Certain drugs have been effective against certain markers within a tumor so even if the drug is not traditionally used on your specific cancer, they may work on your specific tumor.  There is also a test they are doing on his previous biopsy to see if he has a certain tumor count that they have a new drug for that has proven to be effective. It is not likely that he will have this as it is extremely rare- but they are checking just in case. These are the cutting edge "investigational" drugs. 
   In addition to these, there is a new standard treatment medication that targets the blood supply to the tumor- this is the medication that St Francis talked about. Yale's Cancer team also feels that the fact that Kenny's first chemo regimen -although showed no reduction, shouldn't actually be ruled out totally because it also prevented further growth.
  If we need to wait for the clinical trial, we will continue with one of the standard chemo treatments while we wait.
   So, overall today was a good day. Very long, very exhausting but it offered hope... so it was definately worth it. I will update as soon as I know more. Thanks for all the support and well wishes.
  

Home again, home again...

  New Hampshire was just what the Dr ordered. With no cable or internet our time together was truly together. Fresh air and lots of Sunshine, board games, fireworks, an awesome view- plus the hot tub made for a wonderful relaxing reprieve.
  Now back to what's next. We have an intake appointment at the Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven on Tuesday August 5th. They will do bloodwork and ask plenty of questions to determine if he will benefit from and if he meets the criteria for the trial. Fingers crossed and prayers said for a better path on this journey to recovery. Hope all is well with you and yours.

If at first you don't succeed...

Unfortunately, the CT scan showed no change with this last chemo regimen. No better, no worse. But... the Dr. still has a few tricks up his sleeve. He is working on getting Kenny into a new med study at Yale New Haven that has showed some promise with his type of cancer. This new chemo targets the tumor in a different way than the previous chemos- we will know more after vacation. So for now, we will enjoy the reprieve from appointments and chemo and plan our week of family time away from the everyday chaos that is our happy, hectic life. Wishing you all blessings and thanks for all your Love and support.

3rd times the charm?

Yesterday was the 3rd round of the new chemo. The port was acting up so 4 hours turned into 6 but it's better now. We met with the Dr and he will be doing a CAT scan on the 11th to see if this chemo is having a better result than the last. The nurse told us that if this one doesn't work, the Dr has one more medicine up his sleeve- I'm hoping for this one. The good news is we will be able to go on Vacation before the next round of chemo - so hopefully Kenny will be feeling good for the ride to New Hampshire. I think it will do the family good to spend some peace and quiet time together- no cable, no internet- just a lake and a hot tub :)
Here's wishing all of you a safe and happy 4th of July!