On behalf of Deb and our family, we want thank all of you at Deb's school, our neighboorhood, friends, and coworkers for the overwhelming love and support for Deb. Bless you all!
MEN 1/Neuroendocrine Stage IV
We have received most of the test results from Deb's testing over the last 2 weeks and will provide brief summary from what I can decipher from the documentation until we meet with Dr. Yaffe tomorrow to obtain further details. Her initial diagnosis from Dr. Brodeur is called MEN 1/Neuroendocrine stage IV. The CT Scan results conclude that her cancer is primarily in her right hepatic lobe of liver and small lesion also on the left kidney. Her pancreas contains a well define cystic lesion. The lesion in the pancreatic tail is also in intimate contact with the left adreanl gland. The MRI brain scan was good but found also a small 1cm left thyroid nodule in her neck. Deb has also been diagnosed with hypercalcemia and may be related to some of Deb's confusion that she is currently experiencing along with the hormonal changes and hypermorphone pain medicine.
Initial Treatment
We will know more details about the plan tomorrow with 11am appointment with Dr. Yaffe but from the Dr. Brodeur's notes, he indicates to start Deb immediately on Sandostatin. I don't know all the details yet but it is hormonal treatment and suppose slow down the growth of the cancer cells and help to keep Deb comfortable. Some of the other treatments mentioned include liver emboolization or chemoembolization. The chemo options include Temodar or Strep/Adria. There is also possibility of adding alpha-interferon at a later date, after dose-escalation of Sandostatin.
2nd Opinion
Deb's medical complexity obviously warrants a second opinion and we are currently working with Susan and Lisa in DC. We are beginning to plan a flight to DC asap to meet with one of the Oncologist's at George Washington hospital that specialize in neuronendrocrine tumors. Lisa has already recommended Dr. Ahlgren and will be an integral part in expediting consultations and possible treatments if necessary for Deb. Lisa you are amazing and I cannot wait to meet you! What is surprising to hear is that Dr. Ahlgren knows of no one in Atlanta that specializes in neuroendocrine tumors.
Our next steps are to get results from the Octreoscan which I am picking up at lunch today (Thanks Jamie!) and Northside ER visit. We will hope to get referral from our Friday appointment with Dr. Yaffe to meet with Dr. Ahlgren in DC.
Currently, Deb continues to rest comfortably at the house with the care from her wonderful mom, Bonnie during the day while I am work. The hydromorphone pain medicine continues to aid her continued pain in the right abdomen area which unfortunately has not gotten any better. It has really slowed down her from being able to get around the house along with heavy sedation from the narcotic. Her fevers have been reduced alot over the last four days and see only briefly at night before bed. If you talk to her, just know that she is very aware of everything but her intermittent pausing and confusion is due to all the different changes in her body.
Thank you Mom and Dad for the beautiful flowers and goodies for Deb. Know that we are all thinking about you Mom and your planned back surgery. Our prayers will be with you always for a speedy recovery. We love you :)
We anxiously await our appointment with Dr. Yaffe so we can move forward with treating our beautiful Deb.
We love you and KTS!
Rod and Deb
MEN 1/Neuroendocrine Stage IV
We have received most of the test results from Deb's testing over the last 2 weeks and will provide brief summary from what I can decipher from the documentation until we meet with Dr. Yaffe tomorrow to obtain further details. Her initial diagnosis from Dr. Brodeur is called MEN 1/Neuroendocrine stage IV. The CT Scan results conclude that her cancer is primarily in her right hepatic lobe of liver and small lesion also on the left kidney. Her pancreas contains a well define cystic lesion. The lesion in the pancreatic tail is also in intimate contact with the left adreanl gland. The MRI brain scan was good but found also a small 1cm left thyroid nodule in her neck. Deb has also been diagnosed with hypercalcemia and may be related to some of Deb's confusion that she is currently experiencing along with the hormonal changes and hypermorphone pain medicine.
Initial Treatment
We will know more details about the plan tomorrow with 11am appointment with Dr. Yaffe but from the Dr. Brodeur's notes, he indicates to start Deb immediately on Sandostatin. I don't know all the details yet but it is hormonal treatment and suppose slow down the growth of the cancer cells and help to keep Deb comfortable. Some of the other treatments mentioned include liver emboolization or chemoembolization. The chemo options include Temodar or Strep/Adria. There is also possibility of adding alpha-interferon at a later date, after dose-escalation of Sandostatin.
2nd Opinion
Deb's medical complexity obviously warrants a second opinion and we are currently working with Susan and Lisa in DC. We are beginning to plan a flight to DC asap to meet with one of the Oncologist's at George Washington hospital that specialize in neuronendrocrine tumors. Lisa has already recommended Dr. Ahlgren and will be an integral part in expediting consultations and possible treatments if necessary for Deb. Lisa you are amazing and I cannot wait to meet you! What is surprising to hear is that Dr. Ahlgren knows of no one in Atlanta that specializes in neuroendocrine tumors.
Our next steps are to get results from the Octreoscan which I am picking up at lunch today (Thanks Jamie!) and Northside ER visit. We will hope to get referral from our Friday appointment with Dr. Yaffe to meet with Dr. Ahlgren in DC.
Currently, Deb continues to rest comfortably at the house with the care from her wonderful mom, Bonnie during the day while I am work. The hydromorphone pain medicine continues to aid her continued pain in the right abdomen area which unfortunately has not gotten any better. It has really slowed down her from being able to get around the house along with heavy sedation from the narcotic. Her fevers have been reduced alot over the last four days and see only briefly at night before bed. If you talk to her, just know that she is very aware of everything but her intermittent pausing and confusion is due to all the different changes in her body.
Thank you Mom and Dad for the beautiful flowers and goodies for Deb. Know that we are all thinking about you Mom and your planned back surgery. Our prayers will be with you always for a speedy recovery. We love you :)
We anxiously await our appointment with Dr. Yaffe so we can move forward with treating our beautiful Deb.
We love you and KTS!
Rod and Deb
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10 comments:
We love you and are so glad your mom is there with you. Know how much we care and think of you. Love,Ingrid
You are always on my mind and in my prayers. You're a special friend,Debra!
Love,
Anne
Debra, You are in my thoughts and in my heart. I am grateful that you are surrounded by so much love and and so many caring poeple.
Lovee, Eileen
love to you deb
Deb and Family,
I want you all to know how much you are in my prayers. Deb you have touched the lives of so many children through the years including one of my wonderful granddaughters. Dee Mobley
Dear Debbie, Fred and I are praying for you. You are in our thoughts as we go through the days. We wish you and Rod Godspeed on your journey to DC. Take care and know that we are pulling for you as you undergo tests and treatments. There is so much more now that can be done for treating the big C. Remember when you and Rod stopped to visit us on your way home from Hawaii? We really enjoyed your visit. That was a long time ago. We wish you all the best that medical science and God can give you. Love from Uncle Fred and Aunt Rose in Texas!
Dear Debbie, Fred and I are praying for you. You are in our thoughts as we go through the days. We wish you and Rod Godspeed on your journey to DC. Take care and know that we are pulling for you as you undergo tests and treatments. There is so much more now that can be done for treating the big C. Remember when you and Rod stopped to visit us on your way home from Hawaii? We really enjoyed your visit. That was a long time ago. We wish you all the best that medical science and God can give you. Love from Uncle Fred and Aunt Rose in Texas!
Dear Debra,You are in our thoughts and prayers everyday.You are an amazing woman and an outstanding teacher.Blake was blessed to have you as his teacher and he is a better student for it.We will think of you and pray for your recover everyday.Love Jacci and Blake holmberg
Debra, wonderful to hear strength in your voice!! On this LORD's Day, looking to JESUS, our Risen Savior, by faith we claim His promises for each of you: for eagles' strength, for peace that passes understanding, for healing "for all your diseases", and for courage without limits! JESUS says, "Fear not. I am with You" May each of you be blessed in your need by His promises and His Spirit! Thank You JESUS!!! Amen
Debbie,
I hope you are feeling better,Brynda has been giving us updates on you. I finally got the web address right. I just want to let you know that you and your family is in my prayers daily. You are on our pray list at church so lots of prayers are being sent up on your behalf. Love Joyce Whipple
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