Follow Up Call Tonight on Treatment Plan from Oncologist, Dr. Yaffe

Received a welcoming surprise call Sunday night from Dr. Yaffe and he wanted to pass along quick update on status of some of the research results for Deb’s treatment planning options.

1) Parathyroid Gland Surgery
Confirmed that only 1 of the 4 glands tested positive so Deb will be going forward with the surgery to remove most likely 3 of 4 parathyroid glands.

Next Steps
The original surgery was not scheduled until November and I will start the phone calls tomorrow to expedite ASAP. We are hoping this surgery will help address the lack of energy and tiredness that Deb is currently experiencing.

2) Bland versus Chemo Embolization
Dr. Yaffe is more in favor of chemoembolization versus bland embolization since it is used more for Pancreatic cancer. Was not in big favor of the hepatic artery pump due to not trouble free and ongoing maintenance.

Next Steps
As a result, Dr. Yaffe is currently in process of submitting the referral to Northside Hospital for Deb to receive the chemo embolization. We will not know yet how many treatments will be required until we discuss with the Radiologist at Northside when scheduled who may elect to break down into smaller multiple treatments if necessary.

Upon completion of the chemo embolization treatment(s), Deb’s chromogranin level will be tested to measure her progress. Dr. Yaffe is still waiting current chromogranin level test results to compare to results from Dr. Ahlgren visit in DC.

If chomogranin levels are still elevated, the following alternate treatment options will taken under consideration after further research of risks and side effects:

a) Interferon

Oral base chemo therapy treatment options for neuroendocrine tumor cancer

a) Temodar - 7 days on, 7 days off. Very expensive and will require approval from insurance

b) Thalidomide - Dose is daily. Requires special registration from the manufacturer who performs remote monitoring via phone. This is the medicine used in the 1960s with pregnant women which produced the very controversial “flipper babies”. As a result, this drug was put back on the shelf for over 30 years and is now used with certain cancer patients.

3) Echocardiogram
Although all of Deb’s tests have come back negative on heart and lungs, Dr. Yaffe would like to recommend a echocardiogram for Deb.

Next Steps
Instructed to contact referrals department to begin moving forward with the test.

4) Neuroendocrine / Men1 Genetic Screening
Dr. Yaffe has confirmed the genetic testing that Susan found information on (thanks Susan!). If tested and is abnormal for Deb, it would confirm her current condition and that it is inherited from her Dad.

Next Steps
Dr. Yaffe is in process of referral to NorthSide Hospital to receive the genetic test. In addition, we will also setup the tests for both Taylor and Tommy.

Deb had another good weekend of peaceful rest at the house doing what she has always loved in life and that is reading her books in her favorite nesting areas upstairs and early mornings on the porch before the heat kicks in. I am guilty that I did not get her out more for more exercise since this is what she needs. We will get out our walking shoes this week and hit the hood this week to continue to build her strength. Sleep well beautiful.

Love to all and KTS!

Rod

Prayers and strength to everyone in Galveston as a result of Ike's deadly devastation.

How could so much love be inside of you. You are the sunshine of my life
Stevie Wonder