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Notes about this site
2000:
August:
This check-up consisted of blood work and a scan. The blood showed cancer markers and the scan, which is showing that this "thing" in the liver is a tumor, and is now 4 centimeters in size.
It has doubled in size in one year.
A portalgram has been ordered. A portalgram is a scan that shows more detail than just a regular cat scan. It showed that the tumor is growing from the back of his liver and had invaded all 4 lobes. At this point let me say, I do not understand the makeup of a liver, but I could tell that this was not a good thing. The radiologist said, "The good news is that there is only one tumor" He also said, "I will alert Dr Redland."
Dr Redland took a look at the portalgram and said, "This is beyond my skills."
She suggested that we see Dr Bud Shaw, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She said "He is the best"
September:
I don't understand why this is taking so long. All this time, that tumor is continuing to grow. Al felt the same way.
When we contacted Oncology about a referral, they said we are setting up an appointment with.... and gave the name of another doctor. I told him we wanted Dr Shaw. We went round and round for a couple of days, but I got my way. An appointment was set up for Dr Shaw.
When we saw Dr Shaw the scans and portalgram had not been delivered, so he talked to us in general terms. He said that to make the decision whether to do the surgery, he would want to have a number of tests run. He said, "For example, if there are tumors in the lung, then surgery is a waste of time, as it will come back." He also talked about, if he could not cut it all out, then he could try to freeze it. He said, alot depended on the location, in relation to blood vessels. He ordered scans of the lungs, brain, lower abdomen, bone and a heart test.
Needless to say, we went and got the portalgram and hand carried it back to Dr Shaw.
Just to make sure it was done, I made the appointment for the scans to be sure those were ordered right away.
Surgery was tentatively scheduled for Oct 19.
October:
The portalgram shows that the tumor has invaded all 4 lobes of the liver
It is in a very difficult spot, close to a number of veins
A slew of tests slated for the week of Oct 9th
Heart stress test and echocardiagram show a problem
Angioplasty done and 3 year chest pain is relieved.
However, Al is on medication from the angioplasty and the surgery is on hold.
Why didn't the Dr check this, when the pain started, instead of just saying acid reflux?
And why didn't I insist on more heart related tests at that time. And why didn't we listen to "the kid"? 20/20 hindsite!
Bone and Head scans are clear.
Lung shows 3 "suspicious spots"
Lung test has put liver surgery on hold.
November:
2nd Colonoscopy. The colon is free of any cancer.
6th A biopsy of lung proves 3 tumors in the left lung have matastasized from the original colon tumor.
17th There will be no liver surgery.
December:
5th Even tho the Doctors have said that Chemo will only give Al a 30% chance of "some" shrinkage of the tumor, Al has decided to try it. It will be a new study, with more potent drugs. They are CPT11 and Oxaipin. We later found out that this combination can cause, possible fatal lung damage.
7th Al immedately became very sick from the chemo. He was terribly dehydrated. I took him back to the clinic and he was on fluids for 4 hours.
He felt better for a day or so, but became lethargic and was not eating, or drinking anything. He told me, no more trips to the hospital. The only way he would leave his room was if they carried him out. I spent the next 2 weeks just checking to see if he was still breathing.
19th Finally he is beginning to feel better.
20th Just when we thot the effects of the Chemo were gone, his hair started to fall out. Rather than have patches of bald, he went to the local barber and got a "buzz" haircut. The granddaughters say it makes him look "tough".
A real "biker dude"