Decision Time

Yesterday, December 11th, was my every three weeks chemo and immunotherapy treatment 

Proceeded by meeting with my oncologist.

The focus of the time was definitely on how extremely weak I've become 

Why it is so and what to do about it

As it has become quite discouraging and concerning 

To be so weary and weak all the time.

It was also the most concerned I've seen my oncologist in awhile

As he could tell that something is definitely taking a toll on my body.

After discussing the possible contributors to this debilitating weakness:

Accumulating chemo/immunotherapy in my system,

Cancer growth,

Increased Medications (steroid, blood thinner);

My oncologist is thinking that the blood thinner

Which I was put on for the cardioversion procedure

Might be the main culprit.

He was going to text the cardiologist 

And I also have an appointment 

With the cardiologist this coming Tuesday.

To see if as a first step

I can be quickly weaned off of the blood thinner

To see if that turns things around.

My oncologist is also taking me off of the steroid beginning tomorrow

To see if that will help improve things.

In one of my previous blogs "Success" 

I mentioned the possibility of radiating the tumor

Because the echocardiogram showed a separation between the tumor and heart.

In following up with the oncology radiologist

She recommended waiting to see if the tumor 

Could continue to reduce in size first, to enhance odds of successful radiation

Especially as close as the tumor is to the heart

And the fact that the heart is a constantly moving organ

That they will be working in close proximity with virtually no space between.

Now...with my body's increasing weakness,

My oncologist has referred me again to the radiologist for a consult

To see if sooner rather than later might be a good idea to proceed

While my body has some strength to undergo the radiation.

(This would happen IF quitting the blood thinner doesn't reduce my weakness)

This would lead to two decision options:

1. Radiating the tumor and some other known cancerous nodules 

While continuing the chemo/immunotherapy at the same time.

This would be the most aggressive approach

To get the best possible result the quickest.

2. Radiating only the tumor

While continuing the the chemo/immunotherapy if my body can handle it

Or, just radiating the tumor, followed by a return to the therapy after the radiation.

That about sums things up

And the wisdom we seek both for the doctors and ourselves

As we ponder these major decisions.

I will also be having another CT scan in a couple of weeks

To assess the size of the tumor

And whether it is growing, shrinking or staying about the same size.

As a part of the decision-making process.

Thank you for standing with us.

These are all heavy decisions and weigh heavy on our hearts

As we ponder them.