Mary, Brother Ray & friend Lisa accompanied Hap to his appointment at Sloan on Wednesday. Hap received his monthly treatment injection and blood work. Hap’s blood pressure remains a little high and he will follow up with his Cardiologist at Sloan in May. A new medicine was prescribed to combat the itchiness that Hap has been experiencing due to the compromised bile ducts in his liver.

After Hap’s exam and injection, they asked his doctor if she had time to discuss some research involving treatments that are available in Sweden on Neuroendocrine tumors. Without reservation his doctor was open to hear about it. Research has led Hap and Mary to another expert in the carcinoid cancer field, and they felt a strong need to share this with Hap’s doctor at Sloan. Several weeks back, after serious research, our advocate and friend, Lisa, prepared an email to this doctor in Sweden that outlined Hap’s medical history. In just 2 days after Mary sent the email, they received a reply from this doctor in Sweden with his recommendation for further treatment at his facility (especially addressing the pelvic mass). It is important to note that they are extremely pleased and grateful for Hap’s care to date, but feel the need to be constantly pro-active in his treatments. The doctor in Sweden would like to have a current nuclear Octreoscan and have it sent to him for further evaluation. By the information they sent to him, he feels that Hap is an excellent candidate for treatment with PRRT, which means radioactive treatment with 177Lutetium-DOTA-Octreotate.(this treatment is not currently available in the States) Hap’s doctor at Sloan is on board with this collaboration and suggested we also send him a current CT scan so that he can assess the liver. They feel more hopeful with this multidisciplinary approach, which Hap’s doctor is known for.

All the support and prayers from friends and family continue to give Hap, Mary, and their family, the strength and faith to move forward.