Today Hap was back at Sloan for his monthly octreotide injection, an echo-cardiogram and an appointment with his doctor to review his scans. Of course, he brought extra ears to listen and digest it all…Mary, Ray and friend, Lisa.

The octreoscan(nuclear) and CT scan showed further improvement in the liver tumors. The pelvic mass and compromised lymph nodes show no significant change; which means, they remain stable at this time.

The REALLY good news is that there are no new lesions(tumors). Hap and Mary have requested the scans be sent to a doctor in Sweden this week for further evaluation. At this time, Hap’s doctor at Sloan does not recommend any further treatments while his condition is stable.

Hap and Mary have met so many interesting people at Sloan…from all corners of the world and each with their unique stories. There’s so much to learn from each one and strength to absorb.

Ray, and friend, Nick accompanied Hap into the city this past Wednesday. (Thank goodness for family and friends) Hap had an octreoscan and CT scan with contrast scheduled. Copies of these scans will be sent to the doctor in Sweden to review for possible treatment options. Hap had his nuclear injection in the morning and was told to return @ 4:00P.M.
This gave the guys four hours to walk around the city, taking in many sights and lunch at Time Square. They returned to Sloan for Hap’s one and a half hour octreoscan.
Needless to say, they were backed up and Hap did not get in until 5:30. Following that scan, he was prepped for the bi-monthly CT scan. After another long wait, Ray, Nick and Hap left Sloan at 9:00 P.M.
(Thanks to them for keeping Hap company on what turned out to be a very long day!)

Dad Luna returned to Sloan with Hap the very next morning to complete the second part of Hap’s nuclear scan. After a 2 hour scan, they were back on the FDR heading home.

Hap is due back to Sloan on the 27th for an appt. with his main doctor to go over his scans and to have another echo-cardiogram.

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.