Saturday, October 31, 2009

On Monday, October 26, Hap and Mary, along with team members Lisa and Nick went to Sloan for a VERY long inning. Hap started with his day with a 2 hour scan that was repeated due to last week’s incomplete scan of the pelvic mass.

Late that afternoon, they attended the appointment with Hap’s main oncologist to discuss his results and to receive his octreotide (sanostatin) injection. The good news is that the liver continues to look stable. There is one tumor in the liver that is not completely embolized: however, it has not changed. There is some disappointment with the pelvic mass as there has not been much change since the embolization in August…although not any change for the worse.

The last appointment for the day was with the Interventional Radiologist. She viewed the recent scans with them and discussed two other possible procedures; ethanol injection with CT scan visual guidance and
Cryoablation that uses cycles of freezing and thawing to kill cancer cells.

Since Hap’s symptoms are minimal at this time and his liver is stable, they have decided to hold off on any decisions until his next scan. At this time they are deciding whether to do the scans in November or wait until January. Either way, it looks like Hap may be able to enjoy the holidays this year without having to recover from any procedures…Yeah!

Wednesday, October 28th marked a year since Hap’s first procedure. Team Member, Nick felt it was important to celebrate Hap’s progress, determination to always move forward and the blessings he has received
and decided they should end their long day with a nice dinner at Fratelli’s.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Latest team member and friend, Doug accompanied Hap on Monday for his third Octreoscan. Hap was injected with a nuclear isotope and returned four hours later for the two hour scan.

Doug and Hap had four hours to enjoy a fall day in the city and grab some lunch. Unfortunate for Hap, the Yankee game started just as he had to go in for his scan. Hap returned the following morning for another two hour scan.

Hap and Mary will be back in the city on Oct. 26th for two appointments; one with his main doctor and one with his radiologist to discuss the scan results and his next step.

Friday, October 2, 2009

A 1-2-3 inning of good news!

Hap’s doctor entered the room with a big smile, saying that the embolized portion of the pelvic mass is looking neucrotic on the scan. There is currently no shrinkage. (…shrinkage would help in possibly resecting this mass if need be) Hap’s doctor will confer with her radiologist to see what further options exist for the pelvic mass. The liver continues to remain stable and is even seeing further shrinkage of tumors, which is really good news. Hap is approaching one year since his first embolization. Keeping the liver stable for a year is truly progress…… a lot to be thankful for!

Hap received his usual blood work and Octreotide injection at this appointment. He is scheduled for another nuclear Ocreoscan in October as well as follow – up visits; one with his main doctor and another with his interventional radiologist to review the scans and discuss the next procedure. The next CT scan is scheduled for November.

Mary was sharing how Hap has really been through a lot in one year, but continues to accept his difficult journey as a way of life. He never passes up an opportunity to spend time and do things with their sons. He gets his strength from all the “support” that surrounds him and the family and friends that travel to his appointments and procedures with he and Mary.