Monday, August 15, good friends, Dave and Donna accompanied Hap and Mary to Sloan for two appointments. First appointment was with Hap’s radiation oncologist to go over scan results following his 5 weeks of treatments. The scan reports do not indicate any changes as of yet, but Hap’s doctor said it’s a little early and the affects of the radiation can work for months
to come. She then indicated that there have been some changes in the liver and Hap’s main oncologist would like to talk to him about it.

So onto the next appt…They all met with Hap’s main doctor. The scan reports show that the liver has a few tumors showing some additional growth. (not a lot, but enough to address them) The possibility of another embolization was discussed, but Hap’s doctor is concerned because
the bile ducts in the liver continue to be inflamed and compromised as a result of first embolization. Another issue is that Hap continues to be very itchy as a result of the high bilirubin count in his blood stream. She decided to take Hap’s case to Thursday’s “Tumor Board” to discuss the possibilities with a group of other Sloan doctors.

Thursday afternoon, Hap received a call from his doctor. The Tumor Board decided that Hap should absolutely NOT have an additional embolization
at this time with the bile ducts inflamed and compromised. There was discussion about the possibility of placing stents in the bile ducts and also a new medication that will help the itching.
Before any further decisions are made, Hap’s doctor wants another octreoscan (nuclear) that measures the exact locations and uptake (intensity) of the cancer.