Lets live with hope....

On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Hap returned to Sloan for an appointment with his main doctor and to receive his monthly ocetreotide injection.
Since his liver tumors have been fully embolized, Hap was anticipating a big appointment with decisions about his next step.
With that in mind, he brought along his ontourage, wife Mary, friend Lisa (angel in the outfield) and sister-in-law, Bonnie. Team member/brother-in-law, Jeff K.
could not be present due to a week long power outage in his hometown in Massachusetts. All came prepared with research and questions.

After thorough discussion, Hap’s doctor decided to scan Hap on Jan. 12 to evaluate the tumors’ response to the embolizations and the ocetreotide injections.
Hap will then meet with his doctor on Jan. 19 to discuss the results and his next plan. Future decisions will include whether to embolize the pelvic mass or begin chemotherapy. Many friends and family members have wondered why Hap hasn’t started chemo yet. Symptoms from carcinoid tumors are generally treated with somatostatin analogues (ocetreotide injections). Chemotherapy is only initiated in patients whose symptoms do not respond to somatostain.

Other concerns at this appointment were Hap’s weight loss, fatigue and finding the primary source. Unfortunately, we may never know the primary source
or possibly, it’s in the liver. Regardless, Hap’s doctor feels very confident in the choice of treatments for Hap’s situation.

Hap, Mary and family wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Quote for the Day: By Henri J. M. Nouwen
All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let's live with hope.