Hap and Mary met with his doctor at Sloan yesterday. Hap had his usual blood work first and then followed with the doctor visit. His doctor was concerned about his frequent itchiness and slight bloating on the left side of his face. Hap’s blood pressure was slightly elevated,
but he told his doctor it was due to the “city driving”.
She delayed his ocetreotide treatment for two hours until she reviewed his blood work. Bilirubin was good and most levels were OK,
so she then ordered the nurse to administer the ocetreotide injection.

Hap continues to feel well and is grateful for that.
He follows up in March with a full cardiac evaluation and more scans to monitor his progress.

7th Inning Stretch...a Reprieve!

Hap met with his main doctor at Sloan today to review his scan from 2 weeks ago. He had positive news about the liver tumors.
They are responding to the embolizations. The tumors in both sides of the liver look predominantly liquefied; which means, in medical terms, they are becoming necrotic,
thus giving Hap a reprieve. The scan did show that some bile ducts are inflamed due to the procedures. Hap’s blood work came back showing a slight elevation in his bilirubin count.

The pelvic mass has not changed and is currently considered “stable”. At this point Hap’s doctor is choosing not to embolize the pelvic mass because of risks and side effects due to it’s location.

Hap will continue the monthly ocetreotide injections(which he received today) and will follow up in 2 months with another CTscan. Next month Hap will receive a full cardiac evaluation to give a baseline for monitoring
for carcinoid heart disease.

This reprieve may last months or over a year before needing another procedure on the liver.

Let’s go for the homerun …and pray for more than a year.

Today’s appointment exemplified the meaning of “Living with Hope”.

Hap's appointment has been postponed...

The appointment scheduled for January 19th has been rescheduled for January 26th. Be sure to check back for the results of his scan.

Hap had a scan of his liver and pelvic area yesterday at Sloan's facility in Basking Ridge. (much easier trip than going to Manhattan) However, his doctor in NY will read the scan and Hap and Mary will meet with her on Monday, Jan. 19. At this appointment they will discuss his progress (let's stay positive) and what steps to take next.

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.

Ray and Bonnie brought Hap and Mary home last night after a long week at Sloan. Hap was unable to come home on Thursday due to fevers.
On Friday, he had a chest X-ray and blood work. Both were fine and after being visited by 3 doctors and Mary begging, Hap was allowed to go home,
still with a fever and annoying hiccups. Being home and seeing his three sons should help speed up his recovery.

It takes a HUGE support system to make it possible for Hap to be able to travel into New York for outstanding care at Sloan. Hap and Mary are very grateful for all the support that includes, prayers, cards, grandparents taking care of their boys, arrangements made for Mary in the city, meals for their family back at home, transportation for their boys, text messages, phone calls, friends and family spending time with Mary in the city and I’m sure there’s more. Even through this difficult time, Hap and Mary continue to feel blessed each and every day.

*$#%@ Hiccups!

With the exception of a great visit from a furry friend, Hap has had a pretty tough day. To add to his list of side effects, he is now suffering from hiccups.....yes, hiccups....non-stop hiccups. Apparently, this is a rare side effect that could last up to a week.

If Hap shows improvement and begins to eat some solid food, he may be discharged tomorrow.