Meeting with Dr Golden Jan 11 at 12:15 pm

We met with the oncology doctor, Jane Golden, earlier today.  She is part of the team working in conjunction with Dr. Mena.
She says yesterday's critical low sodium issue was probably caused by the cancer tumors, and is quite common in this type of situation.  There is visible cancer in some of the bones of the spine.

She told us the biopsy, scheduled for 4 p.m. today, of the liver is the safest and most complete way to get the type of cancer identified.  It is the least invasive though it is a surgical procedure.  We'll get some preliminary results tomorrow, like the proteins present, which will give them some idea what type of cancer it is and its origin.  They'll be able to tell if it is hormonally based like breast cancer or something else for instance.  (The doctor did a breast exam and did not find lumps, etc., but did say that it can hide and she might not feel it.  It can take up to a week to get the final results and complete analysis.

To reduce pain, Doyle will be getting steroid drugs to shrink the swelling around the tumor on her spine.  She is also now getting hourly pain medication injections intravenously instead of every four hours to make her more comfortable.  Oral meds are not an option right now as she is not keeping anything down.  (so if you want to send treats, they are for us!)

Each type of cancer calls for specific treatment methods:  chemo, radiation, pills, and surgery.  Surgery is not possible as the cancer is found in several locations and cannot be completely removed.  Chemo could indicated, along with radiation depending on weighing risks and benefits.  The radiation path is available right now, and the radiation oncologist will come meet with us later today.  Radiation treatment could start as early as tomorrow.  The radiation treatment right now would reduce the size of the tumor in her spine and thereby reduce the pain she is experiencing.  Again, we will help her make those decisions by listening to the counsel of the professionals and weighing benefits/side affects/risks. 

Drs. Golden and Mena think that we'll have a conference the first of next week to discuss a comprehensive treatment plan, using all of the test results to put that puzzle together.  At that point, we will have all the results from the biopsy.

We'll let you know if we have any further info from the brain MRI.  She is just leaving the room for the procedure now and will be gone less than an hour.

Thanks for all your wonderful prayers and support.  Please pass the address for this blog along to anyone you think would be interested in her updates or would like to send her well wishes.  People can subscribe with their email address and will automatically be sent updates whenever we post.

Rosie and Arden