Facing the Next Giant

It's been just over two months and I haven't updated, because really there wasn't much to update. Tim had a scan on July 27 which showed minimal growth in both the liver and lungs.  The doctor opted to stay on the same chemo regimen (primary chemo drug being Irinotecan) and scan again to see how the tumors were responding. We found ourselves in somewhat of a normal pattern of everyday life.  However, our next Giant Encounter was lurking just around the corner.

Last Thursday, September 13, Tim had another scan and saw the liver surgeon immediately after.  She shared that there appeared to be "rapid" growth in the lungs and did not want to move forward with an ablation on the liver for fear of the lung tumors growing or multiplying during the time he would have to be off of one of the drugs. He was scheduled for chemo on Friday, the 14th, but was told when he arrived that chemo was being postponed until he could meet with his oncologist to discuss a new treatment plan.  At this same time, his blood pressure was abnormally high and he was instructed to take his blood pressure three times a day and have the results available for the doctor on Wednesday, September 19.  

We met the next Giant face to face Wednesday when Dr. Nelson came into the room and started with, "I know you guys have already seen the report and that the cancer is getting worse."  My stomach dropped.  We didn't learn anything new that we didn't already know from the scan the week before, but it became real.  I had quite a few questions and Dr. .Nelson was good to answer them all.  One of the pulmonary tumors and the one liver tumor are roughly the size of a marble.  The other identifiable pulmonary tumor is about the size of a pea.  Other lesions appear, but at this time they are too small to determine what they are.  The rectal tumor was not measured at this last scan, but is the least of the concerns right now.

The treatment plan moving forward is to switch out Irinotecan for Oxaliplatin - or as Cooper calls it, "Super Chemo." This is what he was first on just over a year ago that shrunk everything so fast.  It brings with it a lengthy list of debilitating side effects.  There was no clear cut plan for how long he will stay on this.  Dr. Nelson said, "until the side effects become limiting." Tim pointedly asked him what would happen then.  He indicated that if we see that it is working to reduce the size and number of the tumors, then he would alternate between the Oxaliplatin and Irinotecan. With each new cycle I felt like we are David with only a slingshot and a handful of stones.  But we know what the Lord can do with those stones. Pray that He will use Oxaliplatin and Avastin to eradicate the cancer while keeping the side effects manageable.  

Regardless - 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9