******DUTCHER FAMILY BLOG******

I had my first CT-scan yesterday after the diagnosis and weeks of IV & oral chemo
treatments. We saw the oncologist today for the results.
There is good news and there is "other" news. But still much hope!
The good news is the tumor on my pancreas has indeed shrunk from its initial size of 4.5cm to 3.8cm. Also, the lesions on my lymph nodes are GONE! Other small lesions on my liver are stable, which means they remain small and may eventually react to chemo. The “other” news. The larger lesion on my liver that was originally 2.8cm has grown to 4.3cm, BUT NOT TO WORRY! Dr. Toma says that she thinks they can destroy that tumor with a procedure called a chemotheric embolization. It involves a minor surgery to inject chemotherapy directly into the tumor so that the tumor gets the full effect all at once. It will take me out of commission for 2-3 days and might be as little as an one/two stay in the hospital. We’re waiting now for some radiologists to review my scans to see if they will recommend the procedure. It’s not normally done, since metastatic cancer survivors normally have more than one tumor growing at a time. But since all indications are that everything but this one is reacting, Dr. Toma thinks they’ll do it. We will continue weekly chemo in an effort to kill Lumpy and friends all together.

So prayers are being answered, thank God. I am one of the 5-15% who react to palliative treatment (Gemzar and Tarceva chemo). Nila is excited that there is some action we can take on the growing tumor and so am I. Even if it costs me a couple of days in bed, it will be worth it to get ahead in the game, so to speak. We’ll let you know as soon as we know when surgery is scheduled.

I thank you all for your continued prayers and good thoughts. John