as it is a matter of anxious concern for the
well being of one's companion."
Gordon B Hinckley
I've been stalling on a new blog post for a month, and now I'm staring at this screen and my mind is blank. Hmm....Let's start with an update:
After four rounds (eight weeks) of the Folfiri treatment, Nate had another CT scan. Once again, we didn't get the results we were hoping for. The tumors looked bigger than they did in the last scans, which means that the chemotherapy hasn't been as effective as we'd hoped it would be. We also have to consider the fact that Nate didn't start chemo for a month after the initial scans, so the growth could have occurred during that time. We are so good at grasping at straws! Since we needed time to make some decisions, and since he only had four treatments, we decided to continue the chemo with the hope that it may be holding at least some cells at bay.
We finally spoke with Nate's surgeon in Massachusetts about the scans, and she agreed that some of the tumors did look bigger. We discussed treatment options, and she wanted to consider surgery. She spent the next couple of weeks consulting three other surgeons about the case, and they all agreed that he could benefit from another surgery. Especially since he's "young, strong, and otherwise healthy". That's become one of my favorite phrases.
The surgery will be another long and involved procedure. Our surgeon will have two other surgeons assist her to debulk as much tumor as possible. The tumors are in some hard to reach places so she will have a liver guy and a bladder guy help her in those respective areas. She said that by agreeing to do another procedure we are "pushing the envelope", but that she really feels like Nate can handle it, and that it can help. There's risk involved because every time they go in, they have to deal with scar tissue and adhesion from prior procedures. The question most people ask is if Nate will have the HIPEC (Heated Inter Peritoneal Chemotherapy), or "Shake 'n Bake" as Nate affectionately calls it. The only way that will be considered is if all visible tumor and mucin can be removed during the procedure. They'll have it on stand-by in the O.R. in case this little miracle comes to fruition. We still aren't sure about the exact timing, but it looks like we'll be heading East sometime in November.
Since the chemo doesn't seem all that effective, they've changed it up a bit. Nate will still get the Irinotecan (part of the Folfiri chemo), but will no longer receive the 5-FU, which is the chemo agent he carries around in the fanny pack for 46 hours. Nate's really going to miss that fanny pack. He also won't get the Avastin, which is the drug that interferes with tumor blood supply. In place of these he receives something called Vectibix, which is a biologic agent and not a chemotherapy in the traditional sense. It's an antibody therapy which targets and attaches to the proteins used to produce and maintain cancer cells. This treatment works for patients who don't have a KRAS mutation, which Nate does not, so he could very well benefit from the treatment (see how good we are at grasping?). The plan is to continue this concoction through 8 or 9 treatments (he has to be off of it for 4 weeks prior to surgery), and he will continue with the Vectibix every two weeks right up until surgery. More scans will be scheduled for late October. If the Vectibix works to shrink the tumors, there's a chance that they may want Nate to hold off on surgery and continue that therapy longer until he has reached a maximum benefit, meaning that the tumors will shrink to a point and then level off.
I hope that brings everyone up to date. Nate is currently receiving his 7th treatment (2nd of Vectibix), and will have at least one more just like this. The Vectibix has a nasty side effect of a severe acne rash, which started this past week. It's really the first time he's had an obvious side effect to his appearance, so you might be able to tell that he really is on chemotherapy! I don't know how this husband of mine does it, but he still isn't complaining. I'm grateful for his courage and easy going nature. I'm grateful for the perspective he has and how he takes advantage of the time we have together as a family.
We are currently praying for an increased measure of strength for Nate, that the Vectibix will obliterate the cancer cells which will shrink the tumors, and in turn make them easier to remove in surgery, and that we will continue to be guided through this trial. Like I've said before, we believe in the power of prayer and combined faith, so we invite all who would like to join us in our petition on Nate's behalf. I saw a sign at the store the other day that I've seen before, but this time it really made me think about how grateful I am to have a Father in Heaven who loves me and my family. The sign had just two words, "Pray Big". So that's what the Hardy Family is going to do. Miracles happen!
Love to all.
