A) Dr Haas, my oncologist, and the Penn Radiologists feel that the pancreatic tumor (which is 1.5 not 1.2 cm as I stated before) is probably a kidney cancer (RCC = Renal Cell Carcinoma, clear cell type) metastasis, rather than another type of benign or malignant pancreatic tumor. I guess this is better than having two kinds of cancer, but benign would have been even nicer. :-(
B) They also feel that the kidney and pancreatic tumors are too small and/or it is too risky or of no benefit to have them removed or biopsied, and feel that starting targeted therapy medication ("chemo") ASAP is my best option, as it would treat the kidney and pancreatic tumors as well as the lung spots, now that they are assuming that all are kidney cancer (RCC).
C) Dr Haas is consulting with the surgeon from my second surgery, Dr Uzzo, at a medical conference they are both attending this Thursday in San Francisco. Please pray that they are able to discuss my case sufficiently, and that both will give me wise counsel.
D) I'm investigating options for a second opinion. It's a complicated, time consuming learning process, and my head is spinning with information. Please pray for wisdom for me and clarity from any doctors that I consult. And, please pray that my insurance will cover a second opinion if I decide to pursue somewhere out of the Philadelphia area. Kidney Cancer specialty hospitals are few and far between, so I may have to go to Baltimore or NYC to find the reassurance I need about my treatment plan.
Below is a video by the RCC specialists at Sloan Kettering, which explains in some detail the relatively recent advances in treatment for metastatic RCC. I realize this is 20 minutes more information than most people need, but if you are so led to listen to some or all of it, you will have some idea of the decision process we are in right now. (There is a good summary from the 11:45-14:50 mark on the video. If you have about three minutes to watch that part you will have the general idea.)
Thank you so much for praying for us as we research, pray, and decide on my treatment. We cannot imagine walking this road alone.
Karen
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
1 comment:
Karen, my dear cousin, you have been through SO much but I am encouraged (and trusting you may be also), by the video and the knowledge and progress that science has made in the last 10-15 years. God has you here going through this for some reason and I(we) will continue to pray for His peace to grow faster, larger and stronger to smother and strangle those tumors.
He is able!!
I love you!
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