Sarah got her CAT scan and tumor marker results back today. There were no big surprises, but unfortunately they did confirm that she'll most likely need to go back on chemotherapy after the pituitary surgery in January. The lymph nodes at the left side of her neck as well as some abdominal ones are definitely enlarged with tumors and there seems to be some suspicious areas in her actual Pancreas which need to be further evaluated. Her CEA and CA27.29 markers are up to 50 and 177 respectively -- significantly up from the last reading, which is kind of what we expected given that she can feel the nodes on her neck getting slowly larger.
So the plan is to consult a breast cancer specialist at University of Chicago (recommended by her onc), get the pituitary surgery and then start back on systemic treatment right away. Somewhere in there she'll also get a pancreatic duct ultrasound and biopsy to get more information about what is going on there.
Sarah still feels pretty good overall and is back to eating what she wants, but the anxiety over the surgery and what's next after that is starting to loom for both of us. Is the pituitary mass a met or a benign growth? Is there a met in her pancreas? Can chemo shrink her lymph nodes back down? We're staring at a lot of question marks as we think about the coming new year... and the answers may only cause even more worry. At times like this we're especially thankful for all the well wishes, prayers and help from friends and family - thank you and keep the prayers coming! Strength, peace, hope.
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9 comments:
Thank you for the update. Of course you are apprehensive about all the unknowns. Know that we are thinking of you, Sarah, everyday. Give me a call whenever you want to chat - even if it is just about how our kids are driving us up a wall during X-mas break! :) (and, yes, I adore my kids, and, yes, at the moment I am excited about break)
I am actually sick with a virus right now - lots of nausea - I cannot imagine how you did this for weeks on end. Kent is having to stay home to take care of the twins.
You guys are always in my thoughts and I am pulling for Sarah and you and the kids. Very sorry to hear things are rocky/scary right now. I continue to admire the courage and love you have exemplified throughout this scary and cruel illness. Please let me know if I can do anything to help, I would be happy to come there for awhile and help with the kids, I am sure my boss would be fine with that. _ Sharon
Thinking of you all often and praying.
Michele
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