A Moment of Silence

Rather than the post I intended for today, I feel compelled to update you on our situation, which will expound in personal detail the scenarios.

The Day of Truth

As I revealed, today was the day for a computed tomography (CT) scan. The results from today were compared to the results I posted on March 25, 2010. Do note, the first chemotherapy treatment was administered on January 19, 2010, thus marking three months since the first treatment.

As of today, the mesothelioma has failed to be curbed by the chemotherapy. Its resistance has resulted in further thickening of the pleura and advancement to nearly 90% encasement of his right lung.

The adenocarcinoma (tumor under his scapula-shoulder blade) has continued to grow. It now has broken the fifth rib, bringing a total of three destroyed ribs. It has advanced along the bone and has begun destroying the right side of both the T3 and T4 vertebrae. These are the thoracic (chest) vertebrae or the tenth and eleventh from the skull. They are opposite the sternum (breastbone).

No mention was made of affected lymph nodes, and no other major organs have been affected.

The Hard Place

With an unresponsive type of cancer which is neither operable nor a candidate for radiation, the choices are limited to two:

1. A different blend of chemotherapy drugs with pain management
2. A pain management only therapy

Yes, the second choice is not fighting the cancer with traditional medicine.

The Rock

Russell is on a chemotherapy regimen which is the industry premium for treating lung and bone cancers, among many others. The chemotherapy has depleted his body. He has lost more than 30 pounds in the last 60 days. Chemotherapy causes nausea, dehydration, mineral deficiencies and other similarly appetizing side effects.

His blood levels are dangerously unbalanced. The comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) blood test reveals the chemicals have damaged the vessels going to and from his liver, pancreas and kidneys. This type of damage is irreversible and causes the organs to function improperly.

The Question

Is it better to live with the pain associated with the cancer and the chemotherapy or simply live as well as you can managing the pain of the cancer?

This is not a choice I may make for him. Russell must decide for himself how he will live.

Holding on,
Ann Marie

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