MDAnderson

Friends,
I apologize for the delay in the blog. Gary, Travis and I went to Houston on Monday, May 31 to be ready for the next day to see my new doctor. His name is Dr. Yao. He has a team of Physicians Assistants who are wonderful. His head PA is Jeanette and calls me frequently to check on me now that I am home.

The first day I went through another round of testing. The new CT Scan shows that the cancer in my liver has grown since April, so this is an agressive cancer which he will treat aggressively.

When I had another consultation on Thursday, he wanted to start Chemo that day, which I was ready to do what this doctor suggested. He is treating my pancreas and liver, which my Austin oncologist was treating only the pancreas. So, my chemo consists of 8 to 10 hours for 3 days. It gets pretty old but I'm doing what it takes to save my life. There were a couple of nights that we closed down the building because my treatments take so long.

The chemo makes you very tired and I've been sleeping especially right after the chemo. I'm beginning to be myself since I've been home.

My parents came this weekend and my mom will stay here with me in MF for awhile. My dad went back to Odessa this AM so this will give him a break also.

My hair is beginning to thin, so if you don't see me for awhile, you may see me with a turbane. It will be cooler this summer without hair. I always sweat so much but especially my hair.

I will try my best to keep this going for everyone. I don't want to lose you so please be patient.

Thanks.

Susan Hall

Chemo

I had my first round of chemo therapy today. I will do 8 hours a day for three days in a row every 3 weeks. Jennifer is coming tomorrow.

Exhausted

Yesterday I was having tests run for 12 hours. We did not leave until after 9:00. I have slept most of the day today. I really like Dr. Yao. He is very straight forward. He wants to start chemo ASAP. There is still a discrepency in test resuts and lab work. I go back in at 8:30 tomorrow to go over the new test results from Tuesday. I have my list of questions ready.