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.

MD Anderson continued

We made it to Houston. There was alot of traffic. I go in at 9:00 in the morning to start my tests. It's going to be a long day!

MD Anderson

Hi everyone! This is Susan's daughter, Jennifer. Her computer is broken so she has asked me to blog for her. She says, "I had all intentions of working next week, but Md Anderson has called me and wants to see me! Gary, Travis and I are leaving Monday and checking in Tuesday. I have been told to expect to be there 3 to 5 days. I am seeing a very well known doctor, James Yao, who has a wonderful reputation in the gastrointestinal division. There is a discrepency with the Austin pathologist and their pathologist as to where the cancer originated. On the first day I have a full day of testing, most of which I have already done. I am really looking forward to doing it a second time! ; ) "
Susan will be calling me to update her blog while she is there. We will keep you posted!

I guess you have figured out by now that if I don't write in my blog, that I'm not feeling good. I've been sick since May 13 but am beginning to feel better now. My doctor wanted to wean me off of my steroids, but I just can't do it. I get sick and run down and just not human. So I'm on half of a steriod and am beginning to feel better. I am also extremely weak, but I think that is my blood sugar and I go to a class on Monday with my new little meter and an education class on what to eat and not eat. Hopefully this will help. So, my calendar is already filling up. I still can't drive by myself so Travis or Gary take me. Thank goodness that I have a family who takes care of me. Jennifer will help during the summer when she is not teaching.

My treatments are going to be paid for now. Gary called our BCBS rep and she gave him a number for my doctor to give the prescription to. They are shipping it to me, so after another education class at the doctors I should be starting my treatments. MDAnderson did call me today and if everyone did their job I might already be there. I know they ordered the biopsy to be sent to them but something delayed them.

We are still getting bids on our AC unit, so we are getting closer.

Thursday I do not go anywhere but I go to my oncologist on Friday. I will let you know what she says.

See you all later.
Susan

When it rains it pours

I've been sick since Thursday. I can't seem to turn a corner. My oncologist wants to start treatments ASAP, but the nurse was going to send me info on treatment and I still haven't received it. I would really like to read about it before I do it.

I go tomorrow for the big dye test to see if I have any tumors on any other organs. It is a two day tests, so I'll be busy. Thank goodness Gary is taking me because I can't drive.

Dr. Bala is weaning me off my steroids, they are for pain. Well, last night I woke up in the most terrible pain I've been in. It was like I had had surgery without any pain medication. It was my liver and that is one reason she wants to start treatment. I took have a steriod this morning and I'm feeling some better today, but I'm still in my gown. I'm a pro at resting.

Then, last night Gary opens the bedroom windows and turns on the fan. I am thinking, it must be cooler. This morning he tells me the AC went out last night. We need a new unit any way, but as far as time issues are concerned, another time would be better, but all we can do is replace it. Thank goodness we can.

I'll report to you tomorrow on my test. Should be interesting.

Susan