Treatment Plan
Mom's treatment plan consists of weekly chemotherapy infusions to shrink the tumors. She is currently not a candidate for surgery, but praying we will get there! Progress will be tracked weekly through bloodwork and CT scans will be done regularly.
- Length: 6 - 28 day cycles
- Infusions: Approximately 3 hours once week for 3 weeks (4th week off)
- 2 Medications: Gemzar & Abraxane
Chemo Progress
Mom started chemo on Friday, August 8th and she has completed five rounds with a week off between rounds three and four. She meets with the doctor every other week in addition to getting the infusion. We are thankful that her pancreatic cancer markers (based on bloodwork) have gone from 130,000 on August 1st to 40,000 on September 5th. YAY, YAY!! The oncologist also said it's encouraging that Mom is in less pain and her bloodwork looks good in general. Praying this continues! Mom has had some side effects, but the fever spiking after chemo has been the most concerning. She has been instructed to go to the hospital at 101 and it has been very close to that point a couple times. The doctor gave her a steroid to take two days following treatment this last weekend and that seemed to make a difference. Hoping this continues!
Mom has been sending us pictures before each infusion. You can see she's wrapped in the beautiful prayer shawl from our Trinity United Methodist Church family and the prayer blanket from the kind folks at her parents' {Rev. Jimmie & Mary Frances Mobley's} church, First United Methodist Church in Richardson. Thank you for praying with us!!
Alrighty--we are caught up on all the happenings over the past month. It has already been a roller coaster, but a much smoother ride because we are together as a family and supported by family and such wonderful friends and extended family along the way. We will update the blog regularly as we have news to share. Thank you for praying with us! Much love to each of you. xo
- 2 Medications: Gemzar & Abraxane
Chemo Progress
Mom started chemo on Friday, August 8th and she has completed five rounds with a week off between rounds three and four. She meets with the doctor every other week in addition to getting the infusion. We are thankful that her pancreatic cancer markers (based on bloodwork) have gone from 130,000 on August 1st to 40,000 on September 5th. YAY, YAY!! The oncologist also said it's encouraging that Mom is in less pain and her bloodwork looks good in general. Praying this continues! Mom has had some side effects, but the fever spiking after chemo has been the most concerning. She has been instructed to go to the hospital at 101 and it has been very close to that point a couple times. The doctor gave her a steroid to take two days following treatment this last weekend and that seemed to make a difference. Hoping this continues!
 |
| she texts, "ready to kill the cancer!" we love her so much--she is inspiring! |
CT Scan, 2nd Biopsy & Infection Update
Based on a comparison of the CT scan from the hospital on 7/26 and a new CT scan on 8/20, the largest tumor in the liver grew from 6 to 9 cm. Based on this information, Infectious Disease doctor wanted to schedule a second biopsy of the tumor in the liver. This would determine if there is still an active infection that continues to need IV antibiotics. Mom did have some pain after the second biopsy, but she did great! After waiting about a week, they found out it was clear of infection, so Mom was able to stop the daily IV antibiotics and begin an oral antibiotic. Woohoo!! For the past month, she's been getting up before Dad leaves each morning to get ready and then start the IV antibiotic infusion, which took about an hour. So happy the infection is gone and the focus be on "killing the cancer!" Please pray with us for the tumors to begin shrinking.
Alrighty--we are caught up on all the happenings over the past month. It has already been a roller coaster, but a much smoother ride because we are together as a family and supported by family and such wonderful friends and extended family along the way. We will update the blog regularly as we have news to share. Thank you for praying with us! Much love to each of you. xo
