WhatsupwithJan

WhatsupwithJan
Wednesday, January 18, 2006-5:46 Arizona Time
Jan Writes: Today Pat and I met with the oncologist, and will share our understanding of what is happening. (We both admit to some confusion.) The PET scan had good news in that the activity level (not size-PET measures activity levels) of the liver tumors has been reduced from about a 9 to about a 3. This means the taxotere was working! HOPE REIGNS! The problem is that my body cannot tolerate this drug, so we are thinking of switching to a drug of the same family that would have less severe side effects: Abraxane. We will meet again next Wednesday with the doctor to decide if this is what we indeed will do. We remain confused about the ascites, its cause and the solution. The doctor did not yet have the analysis of the fluid drained yesterday, but apparently the ascites may be a continuing problem. I might need to go for regular taps to keep the swelling under control. I still look like (and sort of feel like) I am very pregnant despite all the fluid that was drained, so we'll see how it goes with just meds for this week. It's the old "wait and see" routine for just about everything on this cancer roller coaster. However, we are very encouraged by the PET scan results, so fasten your seat belts: we are going to give this coaster one heck of a ride!

P.S. And we hope the Suns give us a better ride tonight, too!