The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it ~ Chinese proverb

Friday, August 10, 2007

Is The Chemo Working?

We just finished the CT scan and were starting to walk down the hall of the hospital, and we ran right into my daddy. He cut short his 100-mile bike ride (he only completed 87) so he could read the results of Bryce’s scan. He is awesome.
We’re not sure how to feel about this scan. Only the chest was scanned, then it was compared with a CT taken 7/19. Many of the tumors are larger, but several have shrunk a bit. The tumor around his heart is the same size as it was when we left Denver—about 11 cm. When the radiologist compared the two, however, he noted that the tumor around the heart hadn’t changed much from the previous scan. We were under the impression that this little bugger had grown from 4 cm to 11 cm in four days, and now it looks like it has been this size the whole time. Was it overlooked, or was it overshadowed by the tumor load in his lungs? Did he respond to the chemotherapy, only to have the tumors furiously growing back? Perhaps he hasn’t responded to the chemo at all?
Bryce’s Utah oncologist is not discouraged by this scan. She said the tumors have remained “static”, meaning no significant growth (beyond about 25%). Given the rate at which the tumors had been growing, they should have easily tripled or quadrupled in size during the past week. Since we haven’t seen this type of growth, we can only assume that the chemo is working.
We should find out Monday what our travel plans will be. We already have our flights set up for Wednesday, If the oncologists think Bryce’s next round of chemo should be here, we’ll have to cancel the flights.
We’re trying to stay optimistic, although we are disappointed…and a little nervous….

3 comments:

christine said...

Tsmmy,
I don't even know what to say just that you are both in my prayers every single day sister!!! Just keep your faith in the Lord Bryce seems like a strong man and the love you both have I can see is amazing to say the least. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do for you two. Please tell Bryce that I am praying for him all day long everyday man everyday!!!! Would you mind if I put him on the prayer list at our church where they will announce his name at the begning of service and what it is he needs prayer for.
Peace and Love to you both,
Christine Uporsky

Anonymous said...

We would love for you to put Bryce on your prayer list! Thank you for the kind words!

Anonymous said...

Think of it this way: If those tumors were people...they wouldn't be charging straight for you with a determined stride as they have been for weeks. now, you've stopped them cold in their tracks and they're just staring you down to see if you'll blink and give them a chance to advance. Keep staring back at them...and ADVANCE FIRST. Get on that plane no matter what the results are. Bryce's healing is in the Colorado mountains and his belief that he will out live the cancer which has is the unwelcome visitor.
R