December 18, 2007

As of today, Garrett has an appointment with Dr. Kvols (Neuroendocrine cancer specialist) in Tampa, Florida on January 16, 2008. Let's all keep our fingers crossed!

December 17, 2007

Sorry I have not updated in a while. Here is the latest information on Garrett:

The Kaiser Oncologist has started Garrett on sandostatin monthly injections. This is a non-curative injection to treat Garrett's symptoms. We were told that these injections are about all they can do for him at this point. There is not alot of known treatment for this type of cancer according to the Kaiser Oncologist. However, Mom and Garrett are trying to get an appointment with the Oncologist we mentioned before, Dr. Kvols, in Tampa, Florida. Mom has become aware of several methods of treatment for this cancer via the Internet and she has done online chats with patients of Dr. Kvols. They have assured her that there are other treatments out there. These patients have told her that you definitely have to find someone specific in this field in order to live more comfortably with this cancer.

I will update again in January once Garrett has his follow-up appointment with the Kaiser Oncologist. At that time, he will have another cat scan and repeat his 24 hour urine test to see if there are any changes from the beginning of his diagnosis until now.

Merry Christmas to everyone and hopefully 2008 will be healthier for everyone!

November 27, 2007

Garrett received the results from his Octreo Nuclear Scan today. The scan confirmed that there is Neuroendocrine Cell Carcinoid Cancer in his lung as well as the three lesions in his liver that we were already aware of. The scan also confirmed that it is in the lymph nodes of his abdomen. The Oncologist will be meeting with the liver specialist and a Radiologist tomorrow for lunch to discuss Garrett's case and a treatment plan. Hopefully, the Oncologist will get back to Garrett and Mom by Thursday with the treatment plan they decide on.

Please continue to pray for him and my Mom.

November 18, 2007

I am going to go right to the good news first. Garrett had his colonoscopy done on Friday, 11/16/07, and the good news is.......the colon is CANCER-FREE! YAY!! He did have two polyps that they removed. They also found out that he has diverticulosis. The treatment for that is diet which means he can't have nuts, raisins, whole kernel corn, or popcorn. He also must avoid alcohol due to the diverticulosis as well as the cancer in his liver.

Now I will move on to the other results. Garrett had his full body Cat Scan and Brain Scan and more good news, his brain is also CANCER FREE! YAY AGAIN!! The body scan showed that they need to do something as soon as possible with his liver but they aren't sure exactly what yet. The Kaiser Permenente Oncologist is consulting with a liver surgeon specialist to see if surgery resectioning of the liver is possible due to the location of the lesions. The liver specialist reviewed Garrett's Cat Scan and has ordered an Octreoscan. The Octreoscan is similar to a Pet Scan but it has been designed to investigate Neuroendocrine Carcinoids. It is a two-day nuclear scan. He will go in tomorrow at 10:30 am for the nuclear injection. They will start the scan at 2:30 pm. He will need to return at 2:30 pm on Tuesday for more scanning. Once they get the results from the Octreoscan, they will then determine what type of liver treatment they will do. The Cat Scan was still not clear as to what they should do for his lung which is another reason for the Octreoscan.

We are hoping to have the results of the Octreoscan before Thanksgiving. If not, it will probably be Friday or maybe even Monday due to the holiday.

In the meantime, Garrett has either broken or severely sprained his ankle today. He will need to get through tonight with the pain and have it x-rayed tomorrow as well. Things never calm down at the Byrnes' house!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! We are definitely thankful for his Colonoscopy and Brain Scan results!!

November 8, 2007

Garrett had a full body (including his brain) Cat Scan with contrast yesterday. He will not get the results back until tomorrow or Monday. His Colonoscopy is scheduled for next Friday, 11/16/07. Hopefully that will be his last test. As you can probably imagine, Garrett is quite tired of having all of these tests done. I will update again as soon as we hear on the Cat Scan.

November 2, 2007 - ADDITION

Garrett will not be having the brain scan tomorrow. When he has the Cat Scan next week they will include his brain in that scan. Sorry I did not mention that in my previous entry.

November 2, 2007

Garrett went for his second opinion with the other Oncologist today. The Oncologist has requested that he have a Cat Scan with contrast which has been scheduled for Wednesday, 11/07/07. The Oncologist feels that the Cat Scan should have already been done. This Cat Scan will be used as a base to watch the cancer's growth. The Oncologist also wants him to get a Colonoscopy done. The Colonoscopy has not yet been scheduled. After both of these tests have been completed and the Oncologist has the results, he will then determine what the treatment should be. This Oncologist feels that Garrett has had the Neuroendocrine Cancer for at least 10 years.