Friday, February 15, 2008
February 15, 2008
Garrett's Oncologist called this morning to give him the results of his Cat Scan. There has been growth in two of the lesions in his liver and there are more lymph nodes clustered in his lung that are now involved. Again, the Georgia Oncologist does not have any suggestions at this time for treating the cancer growth. The Oncologist would like to wait three more months and send him for another Cat Scan. Garrett's 24 hour urine analysis, blood work and Cat Scan all confirmed cancer growth. The Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa does have several treatment options for him. Garrett now has some decisions to make as to which route he wants to go....Georgia or Tampa.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
February 10, 2008
First of all, on behalf of Garrett....Way to Go, Giants!!
Since Garrett's trip to the Moffitt Cancer Center, he has had many things to consider. He was told that he is definitely not a candidate for a liver transplant. They will not do a liver transplant on a patient that has cancer in other organs. He was given several different treatment options specifically hepatic embollization which they will probably do in the future. Hepatic embollization is a nuclear chemo that goes directly to the tumor to dissolve it. Garrett is continuing with sandostatin injections monthly. He is now going through his second round of complete testing including another full Cat Scan with contrast. This will give them something to compare from the tests in September. The results of his 24 hour urine analysis has come back abnormal. We are waiting on the blood work results now. This week, he will have an echocardiogram and the Cat Scan. After that, we will know where he stands.
Garrett continues to have night sweats, fatigue, back pain and stomach bloating.
Mom and Garrett felt that Moffitt Cancer Center was very competent and they were comfortable with the way they handled Garrett. They wish that they were able to use Moffitt Cancer Center for his care.
Please continue to keep Garrett in your thoughts and prayers.
Since Garrett's trip to the Moffitt Cancer Center, he has had many things to consider. He was told that he is definitely not a candidate for a liver transplant. They will not do a liver transplant on a patient that has cancer in other organs. He was given several different treatment options specifically hepatic embollization which they will probably do in the future. Hepatic embollization is a nuclear chemo that goes directly to the tumor to dissolve it. Garrett is continuing with sandostatin injections monthly. He is now going through his second round of complete testing including another full Cat Scan with contrast. This will give them something to compare from the tests in September. The results of his 24 hour urine analysis has come back abnormal. We are waiting on the blood work results now. This week, he will have an echocardiogram and the Cat Scan. After that, we will know where he stands.
Garrett continues to have night sweats, fatigue, back pain and stomach bloating.
Mom and Garrett felt that Moffitt Cancer Center was very competent and they were comfortable with the way they handled Garrett. They wish that they were able to use Moffitt Cancer Center for his care.
Please continue to keep Garrett in your thoughts and prayers.
Monday, January 14, 2008
January 14, 2008
Happy New Year Everyone!
Garrett and Mom are headed to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida this afternoon for an appointment with Dr. Kvols. Dr. Kvols specializes in Neuroendocrine cancer. They are hoping to leave there with a treatment plan as well as a prognosis on the stage of the cancer as well as his longevity. Garrett's primary care doctor found out that his liver is extremely enlarged. Hopefully Dr. Kvols can give them an idea of his liver function in the future.
Please keep Garrett and Mom in your thoughts and prayers for a safe and beneficial trip. Garrett's appointment is on Wednesday at 2:00 pm.
I am sure Garrett would also like us to root for the Giants next week against the Packers. Go Giants! (Don't tell my husband I said that!)
Garrett and Mom are headed to the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida this afternoon for an appointment with Dr. Kvols. Dr. Kvols specializes in Neuroendocrine cancer. They are hoping to leave there with a treatment plan as well as a prognosis on the stage of the cancer as well as his longevity. Garrett's primary care doctor found out that his liver is extremely enlarged. Hopefully Dr. Kvols can give them an idea of his liver function in the future.
Please keep Garrett and Mom in your thoughts and prayers for a safe and beneficial trip. Garrett's appointment is on Wednesday at 2:00 pm.
I am sure Garrett would also like us to root for the Giants next week against the Packers. Go Giants! (Don't tell my husband I said that!)
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
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!
Monday, December 17, 2007
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!
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!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
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.
Please continue to pray for him and my Mom.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
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!!
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!!
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