The M. D. Anderson test results show that Jane's disease is generally unchanged compared to the test results from two and a half months ago, which is good news. We'd obviously prefer for the disease to be totally gone, but the first step is to stop it from growing and keep fighting the good fight. As such, Jane starts Cycle 4 of the chemotherapy program tomorrow where she will take three chemotherapy doses on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, and then off for three weeks to recover from the side effects and then undergo a re-dosing of the drugs. The doctors continue to monitor the chemotherapy drugs' side effects on Jane's urinary tract where she has had two new stints recently installed.
Although Jane's spirits and outlook remain positive, she still takes daily pain medications to regulate her pain levels and other medications to address other side effects from the disease. We continue to be amazed at the level of professional care from the entire M. D. Anderson organization. We also want to thank everyone for their incredible support and help. We know we are not walking alone as we feel the prayers, Masses and rosaries every day.
Update...{August 8, 2013}
Jane completed Cycle 3 of of the combination of the cisplatin and topotecan chemotherapy on Monday July 29th (sorry for the late post) at M D Anderson. The side effects from this cycle were not nearly as bad as from Cycle 1 although Jane is, frankly, still suffering. Jane's spirits and outlook, however, remain bright and positive. As the type, and degree, of the side effects vary from patient to patient just as each cancer is unique to each individual, Jane and her team of doctors are doing a better job of attempting to stay ahead of the potential side effects and managing them via medications. There are many variables that are being addressed and Jane is receiving first rate patient care at MD Anderson. On Friday, August 23rd, Jane will go to M D Anderson to be "restaged" at which time she will undergo a battery of tests to assess the status of the disease and then the doctors will recommend a way forward. We ask that you pray for good results.
Additionally, we sincerely appreciate all the prayers and assistance over the past 21 months during this long journey. We know we are not alone and we have come to rely on your kindness and help.
Additionally, we sincerely appreciate all the prayers and assistance over the past 21 months during this long journey. We know we are not alone and we have come to rely on your kindness and help.
Update...{July 1, 2013}
Jane completed Cycle 2 this past weekend at M D Anderson with the combination of the cisplatin and topotecan chemotherapy drugs. Jane got off to a slow start on Cycle 2 as her white blood cell count was too low initially so she was put on a drug regime to increase her white blood cell count which delayed the start of Cycle 2 by a few days. Low white blood cell count is a fairly common side effect and the doctors will continue to monitor Jane's situation.
The side effects from Cycle 1 were pretty rough on Jane as this was the first time Jane received this drug combination. Jane managed through it, she feels a lot better at this point and we should be in a better position to handle Cycle 2. Jane will start Cycle 3 in three weeks or about July 19th. We continue to be very thankful and grateful for all the prayers, rosaries, Masses and help & support over the past 20 months.
Update...{June 3, 2013}
After a nice approximately five week break of building up her strength and
stamina, Jane started Cycle 1 of the new chemotherapy regime at MD Anderson
today, Monday June 3rd. Jane's new chemotherapy regime is comprised of a
combination of two traditional drugs, cisplatin and topotecan, which are
administered together intravenously every three weeks. On the first day of each
three week cycle, cisplatin & topotecan are given together and then on the
second and third day, only topotecan is administered to Jane. The first day is
a long day, about nine hours at MD Anderson, and each of the next two days at MD
Anderson are about two hours each. After the first three days, Jane then does
not return to MD Anderson until the beginning of a new cycle.
Both chemotherapy drugs have a number of side effects which will be monitored. The type and level of side effects are difficult to predict at this point as Jane has not had both drugs together before and side effects are often unique to each patient so it will take some time for Jane to fully understand the drugs' impact. The doctors are, however, fairly confident they will be able to manage the side effects for Jane by various medications.
The doctors have recommended we start with 3 three week Cycles of this drug combination. This initial regime will involve 3 three week cycles or nine weeks total and take Jane to early August, at which time the doctors will "restage" the cancer; meaning MD Anderson will perform another round of tests including CT scan, EKG, etc. to asses the status of the cancer. After reviewing these results, the doctors will then recommend a way forward for Jane.
Jane's spirits remain high and positive. As summer is upon us, we want to thank everyone for your continued support and assistance and enjoy time with your family, friends and loved ones. We are so grateful for the prayers, Rosaries and Masses! Thank you again!
Both chemotherapy drugs have a number of side effects which will be monitored. The type and level of side effects are difficult to predict at this point as Jane has not had both drugs together before and side effects are often unique to each patient so it will take some time for Jane to fully understand the drugs' impact. The doctors are, however, fairly confident they will be able to manage the side effects for Jane by various medications.
The doctors have recommended we start with 3 three week Cycles of this drug combination. This initial regime will involve 3 three week cycles or nine weeks total and take Jane to early August, at which time the doctors will "restage" the cancer; meaning MD Anderson will perform another round of tests including CT scan, EKG, etc. to asses the status of the cancer. After reviewing these results, the doctors will then recommend a way forward for Jane.
Jane's spirits remain high and positive. As summer is upon us, we want to thank everyone for your continued support and assistance and enjoy time with your family, friends and loved ones. We are so grateful for the prayers, Rosaries and Masses! Thank you again!
Update...{May 18, 2013}
On Thursday May 16th, Jane's doctors successfully inserted a stent in Jane's
left ureter to alleviate the urinary tract blockage. The operation was under a
general anesthesia, and Jane came through it like a champ. The urology doctors
were satisfied with the results and will see Jane on a follow up basis in three
months. Jane's pain level is manageable, and we are very thankful for the
medical care she received.
Going forward, as the status of Jane's cancer has disqualified her from the clinical drug trial she has been on for the past 18 months, Jane will take a short break to attend to the details surrounding her son's high school graduation from Strake Jesuit College Prep in Houston, Texas. Afterwards, Jane will likely start a new chemotherapy regime this summer consisting of a combination of a couple of traditional chemotherapy drugs. Jane's doctors believe this is the best course of action at this point.
We want to again thank everyone for so much support and prayers. We really could not have arrived at this point alone so many thanks again!
Going forward, as the status of Jane's cancer has disqualified her from the clinical drug trial she has been on for the past 18 months, Jane will take a short break to attend to the details surrounding her son's high school graduation from Strake Jesuit College Prep in Houston, Texas. Afterwards, Jane will likely start a new chemotherapy regime this summer consisting of a combination of a couple of traditional chemotherapy drugs. Jane's doctors believe this is the best course of action at this point.
We want to again thank everyone for so much support and prayers. We really could not have arrived at this point alone so many thanks again!
Update...{May 12, 2013}
Jane met with her team of doctors on Friday, May 10th at MD Anderson. Based on
the team of doctors' interpretation of the most recent test results, Jane's
doctors have concluded that Jane will need to come off the present clinical drug
trial as there is new, convincing evidence that it appears that the cancer is
growing in a new area, around her right kidney, and not responding effectively
to the clinical drug. Although this is disappointing, the ABT 348 clinical drug
trial did, in fact, eliminate the disease in Jane's abdomen where it had spread
to from her pelvic area which is very positive.
Additionally, it looks like there is some blockage in the two ureters, which are thin tubes made up of muscle fibers, that connect the kidneys to the bladder and are part of the urinary tract system. This blockage is most likely caused by a combination of the side effects from the radiation treatments from twelve years ago, side effects from the most current chemotherapy drugs and the metastasized, adenocarcinoma cancer. To alleviate and treat the blockage, the doctors use a ureteral stent which is basically a very small, approx. 12 inch long plastic tube inserted inside the ureter to keep it from blocking up. The doctors were able to place a ureteral stent in the right ureter through an out patient procedure yesterday which was positive, although it was pretty painful for Jane. Further, it looks like Jane will have to be placed under a more general anesthesia to attempt to place a ureteral stent in the left ureter as the left ureter has more complicated blockage. This procedure most likely needs to be performed before Jane heads to the next step as the next set of drugs also potentially have negative side effects on kidney functions. Jane's team of doctors want to make sure that they have done all they can to care for Jane's kidneys and urinary tract system as they need to be as strong as possible to be handle the side effects from the new drugs.
Once the doctors are satisfied with Jane's situation with her kidneys, Jane will go onto a new regime of a combination of chemotherapy drugs. We are hoping to start this new regime in the next week or so. Since October 2011, we always knew that this was going to be a long and winding journey and we must persevere and carry on. Jane is strong with a positive attitude and has come to rely on so many of you for support and inspiration. We sincerely appreciate that so many of our family and friends are walking together with us on this road. We continue to be very grateful for your prayers and support as we feel them and need them.
Additionally, it looks like there is some blockage in the two ureters, which are thin tubes made up of muscle fibers, that connect the kidneys to the bladder and are part of the urinary tract system. This blockage is most likely caused by a combination of the side effects from the radiation treatments from twelve years ago, side effects from the most current chemotherapy drugs and the metastasized, adenocarcinoma cancer. To alleviate and treat the blockage, the doctors use a ureteral stent which is basically a very small, approx. 12 inch long plastic tube inserted inside the ureter to keep it from blocking up. The doctors were able to place a ureteral stent in the right ureter through an out patient procedure yesterday which was positive, although it was pretty painful for Jane. Further, it looks like Jane will have to be placed under a more general anesthesia to attempt to place a ureteral stent in the left ureter as the left ureter has more complicated blockage. This procedure most likely needs to be performed before Jane heads to the next step as the next set of drugs also potentially have negative side effects on kidney functions. Jane's team of doctors want to make sure that they have done all they can to care for Jane's kidneys and urinary tract system as they need to be as strong as possible to be handle the side effects from the new drugs.
Once the doctors are satisfied with Jane's situation with her kidneys, Jane will go onto a new regime of a combination of chemotherapy drugs. We are hoping to start this new regime in the next week or so. Since October 2011, we always knew that this was going to be a long and winding journey and we must persevere and carry on. Jane is strong with a positive attitude and has come to rely on so many of you for support and inspiration. We sincerely appreciate that so many of our family and friends are walking together with us on this road. We continue to be very grateful for your prayers and support as we feel them and need them.
Update...{May 6, 2013}
Jane met with her team of doctors today, Friday May 3rd, at MD Anderson to
review the results of her most recent tests. The CT scan showed new evidence
around Jane's right kidney, which may or may not be a recurrence of the disease,
and Jane's cancer marker levels were elevated. Jane's doctors will review her
case with a wider team and make a recommendation to us in the next week or so.
Unfortunately, Jane will have to come off the present clinical trial if it
appears the disease is recurrent in this new area of Jane's body. Jane's doctors
have identified another clinical trial that it looks like Jane will be eligible
to enroll in if we have to go that route. Jane's doctors have also recommended
that Jane see a urologist to have her kidneys checked out just to be
safe.
Our doctors have cautioned us not to get too high or too low over the course of this treatment as there would be good days and there would be more difficult days. We have to stay steady on course as we are on Cycle 27, after having started at MD Anderson in October 2011. We sincerely appreciate all the continued prayers, support and assistance. Thank you so much.
Our doctors have cautioned us not to get too high or too low over the course of this treatment as there would be good days and there would be more difficult days. We have to stay steady on course as we are on Cycle 27, after having started at MD Anderson in October 2011. We sincerely appreciate all the continued prayers, support and assistance. Thank you so much.
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