PET results and chemo #10

 As mentioned previously, our actual visit to Mayo was a bit anticlimactic.  However, on the positive-ish note, Tom had to go back on Tuesday 9/30 for his PET scan and his results continue to look good!

We could see the results in the online portal late Tuesday/early Wednesday morning and our local team at Mission Cancer agreed the results looked really good.  We didn't hear from Mayo until Friday via the portal, but the surgeon was "pleased" with the results 😂 and he reiterated to continue our current treatment plan.  There weren't any new concerning spots, the tumor activity continues to trend downward with parts of it matching the "background" organs--so hopefully it's dead or mostly dead, which is obviously the goal.  His stents are both still patent and doing well.    

We go back after the next 4 rounds of chemo, in November, for a day trip to get lab work, a CT, and visit with the surgeon...and then a few days later to return for the PET scan.  We're learning that insurance won't approve the PET scan until they see the CT results, but a 2nd drive is much cheaper than the $$$ for out of pocket PET scans 🙅  

We did chemo #10 on Wednesday and his weight was down a smidge again...however everything else looked great.  His bloodwork is hanging in there and his CA 19-9 continues to drop, although slower than we'd like--it's at 276 currently.  Side effects are similar, lots of fatigue, minimal appetite for the first few days following chemo, cold sensitivity in his hands...and sometimes mouth.  Still a fair amount of GI symptoms as we continue to try different foods, drinks, and meds to manage them and his weight.  

We are otherwise trying to keep our daily lives on track--the girls are both doing well at school and their "extras."  Scarlett has volleyball weekly and loves playing; Vivian is being inducted into the National Honor Society later this month and loves working at ChildServe. I'm trying to prep for Scarlett's birthday this month and a visit from my family.  

We appreciate all the continued love and support--we are coming up on the 6 month mark later this month since all this started (before official dx) and will have to determine next steps and plans as Tom's short term disability will be ending.  We *think* we have a plan, but will be working through what it actually looks like and chatting with all the people to ensure it's our best option.  As a final note--I bought myself a shirt to convey my thoughts about this whole debacle 💖       



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