Cancer update March 2019

My most recent CT scan was on March 22nd. I knew something may not be good since I usually get an email from Dr. Werner letting me know the scan was good, but didn't hear anything over the weekend. Monday I got a call from Ester, her nurse practictioner letting me know that there is a new spot on my bowel that is concerning. 

I met with Ester on March 27th to look at the images and discuss what the new plan for treatment is. The doctor was concerned that the other tumors were staying stable with the Ibrance Chemo medicine along with Letrozole but why is the new tumor growing since December?

This older tumor is near my right kidney and measures about the same since December.

This older tumor  is in the right upper quadrant peritoneal nodule measures 1.2 x 1.0 cm previous 1.2 x 1.1 cm in December 

This is the image of the new tumor found this month. This mass is along the anterior surface of the ascending colon is now 2.9 x 3.2 cm compared to 1.8 x 1.8 cm in December (this was originally not seen in December since it was in a loop of bowel. It has changed from a nickle size to quarter size.

I have not had any new symptoms besides a little cramping sensation in my right groin, which I thought was an abdominal muscle pull. I am still unsure if it is anything related to cancer at this time. 

I met a week later with Dr. Zempolich to discuss the possibility of surgery. She suggested that surgery can be done but that it will be a major surgery and my incision will be over my old one and most likely 12 inches long. She reminded me that there are risks with this surgery. The other option could be a biopsy of the new tumor. Dr. Z and Dr. Werner spoke and decided that surgery is the best option. They were worried that a biopsy may not get enough of a sample, especially if the tumor is mixed types. Surgery is set for April 15th at St. Marks. 

I have had numerous blessing, prayers on my behalf, my name has been on the temple prayer rolls and have had many well wishes and love from my family, neighbors, co-workers and patients. I am nervous about surgery but hopeful that since I have been through a big abdominal surgery a few years and now know what medications to take for pain, nausea and bowel management as well as the importance of walking and getting up after surgery. 

I have tried to prepare our home and family for surgery by labeling all the meals while I am in the hospital, making lists to remind Jeff about bills, laundry, feeding the cats and taking care of the kids. I hope he will appreciate all the organizing I have done to help this transition to be better.