Making Progress

Yesterday I talked to my Reno oncologist, Dr. Abrass. He called to let me know that he has an appointment for me to meet the San Francisco surgeon specialist, Dr. Warren. I only met with the oncologist when I went last week, but this is the doctor that they say can do things no one else will try and they work. This surgeon has read my file and wants to meet me to see what he can do. Dr. Abrass told him that I am a "delightful, young, healthy woman." There is a chance he may try a liver resection, where they take part of the liver out and then it grows back (hopefully healthier). We will go back to San Francisco on June 17 to see what he suggests.

David talked to the San Francisco oncologist and asked what will happen if my biliruben count doesn't come down. They say I will probably start on a low-dose chemo. They don't like to do chemo with a high biliruben, but it is something to try that may get things going in the right direction.

As for my stents, they are a thorn in my side, literally! I'm not having the sharp pain I was having before, but I can feel them every time I take a deep breath and they are just achy. It looks like the stents aren't going anywhere, so I better get used to them.

Overall, I am feeling much better. I have pain medication that I don't need during the day, but it makes a significant difference in how well I sleep, so I just take it at night. I can get up and get ready for the day, but then I am so worn out I have to take a little nap. I am eating--I had some split-pea and ham soup that tasted really good to me, which hasn't happened for a while. Overall, it's progress and I can't complain. So there you have it, another day in my life.