Progress Report

Mom, Dad, and I went to see Dr. Aurora today to get the results of the MRI and CT scans that were done last week. This was in preparation for chemotherapy treatment today.

Dr. Aurora reviewed the results with us, and they were mixed. The cancer in her lung and liver has "stabilized", meaning that it has not grown. It has not shrunk, either, as hoped for by the doctor.

The cancer in the bones has increased significantly since the last scans were done, at the outset of the treatment in November.

The net result of this is that Dr. Aurora is recommending a change in chemotherapy drugs. He is recommending Taxotere now. He says that this drug will better combat the disease in the bone as well as continue to combat the disease in the lungs and liver.

Regarding the brain involvement, the MRI still shows lesions in the brain, but the comparison between the initial MRI done in November and this one has not been completed yet. So it is unclear as to the amount of effectiveness of the radiation treatment.

We also had a very frank conversation with the doctor regarding quality of life versus quantity of life. He was very straightfoward with Mom this time and told her that there was no cure for her condition and that all they could do is "knock it back" for a period of time.

He wanted to make sure she (and Dad and I) understood. We do.

So, at this point, Mom is still interested in getting treatment. She is, however, thinking about the ramifications of that decision. For the first time since all of this started, we briefly discussed what might be the result of stopping treatment. A great deal depends on how well Mom tolerates this new drug. That is unknown, of course.

For now, we will go back to the office tomorrow and get the new drug started. Where that will take us remains to be seen.

We appreciate everyone's thoughts and support.