Chemo Update

What a journey it has been so far. Last Monday Libby went to have a PET scan done to determine the future of her chemo treatments. After taking her labs and injecting her with the radio active material, the tech found out the machine was broken. They had to reschedule her for this past Wednesday in a mobile unit at another hospital which was completed. We had a normal chemo treatment scheduled this morning, but we knew there might be a chance Libby didn't have to do it depending on the results of the PET scan.

We arrived at Texas Oncology at 8am this morning and Libby had her labs done, as usual. Then, we finally got to speak to her oncologist about the results and what would be happening today. What we expected to hear was that she either had two more treatments of RCHOP and then probably radiation, that she only had radiation, or that she was in remission and didn't need any more chemo or radiation (ultimately what we had hoped to hear). Unfortunately, none of these scenarios came true. Instead, we were told that the largest of the masses in her abdomin had shrunk a little bit, but unfortunately has gone hyperactive. This basically means that it is trying to grow at an even greater rate than before. Her oncologist talked to other doctors to see what they suggested, and they all came to agreement that Libby should switch to a new treatment called RICE (No, not the rice you eat. That would be too easy).

With the RICE treatment, Libby will have to go into the infusion lab on one day to have part of the chemo drugs injected, then the next day they will put her in a hospital overnight for the other part where they will have to do a stem cell transplant. This process of stem cell transplant will be to remove some of her stem cells before treament, then place them back again after treament. The reason they do this, as we were told, was that this new drug(s) will destroy a lot of stem cells. Through the stem cell transplant, Libby will not lose nearly as many stem cells as she would if they didn't do it.

They expect that Libby will have to do this regimen about 2 to 3 times with 3 weeks in between each. Then there is still the possibility of radiation afterwords. Not the news we wanted to hear, but we know God is ultimately in control and will be able to use this experience for His glory.

On a positive note, we finally had to opportunity to try out a new donut shop near Texas Oncology called "Funkytown Donuts". We all, including the kids, got one "funky" donut each to try out. Pretty good donuts, but we are still a better fan of Shipley's donuts.