Continued Prayers Requested for Scott and Debbie as They Continue Fighting This Beast Back in Milwaukee

Debbie's CaringBridge Post From Today:

Radiation

Yesterday, we met with Dr. Firat about Scott's upcoming radiation. He talked to us for a long time about possible complications and side effects. He expects Scott to be nauseous, very tired, and lose weight. That's just the most common side effects. We pray that the symptoms are minimal.

He told us that he wishes he could tell us that this is our cure, but that's not the case. We know this, but hearing the cold hard truth isn't easy. The cancer in the liver complicates everything.

He explained that this treatment will help remove the remaining cancer that was left in the peritoneum after surgery. Dr. LaQuaglia removed everything that can be seen with the human eye, but the radiation will blast whatever may remain. He then explained that the liver disease is the part that radiation won't get rid of. They are not avoiding the liver, but the surface of the liver will get the full dose, and only part of it will escape into the liver. We are just praying that it helps the liver more than they think it will. Miracles can happen, and we keep praying for them.

Dr. Firat will be talking with Dr. Wolden, a radiologist in New York. We spoke with her after Scott's surgery, before we left NY. The 2 doctors agree with each other completely, which is great! Dr. Firat said that he follows MSKCC when he treats DSRCT patients or others with whole abdominal radiation. That is reassuring to us. 

We agreed to move along quickly, since this cancer is so aggressive!
We will go to Froedtert at 7:30 tomorrow morning for a PET scan. Dr. Firat wants to make sure that the cancer hasn't spread anywhere else, and to get a better idea of how active the tumors in Scott's liver are.

We will then be going back to radiation oncology after the PET scan to have Dr. Firat plot out Scott's radiation zone. It is a very complicated process. They will cover 43cm (from shoulders to pelvic area). They need to map it all out and try their best to avoid the bones. There are a lot of bones in your upper body!

He has a very long torso, so Dr. Firat said that the regular machines will probably not be able to cover that large of an area. He has a plan though. We trust Dr. Firat and his expertise.

After Dr. Firat does some mapping, measuring, and planning, we will meet with a nurse. She will answer questions and do some teaching on how to make it through the month of radiation. 

I will write another Caring Bridge once I know more after our appointments on Thursday. It's a lot to take in!