Today's News: Not so good

Today we received some disheartening news from the doctors at Fox Chase Cancer Center. They said that the good news is that there are no signs of "new" tumors. However, the bad news is that the current tumors have actually grown. They have grown slightly in size and have not shrunk. They also made it very clear that Pop's cancer is indeed incurable. They said that due to the metastatic lung disease, the best we can hope for is no new tumors and minimal growth of the current tumors. At this point, medically, there is no chance of remission.

He (the oncologist) actually told Pop that if he wanted to take a trip and do something special that he should do it now. Since Pop has no significant symptoms, he should enjoy his current quality of life. We should anticipate the current chemo treatment to be long in duration. As long as he tolerates the chemo, they will continue to treat Pop to prevent any further growth. Not, to shrink or disappear his current tumors. Pop was discouraged with this news as he was hoping that he was "all done" with chemo.

I'm trying to talk Pop into taking a trip to Florida or Puerto Rico this summer. However, I'm not sure that he can actually think clearly enough to make a decision at this point. Pop just wants to know "How much time do I have?" Of course, the doctors cannot answer this question since it's impossible to tell.

Pop will continue to receive the same chemo therapy for another eight weeks. After that, they will once again repeat the CT scan (scheduled for September 19th) to determine his progression.

Please call Pop and offer him words of encouragement. Please do not mention to him his prognosis or results, but rather offer him hope to continue in his battle.

Keep Pop in your prayers.

Treatments continue

I’m not sure who still reads this; nonetheless, Pop continues to do well. I took him to his chemotherapy appointment today. He has had minimal side effects on this new chemo. His appetite is well and has no stomach problems (like he had before). He is scheduled for a CT scan on Thursday to determine the status of his lung tumors. Of course, the hope is that they are shrinking or at the very least not growing. Pop has an appointment next Tuesday (July 25th) to go over the results of the CT scan.

Pop remains in good spirits throughout his treatments. I spent time with his daughter, Eleana last week while I was on vacation in Puerto Rico.

Please continue to call Pop and offer words of support, as loneliness can be prelude to depression.

Gracias-