The latest on Pop

I went with Pop for his Fox Chase appointment today.

The doctor told us that she was concerned because his lung tumor had grown (slightly but has grown). This is why they performed the laser bronchoscopy last month to shrink his tumor and help his breathing. This procedure was effective. Pop tolerated it well and actually said that he has been breathing better. He has still been walking (up to 3 miles) every day.

Pop’s blood work also showed that his tumor markers (blood test to determine the extensiveness of the cancer) are also elevated.
This suggests that his current chemo agent (medicine) is no longer as effective as what it had been for all these years.
They will be adding another chemo agent to his chemotherapy treatments. The new chemo is a slow release one that is given over a 48 hour period. They will start it at Fox Chase and Pop will go home connected to the infusion for 48 hours and then we can discontinue it at home.
The doctors believe that this will help control any further cancer growth or spreading.

I guess the bad news in all this- is that Pop is going to have a port put back in. This is the permanent IV access that he had before inserted into his chest wall. Pop has been fighting having this port put back in for years. He said that he would rather get stuck 20 times for blood work and an IV, than have to have a port put back in. At his point, this is no longer an option. He is scheduled to have a port inserted in the next week and will begin his new chemo right away. The insertion of the port is an out-patient procedure and of course he’ll be sedated.

Although Pop was pretty disappointed by this news, he has been feeling very well with his overall health.

Laser brochoscopy

Pop had been feeling progressively more short of breath.
The doctors confirmed that his lung tumor was blocking his lower airway.
Today he had a laser bronchoscopy.
It was a non-surgical procedure where the put a tube down his throat and enter his lungs with a fiberoptic scope.
They were able to laser and shrink his tumor a great deal.
He tolerated the procedure well.
He actually said that he feels like he can breathe better.
He is home resting.
Thanks to Patti and Tom for taking him to his procedure today.