Oncologist Appointment, July 22, 2019

      I had a good appointment with my doctor.  Our dear daughter-in-law went with Agustin and me to the appointment.  Routine lab work was done including for the tumor marker!   Then we listened to what the doctor had to say about my CT scan and my future decisions.   We had a good discussion and Hailey took notes.  She really helped us since both Agustin and I don't always remember everything nor have time to write it down.
      Here are some things Dr. Paul discussed with us from Hailey's notes:
         *The CT scan showed that the lungs look stable. 
         *Liver has grown (?) and new spots on the liver.  The pancreas tumor is growing and the tumor is pushing on the small bowel causing pain in the upper left side.
         *Radiation is an option.  But, the Xray beams from outside the body into the pancreas could  have side effects during the treatments like nausea and vomiting, also bladder symptoms because passing through the stomach!
         * Doctor doesn't think the tumor markers are reliable.
         *The swelling (bloating) I have is probably air because no fluid shows up on scan.
         * Back to radiation:  They try to do the shortest course possible, maybe just 5 days.   It would not add any length of life, only to help with pain.   To set up for radiation takes several weeks so if I want that, I need to start soon.
        *The celiac nerve is right by the pancreas and that is what causes the pain!
        *With hospice. Don't wait til the last minute.
        *I will stay with Dr. Paul [forever]😊
      We discussed medications for pain.  I take Tylenol now but the next med would be Tramadol.  I asked if taking Ativan and Tramadol together would be a problem because they are both sedatives (?)  She said maybe just take half the ativan when taking Tramadol.  I only take Ativan at night anyway, so, sedatives, in my book, would be fine:)
       Dr. Paul told me it was good I still had the port in place since later on pain meds, like morphine, can be administered at home with a pump that I can use myself!
       She said my liver tests are OK so still OK to keep taking the Tylenol for now.
          *Hospice will call me to make an appointment to come to my home to discuss everything.
          *I should keep taking the Creon (pancreas enzymes) to help digest food.    Fat is the hardest to digest but starch, pasta, etc easier on the pancreas. 
        So, this is the "report" from our notes.
        With all this being discussed and said, I have a road ahead that doesn't look "pretty" as I heard once a good friend tell me when he was telling me about his Parkinsons'!  
         Now,  I need to focus on the part of taking each day as a gift and continuing my "journey" here as long as possible....hoping even to make it to our 50th. wedding anniversary to be celebrated Sept. 21, 2019 and to a few days at the beach with Margie and George the week before🙏
          Meanwhile, trusting God to get me through this and also my family I need to focus and pray on a special verse in the Bible:
            

Lamentations 3:22-24 The Message (MSG)

God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,

his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.

They’re created new every morning.

How great your faithfulness!

I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).

He’s all I’ve got left.

       Great is Thy Faithfulness ~ Mimi & Carlease audio