[stanford_status] Very distressing news

[John R Larsen]

Hello Everyone,

A few minutes ago we talked with Dr. Julie Kim, one of the pediatric 
oncologists at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) involved 
with Stanford's care.  The results of Friday's CT scan are very bad.  
The tumors in his liver have continued to grow.  There is now a net 
of tumors and hardly any liver tissue left.  They are amazed that 
Stanford is still doing so well and isn't having any pain.

The current treatments are not working.  A change is required.  They 
are in contact with oncologists at Boston and DHMC.  There are very 
few options left.  The next treatment to try is gemcitabine that is 
given weekly.  They will do treatments three weeks in a row unless 
his blood counts get too low.  Then he will have a week off to allow 
the body to bounce back, and they will do scans that week.  This 
puts the next scans out in the Dec 13th time frame.  

Gemcitabine usually makes patients very sick.  The doctors said that 
since Stanford is feeling well now that he ought to do anything that 
he has been wanting to do, such as take a trip, while he is feeling 
well.  Dr. Kim suggested possible doing something during the week he 
is not receiving treatment.

Dr. Kim will call us no later than Tuesday to let us know the 
arrangements.  They want Monday to consult and get everything in 
place.  The intent is to do the treatement at Dr. O'Shea's office in 
Nashua.

Stanford's liver function could turn the corner at anytime.  The 
pain could start up again anytime also.  Stanford is staring death 
in the face right now.  Stan and I talked about this and what the 
care options are if things get bad.  The options are hospital, 
hospice, or home care.  He wants to be home as much as possible if 
things get bad.  Of course we haven't given up.  We hope that the 
gemcitabine will be effective, but we have to talk about and be 
prepared for the worst.

We're all in shock right now.  I have no words left.  My mind is 
mush.  Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

John

_______________________________________________________
John R Larsen <john at larsen-family.us>
http://larsen-family.us