We just got back from the doctor discussing our next steps in this whole process. Unfortunately it wasn't all that we were hoping.
Back when Levi had his colonoscopy and they found the tumor, they immediately had him do a CAT scan as well. The scan showed a small spot on the lung and liver. Whether they had cancer or not, they could not tell at that point. However, the most common place for colon cancer to spread is the lung, liver and bone. When Levi had his surgery, the surgeon did feel of his liver and he said he didn't feel anything. But if the spot is in the internal part of the liver, he would not have been able to feel it anyway.
So when we met with the oncologist this morning, he was quite concerned with the spot on his liver. He has recommended that Levi now get a PET scan which will show a better view of the spot. From there they will decide if they need to biopsy it, or if they think it is ok and just continue to watch it over time. If they biopsy it and find cancer, then that will increase his cancer to stage 4 and he will probably have to have surgery to remove it before he starts chemo. Good news about the liver is that it can regenerate.
So since all of his treatment plan is very situational upon what they find out about the liver, we didn't get a whole lot of specific details for his treatment. What we do know is that it will probably be about 6 months long going every other week for two days. The first day he will go in for treatment, but the second day they will send him home with some type of pouch connected to a belt. Since he will be doing chemo for several months, they will have to surgically go in and place a port in his upper chest with an I.V. tube sticking out. Crazy right?
Side effects include, thinning hair (might as well bick it if it's going to be stringy cancer hair!), decreased taste buds, nauseous and very tired at least for a couple of days after each treatment. One of the hardest side effects is the effect it has on sperm. Chemo often kills sperm during the treatment process, and there are chances it won't return after treatment. However, if it does return, they suggest not getting pregnant for 3-5 years post-chemo to minimize the risk that drugs may have on a fetus. So, Plan B is to store some now with a bank for intrauterine insemination later, super fun :(
So all in all, kind of disappointing. I did not want to hear six months of treatment, was actually expecting much less. Was not expecting the whole liver concern and the whole future children options and possibilities is rough for me. Definitely not how I pictured getting pregnant in the future, but we'll do it and pray it works. Let me tell you this whole sperm banking is NOT cheap either, but it's not worth risking having a back up.
Looking back, we are constantly reminded that the Lord has a plan. It was such a blessing that we had Brecken when we did. She has also been a nice distraction to us and given us something and someone else to take care of and think about. But most of all we are so grateful for the joy she brings to us everyday and we are so thankful to be blessed with her in our lives.
Levi should be getting a PET scan later this week and we'll meet with the oncologist hopefully later next week once we have all the answers to really nail down our plan. Everytime a doctor has been concerned, they've had reason to concern, so I'm hoping this time the trend is broken. I really don't want to hear that it has spread to his liver. Thank you again to everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers, we so appreciate it and I'll let you know once we get the PET scan results.
Love,
Kelsie
Levi's is the one in the middle, he wasn't too thrilled with the outcome
The participants
Brecken and Cache were kind of party poopers :)
Mouth's by Holly
B was kind of scared of Grandma Gail's orange hair
Brecky loves Daddy
and I think Mommy too (maybe the mostest...jk Daddy)
Our cutest little pumpkin by far
B was kind of scared of Grandma Gail's orange hair
Brecky loves Daddy
and I think Mommy too (maybe the mostest...jk Daddy)
Our cutest little pumpkin by far
