Treatment Extended

On Tuesday, Tony had another session of chemo that was not part of the original treatment plan. You can tell the doctors are perplexed... wondering why this heavy chemo and radiation is not killing this tumor. It's very frustrating and scary for us too.

We've discussed two alternatives. One is more radiation which will probably result in deterioration of the jawbone, requiring reconstructive surgery of the jaw. The tumor is locked right under the jaw bone, and there is no way around traumatizing it with further radiation.

The second alternative is to wait a few weeks to see results and heal from the radiation, and then surgically remove what they can.  Given Tony's first experience with sugery, you can imagine he isn't super excited about that option any more than the first. 

We want to thank Leeza, Tony's chemo nurse, who finally suggested a drip tube for fluids and nutrition.  Tony has barely been able to hold anything down once it was "forced" into the feeding tube with a syringe and a push. The slower drip feeding/drinking is working much better which is really helping him stay hydrated and somewhat "eating". He can sit there for an hour and not even be bothered with it... it's much less invasive and traumatic.

We've been watching alot of the Food Channel this week, particularly a show called "Man vs. Food".  Last night they featured Reading Terminal Market with cheesesteaks, pork sandwiches, hoagies. Tony is building up a huge appetite for when the time comes.  Yesterday he had a bit of a grilled cheese sandwhich and some soup, but it tasted yucky and he wants to stay on liquids for a little longer. It sucks to eat something that smells so good, and have it taste like metal.  Booooo.....

Good night.