MD Anderson Update

[Brownie3321]

Hello all! I hope everyone is looking forward to the spring and enjoying a little sunshine. I wanted to post an update since I just got back from MD Anderson. Just to recap, we sat down with my oncologist in Boulder to discuss what would be the next plan of action after finding out I still had active cancer cells around my stomach. My gyn/onc who performed the 2nd look surgery suggested I receive 3-4 more doses of IP chemo which was infused directly into my intestines/stomach. On the contrary, my Boulder oncologist believed this would do nothing but more harm to my kidneys and overall health. He believes these cells were unresponsive to the first line chemo drugs given to me, and that I should receive a different cocktail of chemo for another 6 cycles. Having two conflicting opinions when my life is at risk was very discomforting, so I decided to seek another opinion at the well known cancer facility, MD Anderson in Houston. It was a 4 day event which proved to be educational and revolutionary. At MD Anderson you are assigned an oncologist who best fits your unique case who will be your primary doctor and act as a spokesperson once your case is presented to the team of radiologists, oncologists, residing doc’s and gynecologists. This team of 20 will bounce ideas off one another in a sit-down meeting to try and come up with the best line of therapy for your cancer. Once the meeting was concluded, my oncologist, Dr. Wolf, presented the three options I could choose from. 1) I could do nothing and wait until the cells formed a tumor which eventually it would (her words exactly), 2) I could do one year of chemo which would consist of a different cocktail infused once every 3 weeks, or 3) I could participate in a study for which I qualified for, where a stem cell transplant was performed. I was then told all 20 of the attendees were in favor of the 3rd option. This procedure would involve 3 cycles of the most intense chemo (5 different drugs) you could receive given once per week. Because the chemo is so intense, my stem cells would need to be taken out before the chemo, be harvested, then be re infused back into my body for the making of platelets, red and white cells. The whole process would take a month and a half, all done in Houston, and most of it spent in the hospital. This method has proven to be successful with a 50% complete response rate (no more tumors), and 90% rate at keeping the cancer at bay for a longer remission. The procedure is extremely aggressive, but is my best chance of eradicating the cancer for good. I have decided to go this route and it should be underway once my insurance gives the approval. I look forward to coming back here to report the procedure went well and believe me when I say I WILL be here 50 years from now with beautiful, long hair and a smile. :)
I'm very tired, but I promise to get back to all the personal emails and catch up on the forum in the next few days. You all are in my daily prayers, with love - Deandra

[Brownie3321]

Thank you all for your support and prayers. I will be keeping everyone informed as soon as I know when the treatment will start. Meanwhile, I hope you all are enjoying the weekend.
Marty - I think it would be a GREAT idea to get Leslee back to MD Anderson for another evaluation and some possible ideas for treatment. If she wants to be aggressive, it sounds like she does, this is THE BEST option out there right now. I will give you as much info as possible throughout the process so that you and Leslee can decide if this might be something she wants to participate in.
With love, Deandra

[gma718]

I am so glad you had a positive experience at MD...It sounds like you are definitely making the right choice. I will be praying and praying that this is the golden ticket!!! Please stay strong and take it easy....Love, Gia :)

[mrsbaguba]

With such a positive attitude, you are already half way there!  You're going to do this, girl.  It will be  a long haul, but the rewards are well worth the struggle. I am anxious to hear more about this; please continue to keep us posted, and as always I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Sending you love and positive energy as you start on this journey. Love, Judie :)

[kismetfarm]

Wow that sounds so hopeful - sending you lots of luck.

A friend with stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma had a stem cell transplant and five years later is still disease free.  :-)

[OzBron]

In your post you sounds just so positive. That positive energy will go a long way to helping you through the agressive chemo. It must be comforting to know the 3 options are what 20 specialists agree and believe are the best options. I assume option 1 was wait for tumours then surgery? Even though option 3 is really intense, 1 month or treatment and getting the potential results you mention sounds so exciting compared to mentally dealing with another 12months of another chemo with all the sideaffects etc that entails or just waiting for things to grow!
Good luck. I'm sure this will work for you. I'm sending you positive vibes and I will be watching out for updates!
Bron

[coogeegirl]

Dear Deandra

MD Anderson sounds like a terrific facility that gives you a lot of options and allows you to be part of the decision process about the treatment that you are receiving instead of feeling that you are on the oncology treadmill. You have such a fabulous attitude about the whole thing I know you are going to back with us sharing your success story.

Sending you loads of positivie thoughts and hugs

Jenny