Renata Ray Aces for Renata

Renata was diagnosed with Stage IV Cancer on December 19, 2016.  Renata had been having undiagnosed pain since September, but after a CT Scan, a PET Scan and a biopsy of her Liver, the oncologist was able to tell her more about the type of Cancer she has.  It is an Adenocarcinoma that started in the Bile Ducts.  At this time, it has spread to some of her Lymph Nodes near the Pancreas and her pelvis and there are spots on her Esophagus, Liver and Lungs.


The doctor in Fayetteville has recommended Chemo treatments to try and shrink the Cancer.  She will have chemo treatments on Wednesdays for four hours at a time.  The treatments will be two weeks on and one week off.  After three months of treatments, the doctor will do scans again to see if things are improving. 


Renata had her first chemo treatment this past Wednesday, December 28th.  Her next treatment will be this coming Wednesday, January 4th.


Renata will also be followed by another doctor who specializes in Palliative care, in case Renata needs additional pain management down the road or decides to stop chemo at some point.


If she is up to traveling, she will go to Kansas City to see a Gastrointestinal Oncologist at The University of Kansas Hospital (KU Med.) for a second opinion appointment on January 9th. KU Med is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) and therefore might be able to offer some alternative/trial treatments that are not offered in Fayetteville.  Renata will stay with me (Linda Meldrum Gilchrist) while in KC for the appointment.


Renata has family and good friends from work, tennis and other walks of her life who have offered to assist her in any way right now.  So, we thought it might be a good idea to have one, central location for all of her family and friends to stay informed about her health journey.


So, Welcome to…Aces for Renata!


Please post words of encouragement when you have the opportunity. 


Thanks, Linda