Asha Dhanarajan

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

As many of you know, I was first evaluated in June for some vague abdominal pain that was initially attributed to gallstones. I had an ultrasound to look for gallstones but unfortunately the ultrasound showed changes in the gallbladder and multiple tumors in my liver consistent with some form of cancer. After a whirlwind of additional scans, tests, and biopsies the findings were most consistent with gallbladder cancer that had spread to my liver, some lymph nodes, and most likely my lungs. Receiving a diagnosis of stage IV gallbladder cancer came as a total shock to me and Jon. The news was difficult to process to say the least, but we were immediately surrounded by love and support from family and friends. We were also uplifted by the prayerful support of our pastors.  I was cared for by an amazing group of colleagues at Loyola and Northwestern who got the initial testing and treatment planning underway in record time. They provided us tremendous encouragement and compassionate care when it was needed most.

I started a chemotherapy regimen in mid July consisting of four drugs - two traditional drugs for treating gallbladder cancer and two additional drugs that target a specific feature of my cancer (her2neu). The hope at this time is that the treatment will successfully shrink and control the tumors, opening  the door to other new therapies and trials including immune therapy. 

Jon and I will use this site as a way to keep you all updated. But we also welcome your cards, texts, emails, and calls!