Brian Carlow Brian Carlow -Cuck Fancer

As most of our family and friends know, Brian was diagnosed last January 18th (2016) with Small Cell Carcinoma of the Liver.  Small Cell is considered a lung cancer as that is usually where it originates.  He was already an inpatient at Roper Hospital when we received the results and chemo was started immediately.  Brian underwent 8 rounds of out patient chemotherapy, being the extremely strong person he is he fought through, did well and even continued to work during those 8 rounds.  Once complete, the lesions were at bay and he was able to have a "chemo holiday" July - November.  At his appointment in November the CT showed that the lesions had once again began to grow.


An alternate regimen was started December 5th.  Since then he has undergone another 3 rounds of the new chemo.  As per routine to ensure we are on the right track, another CT was done.  He went to see his Oncologist for CT results and what we thought would be round 4 and keep on truckin'!  The results were not as we had hoped they would be.  He was having what is called a "mixed reaction", meaning some lesions continuing to grow, with some shrinking and some not responding at all.  Dr. Geils, Jr. then ordered a brain MRI - (Small Cell tends to metastasize to the brain), as well as another biopsy so that we could see just what we are dealing with.


Friday the 17th after his MRI, he received the most devastating phone call............the MRI revealed 10+ lesions on and in his brain, with 3 or so being larger and more concerning.  He was started on a steroid to relieve swelling of the brain caused by the lesions.  The next step is radiation.

I believe the kids can sense something isn't quite right but don't quite know how to share this news...........