(Read this for a timeline of key events over the past 6+ years...)
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Since I've been so derelict in updating this site over the past years, I figured the best route to start back is to list all the treatments and activities that we've been going through. To be honest, 6 years ago I didn't think I'd be talking about more treatments at this point, but I have to say I prefer this over the alternative, unless the alternative was complete remission, which unfortunately just hasn't been the case. Oh well...
To be specific, though, I've been diagnosed/treated for T2 N2b M1 (AJC stage IVC) poorly-differentiated infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma of the left tonsillar fossa, metastasized to the lungs; simply put head/neck cancer that started in the tonsil then moved to both lungs and is commonly called squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); gotta wonder why the don't call it large cell; who uses the term "non-small" anyway? Sucks either way. But we get through it one day at a time with Jill's relentless love and support, the ability to be there and part of Drew, Cameron, and Richie's growth, Mom's (Sandy) visits and never-ending concern, and Dave, John, and Steve's (and their family's and loved ones) visits, phone calls, emails, and more, the step-family, cousins, aunts/uncles, doctors, friends, prayers, spiritual blessings, and God's grace, and I could go on an on.
But following is a table of the key things we've been going through. This is a running history of what's been happening for your perusal and also for my reference. I'll work to keep it up to date and add more detail to help clarify some terms.
- Date Action Comments
- 06/17/09 Tonsillectomy Initial diagnosis of Head/Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma in left tonsil
- 06/30/09 IMRT Radiation 40 Treatments of Radiation, lasted from June-Sept.; left tonsil, right lymph node
- 07/01/09 Chemo 1/2 dose Cisplatin & Docetaxel (Taxotere) chemo to assist radiation; infusion every 3 weeks for 5 treatments
- 07/09/09 PEG Tube Insertion of temporary feeding tube required because radiation will close up my esophagus
- 09/03/09 IMRT Radiation Last day of IMRT Radiation thank God!!!
- 12/03/09 PEG Removal
- 01/01/10 Chemo 1st full chemo series; Cisplatin & Docetaxel (Taxotere); infusion every 3 weeks for 6 treatments
- 02/05/10 HBO 25 Days pre-debridement surgery; hyperbaric oxygen treatment for xx days
- 02/17/10 PET Scan
- 03/09/10 Debridement Initial symptom of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) due to IMRT treatment to tonsil
- 03/11/10 HBO 10 Days (35 total to date)
- 09/28/10 Surgery Lung VAT Wedge removal; tumor removed/biopsied to confirm same as Head/Neck
- 10/06/10 Surgery Lung collapsed 2 days post surgery; back to hospital to re-inflate lung, stay until healed (no fun)
- 11/08/10 PET Scan
- 12/17/10 CT Scan Chest & Head/Neck
- 12/22/10 Chemo 2nd chemo series; infusion every 3 weeks; 8 cycles ended 5/18/11; with Carboplatin & Taxol
- 12/09/14 Ultrasound Clot in arm from Chemo; placed on Xarelto for 3 months
- 12/16/14 Pneumonitis set in
- 01/27/15 CT Scan Chest Scan
- 02/04/15 Oral Surgery Debridement of lower left molars
- 02/05/15 HBO 10 Days (55 total to date)
- 02/26/15 HBO 10 Days (65 total to date)
- 04/07/15 CT Scan Chest & Head/Neck
- 05/11/15 Office Visit Initial visit for jaw muscle infection
- 06/12/15 ENT Hearing test; mandible review
- 07/08/15 Office Visit Cardiology Workup
- 07/15/15 Office Visit Physical
- 07/16/15 Office Visit Cardiology Stress Test
- 08/10/15 IV Antibiotic PICC Line placement
- 08/11/15 Surgery Debridement of lower left molars
- 08/12/15 HBO Hyperbaric Oxygen, 20 sessions, ends 8/31 (85 total to date)
- 08/12/15 IV Antibiotic Invanz self administered IV antibiotic, ends after 6 weeks (9/20)
- 08/27/15 Oncology Begin Keytruda immunotherapy drug (cycle 1)
- 09/17/15 Oncology Keytruda infusion (cycle 2)
- 10/08/15 Oncology Keytruda infusion (cycle 3)
- 10/29/15 Oncology Keytruda infusion (cycle 4)
- 11/19/15 Oncology Keytruda infusion (cycle 5)
- 11/24/15 CT Scan Chest & Head/Neck
- 11/27/15 Oncology Call from Dr. Kantor with CT Scan results; realization that Keytruda was't working; 2 tumors doubled and one new showed up
- 12/03/15 Oral Surgeon Consultation for mandible reconstructiona and options (Dr. Campana, Porter Hospital System)
- 12/04/15 Oncology Consultation with Sarah Canon Research Institute (SCRI) for participation in a Phase I clinical (Erbitux w/ HER3 inhibitor study drug)
- 12/07/15 Oncology Consultation with University of Colorado for participation in Phase I clinical (chemo delivered through targeting agent)
- 12/14/15 Ultrasound Echocardiogram of heart to ensure fitness for clinical trial
- 12/18/15 Oncology Decision made and treatment started at SCRI; Erbitux infusion every week; HER3 drug every 3 weeks
- 12/24/15 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 2)
- 12/29/15 CT Scan Fine cut CT scan of head/mandible in preparation for mandible/jaw surgery if necessary
- 12/31/15 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 3)
Clemson wins Orange Bowl; 14-0 and going to the National Championship game!
- 01/06/16 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 4); KTN3379 Trial Drug Cycle 2, ECG normal
- 01/11/16 Clemson loses to Alabama in the National Championship game, but as always makes us proud!
- 01/14/16 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 5)
- 01/21/16 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 6)
- 01/28/16 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 7); KTN3379 Trial Drug Cycle 3, ECG normal
- 02/04/16 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 8)
- 02/07/16 Broncos win Superbowl 50!!! (sorry Carolina fans; we like the Panthers too; just not as much as our Broncos!)
- 02/11/16 Oncology Erbitux infusion (cycle 9)
- 02/16/16 CT Scan Chest & Head/Neck
- 02/18/16 Oncology Decision made to stop Erbitux/KTN3379 Trial; considering other options at this point, ECG normal; cardiac blood test performed to try to identify what's causing shortness of breath-nothing found
- 02/23/16 Ultrasound Echocardiogram performed to see what could be causing shortness of breath; nothin found; everything normal
- 02/29/16 CT Scan Chest/Heart looking for blood clots; one found in left lung, most likely causing the shortness of breath and light-headedness
- 03/01/16 Start of treatment with Xarelto blood thinner to get rid of blood clot in lung
- 03/08/16 CT Scan Head/Neck & Chest/Abdomen in preparation for new trial; new findings of nodule on the kidney, and fluid in the lungs
- 03/10/16 ER Visit Xray of lungs and determination to do thoracentesis to remove fluid from the lungs; admitted to hospital; stopped Xarelto
- 03/11/16 Hosp Discharge Thoracentesis procedure removed 2.1L fluid from left lung; also did biopsy of upper left lung tumor; went home after
- 03/12/16 ER Visit Back to ER, another Xray, determination more fluid need to be removed; admitted back to hospital
- 03/13/16 Hosp Discharge Another thoracentesis procedure to remove an additional 2.4L (total 4.5L!); released to go home again! Yeah!!!
- 03/14/16 Oncology Start of new clinical trial using AstraZeneca's AZD9150 + MEDI4736 immunotherapy drug trial #NCT02499328; restarted Xarelto; 1st AZD9150 pre-dose
- 03/16/16 Oncology AZD9150 2nd pre-dose
- 03/18/16 Oncology AZD9150 3rd pre-dose
- 03/21/16 Oncology MEDI4736 1st Dose and AZD9150 full dose
- 03/23/16 Outpatient Thoracentesis #3; 1.8L removed; catheter placement scheduled for next day 3/24
- 03/24/16 Outpatient Catheter placed in lung pleura to allow home draining
- 03/25/16 700ml additional fluid removed from lung; but after that nothing else has drained! Maybe the chemo is working?
- 03/28/16 Oncology AZD9150 2nd Dose
- 04/04/16 Oncology AZD9150 3rd Dose
- 04/08/16 ER Visit Breathing difficulties and uncontrollable pain in back and leg; admitted to P/SL
- 04/09/16 CT Scans Multiple scans of lungs, lower abdomen, lumbar; more tumors found... now that sucks; pain brought under control
- 04/11/16 Hosp Discharge Discharged from hospital
- 04/12/16 CT Scan Head/Neck scan; was having difficulty swallowing; no signs of cancer
- 04/14/16 Oncology Chemo started; conventional this time using Taxotere and Cisplatin
- 04/15/16 Radiation Radiation treatment #1 of 5 for tumor on spinal column T9
- 04/17/16 ER Visit Difficulty swallowing/breathing; throat closed up; admitted to Lutheran Hospital in Wheat Ridge; PICC line placed; PEG tube placed
- 04/24/16 Hosp Discharge Released from hospital; in-home daily antibiotics for 6 weeks
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