Got a call Tuesday from radiation, they wanted to start Wednesday instead of Thursday. First session of radiation was completed and the oncologist wanted labs so we went to clinic after to get blood drawn. Today we got up here for our second radiation session and chemo. Unfortunately Dyl's port was not working so he ended up getting the TPA to clear it and 30 minutes later we were ready to go. He was given aloxi again for nausea and we are keeping him on the methadone and prednisone for now. He was also given benedryl, so he dozed off and has been sleeping since. 

Dr. Anderson from the Cleveland Clinic recommends an additional chemo be taken at this time so Dyl is getting Doxil and Vincristine. We are also looking into when we could start that maintenance chemo pill at home that will be taken daily. 

Doxil, a.k.a "the red devil", protocol requires the patients to have ice packs on their hands and feet because it can turn them red and they can get hot. May not happen, but they do ice packs to help if it does. The redness goes away after infusion. Side effects are nothing new and fairly mild compared to some of the chemos he's had, so it should be pretty tolerable. We do have an echo scheduled next week to monitor his heart. 

During our visit with the oncologist we got to discuss the PET scan results. It shows a spot on the left clavicle, left humerus and lower spine. We are thinking these have been growing/resistant to the last chemo we tried. So now we pray that this doxil/vincristine combo stops it. We are not doing radiation to these areas at this time, for one the chemo should do well at taking care of them. Secondly, there is a problem with doxil and radiation being done at the same time. More so the more doses of Doxil you get. It can cause mucositis at the radiation spot. Mucositis is inflammation and sores and can be painful. It usually gets better a few weeks after finishing the treatment. So we will see how he tolerates this week and next. Even at his next doxil dose, although radiation will be done the chemo can still inflam that area. If it's too painful we will have to delay, which we don't want as this thing is being too damn persistent. If this does happen and the pain prevents nutrition then we will have to delay. We may be able to take the at home maintenance chemo pill if this happens so that he is not going without any treatment. 

Scans are being scheduled for 2 months out. We will do a PET, full body MRI, head, face and neck specific MRI all with and without contrast. 

In a way it's a good thing his jaw caused such a ruckus. If it hadn't then these other little guys would have gone unnoticed and unchecked until they caused issues or pain, but like we said before, cancer picked the wrong kid. Dyl knew it, spoke up and now we are destroying it. 💪🎗🙏🤞

#ballstothewall #fucancer