Journal entry by Monica Penkilo —
Gallbladder update...Gary hasn't gotten sick since his gallbladder surgery!! 👏🏻
Gary and I spent a couple of days at MD Anderson this week. Gary's CA 19-9 pancreatic cancer tumor marker jumped from 173 to 664. We are thankful the scans showed no metastasis, but the pancreatic tumor showed growth above the celiac trunk.
Gary's oncologist explained that inoperable pancreatic cancer will either metastasize or grow locally and encroach on important territory. Symptoms of disease progression are fatigue, pain, and poor appetite. Gary has all of them. It's time for a new treatment plan, and we praise God that there are options! 🙌🏻
Treatment Plan:
Gary will have 5 days of SBRT radiation at MD Anderson the 1st week of May.
He will restart chemo in June. The treatment will be an IV drug, Gemcitabine and Erlotinib, a targeted therapy pill. The pill is for lung cancer and also approved for pancreatic cancer with EGFR mutation which was discovered on Gary's NGS testing. The NGS testing findings were limited, but we are thankful for the possibilities of this drug.
Prayer requests:
For Gary's radiation and chemo side effects to be minimal, for the treatment to be successful and stop the tumor growth, and for Gary to have the energy to enjoy the beautiful weather and golf.
Our oldest daughter selected the scripture for this update. She said we are filled with HOPE! We truly are! 💜 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Blessings,
Monica
Gary and I spent a couple of days at MD Anderson this week. Gary's CA 19-9 pancreatic cancer tumor marker jumped from 173 to 664. We are thankful the scans showed no metastasis, but the pancreatic tumor showed growth above the celiac trunk.
Gary's oncologist explained that inoperable pancreatic cancer will either metastasize or grow locally and encroach on important territory. Symptoms of disease progression are fatigue, pain, and poor appetite. Gary has all of them. It's time for a new treatment plan, and we praise God that there are options! 🙌🏻
Treatment Plan:
Gary will have 5 days of SBRT radiation at MD Anderson the 1st week of May.
He will restart chemo in June. The treatment will be an IV drug, Gemcitabine and Erlotinib, a targeted therapy pill. The pill is for lung cancer and also approved for pancreatic cancer with EGFR mutation which was discovered on Gary's NGS testing. The NGS testing findings were limited, but we are thankful for the possibilities of this drug.
Prayer requests:
For Gary's radiation and chemo side effects to be minimal, for the treatment to be successful and stop the tumor growth, and for Gary to have the energy to enjoy the beautiful weather and golf.
Our oldest daughter selected the scripture for this update. She said we are filled with HOPE! We truly are! 💜 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Blessings,
Monica
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