HI!  It's way past time for another update so I especially want to thank you for your patience as well as your continued support and prayers.  The last several weeks have included new tests, scans, and follow-up appointments on those results.  In short, with my Chemo progress is being made, the exact location, size and mass of the tumor is known, and the plan has been adjusted with this information.  

A week before the last update, I had my 3rd "CYCLE" of chemo which I definitely experienced the compounding of the cycles.  Fortunately for me we were able to start our anniversary cruise on the day my 4th cycle would have been scheduled which allowed an additional 2 weeks of rest and recovery.  With a total of 7 days at sea, no stops, excursions, bad seas or weather I was able to get the rest I needed as well as just enjoy some very peaceful and relaxing days.  We had great weather, the excursions were easy and enjoyable, with Valencia and Malaga rated the best, and we took advantage of the ships activates, shows, wonderful food, and I even managed to gain a few pounds.  

Two days after our return I had my 4th cycle of chemo and update on my blood work.  The blood results were all VERY GOOD news, no concerns, and my body is responding to the chemo, medications, and performing the way it should be.  During this cycle the most important lesson I learned was literally take advantage of every opportunity to conserve every tiny bit of my energy.  I don't recall ever being described as a low energy person😀, but this has been and will be a VERY important change going forward.  

My Oncologist and Surgeon had scheduled multiple tests, scans, MRI's since we have been back and on Tuesday and Wednesday last week, we had meetings with each as well as my 5th cycle of chemo.  The primary purpose of these tests was to evaluate the impact the chemo has had on the tumor as well as my overall body condition.  Again, there was good news, the size of the tumor is just slightly smaller, 1.3cm vs 1.4cm.  It was also the first time we had visibility of the tumors tenacles and the extent of their range and the precise location on the pancreas.  The tumor is on the backside of the pancreas, in the middle and between two major horizontal arteries and the aorta and liver on the ends.  Because of this, my 6 chemo cycles have now been extended to 12, scheduled to end in early August.  This is more good news because we need to see very significant reduction in the size of the tumor and it's tenacles to determine if there are clean margins that would allow surgery and or what type of radiation is used.  With clean margins surgery could be considered, or radiation to eliminate the tumors cancer cells but not remove it.

My Oncologist and Surgeon also reminded us during this consultation that in my initial chemo goal was for my body to get through the first 3 cycles of the strongest 3-part chemo cocktail I could receive and if I did it would be a great shock to the tumor.  I'm still on that same 3-part chemo cocktail and like a boxer, it's one round at a time, 5 of 12 rounds complete, next week #6 and my body is holding up and still punching back hard against the tumor. 

There is no doubt I have the best support team in our faith, you, our family, friends, prayer groups, medical team, technology and so many others.        

The pictures include actual 3D printing done on specific patients that required some type of surgery, that allowed a surgical team to test specific instruments as well as their skills, and a couple of us enjoying our cruise last month.