THURSDAY AUGUST 1st, 2019

Chris had his spinal tap today. Unfortunately, it took over an hour for the procedure. (The first two only took about 25 minutes). They were only able to get approx. 2ml of CSF out, and the NP was unable to deliver any chemo into the spinal column.  

We're hoping they will be able to get what they need from the small sample, but it sounds like the chemo regimen will be heavily based on the findings Monday with the ocular oncologist.

What's even more unfortunate is that Chris is in considerably more discomfort and pain than any of his previous LP's. We're hoping the pain will subside sooner than later. 

I'll update again Monday after Chris's appointment. 

V

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31st, 2019 Today, Chris had his blood draw and meeting with Dr. Shah. At the meeting, Dr. Shah discussed Chris's PET scan results from Monday.  His PET scan looks significantly better, but there is still some residual disease.  Additionally, there are two new areas of concern; one in the left axillary lymphatic region and a second in the prevascular (chest) lymphatic region.  They are relatively small, but were not noted on the first PET scan.  Also of concern is that one of the areas of affected in his abdomen has worsened.  As a result, Chris is getting a biopsy of the left axillary lymph node of concern today.  He will also have a LP tomorrow to check his CSF for involvement again. The possible involvement of his retina makes CSF involvement concerning.  Chris will not be starting chemo today.  Dr. Shah will be changing Chris's chemo regimen based on the results of the biopsy, LP, and meeting with the ocular oncologist o...
Read more
TUESDAY, AUGUST 6th, 2019 Chris had his follow up with the ocular oncologist yesterday. After getting several different types of pictures taken, the oncologist was confident that the spots on Chris's left retina were cotton wool spots and not lymphoma.  "Cotton wool spots are small yellowish-white deposits (resembling cotton fluffs) in the retina. They represent swelling of the retinal nerve fibers. This swelling usually occurs because the blood supply to that area has been impaired and the decreased blood flow has injured the nerve fibers in that location." ( https://nei.nih.gov/faqs/retina-cotton-wool-spots ) As a result of yesterday's meeting with the ocular oncologist, Dr. Shah feels confident that Chris does not have lymphoma in his CSF or brain; as such, Chris started the Gemcitabine/ Dexamethasone/ Cisplatin chemotherapy R-GDP) regimen today.  This chemo regimen does not cross the blood brain barrier typically, but Chris is receiving an increased dose of Ri...
Read more
Image
WEDNESDAY JUNE 19, 2019 Well...good or bad, today we received the information we have been waiting for.   Chris had his PET scan first thing this morning.  He no sooner arrived back in the room and one of he hospital proceduralists was prepping the room for his bone marrow biopsy.  It took two attempts, but the bone marrow biopsy was successful, and the lab obtained everything they needed.   Within an our of the bone marrow biopsy finishing up, Chris was being prepped for his lumbar puncture.  During the puncture. the proceduralist removed some of Chris's spinal fluid in order to test it and see if there are any lymphoma cells in the CSF.  Since access to the spinal fluid is not the easiest thing to obtain, a dose of Methotrexate was put into his CSF prophylactically.  If Chris does end up having the lymphoma cells in his CSF, he would need to get the Methotrexate once during each round of treatment.  We should here the results of the ...
Read more