September 6, 2023
David saw the medical oncologist (Dr. B) and his PA-C (C). We discussed history with C before seeing the doctor. Dr. B explained the process and confirmed any of the same things we had heard during previous visits with the other doctors. He explained TNT (Total neoadjuvant therapy) and he said he suggested starting with the chemo/radiation combo. He prescribed Xeloda (Capecitabine) pills. David will take these chemo pills each day that he has radiation. He explained that radiation would be Monday-Friday for 5-6 weeks (no weekends or holidays) so he would not need to take the pills on days he did not go for radiation treatment. Chemo drugs act as radiosensitizers and make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation. The oral chemo basically makes the radiation work better. The drawback to doing both at the same time means the side effects are worse. Dr. B told us that depending on the PET scan results, David may need a full course of chemo following the radiation treatments. Once radiation starts, David would come to his office one day per week to check blood and so they can manage any side effects. He stated he did not expect for David to experience too many of the side effects since the effects from this type of drug are cumulative and David would not be taking the pills every day. We stopped by the lab on the way out for more blood work.
CEA Tumor marker 6.8
INFORMATION BOUND (-d)
By this time not only do DeeGee and I have our individual handwritten notebooks of notes from each visit that we can compare and refresh later, but now we’ve assembled an actual 3 ring binder of reports, test results, blood work, etc. for easier access if and when we do have questions. It feels nice just to have this in your hand even if I never open it and even better when I can open it and find out the correct wording from something a month or so prior. With all this we are “ready” for our first visit with oncology. Again, no wooden paneled office from TV. No reports or folders slid back and forth across some big wood desk. Just us and a couple of people that know a lot about cancer and blood and treatment hanging out in a treatment room with a networked PC and some handouts, printouts, and a branded white portfolio. After my experience, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. We went over a lot of things that we had discussed with the radiologist and it was helpful to review and confirm all those things. I liked how the Dr. and the PA-C worked and communicated together. Most of all I liked how everything and everyone in the room felt together on the same page and track. It just felt right. And to this day, 4 plus months later, it still feels that way each and every time Isee either of them and I couldn’t be more grateful. I remember feeling a little overwhelmed with the weekly appointments along with what felt like constant radiation but was at the same time excited to be doing something significant.
