The cancer spreads

There is no easy way to reveal bad news. There are certain milestones along this journey we know we are likely to pass. One of those milestones came on Thursday. After a CT scan on Tuesday, Dr. Ritch informed my parents that the cancer in my dad is doing what cancer does. It is growing.

Now for the good news. (There is good news.) The tumor in the pancreas doesn't appear to have grown. The cancer has not spread to the liver or lungs. It is the studding in the peritoneal cavity that has begun to grow.

So. . . what does this all mean?

The chemotherapy drug will change from gemcitabine (Gemzar®) to fluorouracil (5-FU). The 5-FU takes 46 hours to run in via IV, but my dad won't be tied down. He'll be carrying around the pump in a fanny pack. I'm not totally clear on the frequency yet. The initial treatment will begin on Thursday, May 8. The next treatment won't be until after Memorial Day at the earliest.

My dad had some more testing done in regard to the vomiting. There is again a narrowing in the digestive tract. Dr. Dua will look at it tomorrow with a scope to see what needs to be done.