Todd's Journey

Some of you have asked me what my actual Cancer treatment plan is overall. So for those of you who asked, and those of you who care to know, here is the overall plan.

I am currently undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (pre-chemo therapy) for four cycles (possibly up to six cycles) which should end around mid-November. The goal of the neoadjuvant chemo is to stop the growth of, and possibly even shrink (or kill) some of the cancer is my system BEFORE I begin the main Cancer treatment plan.

Mid-November (after the neoadjuvant chemo) they will conduct more CT scans and compare those to my August 31st CT scan to see how well the chemo has worked at stopping the growth of, or shrinking the tumors.

Once they evaluate the success of the neoadjuvant chemo, they will have to decide to proceed with chemo-radiation treatment, or look at surgical alternatives. There is still a possibility I may lose my bladder if it appears the neoadjuvant chemo has not worked at reducing tumor size or if it appears the cancer is still spreading.

If it appears all was successful at stopping the growth of the cancer they will proceed with the main cancer treatment of chemo-radiation. They may also, at that time, decide whether my nephrostomy tubes can be removed, however that will depend on whether or not the neoadjuvant chemo has shrunk the tumors in my bladder (ureters) allowing for proper drainage from my kidney to the bladder.

If I begin the main cancer treatment of chemo-radiation, I will be going five days a week (Mon to Fri) for radiation treatments, with a small chemo treatment every Monday that I am in radiation treatment.

Following the chemo-radiation treatment, they will conduct more CT scans to look for remaining cancer. They may conduct more post-radiation chemotherapy at that time.

The ultimate success will be a finding of no more cancer detected, meaning that my cancer is in remission (not spreading or growing, or competely undetectable).

That's the overall Cancer treatment plan. Let's hope it works. :o)

Here is the update for Monday, September 25th.

Had my Day 8 Chemo session today. This was only one particular drug that was used and is supposed to be less rough on my body in general. I still have major hiccups, which the doctors (and nurses) are trying to figure out for me. There are different medications they can try, however with every medication comes potential other issues. So, it's a tricky needle to thread. But they are working on it.

The nausea and getting sick is still a bit of an issue. Normally that would be resolved by now, but for me, it's still an issue. You learn very quickly that some people have very little side effects from Chemo, and others have a lot. I am considered in the middle. If I can get rid of the hiccups and nausea, I'd only have the fatigue left.

As for the fatigue, I know many of you have seen my video blogs, and were probably not going to say anything, but yes, I know how tired and sickly I look. This is simply fatigue, which is pretty much 24-7 for me these days.

In any regard, I am now clear of Chemo for two full weeks, so hopefully some of the side effects will resolve before I start my 2nd cycle of Chemo on October 4th.

Thanks for reading, and thanks for all the support.

Here is the third Chapter of my journey. Exactly 5 days after my first chemo session.

Had my first chemo treatment today. Went well. Am tired, but other than that no serious side effects so far. BUT I am expected to have some hit from the chemo probably starting tomorrow. I will video blog on Monday to let you all know how the first four days went. Love you all, and thanks for keeping me in your thoughts and for following my blog.