Port placed, and biopsy results in, more details on treatment

Interventional Radiology Round 2:

I wore another UGA shirt for good luck :) 

Initially, the port placement was easy, because I had all the drugs on board. But its been really uncomfortable as my chest gets used to this foreign body in it. But, I think it will be worth it in the long run.

Liver biopsy results came back, and it confirmed what my doctors and I suspected, my original tumor has spread to my liver. 

One doctor says this is unusual for appendix cancer, so not only do I have a rare 1 in a million cancer, but it is behaving uniquely. 

I am grateful to have several teams of doctors consulting on my case, including a group of surgeons in Baltimore at Mercy Medical Center who are one of the most experienced teams in Appendix Cancer, and Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC who are well known for their experience and research. However, for ease, my home base for treatment is at Inova Schar. The chemo drugs are the same everywhere so I might as well be comfortable near home.

Ultimately, I hope to be a surgical candidate, that is the ultimate goal. It seems like the consensus now is chemo first, then hopefully surgery in the not too distant future. At that time, I will have 3 teams to consult with, including the most experienced team I mentioned above.

Now, my job is to go through chemo treatment supporting my health, and building my physical and mental strength so I can be as prepared as possible for potential surgery.

Thank you all for your support thus far, and thank you in advance for all the future support. It will help me and my family in what will be a long road ahead. And help me in my goal to make it to surgery strong and ready.

Big hugs!