Update on Treatment: Progress, Plans, and Gratitude (from Andrew)
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The Steinhaus Family
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The Steinhaus Family
We know it’s well past time for another update, and I have some encouraging news to share. Last week, I had a CT scan to assess how the cancer is responding to treatment. The chemo is working exceptionally well, and my oncologist believes I’m in the top 1% of responders. That’s very uncharacteristic of him to say something that concrete, which means even more to hear it from him.
Highlights from the scan:
The primary tumor on the pancreatic head shrunk significantly. This is the one tumor that appeared stable on the previous CT.
Most of the liver lesions are stable or smaller. One appears slightly larger, but the increase could be within the CT scan margin of error. Or it may be two small tumors smushed together.
Affected lymph nodes have also decreased in size.
The report did flag a possible thickening in my colon, so I need a colonoscopy to learn more. My oncologist does not seem concerned, but it seems like a good idea to follow up and be sure. There were also findings on the chest CT related to my lungs and ongoing cough. My pulmonologist wants a new pulmonary function test to monitor ongoing recovery and another test to see if I am potentially aspirating food into my lungs.
What else comes next:
1. Biliary stent replacement: I'll have a procedure next week to replace my biliary stent to ensure everything continues functioning smoothly. It's a routine operation but essential to maintaining my overall health during treatment.
2. Histotripsy for the largest liver tumor: I’ll spend a night in the hospital for a histotripsy procedure to target and hopefully destroy the largest liver tumor. The interventional radiologists believe this tumor’s location makes it a good candidate for the technology. Even better, this procedure won’t disqualify me from the clinical trial I’ll be starting soon. At one point, we thought the trial may require people to not have had any local therapies, but my oncologist confirmed yesterday that this was not the case.
3. Starting the clinical trial: Thanks to a great CT report, I’m able to stop chemotherapy and shift to an easier treatment on the clinical trial combining an immunotherapy drug with a PARP inhibitor. If all goes well, I could remain on this maintenance treatment indefinitely. I will get CT scans every two months to determine whether I can stay in maintenance or if I’ll need to resume chemo.
I have a lot of reasons to be optimistic right now. I continue to be deeply grateful for my medical team, who are constantly working to find the best options for me, and for all of you who keep cheering me on and praying for my health. Thank you for your prayers and support. It means more than I can say, and it keeps me going on the tougher days.
Elyse Steinhaus
about 1 year ago
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