Meeting With the Doctors at Yale

All in all, I think it was good day. We first met with Dr. Detterbeck. Charles and Melissa were able to be there as well. Dr. Detterbeck basically told us that, after looking at my latest scans and reports, he felt that surgery was no longer an option. Unfortunately, the fluid in my left lung cavity and the size of some of the tumors have made surgery a no-go. He said the goal now is to try to stabilize and control the disease for as long as possible with chemo and other drugs. That being said, he asked if we would be interested in speaking to one of the oncologists there. He and Charles had already spoken to this oncologist regarding my case, and he said he would be willing to speak to us about some specific options. I was glad for the opportunity to talk specifics. I was so impressed with this doctor. He had such a gentle demeanor and was very approachable. His name is Dr. Deshpande. He went over my chemo and clinical trial history with me, discussing what has worked and what hasn't worked in the past. The chemo that worked the best was the first chemo regimen I tried about a year and a half ago - Adrimiacin (sp). It pretty much wiped out the tumors I had at the time. The problem with Adrimiacin is there is a limit one can have in a lifetime without causing heart problems. I have had my limit. However, Dr. D told me of a drug they can administer with the Adriamiacin that will protect the heart. This drug will lessen the effect of the Adrimiacin on the tumors somewhat, but we think the response would still be worth it. In addition, Dr. D is going to check on a new drug for sarcoma that has been approved by the FDA, but hasn't been released yet. This drug has shown decent results for those with high-grade sarcoma metastases to the lungs. He is going to call my oncologist at Roswell to discuss these options and see if they can work together to get me started. First things first, though. I have to get rid of the remainder of the fluid in my left lung cavity. That should happen sometime next week at Roswell. They're setting up an appointment to drain the fluid and have a catheter put in so that I can drain it myself if the fluid continues to build up. I've been told that I might have to keep the catheter in for a few months until the drainage stops completely. No big deal - it won't interfere with any of my normal activities.

I have to admit that after talking with Dr. Detterbeck, I felt a little down. But, I'm so glad he had the foresight to have us talk with Dr. D. Dr. D. gave us a game plan to follow and a commitment to assist in helping to implement it.

I've had to change my mindset. I am not going to be cancer-free. However, I intend to use all resources at my disposal to control this disease for as long as possible. I left the hospital with a ray of hope today. Anyone dealing with cancer knows a little bit of hope can go a long way!