1st Oncologist visit

We met with Dr Travis, the Oncologist today.   He was very thorough and patient and took all the time we needed to answer questions. 

The plan is:

1.  PET scan to make sure there is no cancer anywhere else.
     They will call us next week with that appointment time.
2.  Insert PICC line (Doug chose that over a port.)
     The week after the PET scan.
3.  Labs and see Dr Travis again to begin the protocol
     September 6
4.  Appointment with Radiation Oncologist
     They are to call us for that also.

Dr Travis said the chemo he is tentatively planning to use shouldn't cause nausea but the side effect will be diarrhea.   I did tell him Doug rarely takes drugs and anytime he does it doesn't take much and that goes for cold medicine to vitamins.  He said "that's good to know."

He will have chemo via a pump for (I think) 4 weeks and may have radiation simultaneously with chemo, it will just depend on the coordination with the radiation people.  She said that sometimes takes a little while to coordinate.

The surgery will be not less than 3 weeks but not more than 6 weeks after treatment.  I asked how will they know how much it has shrunk?  Do they do another colonoscopy?  He said that usually happens with the surgeon and sometimes he will do that just before surgery.  There is even a "chance" that the chemo/radiation will shrink it completely.  Wouldn't THAT we awesome?

After we left Doug said "I think we'll just stay here rather than go to Tulsa."  He was completely comfortable with Dr Travis and they have a new facility H.O.G.  Highlands Oncology Group - Cancer Treatment Center where they administer the chemo and do radiation all at the same place.  And Dr Treptow (the surgeon) is just around the corner in another facility.  Doug expressed his concern over the communication between the doctors and he said it would not be a problem.   We spoke with the Social Worker and there is financial assistance available should we need it.  Everyone from the receptionist to the nurses etc. were exceptional.


So that is the scoop for now.  It feels good to have a plan!

We appreciate your prayers MORE THAN YOU KNOW!  We have had many "divine appointments" with friends we haven't see in a long time.  Those are not by accident, we know God orchestrates them.   Thank you all so much for your encouragement.  We love you all and THANK YOU for praying for Doug (and our family.)