Art and I just returned from a night away in San Francisco. This is the first time we've had a night away for fun for quite a few years. We enjoyed a bed and breakfast gift from my sister and her husband. We walked the streets of San Francisco and they are still hilly! We walked a total of 3.75 miles, but I rewarded myself with a single scoop of butter pecan ice cream with butterscotch topping at Ghiradelli Square! In fact, we both took a 24-hour break from the structured food plan we follow and we enjoyed ourselves quite a bit.
As we were leaving on Friday, I received phone calls telling me that I have to return to San Francisco on Tuesday for an "Image Guided Muskuloskeletal Biopsy." In simpler terms, it's known as a "CT Guided Deep Bone Biopsy." It's an out-patient procedure involving only local anesthesia, so while I will have to remain in a recovery room for a couple of hours for observation, there are no major concerns about this procedure. I will have to be in SF by 11:00 for blood work and the procedure will be at 12:00. I'll be released by 3:30ish at which time I'll then meet with my main medical team in the oncology department. At 5:00, I'll get my monthly injection of the bone strengthening drug. Does anyone want to come with me for a not-so-glamorous-day in the city to keep me company?
The reason for the biopsy is to get an up-to-date analysis of the cancer. While we have the pathology report of the original tumor, it's not unheard of for cancer to change characteristics as it moves around the body. Additionally, the biopsy is needed to help determine my classification for the upcoming clinical trial that I'm being considered for.
That brings me to a clarification. When I last wrote, I reported that the protocol director for the drug company said, "She's in," in response to my gestational diabetes excluding me. I meant just that . . . that my medical history of gestational diabetes wouldn't keep me out of the trial. However, I still need to go through the full screening process when the trial officially opens. In addition to having a new biopsy with recent information about my particular cancer (which will help us plan future treatments), if the trial opens on Friday (as hoped), then we will have tissue ready to send to the drug company for classification.
Summary and prayer points:
As we were leaving on Friday, I received phone calls telling me that I have to return to San Francisco on Tuesday for an "Image Guided Muskuloskeletal Biopsy." In simpler terms, it's known as a "CT Guided Deep Bone Biopsy." It's an out-patient procedure involving only local anesthesia, so while I will have to remain in a recovery room for a couple of hours for observation, there are no major concerns about this procedure. I will have to be in SF by 11:00 for blood work and the procedure will be at 12:00. I'll be released by 3:30ish at which time I'll then meet with my main medical team in the oncology department. At 5:00, I'll get my monthly injection of the bone strengthening drug. Does anyone want to come with me for a not-so-glamorous-day in the city to keep me company?
The reason for the biopsy is to get an up-to-date analysis of the cancer. While we have the pathology report of the original tumor, it's not unheard of for cancer to change characteristics as it moves around the body. Additionally, the biopsy is needed to help determine my classification for the upcoming clinical trial that I'm being considered for.
That brings me to a clarification. When I last wrote, I reported that the protocol director for the drug company said, "She's in," in response to my gestational diabetes excluding me. I meant just that . . . that my medical history of gestational diabetes wouldn't keep me out of the trial. However, I still need to go through the full screening process when the trial officially opens. In addition to having a new biopsy with recent information about my particular cancer (which will help us plan future treatments), if the trial opens on Friday (as hoped), then we will have tissue ready to send to the drug company for classification.
Summary and prayer points:
- Praise for a great week for the kids and a great celebration of love and marriage for me and Art.
- Prayer that the biopsy goes smoothly and that the neuroradiologist will be able to get a good tissue sample.
- Prayer that the clinical study opens as scheduled on Friday, the 16th and that everything I need to be included in the trial is in place.
- Prayer that the cancer has been stable during this month off treatment. I will be having more scans to give us a clear picture of what has happened in this time frame.
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