Update after 2nd Histotripsy Procedure & big plans.

Lucas is beaming bright after his middle school orchestra performance, February 2025. His grandmas and grandpas showed up, as well as his step parents... I feel so lucky to have everyone in his life show up for him.

I thought I would give an update after having my second Histotripsy procedure last month (February 2025). Things seem to be ever changing, so it's hard to know when to post an update. But it's been awhile, so I figured now is a good a time as ever. Dr. Burns (histotripsy interventional radiologist, aka my Superhero) targeted 5 small tumors and part of a larger tumor that is near an important artery (or vein?) in my liver. The CT scan done immediately after looked successful. Although, it takes 6 months for the tumors to be fully treated/gone. I just had my one month follow up MRI scan done last weekend and haven't seen the results. I also just had a CT scan done (routine scan after about 6 months of chemo) and they noted no change to the size of my tumors as compared to my CT scan one month ago. Also my CEA (measure of cancer in my blood) has been steadily decreasing, but the last CEA measured in my bloodwork today only showed a 7 point drop. If this trend continues, it's likely to settle here. Best case scenario is that future blood work shows CEA continuing to drop. Worst case is that it starts to rise (signaling the chemo I am on may have stopped working). This weeks round of chemo will be #12, and the last time I will receive the oxiliplatin drug. And this is the first time I spelled it right without looking it up!! Haha. This drug can't be giving indefinitely because it can cause debilitating neurapathy, among other things. I do have neuropathy from it already. I will continue on 5FU (the 'FOL' in 'FOLFOX') and Avastin (aka Bevacizumab). The plan is to continue this combo for as long as my tumors shrink or remain stable.

In the last month Ryan reached out to one of the best liver surgeons in the world, Dr. Yuman Fong in southern California, to see if I would be eligible for a liver resection. He would essentially cut the tumors out of my liver. He took a look at my scans and emailed back simply 'not resectable at present.' So, that's not an option for me at this time. I will follow up for more info on why. I kind of assumed I may not be eligible, but I don't want to assume why.

The BIGGER news in my treatment plan is that my oncologist is on board with me working toward a liver transplant. This is a big turn of events, as 6 months ago when I was diagnosed my oncologist said it was not an option for liver cancer patients. I am so fortunate to be a part of Colontown, a community of people on Facebook who are sharing their experiences and knowledge. They host 'doc talks' which are webinars by doctors that share their knowledge. I watched one from June 2024, by Dr. Robert Hernandez, a liver surgeon in Rochester, New York. He is leading this effort in the US and most experienced at liver transplants for colorectal patients. Ryan has started the process of working towards a liver transplant for me, by contacting them, and getting my images and doctors notes sent to that team. Once they have a chance to review that information I'll know if I have an opportunity to work towards having this procedure. This would require getting rid of my original colon tumor (likely surgery), lowering my CEA, having no other metastisis, etc. And of course, finding someone who is willing and able to donate a portion of their liver to me.

I'm often (I mean DAILY) overwhelmed by what is happening with my body. I still cry everyday. This is such a hard mental struggle to deal with. I may look like I don't have chancer, but chemo is incredibly hard on my body. I have a list of side effects that feels like a mile long. But I can live with those. If I can continue to live, I can deal with the pain. It's surreal that I wake up and continue working and doing the dishes and parenting, and then moments later I'm thinking about everything my oncologist has told me and am looking at death in the mirror. So, if I don't text back, or I forget to do something I said I would do, please know it's not personal. I'm living with so much overwhelm everyday, that I just can't manage to function like I used to. Nothing is the same and it never will be again. That's just life. I'm thankful to still have moments where I feel ok. I'm thankful I still get to be there for my kids. I'm thankful I have everyone who is there loving me and supporting me. I have a lot to be thankful for, still. So thank you, for being there.