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| Out for a pre-chemo walk |
But first, here’s some good news.
As of July 25, 2022, Bob’s (abbreviated) pancreas returned
to work. Bob is off insulin!
He now manages his Cancer-induced diabetes through diet
(watching the number of carbs he eats) and exercise.
Of course, the pancreas’s job is to evaluate sugar
(carbohydrate) consumed and release the appropriate amount of insulin to
regulate the nutritional influx. With the organ’s help, sugar is properly
utilized by hungry cells. Excess sugar (if there is excess) is stored as fat.
When the pancreas doesn’t function as designed, due to
genetics - or an affront to one’s body such as occurs in Whipple surgery – it
requires help. In Bob’s case, this translated to daily injections of “long
acting” insulin and regular evaluation for meal time adjustment (ie, more
insulin at mealtime). Pens, needles, swabs, drugs, “picks, pricks, sticks” and
getting-over-an-aversion-to-the-sight-of-blood.
We’re hopeful this glandular reboot marks the return to a
harmonious relationship between Bob and his pancreas. For now, Bob continues to
(prick his finger each morning to) assure his Blood Sugar stays in normal
range. He exercises and watches the number of carbohydrates he consumes.
More good news: Bob’s body has gotten better at absorbing
fats. His stomach works. His (modified) intestines function. He is slowly
adding (good) fats back into his diet and enjoys an occasional Guinness with
his Texas Roadhouse steak and potato.
Bob’s back to work full time. He manages his food solo on
multiple-day, out of town business trips. Dons a toolbelt to chip away at
as-yet incomplete pre-pandemic home modifications. Walks 12-15,000 steps each
day. He maintains a healthy weight.
Bob is strong. He feels great and looks amazing!
All of which will help in the upcoming battle.
Both healthy and uninvited cells are constantly regenerating
to make room for new growth. Microscopic bits are sloughed off into a person’s
bloodstream. Non-cancerous, everyday scraps are known as cell free DNA (cfDNA).
Cancerous mites, specific to a tumor previously catalogued,
are called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
Signatera is a specialized blood test that identifies the
presence of tumor-specific DNA as much as 6 months before “regular” testing
(CT, CEA, CA19-9, MRI, PET, CBC, CMP, ABCDEFG) detects a challenge.
As chemo kills both good cells and bad cells (which is why a
person’s hair and skin are affected during treatment) Bob’s ctDNA testing was
“inconclusive” during his first chemo run.
His blood was too full of cell free “ie, everyday” sloughed
off bits to evaluate recurrence.
Following chemo, Bob had two negative ctDNA tests. Yippee!
His third ctDNA, along with its let’s-do-another-to-be-sure
follow-up, was positive.
Somewhere, deep in the crevices of Bob’s renovated
biological system, his dispossessed tumor seeks to rebuild.
We intend to evict. Chemo is the battleground. Folfirinox is
the weapon. Six months is the time frame.
Bob has arranged to work full time from home while receiving
chemotherapy.
Prayers coveted.
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| I love this man |