Blogs are like a newspaper. Sometimes you have a big headline and other times you just have to embellish something not so newsworthy. Mr. FOG thought this was going to slow blog day with only test stuff to report, but things picked up with a call from Mario’s oncologist and our interview with Mario about his goals.
Chemotherapy Protocol and Scheduling
A conversation with Mario’s oncologist was perhaps the more interesting development of the day. She explained why she modified the standard Ewing’s Sarcoma protocol (a protocol is the mix of drugs given during chemotherapy). The mix of drugs was changed somewhat, eliminating, for the time being, cyclophosphamide, but could this drug could be added later if needed. The mix of drugs was changed as a result of her conversations with colleagues at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and the Winship Cancer Center at Emory. Mr. FOG thinks that during our initial consultation Mario was to be given the national standard for treating Ewing’s Sarcoma, but based on her discussion with fellow oncologists, a modification to the protocol was made. Mario will get what MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston is currently using for Ewing's Sarcoma.
The scheduling of chemo treatments was also different from what we first understood. The drugs will be administered in the hospital during five consecutive days, three weeks apart, for perhaps 6 to 8 cycles (18 to 24 weeks). Initially Mario was to receive an intense dose on one day in the odd numbered cycles and five days of doses on the even numbered cycles. Given the toxicity of one drug, Doxorubicin, that is on both the old and new protocols; his oncologist said that Mario will have to receive these medications in the hospital and not as an out- patient. If delivered improperly serious health issues could result and he could be much better monitored in the hospital.
As out-patient, Mario would have gone to the nice cancer center with the soft chairs and spectacular views of downtown Atlanta. Will he now have a drab hospital room? . We shall see. Hopefully Nurse Sherry and Mr. FOG will still be allowed to go the Wellness Center at the Cancer Center for the support programs. They even had yoga classes for Mr. FOG, but did not see spa treatments for Nurse Sherry. Perhaps if we ask?? The trio is still processing how the scheduling changes will affect them.
A Lofty Goal
Mario has set the goal of being well-enough to make the Final Four. Given the scheduling, this is around Chemo session 4, 12 weeks away and coincidentally his problems started about 12 weeks ago. Having the NCAA FINAL FOUR as a goal will surely help Mario beat the cancer. He wants very much to be well enough to go. It is a lofty goal given the chemo treatments ahead of him and the health issues he is dealing with.
Of course Mario will still need Mr. FOG, Nurse Sherry, or perhaps both in New Orleans with him. Mr. FOG loves New Orleans and is eager to return especially with a free hotel room, locker room passes, cocktail receptions, and beaucoup perks. Let’s root that Mario is well enough to go, so that Mr. FOG (or Nurse Sherry) also get to go. laissez les bon temps rouler .
Tests
This morning Mario had a test to see if the swelling in his right leg was due to a blot clot. The preliminary result is that there is not a blot clot, just a slightly swollen leg. Hard to say why. It is the leg with the operation and tumor, so there is a lot happening in the poor leg. .
After his test Mario stopped off at work, then headed home and had lunch with Sherry. Afterwards Mr. FOG settled in for a nap. He had slept well the night before, but a nap is always nice, and you take it when you can.
Tomorrow we have an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram (sometimes called an ECHO) is a heart test procedure that uses a probe (called a transducer) to send high frequency sound waves into your chest. These sound waves bounce (or, echo) off of your heart. A computer uses the "echo" sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. This procedure is painless. Because Mario’s chemotherapy will be delivered directly into the vena cava via a port place in his chest—this happens on Friday-- it is important that Mario has a healthy heart. Here is a long slightly boring video web link, but effective in showing the test.
Later that morning we have a PET scan.. The test uses a radioactive marker injected into the blood stream. Parts of the body that use more blood, such as the heart will show up more clearly. Also cancerous tumors requiring more blood (hyper vascular) should also show up. Following are two links that give more information about the test.
Nurse Sherry is fighting a cold, but was doing better in the afternooon after a rest.
The "Road to the Final Four" starts Monday!
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