Our faithful friend and nurse Lisa called today with the result of the CT scan read at M. D. Anderson. Not surprisingly Dr. Kavanagh agreed that the disease had progressed during the TLK286 treatment. He also agrees with Dr. Savin that Taxotere treatments are the next best steps. I have called our nurse at Dr. Savin's office to get this set up.
In the meantime the lab tests showed that while Susan's K level has climbed to normal as a result of the weekend infusions, the Mg levels continue to be on the low side. Consequently, we are back on daily Mg infusions--this time over a 6 hour (rather than 3 hour) interval. As early as tomorrow we expect to be on TPN treatments after we see the gastroenterologist. Dr. Kavanagh, after first expressing reservations about this, is now in concurrence that TPN is a proper way to go.
After two good days on the weekend Susan had two bad days Monday and Tuesday: a lot of pain and nausea. To prevent the latter I have ordered a 3 month supply of Zofran tablets sufficient so that she can be on them continuously. In the meantime our home healthcare nurse, Pam, suggests that Susan likewise needs to take vicodin regularly BEFORE the pain starts in order to keep it in check. We're trying that today and so far so good.
Posted by John Dishman at June 11, 2003 11:59 AM