Hey there everyone, sorry it has taken me awhile to write this journal - right now I am battling something - not sure if it's covid or flu or...... but I am feeling like "hammered dog shit" (I know some of you can totally relate)

Thank God Kelly is doing ok and can fend for himself while I stay in bed on the brink of death. 

And yes, I can make those jokes because I'm sick and my husband has cancer!

Monday 10/23 we finally made it to MD Anderson to meet with the Gastro Oncologist. Side note if you ever need to go to MD Anderson - and I pray you don't- for the love of all things Holy do your research - take a practice trip - because Google is useless and you can never get a human being on the phone to help. 

Ok now that I gave you some advice - here is what is really important! 

The dr there is super sweet, seems very knowledgeable and did agree that getting a second opinion was a very smart thing to do. Also establishing Kelly as a patient, in the off chance we may need to use them, is proactive!

She did agree with our home oncologist about the treatment Kelly is currently on. She said it is the standard chemo regime for Kelly's particular cancer. Now, having said that we did learn unfortunately that since Kelly has already started chemotherapy he is now no longer a candidate for Stage 1 clinical trials in any capacity. 

She stated that the time to start a Stage 1 clinical trial would have been after diagnosis but before any treatment started. This was incredible disappointing to hear because we were never told that or given any Other options than the "standard chemotherapy" option. 

Now it's not to say we wouldn't' have changed any decision we made, but knowing all our options and being given that option would have been the ethical thing to do. This is a conversation we plan to have with his local oncologist asap. 

That being said she did say that new clinical trial and medications are always being tested and FDA approved. So if and when the chemo Kelly is currently on is no longer effective (side note 9-12 months - something else we were not told - at this point most patients cancer has become smarter than the chemo and basically the chemo becomes ineffective in continuing to kill the cancer cells - huge blow to us. 

 We weren't told that this would happen and happen so quickly after treatment begins. 

Now she did say that there are other chemo options when and if that happens - so this is promising and hopefully as time goes on more research and available treatments will be an option.

We were also informed that one of the 2 chemos Kelly is on is usually stopped within 4-6 months due to patients not being able to handle the neuropathy side effects. Again something we were unaware of and not very encouraging. 

She did state that we can go back to see her as often as we like or not again until we need to. She did give us the option to do CT scans every two months with her and we could get results same day. An option I am very interested in doing however Kelly isn't interested - I think he feels obligated to our local oncologist and doesn't want to insult her. 

The dr did ask if we wanted to know statistics and time lines for his disease and prognosis. Kelly was, is and always has been very adamant  about not reading or asking those type of questions. He says it isn't helpful and only God knows when my time is up. (so for any of you guys wanting that info - sorry we don't know - go ask google)

So in short, the appointment went well, was informative, and did bring on some funky feelings and disappointment. 

We are still trying to remain hopeful and just taking this one day at a time. 

Kids are doing well! A lot of people ask how they are doing and this is the best answer I have. They are teenagers and basically still mainly into themselves!! We keep them informed and always answer the questions they ask. 

We ask for continued prayers, good vibes sent our way and always pray who ever reads this is being amazingly blessed each and everyday!!

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