Update

So, this time they are saying that Curtis has a kink in his small intestine just beyond his stoma. They are letting him eat "as tolerated". He is having some lunch now and we will see how he tolerates it. He is not in as much pain as yesterday and seems to be doing quite a bit better.

Back in the ER

Curtis started having abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. He got very sick very fast. He started passing out in between vomiting. He could not feel his arms or legs either. I called 911 and the fire department came and they brought him up here (U of U) in an ambulance. They did a CT scan but we do not have the results yet.. I will post again soon

You all thought we were kidding about the Airstream :)

Here she is :) She is completly gutted and in excellent condition. 1966 Airstream Ambassador 29ft. We are super excited :)

Home Sweet Home

They finally let Curtis come home last night. We were there for 4 days and he left in the same condition as he went in. He has not been eating much, so his stomach pain is a little better, but when he eats he is in a lot of pain. He has been on just liquids for a couple days now (and a chocolate cupcake he couldn't resist :)  For a cancer patient, he has quite the appetite. They are going to do nutrition via IV if he is not able to eat much by his appointment on Tuesday for chemotherapy. The new nodules in his lungs might both be a combination of a side effect of the study drug and new cancer growth. They are not really sure if the new cancer growth is actually cancer or just a nodule. His CEA level has increased (CEA is a tumor marker that increases when the cancer is more active), but the oncologist said this may happen with an intestinal obstruction as well. They want to keep him on the study drug and his normal chemo with Folfox and Avastin for now and monitor his CEA in a few weeks, if it keeps going up, they will change his chemo, if it starts to decline, they will continue on the same treatment. Curtis wanted me to make sure that everyone knows how much we appreciate all your love, support and prayers, it makes this situation more manageable.

We're back.. again..

Curtis is back in the hospital again.. Since he was discharged last Monday, he has had increased abdominal pain and abdominal distention. We have been giving him IV fluids both at home and at the Huntsman clinic, but it does not seem to be getting better. We came for our follow up PET scan appt today and the oncologist admitted to the hospital. They think he has an ileus which happens when a portion of your intestines stops working and it makes a balloon pocket and holds stool and fluids in there. We should know more tomorrow and I will keep you all updated.

Christy brought Tavner up to visit Curtis tonight. Here is a pic of them watching cartoons :)

PET Scan Results

Okay, we are home from the hospital.. He did not have an infection, he was severely dehydrated. He seems to be doing better, he is not having any nausea or vomiting anymore, just abdominal pain now.

Now, the PET scan.

Here is the summary:
Overall, there is a mixed response with findings consistent with therapy response and disease progression. Evidence of progression is seen within the pulmonary parenchyma (lungs) with numerous new sub centimeter pulmonary (lung) nodules (tumors) as well as enlargement and increased metabolic activity of previously identified nodules (tumors). In addition there is new mildly metabolically active abdominal ascites with areas of possible peritoneal spread of disease. (Ascites is the accumulation of fluid in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. The abdominal cavity is located below the chest cavity, separated from it by the diaphragm.)

Extensive metabolically active porta hepatis, inguinal, retroperitoneal and mediastinal adenopathy as well as hepatic lesions are decreased from the prior study.

I will scan a copy of the actual PET scan report for those who are interested.

So, from here, since the cancer is both shrinking on some places, and growing in others, it looks like they are going to change his chemo regimen. It looks like they are going to go with a treatment called Folfiri with Erbitux

Folfiri is a combination of:

• 5-fluorouracil (5FU), (five-flure-oh-YOOR-a-sill)
• leucovorin (loo-koe-VOR-in)
• irinotecan (eye-ri-noe-TEE-kan) or Camptosar® (CAMP-toe-zar)

5FU and irinotecan prevent cancer cells from dividing and growing, and can eventually cause cancer cells to shrink and die. Leucovorin is used to increase the activity of 5FU.

Curtis has been on both 5FU and Leucovorin with his prior treatment with Folfox.

The side effects are different with the addition of Camptosar and Erbitux such as hair loss, rash and dehydration due to diarrhea.

We meet with the doctors on Wednesday to discuss the new plan and when his next treatment will be.

Here are a few pics from the Survivors at the Summit Hike! Thanks to my sister Tawni for getting everyone involved and all her hard work :)

Curtis, Dave and Landen made it all the way to the top!