Next Step: Chemo or Clinical Trial

Robert & I saw my oncologist on Tuesday. We discussed several clinical trials; both Dr. Bergen and I had done research and we compared notes. There is one trial that he thinks might have merit, so he was going to investigate further. We discussed chemo options as well. We meet again next Tuesday to discuss which road I'll take. In the chemo realm, he is in favor of starting with Gemzar alone, but he asked me to think about how aggressive an approach I want to take with the chemo. Gemzar (gemcitabine) is well tolerated. Typically, you don't lose your hair and their are minimal side effects.

My liver is enlarged on both the right and left sides. There is some indication that there is liver damage. My bilirubin is still working okay, but when that stops you get jaundice and have to get a stent. My right side hurts most days. The liver itself doesn't have nerve endings, but the "capsule" which encases the liver does. Usually, Ibuprofen works on relieving that pain. I asked Dr. Bergen some hard questions about life expectancy and how the disease will affect me should it progress.

I attended the last portion of the cancer support group for women. Kay, our leader, firmly believes in miracles, so that is what I'm hoping for in my fight with cholangiocarcinoma.

We went to see one of my case managers at my insurance company after seeing the oncologist. We also got a pair of my crocs fixed. One of the grommets had come fallen out of a pair. We found a nurse's supply place that sells them for the best price we've found, and they had extra replacement grommets.

We also went by Carlson Memorials and ordered our "headstone" for our cemetary plot. We are both planning to be cremated, so in Ouray we can have one plot. We actually opted for a bench made out of a South Dakota granite. Our ashes will actually go in the base of the bench. The bench will have our family name engraved on the side, and on top of the bench we'll have our names, dates, etc. with some artwork.

We also ran several more errands up in Grand Junction on Tuesday and had dinner with friends. Yesterday, I had two booths at Taste of Ouray: one for the bookstore and one for the Humane Society. Later today, I will set up the two booths for a "Women In Construction" conference coming to Ouray this weekend. Robert helped me a bunch yesterday as I'm sure he will today. Last night I was exhausted. I slept a long time (for me) last night, but I know I'll be pooped again this evening.

So that is where I'm at now. I'm just up here in Colorado praying for a miracle.