CT scan results are in...no tears this time

In late May, TL had a CT scan of her abdomen and pelvis. The purpose of the scan was to determine what effect the Taxotere chemotherapy drug TL started on 2/16 had on the cancer in her liver. For the first time in months, TL's nurse delivered the CT scan results, which in our case has customarily meant the news was not dreadful. The nurse reported "mild improvement" in the liver. Specifically, the nurse reported fewer lesions and a decent decrease in the size of the largest lesion. Three words: we'll take it.

Last Tuesday TL reported to Huntsman Cancer Institute for her weekly Taxotere dose. However, an unfortunate side effect of Taxotere is water retention, and TL had about 17 pounds of water retention at the time for her appointment. Three words: no more taxotere. TL is now taking Taxol, which she took in 2006 when she was first diagnosed. Taxol was no fun then - causes debilitating neuropathy and finger/toenail changes - but it should be better this time around because TL's docs are not pairing Taxol with anything else. They may also be administering a lower dose. In any event, here's hoping Taxol follows in Taxotere's footsteps in reducing the overall cancer load in TL's bodies.

We'd like to take this time to thank friends, family, and kind people who don't really even know us but have supported us anyway. Your support is the best medicine TL and our family has received.

XOXO

TL, Scribe, Gabrielle, and Ryan