Going in a new direction

Hi Family and Friends,
Well, the new oncologist we were going to see next week had a cancellation yesterday so we got in yesterday afternoon. He is at Northwest Community in Arlington Heights where Joe had his other procedures done. Dr. Seigel was very thorough, totally understood Joe doing alternative treatment and made suggestions about what we could do now. He also ordered a cat scan to see the progress of the lung metastases which don't show up well in an MRI MRCP which was done a month ago. He said Joe could not do any chemotherapy until the bilirubin got below 5. Then he could start Xeloda orally and Gemcitibine IV. He thought Joe could tolerate these two drugs without having many side effects. He did explain the possible side effects and they didin't seem too bad. He said no chemoembolization because of the bilirubin - too much danger of injuring good liver tissue along with the bad. Because our out of pocket medical expenses were astronomical last year Joe is going to do this regimen and see if it will halt the tumors and hopefully shrink them. He hates to leave Dr. Ayer but it seems the most prudent thing to do at this time. We ask your prayers for good results from this tretment. It probably won't start for a few weeks or until we get the results of the cat scan. By the way his bilirubin was down to 4.8 yesterday so it is responding well to the catheter. The weather is getting warmer and we have taken Lucky out to run on the golf course before the golfers get started and it is good for Joe to get out. He is definitely stronger each week. We both went without naps yesterday due to the doctor appointment and we survived! So that is where we are. Will write again when we get news of the cat scan. Thanks so much for caring about us and caring for us. We pray for all you who are praying for us that you will be blessed by your caring. God bless. Mary Anne