Treatment Plan

My treatment plan will begin on Monday, July 6, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  So, we will head back, on Sunday, the 5th, to an apartment that we rented so we would have a place to “call home”. Izzy and Milton will be joining us and hope that they will provide a little peace and normalcy.  Our friend Bev is also going with us to help out the first few weeks we are there.  

The treatment plan is based on small cell cancer of the lung...even though my cancer is a neuroendocrine carcinoma in the rectum. There are only about 300 diagnosed cases a year of neuroendocrine cancers in the US and very few in the location of mine; so there is no specific supporting data or treatment plans. My team includes two leading oncologists that specialize in this area...so it is an informed treatment plan. 

The treatment approach consists of 25 radiation treatments administered daily (M-F) for  five weeks...coupled with chemo therapy using cisplatin. The chemo will be administered in tandem with the radiation [3 days per weeks] beginning in week 1, repeated in week 4 and then continue for two more cycles if “tolerated” after radiation is done.  They feel because I am a “young 62 year old” that an aggressive approach is the best. The final step is surgery to remove the tumor at 8-12 weeks out from the last radiation treatment. 

The Oncologist also stated that it is unusual for this type of cancer to be detected at such an early stage. He feels that there is an opportunity for a positive outcome...but reminds us that this is a highly aggressive tumor and the usual experience of reoccurrence is 50%. 

I remain scared everyday, but committed to follow the plan and beat this thing.