Another Day, another set of tests, another appointment

Jen and I met with Dr Santana at 9am this morning to discuss last night's ER visit and consult on her pain.  None of the blood labs were remarkable, and her hemoglobin is up.  So there's nothing that points to the cause of pain there.  It was concluded that the pain could be from a number of causes some good (surprisingly) and some not so good.  It could be that the Xalkori is being very effective and the dead cancer cells are being filtered through the liver and various organs.  The system is simply being taxed removing all the cancer.  That would be a good pain.  Or, it could be a growing gallbladder issue.  While this isn't a serious problem, it's a complication that has to be dealt with in the midst of everything else.  Worst case scenario is it's a growing tumor.  

The only way to find out was to schedule a CT scan and an ultrasound of the gallbladder area.  Unfortunately, there was some reason why an ultrasound couldn't be scheduled if a CT scan was done of the same area.  So, we have to wait for the CT results to be read and if the results are inconclusive, an ultrasound will be performed.

The CT scan was performed at 2pm and finished around 3.  Another complete day spent at the hospital.  Another long day of sitting and thinking.  And since it was late in the day, the results couldn't be completed today. SO guess what?  We get to go in again tomorrow to get the results!  Yeah!! another lost morning!  And if the CT results are inconclusive, they'll order the ultrasound.  Could be another entirely out day for me.

Another concern is Jen's persistent nausea.  It could be from the cancer, the Xalkori, or the mix of medicines in her system.  Regardless of the cause, we need to get it under control.  She continues to lose weight.  If she's nauseous, she cant keep her Xalkori down, she can't keep food down, and we spiral downward in a bad cycle of missed treatments and weight loss.  So Dr Santana has her on a longer acting anti nausea drug Compazine.  We hope that this controls her stomach so she can get back to eating.