What's Happening This Week - July 9th

On Tuesday, July 10th, Joe will begin chemotherapy, (on an outpatient basis) at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. Joe has an appointment with his oncologist at 12:15 and a 2:00 appointment for treatment. Joe will receive two different drugs - Cisplatin and Gemcitabine intravenously. Treatment is expected to be once per week for two weeks. Then, one week off.  We will get more details on Tuesday.


We are waiting to hear which day this week Joe will be scheduled to have his port implanted.  This port will  be used for subsequent chemotherapy treatments.  This procedure will be handled at St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport, CT. Update - Joe will have his port installed at St. V's on Thurs. 7/12 at 8 am.  Followed by bone biopsy at 10 am.

In conjunction with the port implantation, a bone biopsy of the tumor in Joe's left femur will be done. Hopefully, this will provide more information for the doctors. The doctors tell us that it can be difficult to get a good sample and conclusive results.

Last Thursday, July 6th, Joe met with his CT oncologist, Dr. D. (from St. Vincent's and the SWIM Cancer Center) to adjust his pain meds and  receive some IV fluids to help keep Joe well-hydrated.  

At this time, Dr. D  recommended that Joe see the radiologist, Dr. I.  (from St. Vincent's who participated in the Tumor Board and Joe's original diagnosis.)  Dr. D. thought it would be good to  find out if radiation could help alleviate Joe's pain in his left leg.

Dr. I.  was able to squeeze us into his schedule on Thursday, July 6th.  Dr. I. believes that radiation could drastically reduce the leg pain and he has conferred with Joe's oncologist, Dr. Y. at Sloane.  Since both doctors are in agreement that radiation can benefit Joe, a bone biopsy of the tumor will be scheduled this week. Radiation will begin in the next week or so.


Radiation will take place in CT at the SWIM Cancer Center at St. Vincent's Hospital. (Radiation has to be done every day for 5 minutes per day for 10 days.) Both centers, (Sloane and SWIM) will work together to help us treat Joe. 

Thanks for checking in - we'll keep you posted!

Latest update - Joe will meet with Dr. I to have a painless procedure on Wed. July 11th.  This is a planning session whereby a mold is made.  This way every time Joe receives radiation, the radiologist can be sure to be targeting the same area.  (I am happy we have a plan to help relieve that bone pain.)  Joe will begin his 1st radiation treatment on Monday, July  16th.


Also scheduled are weekly IV hydration sessions w/ Dr. D, the CT oncologist.