new treatment

10-08-09 Kecia was concerned that her doctor wasn't doing the most aggressive form of treatment so she went to her old oncologist for a second opinion. As expected, he said that if he were treating Kecia he would be doing a few things differently:
1. he would do a treatmemt called gamma radiation that puts electrods directly on the cancer and radiates them
2. he would do the full hysterectomy instead of just an ovarectomy
3. he would be doing chemo now instead of waiting until she finishes radiation

These are things Kecia was wanting to do so she has decided to go back to Dr. Wazenski for treatment. (She left him originally because his clinic and staff were having problems that were affecting the treatment she was getting. He has since moved to a hospital nearby so she is hoping these problems will not get in the way again.)

Kecia found out yesterday afternoon that she does not qualify for the trial study because she does not have any cancer in her soft tissue (aside from the brain) and that is a requirement. So that takes one big decision off her plate. We were praying for an obvious reason to either go forward or reject the trial and it couldn't be more obvious that she will NOT be in the study. We are thankful that Kecia doesn't have to make that decision.

Dr. Wazenski also said that the reason that Kecia has been in a constant state of "panic attack" is because she is on a huge dose of steroid to keep her brain from swelling from the radiation. He dropped it from a 15 (mg I assume) to 4. If she starts showing symptoms of brain swelling he will increase the dose to control it, but try to keep her low enough to avoid the constant panicky feeling.

She started the chemo pills today:one is taken four times a day, the other is taken two times a day. She can expect to be pretty sick for a few weeks. But once all the cancer is gone he will lower her to a maintenancw dose.

They are already looking for a surgeon to do her hysterectomy in the immediate future. Will update more when I know more. We are so thankful to each of you who have stood by Kecia's side through this whole ordeal!