When I posted a World Cancer Day graphic on Facebook this morning and mentioned that I’m currently waiting for a treatment to destroy a tumour on my liver, the outpouring of support from people near and far was immediate and heartwarming. I was also asked recently whether this was related to my original cancer or something new. In response, I decided that today would be a good day to share an update on what’s been happening in my ongoing battle with cancer.

For those of you who may be new to the blog, I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer (NETS) in 2013. The primary tumour was in my cecum (a pouch at the beginning of the large intestine that the appendix is connected to) and, as is very common with NETS, it had already spread to lymph nodes and my liver. A series of radioactive treatments (PRRT) resulted in some shrinkage and stability that lasted until about 17 months ago when we started to notice gradual changes in my regular lab results and scans. As neuroendocrine cancer is usually a slow-growing disease, we took a cautious approach. We started monitoring more often and eventually changed the medication that I receive by injection every 28 days. Unfortunately, that didn’t have the desired result.

The last time I wrote an update on the blog was back on November 10, NET Cancer Day. At that time, it was clear that the tumours that had been basically dormant for several years, or at least the largest one which is on my liver, were growing and producing an excess of hormones again. I was waiting for the tumour board at the Cross Cancer Institute to discuss my case and make their recommendations.

Shortly after that, I was referred to the Interventional Radiology department at the University Hospital and my NET specialist told me that I would undergo a radiofrequency ablation, a fairly non-invasive procedure that would destroy the cancer cells without damaging much of the surrounding tissue. I was all for that. Let’s zap that tumour, I thought! As it turns out, however, at 5 cm (2 inches) my tumour is too large for that procedure to be successful. Instead, I’ll be undergoing a transarterial radioembolization, also known as a TheraSphere treatment. (I love words, but as a cancer patient, I’ve learned a lot of big ones that I wish I’d never had to hear!)

The treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that deposits millions of glass microspheres, each about one-third the width of a human hair, containing a radioactive isotope (Y-90) inside the blood vessels that supply a tumour. This blocks the blood supply to the cancer cells and delivers a high dose of radiation to the tumour. The treatment will destroy a significant portion of my liver, but thankfully, it has the amazing capacity to regenerate itself after damage.

Three weeks ago, I had a work-up which was basically a trial run. As will happen in the actual treatment, a catheter was inserted through the femoral artery in my groin and guided via x-ray to the hepatic artery supplying my liver. Mapping and measurements of the blood vessels feeding the tumour were done and then a contrast was injected and various images taken to ensure that the Y-90 would stay in my liver and not travel anywhere else in my body. During this entire time, which took several hours, and for four hours afterward, I had to lie on my back without raising my head or moving my right leg. It was a long and somewhat grueling day and after almost eleven hours, I was very happy to walk out of the hospital with no ill effects. I may not be quite as fortunate after the real deal. I’ve been told that common side effects include abdominal discomfort, nausea, and fatigue for a week or two afterward, but it will be worth it if it successfully destroys the tumour!

I was initially told that the treatment would take place two to five weeks after the work-up, but three weeks later, I haven’t been given a treatment date yet. Wheels often move very slowly in the medical world and waiting is something that patients have to get used to. It never seems to get any easier though!

To those of you who suggested in your very kind responses on Facebook this morning that you would be praying for me, I very much appreciate it. While I am enormously thankful to live in a part of the world where I have access to state of the art medical care at no personal expense, and I have a body of amazing doctors taking care of me, I know that God is ultimately my healer and it is He who holds my future. I continue to put my hope in Him!

Image: TheraSphere Patient Info – Boston Scientific