Hello CTCA ...

I cant believe it has been two weeks that I updated my blog. Things have been pretty hectic and emotional around here. I received my second dose of Vincristine at Cancer Care but as the days passed I noticed that the chemo did not treat the tumors at all and the growth continued. I must say that I was really disappointed with how things were going. I am glad that the swelling is not giving me any discomfort because of the new Fentanyl patch that I have started to use. The amount of pills that I had to take everyday continue to increase and it sunk me into a deep depression. I hate to think that things may get worse for me instead of getting better. As usual my parents was my rock they continued to support me and helped to fight on.

During a doctor visit with Dr Puckett I received a shocking news, he informed my mom and I that the treatment choices for a cure is no longer available. I was recommended palliative care and that the only thing left to do is to make sure that I was comfortable. I could not believe it! I didn't want to believe that I might be dying! But I wasn't going to give up that easily. My mom and dad worked to the point of exhaustion to find oncologists and hospitals everywhere that are willing to treat me. It wasn't easy but we found Cancer Treatment Centers of America. It's a great hospital that can be compared in quality with MD Anderson, Mayo Clinic and Sloan Kettering. I was also happy to meet with my new doctor, Dr Pollock. He's had 35+ years of experience as an oncologist, had worked at Sloan Kettering and also opened up a private practice for many years, led top researches in neck and head cancers and most importantly are willing to take on my complicated lymphoma case. My mom was a little hesitant that he might give up on me if options run out and he joked "even if we hav to intravenous dog poop through your daughter we will give her something and I will keep trying to treat her." hah! what a silly doc! After he goes on with the different treatment possibilities I know that things will be alright and I hate to consider myself to be terminal. I trust that Dr Pollock will be able to take care of me and the rest of the CTCA team, which consists of other medical specialists.
Well there's more to share but I am getting tired at the moment so I shall continue this at another time. Wish me luck that Dr Pollock's plan of treatment will be successful. I plan on meeting with him again this week and perhaps start the treatment at the same time.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

xoxo,
Rina