Long Term Plan

We met with the oncologist this morning. This doctor had worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX (a leading cancer center in the US) and after talking to him about various treatments Ralph has decided to stay here. The protocol for his cancer would be the same anywhere and the only difference would be if he wanted a clinical trial. This oncologist is the head of oncology at Skagit Valley Hospital and is part of the Seattle Cancer Alliance which includes the University of Washington and Fred Hutchison Cancer Center. His treatment will be 2 days on infusions and 12 days off for a total of 12 cycles (6 months). There are practically no side affects to these drugs. His 2 day infusions start at the center for about 4 hours and then continue at home for a total of 48 hours. He will have a baseline CT scan and then meet with this oncologist for a start date. After treatment they will do another CT scan and then every 6 months. He will have another colonoscopy next August and then every 3 to 5 years for that. The oncologist will work with our travel schedule for follow-up appointments. His a-fib will not affect his chemo schedule which they like to start no sooner than 4 weeks from surgery and no later than 6 weeks from surgery. He will be closer to the 6 weeks since they would like to give his wound as much time as possible to heal. So, cardiologist is next Tuesday and hopefully we will have a time for the ablation. The 27th is the surgeon for followup and consult on a "port" then a CT scan and the oncologist is on the 30th. We will be staying at our wonderful little RV park here in Mount Vernon just 10 minutes from the medical centers! We are getting ready for winter and will be warm and comfortable in our little house on wheels!