Chemo: Round one, day 2 completed

Just a quick update to let everyone know how Heath is doing so far with his chemo treatment. Yesterday, we met with a new doctor, Dr. Sui to go over his blood markers and ultrasound results and answer any questions we had. We still have Dr. Wang, but because she is only in that office on Thursdays and Fridays, we were given Dr. Sui as well so we could have someone to go over things with at any time. We both were pleased with him....he was very nice and intelligent at the same time and answered all our questions. So...it turned out that Heath does have a small tumor in his right testicle (2x2x1 cm approx). This explains where the cancer came from. Now we can officially call it metastatic testicular cancer. Sure makes it a lot easier to explain it to people now. Since it hasn't spread to any of his organs then he is still in a 'good risk' category.

Heath will be checked periodically to see how the chemotherapy is working. This is done by checking tumor markers in the blood. Many testicular cancers secrete high levels of certain proteins, such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). These proteins (called tumor markers) are important because when they are present in the blood, it suggests that there is a testicular tumor. A tumor may also increase the levels of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). In Heath's case his HCG was 80 where normal is 0-4; LDH was 785 where normal is 550 (not too extremely high in his case) and is AFP was normal at 1.9 (normal is 0-9).

He will also be monitored daily during his week(s) of treatment with bloodwork to check his platelet count, RBC count and WBC count. If these numbers are not in the reasonable range then it can delay his treatment.

We were at the treatment center for most of the day yesterday between bloodwork, doctor visit, chemo treatment and chemo class. Today was a much shorter visit with just bloodwork and chemo. Things seem to be going well and he really hasn't had any nausea yet....just fatigue and a slight headache. This morning he looked pretty good and it wasn't till after today's treatment when he seemed a bit more off. As I write this he is out for a little walk in the sun (with a hat on....since he is more susceptible to sunburn). He receives anti-nausea meds through IV during treatment with oral meds at home. Because chemo has a cumulative effect he may not experience any nausea for several treatments or even until the next cycle.

Tomorrow we meet the natropathic oncologist at the office before his chemo and then he also will start accupuncture on thursday.