I had my July blood work done and the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level had gone up from 4 to 6, or something like that. As a reminder, an adult male should be in the 2 to 5 range. When I was first tested a year ago, my AFP level was at 125 and eventually peaked around 2,600. The oncologist thought that perhaps the blip was caused by a switch to a new lab. He ordered the test redone and it came back at 4 or 5, back within the normal range and it seemed to be a false alarm. As a precaution, he bumped up my first follow-up CT scan by a few weeks.
The day following the CT scan the doc called back saying that the scan found two "nodes", one in each lung measuring 9mm and 12mm respectively as he put it, "each about the size of a pea". He said they weren't sure what they were, but that he would be referring me to UCSD's high dose chemotherapy/bone-marrow transplant unit (BMT). Needless to say this put a serious damper on the first vacation in a year for which we were leaving on the next day.
Upon returning from the vacation (shout out to my Tanner peeps!) my sister and I met with the UCSD BMT doctor who felt that a discussing a bone-marrow transplant was a bit premature as 1) we didn't even know it was the cancer returning and 2) even if it was back, the growths were very small and my numbers were still basically fine.
So the next week back I went to my original oncologist and he informed us that the AFP levels had risen to 9. They thought the best approach would be to continue surveillance with another CT scan and blood test in 6 weeks. I was perfectly happy with this response as I had gone through the range of emotions in the grief cycle at least twice and was happy to forget about the whole thing for a while.
In the meantime, I started various supplements and diet regimes that friends and relatives suggested hoping that they might make some difference. We also had a great time with visiting family and a big birthday party bash.
Last week we met with the oncologist again to see where things stand. The two masses have grown from 12mm to 18mm, 9mm to 23mm and they have a third buddy who has come along to play measuring in at 12mm. The AFP level had risen to 12.1. Based on these new figures, the oncologist is fairly certain that the cancer is back, the question is what to do next. It appears that two options are on the table. First, four rounds of a different set of chemo drugs called TIP. Alternatively, I would have two rounds of TIP, followed by stem-cell harvesting, high-dose chemo and stem-cell transplants. This would require me going on disability for 4-6 months as it requires two 3-4 week inpatient hospital stays. Hmm, I think I will go for option 1, please.
End results, my oncologist is discussing my case with the bone marrow transplant doctor who is discussing it with his team to see what they think it best. This Thursday, we will be making a pilgrimage up to Beverly Hills to meet with Dr. Daneshmand of USC. He's an expert in the field and we are very, very intrigued to see what he has to say and what his recommendation will be.
That's the latest and greatest. Hopefully by the end of this week we will have a battle plan in place. The good news/irony is that I feel perfectly fine both physically and emotionally. It's hard having to put the next 4-6 months on hold, not being able to plan work trips, vacations, church duties, etc., but "c'est la vie!" Your thoughts, prayers, follow-ups, and offers to help are so very appreciated.
