Cathy & I are here in Chicago at the Hampton Inn across from the Block Center. We had our consultation with Dr. Block and we are set up to do an ultrasound with a  possible parasentesis (if there is enough fluid to remove) She is also getting a heart echo beginning at 8:00 am at St. Francis Hospital (same place she had her port put in).

Dr. Block is waiting to get results form the blood test we had taken this morning as well as the hospital procedures being done tomorrow before he discusses future options. He says that if the bilirubin count gets to 2 or above, the options get narrowed down for treatment. Those numbers would indicate that the liver cannot function well enough to process any type of chemo--not necessarily a BAD thing as the chemo side effects have been very hard on Cathy. The biggest thing we need to get under control is the swelling. We are hopeful that the doctors will be able to drain a LOT of fluid tomorrow, or give us some viable options. (Cathy has gained about 30 pounds of fluid weight since last visit).

Dr. Block ruled out the high dose vitamin 'c' at this point as it would add fluid to her current condition. However, he did say that there is a hormone blocker (Faslodex) which could be used in conjunction with the herceptin (it would NOT be processed by the liver that might be beneficial when we return for treatment. He suggested that we 'call it a day' after the hospital visit tomorrow and return next week for treatment--if we decide what we want to do.

We would appreciate prayer for the hospital procedures tomorrow and that we would get beyond the fluid retention so we can get back to the assault on the cancer. We will post again tomorrow after we get all the tests results and let you know the latest. Thank you for your perserverance during this fight. God bless.

Mike