The Dad Update

Okay, my dad had an appoinment with the oncologist yesterday. According to my dad, the oncologist listened to him more than the other way around. They've decided to go with another round of chemo with the current set of drugs they're using and hold off on trying the Erbitux drug that the FDA newly approved. There's concern that Erbitux works the same way that Iressa works, and it was Iressa that's believed to have contributed to the perforated duodenum that my dad suffered a few weeks ago. If the next round isn't helpful then they'll investigate Erbitux and other options.

On the good news front, the blood test week showed a good increase in red blood cells, so my dad won't need any more shots for anemia. In addition they're going to stop the Luprone shots he's been getting for the prostate cancer to see how effective its been.

For the perforated duodenum they're having him continue on an antacid regimen. So that's all the news, you're all now as clued in as I am. More keeping the fingers crossed.