Quick Update #3

Today was quite eventful. We met with the endocrinologist and his two attending physicians and they were awesome! Have you ever known a doctor to spend 1 1/2 hours with you just because he wants to make sure he has answered all your questions? He was incredible.

The adrenal gland is responsible for secreting several hormones. Blood work was ordered to see if the tumor was releasing other hormones. By Al's symptoms, it appears that it is not, which is a good sign. Dr. J (the endocrinologist) is not an oncologist, so his job is to keep Al's hormones stable during his treatment. He indicated that one of the drugs Al will take is a chemo pill that will actually kill the diseased adrenal gland. The bad news is that it will also kill the good one. So, Dr. J will monitor the results of that chemo pill and supplement the hormones as needed. He indicated that the results of the blood work would probably not be ready until Monday. But, about 4:30, his nurse called to say that the results were in and he wanted to see Al tomorrow. She said that they are going to adjust his medicines, including adding some new ones and would explain all of that tomorrow.

He also ordered physical therapy for Al. Since Al has spent two of the last six weeks in the hospital, his body has lost a lot of muscle and is causing some of the weakness. We are going to start the therapy as soon as we get home.

Tomorrow at 9:30 we meet with Dr. P, the lead oncologist on Al's team. After that meeting, we will know (hopefully) the who, what, when and where of the treatment Al will have. We are looking forward to that meeting. After the appointment with Dr. P, a bone scan is scheduled and then the appointment with Dr. J. Another busy day!

We are tired and ready for dinner. For Christmas the wonderful staff of Al Willeford Chevrolet gave us gift cards for various restaurants since they knew we would be in Houston quite a bit. So, the big question tonight is...what's for dinner?