Meeting with doctor at Fox Chase in Philadelphia PA

Wednesday 4/25/07
I spoke with Lillian about 2:00 p.m., this is some of what she had to say.

After meeting with the doctor at Fox Chase, they have learned that before a definite decision concerning surgery can be made, the doctor must see the CT scan from UT done on Mar 23rd. This was not in the things sent to him and they did not know it wasn't on the CD they took up. This will show him more clearly how the tumor may be positioned and where all it may be attached. Also must do blood work again to see if Earl's count of 572, which is too high, has decreased since the stents were placed and the bile removed. The doctor says it needs to be down in the 200 count to aid in the decision of surgery. The tumor is about 5 cm which is about 2 inches, so this would make surgery difficult. Chemo and radiation may be done first to see if they can shrink it to make it much easier to do surgery.

So to sum it up. Earl must return to Knoxville, get CT scan from UT and send using over-night delivery, get new blood count done by Dr Chobanian and fax results as fast as possible to doctor at Fox Chase. After the doctor has seen scan and gets blood count, he may make a decision at that point and if Earl is a candidate for surgery, it may be scheduled as early as next week. At the same time, he may also make a decision that shrinking the tumor may be a better route to take and order the chemo and radiation first and then surgery. It will determine entirely on what the doctor sees from this CT scan and blood count.

The doctor was honest enough to let them know that things were pretty bad. The tumor must be removed if survival is to occur. He gave him a prescription for enzymes to assist in what the pancrease is supposed to be doing. This would also aid in stopping Earl from losing weight. Says it will also aid in stopping Earl's acid indigestion and nausea that he is still experiencing.

Please keep those prayers flowing. Miracles happen, faith is a healer. Friends and family keep us strong!
This post was issued by Lil's sister, Pat Carver