So the latest update with my dad who was diagnosed with a 10cm tumor and mets to liver and lymph nodes (stage IV with no cure) in December of this past year 2007.....just finished 6 rounds of chemo (oxaliplatin, xeloda and epirubicin) and had a CT scan that showed the tumor in the stomach now measuring 1.2cm and the tumors in the liver have shrunk too. The doctor told my dad that they are not going to do the gastrectomy because it's a risky surgery, there is a very high rate of return of the cancer as well as questionable quality of life issues after this type of surgery, and that there isn't enough left to even do the surgery on at this time. The doctor has told my father that he is in "
high-grade partial remission" and that he is going to give him 2 more rounds of the chemo and then they will do another CT scan and they are hoping that the tumor might even disappear!!!! As far as the ones in his liver, after the next CT scan to take place sometime in July, they plan to shoot chemo directly into the liver to kill these tumors. So considering the original diagnosis I think that my dad is doing great!!!! I share this good news with all on this website because I think that it is important for people to know what's working on this terrible disease. It seems that this combination works really well as Elliot had recently shared about Rick in his recent message. I only hope and pray that others are seeking this same success. I don't know how long my dad really has but we've really learned to live in the moment and we're going to savour this good news for now! God bless to everyone reading this and to all who are suffering with this dreadful cancer........Lila.