Plan for all the pivots

Mayo Clinic HIPEC procedure was a success!
I am still recovery mode, but all good news!

PET Scan = no new activity in my body, and lymph nodes are even smaller.
Upper Endoscope = reduced size of tumor from 5cm to 3cm
Diagnostic laparoscopy = my original PCI score of 7 is now down to 0 !
I am so utterly thankful to even write that. They also took a liver biopsy (wedge) that came out negative for malignancy but it was meant for UM to do pathology in regards to my enzymes fluctuations. They also did a fluid washing/testing which is still positive for malignancy.
HIPEC = I got 90 mins of hot chemo combo of Paclitaxel and Cisplatin to flow through my abdomen, ideally destroying the microscopic cells still left there.

On the 2nd day of admission, we met with the surgical oncologist, who informed me that he was planning on a total gastrectomy and ovary removal for June 27th. I was in shock hearing how quickly things were moving, especially since I had just undergone HIPEC and was in intense pain (currently, I have 4 incisions in my abdomen) so not gonna lie the idea of a more invasive procedure less than 21 days later was a bit overwhelming. My main focus was on leaving the hospital so I could rest at the hotel and then return home. Luckily I was discharged on day 3 and as I was healing back home, the idea of TG/Ooph finally started to settle in my mind, and I began to prepare myself emotionally.

However, I received another call from the Mayo’s Med Oncologist a few days later with an idea to pivot the path…

He wanted to know my thoughts about undergoing chemo and radiation for a few weeks before moving forward with TG. The goal is to target the stubborn lymph nodes lingering around my stomach and retroperitoneal area. It’s definitely a proactive approach to optimize my condition and minimize the risk of recurrence. I agreed, hoping that the extra time will help me gain more weight and prepare mentally as well for whats to come.

So I then was referred to their radiologist, and their plan is to have 15 radiation sessions along with taking Capecitabine daily, the same chemo pill my father has been on for almost 6 years as maintenance treatment. After that, I will have a 4-week break before my TG.

Chemo/Rad dates set are July 1st-22nd.
Tentative date for TG/Ooph/HIPEC – Aug 22nd

I did try to figure out how to do this in South Florida for logistics, but initiating the process (which is time-sensitive) can be challenging. Either way, I feel more at ease with Mayo’s team and professionalism. As a result, I will be residing in Jacksonville for a few months this year.

Here are some photos as always. Also, I want to thank everyone for their collective thoughts, kind words, and energies. I feel them wholeheartedly.