Abdominal Ultrasound Results

We met with Dr. Savage today to discuss the abdominal ultrasound. Everything looks reasonably good. There were no lymph node growths below the diaphragm. Based on the tests done so far, Chantel would be staged as Stage 2 - Bulky. It's not bulky because of the baby ;-) It is bulky because of the significantly enlarged tumours in her neck and chest. However, by being in Stage 2, her prognosis is very good.

We have decided to follow a "watch and wait" regimen. Chantel will be visiting the Dr. every two weeks and unless some more symptoms appear (like night sweats, coughing, pain in her chest, etc.), she will not have to undergo any chemo until the baby is post-utero. If she becomes symptomatic, then she will undergo chemo with Vinblastin until the baby is delivered. At that point, she will start the full cycle of chemo with all 4 fun chemicals - ABVD.

Based on the size and amount of enlarged lymph nodes that are known at present, the Dr. assumes that Chantel will need 6 cycles of treatment (which will be over 6 months) starting after the birth of Marcus (Chantel has chosen a name that I didn't veto ;-).