Here's the scoop

Our adventures in St Louis started with the apptmt with the oncologist Dr. Tan Tuesday, who, knowing we were from clear across the state, made special effort to get everything possible done in this trip. He got us right in to see the radiology oncologist that day, and then scheduled a CT scan (by their more expert operators) on Wednesday morning so they could really see exactly what / where the tumor still involved. They were also working on getting us in to the surgeon immediately, so we extended our stay through Wednesday night. 

After the CT scan on Wednesday, I took a side trip (more of a running dive, actually) down a flight of stairs outside the hotel (oops). It was really my lucky day - landed on concrete at the bottom, head first  (yikes), with only a slightly bent thumb and knee to show for it. Very lucky. Really should get the video from hotel security - sure it would be hilarious to watch....the next youtube sensation. Hahaha.

Dad's CT scan was reviewed by their conference of experts on Thursday morning (radiologists, oncologists, surgeons) and then we met with the surgeon Linehan - who does two of these surgeries per week, so right up there with Strasburg - one of three they have on staff at Barnes Jewish with this extensive experience.

They believe it is curable by operation (yeah!) but that the tumor still involves a vein, and that shrinking the tumor further will increase the odds of success. So they recommended the focused radiation I have read about online (studies at Stanford and USC, I believe); this involves a "metal marker" placed in the tumor, and then special equipment which ensures all radiation is focused directly there.  Here's the plan:

Feb 1 Tues:   One more chemo treatment in Joplin.
Feb 2 Wed:   Followup Neulasta shot in Joplin (shoots up the white cell count to ward off bugs). Then we drive to St Louis for a couple nights.
Feb 3 Thurs:  Barnes Jewish Ctr for Advanced Medicine, downtown St Louis: two operations in one, to place the metal marker in the tumor, and to replace the stint for his pancreas (as a precaution).
Feb 4 Fri:   We'll drive back home, then have to head back to St Louis on Sunday.
Feb 6 Mon: "Planning Session" in St Louis, where radiation experts plan how to direct the radiation.
Then a TWO WEEK WAIT for dad to build up his strength and be prepared for 5 weeks of chemo and radiation together.  Let's all hope he withstands the treatments (no nausea, etc.) while continuing his great response he has had to chemo so far (shrinking the tumor).

Radiation / Chemo will be in St Louis downtown starting sometime around Feb 21; we hope to stay at Hope Lodge near the hospital Monday thru Thurs, then come home on weekends. The radiation takes about 10 minutes, 5 days a week, and chemo one day a week for an hour. That's end of February through March.

After radiation, they will wait about 5-6 weeks (depending on dad's health / strength, I suppose), then do the surgery, which should put it somewhere in the second week of May.

Though I know dad is getting tired of this stuff, his spirits are up and this week he is really feeling quite good (the last chemo didn't hardly slow him down).  He's keeping his weight up (very important) and hope his appetite continues.  Gary's keep us fat and happy with steaks and au gratin potatoes. Best news of all....a cure is in sight.

Thank you all for your well wishes and good thoughts.

Will keep you all posted.