Update: call from MD Anderson
This morning we received a call from MD Anderson, and at this point have an appointment schedules for a week from today, September 5 at 8am. We will likely make this appointment (if mom can travel, which we think she should be able to). The doctor we will see has many write-ups. His name is Dr. Randall Millikan. More on this later.

8/28/07 CTRC Meeting

We met with CTRC at 12:30pm on 8/28, to see what their assessment is of mom. CTRC is a cancer treatment center in San Antonio that has earned a strong reputation in the city. The facilities were very nice and everyone was professional.

We met with Dr. Kish, who specializes in chemotherapy treatments and handles bladder cancer cases, which is what mom's cancer falls under. The examination took about 45 minutes with the doctor. She conducted a physical examination. She concluded by stating that, if mom could get stronger, she would be an ideal candidate for chemo. The Dr. noted that mom needs to eat and drink more, get calories and protein in, and do some exercising in order to be ready for the treatment. She also felt additional tests and scans were in order to see how she was after the surgery. So the response from CTRC is not to give up, but that mom needs to get stronger before any treatment can occur.

Afterwards, dad, mom, Suzy and I went to two stores. Dad and I went to the grocery store to purchase Boost (this stuff is apparently the physician's favorite for getting people their nutrients). While we were there, out of the clear blue, a short-statured man walked up to me while I was on the phone with Dawn, and handed me a note. This is what was written on the note:


This man worked at the grocery store. He said God told him to give me this note - that he would get in trouble with God if he didn't, and that he hoped it would not offend. He then told me of two miracle stories where people were healed and then went back into the aisles to work. I looked for him later but I never found him. Dad was there too and the man's nametag said "Ed." I had said nothing to anyone in the store about mom - we just went in to get Boost and a laxative.

Do you think it was coincidence...?

Update: Change of Venue
We were able to get mom's records but with notable effort. We sent her records to MDA but as the days progressed my older sister and Yvette were concerned as she appeared to deteriorate each passing day. Dad equally grew skeptical, so last Friday Suzanne and I decided to tap the San Antonio resource for help - the Cancer Therapy and Research Center (CTRC). While not as renowned or well-known as MDA, they are making a name for themselves. We initially went to them to see what they thought about mom's condition - whether or not it is worth it at this stage in her cancer to fight it or make her comfortable. After looking at her records, they wanted her to come in, so we booked an appointment for today at 12:30pm. I don't know what to expect - whether they will test her or consult with us about her condition.


Mom and dad got into SA at 5:30pm today. Mom was in good spirits - she saw me as she and dad came out of the terminal and she was immediately excited (photo at top is mom hanging out with our dog, Jax, a poor but adequate replacement for Maggie and Mitsy). We put her into Suzy's car and she and Suzy went home. Mom told Suzy that being in SA and our home was like her world was turned right side up from being upside down in El Paso. Me and Suzy feel good that she felt that way and hope it I a sign of good energy and layer to her to be here. We fixed mom "cancer-fighting" food - she ate about half of a already small portion. She did eat a lot of goji berries (strong anticancer food), and mostly coherent for the evening. She still senses bad energy about the cancer and still presses concern and fear. After dinner we chatted a while, watched the San Antonio Silver Stars advance in the playoffs and ended the day watching most of Forrest Gump. She really lot up when she saw Drew and he was able to spend the evening
with us. More on what CTRC says (and does) tomorrow - please keep us in your prayers!

Pursuit of admission into MD Anderson
As it turns out, this is no easy task. Had we known what we know now, we would have obtained mom's records before we left the hospital. Now we have to get a release form in place, pay a fee and get mom's records, that will likely take a day or so.

FYI - we need her records before anyone will talk to her. That and a referral. Now what we've come to find out is that there is a patient referral (which we've already submitted) and a physician referral (which is better and faster). We have that in the works right now and hope to have a referral from Dr. Natalie Bornstein in the next day or two.

Here's a picture of mom doing better at the hospital after her surgery. She got a lot of flowers which meant a lot to her. She wanted a picture taken of her with all the pictures behind her. This was a notable chore!

Greetings visitors,

My name is Mark Harlien and I'm managing this blog. It will provide a chronology and key information about my mom and how she is doing with this terrible disease.

Here's the synopsis:
Mom had been complaining of pain for a while and on August 7 went into surgery with what was thought to be a moderately serious issue with her right kidney. For those not aware, kidney cancer is serious but typically is controllably and does not spread. So we alll expected she might lose her kidney and undergo some form of treatment as a maintenance step and to control the cancer.

Mom's cancer, it turns out, is more serious. It is called transitional urothelial carcinoma.

More later, but she's recovering well from surgery and will be undergoing treatment in the next few weeks. This picture is of mom in the hospital shortly after her surgery - it was her first meal - a perfect ad for Jello?