Stable is as stable does...

And for those in the know... I still haven't watched Forest Gump.

Quick health update - the scan I had yesterday is effectively showing no change in the metabolic activity or size of my cancer spots.  According to Dr Curti there may be some minniscule changes in both growth and reduction, but those are so small compared to the last PET scan from April, that it might as well be zero change (plus PET scans are slightly fuzzy, so officially it's the same).

At the office, we had a great and efficient meeting, and he mentioned a test study being planned for some time in October which will be working to incorporate T Cells, and White killer blood cells together in a new fashion that is expected to have a 40% success rate in overcoming Melanoma.  Apparently my health and treatment history would qualify me to be a part of this, so I asked him to toss my name into the hat.  Hopefully I'll be part of this group.  He indicated the administration is very similar to Yervoy, and would be every two weeks, for the duration of the test.

The thing with Gleevec, is that as a cancer drug, it's designed for use directly with Leukemia, and for those with Melanoma, it does have a limited window of effectiveness.  The window is different for each patient, and some have had years, and I've expected for it to work for me long enough to find something that would have a more lasting effect rather than just to keep me stable for an undetermined amount of time.

On an upbeat health note, I've managed to be fairly regular in going to the gym, and keeping to a decent diet plan (using the myfitnesspal app has really helped) and I've managed to drop 15 pounds in roughly a month.  Hopefully I'll keep that action up and will reach my goal weight in a few months!

PET Scan for Late August

Quick updates:

I have my next scans scheduled for late August (it took the new insurance a bit to a bit longer to approve, but it's the first procedure for them, so I'll reserve my opinion until the next time).

The new batch of pills contnue to deliver milder bathroom runs, which is welcome.  Hopefully the scans show they're as effective as I need them to be.

My commitment to going to the gym finally kicked in 2 weeks ago.  I'm sore, tired and really hopeful to drop this crazy amount of convalescence weight!  As of yesterday I'm down 10lbs, but I expect this is simply due to starting from no exercise and diet to both happening together, and I don't think I'll see that kind of progress every 2 weeks.  It will take some time, but I'm GOING to wear my old clothes again!

There is a sweet ragedy cat hanging out (with a collar) who only wants to be petted... he scoots off after sniffing the water I've tried to give him.  I haven't seen him for a day, but he was crashing in my bushes.  Hopefully he found his way home... But if he's still around I'll try giving him some tuna.  (I know it's not a big deal, but it's odd for an obviously tame cat to look so ratty.)

Hopefully everyone is enjoying August, I wish I were in hiking form, but maybe by mid Sept I can get some stuff going.