What's it All Mean?

Here are The nitty/gritty bits after seeing Dr. Wallen:

- Lung tumors had mostly minimal growth, with the largest adding only .5cm in size.

- The orignal rectal tumor area is showing some activity, not a lot but that's new.

- Other than that no changes in size for the groin lymph node, nor in the ones on my stomach and adrenal gland.

          Warning ick factor...

We won't know what the full impact of the Yervoy treatment until the next scan, which hasn't even been scheduled yet.  We meet Dr Wallen again in early December.  So unless I start seeing regular and increased bleeding with my bowel movements (it's not very common right now), we will be crossing our fingers and other crossable things hoping for more impact from the Yervoy.

       

           Safe to continue....

There is a newer Gleevec-like pill Dasatinib/Sprycel which carries an even bigger sticker price than Gleevec, that Dr Wallen is going to attempt to get approval for and if the insurance says no (computer says...no...what's that reference?) he'll try to appeal for drug assistance from the manufacturer.

On the rest of my bits... I'm walking fine without a cane now.  I still need more stamina, and am working towards driving again.  Ki and I practiced in a nearby supermarket parking lot after hours, and I seem to be ready.  I need to take a test with Amy the occupational therapist to drive again (the whole seizure business plus living with a health care professional kinda requires it), and I gotta say, I'm looking forward to driving again.

Now if my left hand will finish coming together I can start playing guitar again!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sX6hMhL1YsQ

PET the kitty and Scan the Body

We have a PET scan scheduled tomorrow and this is my first time getting one with Good Sam Hospital.  All the group at Providence PDX asked was for me to not eat or drink anything 5 hrs prior.  We received a packet with instructions of what to and not to consume up to 72 hrs before.  I'm making chili for tonight that falls within the 24 hr rules.  

I just hope the scan shows no new cancer progression.  As far as the Yervoy treatment is concerned this is about a month and a half too soon, but it's on the schedule Dr Wallen has for me.

Wel'll meet with Dr Wallen next week to discuss the results as well as next steps.

I'm walking fairly well, but still need better left hand coordination.  Working with the therapists at Good Sam has really been helpful.  I have a feeling that I'm close to getting over a wall with my left hand.  Hopefully I make progress internally as well as externally.