May 20, 2009
Got some great news last week. Dave went in for an MRI of his brain, to follow up the previous one to see if there was any change in the tumor there. It HAD NOT changed at all, which is a good sign that it may not be RCC. He will go back in for another MRI in 6 weeks and if no change, the next one will not be for 8-10 weeks. If still no change, we will go to a 3-4 month rotation and then 6 months. If no changes after all that, it will only be once or twice a yead for a look see.I have never had an MRI but Dave says it is not too much fun. I think if I had to have one, it would require heavy sedation.
This week, we go for an echo cardiogram and yet another MRI, this time of the spine. He started the new drug, SUTENT, this week and they need benchmark tests for that, to measure if it is working. So far, no side effects, but I understand that they don't manifest for a while. Dave is still having trouble sleeping and he gets fatigued but he is still well able to get out and direct the troops and do some light farmwork occasionally.
Part of the reason he can't do much is that the back surgery he had requires a long recovery for anyone who has it, much less someone fighting cancer. I was a little concerned about how long it was taking, but then I spoke to someone who also had the same type of surgery almost a year ago and he is still having some recovery issues, too.
Keep sending your thoughts, good energy and prayers for Dave. We appreciate them all.
“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”
