Thursday, October 13, 2011

Update

Well the good news is I survived the tests yesterday. It seems the more MRI's that I do, the more I hate them. I am getting to the point I am lucky to get through them to be honest. The older I get the less I like enclosed spaces and not being able to move around. The CT's I can handle no problem. But the other thing is doing all of them in one day, including all the other test's, makes for a really long day. Not to mention the trips themselves are getting harder and harder. All I can say is I will be really glad to be home tomorrow night.

The test results. Bottom line, things are worse. There is a new spot in one of my lungs, and several of the nodules in my lungs are bigger. Several of the infefected lymph nodes under my arm have doubled in size. The latest chemo. has had no effect on the cancer at all. There still is a spot in my brain, but it still remains unchanged and they won't call it cancer. We talked about two other possible drugs. One of which simply hasn't shown much promise. The second, Yervoy (Ipilimumab), is the one we have decided to try. It has shown good results in some people but still not anything to get excited about. It has a lot of very tough and dangerous side effects. It is a drug that we can get at home but the doctor was very clear that due to the side effects being so tough, that he wants a doctor who is familiar with it to administer it. So at this point we are leaning on coming to Houston to get it. I will have to have an IV port put back in my arm. It is a drug that is given every three weeks and should only be about four rounds. We will come back to Houston in three weeks to have the port installed and do some other follow up issues. We asked about why I have been so sick lately. The doctor told us that one reason is probably due to the large mass under my arm. He told us that as it grows the cells in the center die because they aren't getting enough nutrition and as they die they get into the blood stream and go to the rest of the body. Thus causing fever and night sweats and other issues.

Needless to say it was a tough day for Rebecca and I. We even noticed, for the first time, a sense of defeat or frustration in the doctor. I think we all know that the options are getting slimmer, and with me feeling worse each week it is getting tougher. But we will press on, that is all we can do at this point. I am still hoping they will find a magic pill for nausea and vomiting. Well that is all for now. Been a long day and there is baseball on. Gonna see if I can get lost in the game for a few hours.

Remember every day to put one foot in front of the other, drink a lot of water and don't forget to breath.............

7 comments:

  1. So sorry for the tough day. A lot of family, here in Kansas, are following your updates. It is so hard to know what to say, but I do know that a lot of people care and are praying for you and your family. I hope you got lost in the game for a bit and they find that pill to help with the nausea and vomiting. Hugs and prayers from Wichita.
    Linda (Jeanie's cousin)
    (Shirley's brother's daughter)

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  2. Hi Andy! I just wanted you to know that I admire your faith and perseverance. I wish this cup could be taken from you, and since it hasn't so far, I continue to pray for you and your family as you battle on. Thank you for continuing to keep us up to date on your fight.

    Heather Hale Messer

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  3. All we can say is we love you and still pray for that miracle in hour healing. Let us know if we can help with the kids in any way. Love, Grandma and Grandpa Day

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  4. PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING...

    Love you! Rob and Kathy

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  5. Sorry you are feeling so rotten. Praying. Thanks for the update. I hope the new drug is a good fit and that you will avoid bad side effects.

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  6. Andy I am so happy you are doing Ipi. I know of many survivors who have had complete responses. When was your first dose? Thinking of you..,Emily

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  7. Thinking of you ....

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