The Results are in....

Jim here, and for those of you who can't wait another second, it's good news. For those of you who would like more details, read on--

The Radiologist's report states that none of the tumor sites have grown over the past month, and the dimensions he gives for the ones he measured are somewhat smaller than a month ago.
(The largest lung tumor was 3.8 x 3.3 cm, now it's 3.3 x 2.6 cm. The renal cavity tumor was 7.0 x 7.0 cm, now it's 6.7 x 6.2 cm.) He refers to this condition as "stable", but by my calculations, the volumes of the tumors cited above decreased anywhere from 25 to 40%. If that's "stable", we'll take it.

What's more, the tumors have a central "necrotic mass". Because the tumors grow so quickly, the center portion dies from lack of blood supply, and only the outside is active. In the new scans, there is much more "necrosis" (dead cancer cells), and a much smaller active rim around the outside. Actually, a picture would do wonders here, but Linda keeps vetoing my ideas for photos on the Posts. :(

Finally, there are no new tumor sites, just the old ones that are somewhat smaller. So the drug that Linda started taking on November 1st is working as advertised--cutting off the blood supply to the tumors and preventing them from growing. It will never be a cure, but hopefully we can fight to a draw for the near future. So we're celebrating, and we hope you do too.

That's all the good news. The rest isn't really bad, just irritating...

The recommended treatment for the cancer drug (Sutent) is four weeks on, two weeks off. We were really looking forward to two weeks of getting her strength back and doing lots more. But Linda took the last pill Nov 28th, and as suddenly as the fever stopped when she started taking it, it just as suddenly started up again, within just a few days of the last pill. The fever is a strong indicator that the tumors are active. So the oncologist recommended we start taking the Sutent right away again after only a week off. Better to deal with the fatigue than the fever and what it means. Of course, there was the visit to the ER last week, and while her platelet count is back up, her hemoglobin level is low again, so Monday she goes in for a transfusion.

I've made it sound worse than it is. Last night, we went to the Playhouse in the Park. Tomorrow night we go to my Company Christmas Dance, Sunday is Christmas dinner out with the neighbors, and Monday night is Linda's sister Pam's Birthday dinner. She may be tired but she's also stubborn, and all of these events are important to her.

We really appreciate all the expressions of care and concern from all of you, and are so glad we can pass along our good news. Life is so much more fun when you can share the good parts with your friends.

Love ya,

Jim & Linda

p.s. I've got a great story about the Radiologist that I'll tell to anyone who asks me...