May 24, 2006 - Day 1 - Week 8 - Evaluation

Getting to the doctor’s office early is not part of my normal behavior pattern, but today was different.  Last week the 2^nd full body scan was taken to determine whether or not the FNR chemotherapy treatment was effective or not. At 11:15 am the Angeles Clinic was the most important physical place in my world, for it was at that time Dr. Larry Piro was going to give me one or two thumbs up.

Pulse taken (84), blood pressure 118/70 (perfect), weight 179 (good), and blood taken to be evaluated later and I was ready to see the doc.  It had not been as long a wait as I had expected and I did not mind waiting the 9 minutes between seeing the vital sign taker and Dr. Piro.

No, it was not the usual good news and bad news.  Granted no miracle cure was proclaimed, but the internal picture documented a 30% reduction in the tumors size. That is good – 60% would be better, but the fact that the tumors probably grew within me over a long period of time means that it will be a slower process of reduction.  They grew slowly, they will shrink slowly, is the probable scenario.

The really good news is that the kidney was not attacked.  The first scan indicated that the cancer was very close to the kidneys and the doctor expressed concern.  Today he said he was relieved because there was a dramatic reduction around the kidneys.  We inquired as to the presence of any new stuff anywhere and he answered in the negative.  No new tumors detected and what is already in me are showing signs of disappearing. Hot dog!

Bottom line:  keep going on the path chosen and we will re-scan after then next set of two chemo therapy rounds.  Keep up the exercise, good diet, and positive attitude. Yes sir!

An aside:  The logical question constantly on my mind is hard to answer.  I would love a definitive answer as to the likelihood of complete remission.  There are no guarantees and the doctor admitted that we may plateau with this regimen and then go to plan B.  For the first time I am getting a glimpse of what plan B may look like and it is simply a re-adjustment of the drugs with a kicker – that being site specific radiation; but that’s another day and we will put that on hold until August at the earliest.

All in all a good day.  It is nice knowing what is happening within my body and doubly nice to know that my prescribed regimen is doing its job. Thus, even the crummy days now have a silver lining which is a fabric of well spun hope.

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