Hi! Remember me?

Well it's been almost 9 months since my last post. I don't have to tell you a lot has happened since then. But here is what's happening with David. In March, MDA stopped allowing visitors into the hospital, only patients, because of stupid covid. So I stopped coming to the monthly check-ins and only come to the quarterly scans since they are overnight. I just stay in the hotel until he finishes everything and we head home. 

At the last scans in September, they told him that one spot is having progression and has been for about a year. Even though they call the disease stable. When the progression reaches 20% they would pull him out of this study and look at other options. So that is what happened today.

They talked about 2 new trials that they think David will be eligible for. One is for the immunotherapy drug Keytruda with a trial chemo drug. The drug would be taken daily and the Keytruda would be administered as an infusion every 3 weeks. This is much like what he has been doing with Opdivo. The other trial is for T-cell replacement. It would require about a month long hospital stay, but could  offer a long term remission or cure. David told them to be aggressive. They gave him 2 weeks off of everything and will let him know which study is available the soonest.

Of course we are a little discouraged, this treatment has been the easiest and most successful of all, by far. But we are also hopeful that the next treatment could offer long term success. The PA reminded him that he has been on this treatment for about 2 and a half years and really it's just the one spot that is growing. Also even though it has progressed, the treatment overall greatly reduced the cancer and it is now much less than it was 2 and a half years ago.

So that's where we are now and we should know more in the next couple of weeks. 

Please pray that the way is clear for the best treatment option going forward. I will update when we find out what that is.

Thank you for loving us.

World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day. That's seems aptly named because from the crowds at MDA today, everyone in the world must have cancer. And also, cancer stinks.

On the way over here yesterday afternoon the AC in my car decided not to work. It has been doing this on and off for a few months. It will start again as suddenly as it stops. I have taken it in to be looked at but it works whenever I take it or try to take it. It worked again last night after David's scan. It worked this morning. I hope it works on the way home! I have about 2000 miles left on the warranty. 🙄

What does this have to do with anything you ask? Nothing really but it is a little like David's treatment I guess. His scan showed stability and no new tumors. So that is great. But there was a tiny bit of growth in one of the nodes. Like 1 mm of growth. So it's working except when it's not? He will continue on this trial for another 3 months and if there is more growth at the next scan (May) he may change treatments. The Dr. says there are many options. He always says that and he hasn't lied yet. So we press on.

So today on World Cancer Day, his cancer is trying to make a comeback? Someone explain to cancer that is not the purpose of this honorary day. Today I claim that World Cancer Day is not just a day to bring awareness of cancer but is a day to celebrate the defeat of the monster.

Please pray with me that the infusion he is receiving now goes directly to that annoying node and zaps it to smithereens! 💥

A young couple just walked by me and she was sobbing. She was making a beeline for the elevator. If only it was an escape. Pray for her. It's really hard to keep it together here sometime. Most of the time.

Also. SOMEONE IS IN MY CHAIR! I come from a long heritage of Baptists. Claiming a particular chair is a real thing. They aren't just sitting there either, they are camped out in that corner. She looks like she doesn't feel well. Maybe she needs the space more than me today.

Please pray for:
Node zapping
Comfort for the elevator lady
Healing for the chair stealer
Appropriate and timely AC functioning
World Cancer Day and all that might entail

Thank you for loving us! ♥️