Thursday, October 23, 2008

First Post Treatment Scan Results Are In!

Sorry for the lack of updates, all.  If the trans-Atlantic flights would turn back on the WiFi hotspots on the planes (Lufthansa had them up until about 18 months ago), I would have been better about getting you the latest news.

Dad had his first post-treatment MRI scan Tuesday, and the results were discussed today in the radiation oncology office.  The best that we could hope for (which is no change to the tumor and no new symptoms) is exactly what we got.  A great report from the doctor today telling us that the MRI showed no new growth and only some minor swelling around the tumor.  The entire medical team (including Mayo's and the medical oncologist) were in agreement that this was good progress, and that the next scan will be in three months.  Labs are all pretty normal, and we find out more tomorrow on next course of treatment for chemo (which is likely five days a month for the next 12 months).

Coming off the steroids has taken a big toll on Dad's ability to stay awake.  He's been pretty much in bed sound asleep 21+ hours a day, with a few breaks in between to get a small bite to eat and get cleaned up.  Hard to see him so tired, but we think that the treatment is finally catching up to him and mixed with the steroid reduction, it's really zapping his energy.

Goal is to get him out of this severe fatigue phase and back to doing some exercise soon.  More labs were drawn today to make sure it wasn't his thyroid acting up, and we met with a dietician to find out ways we can get more calories/protein in his diet when he's just not hungry at all.  

Thanks for all of the emails and phone calls, and sorry for the delays in posting.  I'll be out again the next few weeks, but will try to get an update posted when we know more about next steps for treatment.