Cancer Update 22: New Progress

All Articles, Cancer,

This is a cancer update. In Update 20, I told you that while my original tumors are responding well to treatment, I have several new tumors that are not.  Since then, we have changed my treatment approach in several ways.  I’m using a different cocktail of chemo agents, as well as some different immunotherapy agents. 

Until about a month ago, my pain was gradually increasing as my new tumors grew.  Happily, my new treatment regimen is apparently working! For the last month or so, my pain level has been decreasing, allowing me to tune down my pain meds. Additionally, a PET scan just yesterday revealed that the new tumors, which weren’t responding to the old treatment regimen, are responding well to the new one. 

This image shows a reduced rib tumor on the bottom left, but persistent small tumors in the lung above them.
In this recent image, it’s difficult to orient the photo, since even the “persistent” tumors are now gone.
In July, the rib tumor had begun to reappear.
Now, the rib tumor is now mostly gone.
This is the new intercostal (between the ribs) tumor in July. the large blob of activity just above it is a kidney, which often light up in PET scans as they filter out radioactive sugars.
The new intercostal tumor is now responding well to treatment. This tumor was not responding until we changed our treatment regimen.

The new chemo regimen is a little harder on me.  I’ve actually had to postpone a few treatments because my blood cell levels were too low. I even had one today that I will postpone until next week.  So unfortunately, this means I will be more reclusive this Christmas season, mostly staying at home.  I do occasionally have meals with people outdoors, though, COVID style!  We don’t yet know how long I will continue doing chemo.  We will discuss this with my oncologist next week.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah!
Erik

Why I believe I will survive!

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