This is a cancer update.  In response to a recent PET scan, I started my second set of chemo rounds on July 10th.  This time, I plan to have 6 rounds instead of just 4.  While my new rib tumor is much smaller than the first time, we want to give it more rounds this time, so we make sure we get everything. 

NGS:
We reanalyzed my tumor using Next Generation Sequencing.  This amazing new technology allow scientists to sequencing many different pieces of DNA in the same sample.  In this case, instead of a biopsy, they took a blood sample and looked for their targets, a particular set of gene, in the sample.  Even though my tumor cells would be a tiny minority of the total cells in my blood, NGS can still find them and sequence them individually.  Happily, analysis shows that my new tumor is genetically the same as my old one, so it should respond to chemotherapy in the same way, just as we hoped.

I also took a monitoring test that finds and counts the number of tumor cells in my blood, which will help us track progress in the future.  This is a different technology called real-time PCR.  I have worked extensively with both of these technologies at my job at Quest Diagnostics, and in my current consulting business.

Chemotherapy:
The July 10^th chemo itself went well.  Usually, the week after is the worst part.  I take some medications in the few days surrounding the actual infusion.  They counter act many of the side effects I might normally feel like nausea and fatigue. I stop taking some of these medications on Monday, so Tuesday and Wednesday of the following week are usually the worst.  This time, since I’m so much healthier in general than last time, my “bad week” was much better, just a little sleepiness and a little skin irritation, both very manageable. I actually started my second new round yesterday with another infusion.

Radiation:
As it turns out, my radiation oncologist says they can treat the rib tumor again, since I didn’t get too much radiation the first time.  I’ve already had my mapping session, and I start radiation next week.  This will greatly accelerate rib tumor healing.  It will likely make me even sleepier next week.  So if you call or text next week, you may not hear from me for a while! But weeks 2 and 3 will be better, because of my better overall health.  Outdoor meetings are definitely possible!

Thank you so much for your continued prayers!  It’s definitely helping!

Don’t fear, but be smart,
Erik

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You can read all of my cancer updates here.