The CT scan showed about the same amount of growth as usual. Same old stuff thing as over the past 4 years. And that was growth over a period of weeks with no treatment at all. So it seems to waffle back and forth and grow slowly at about the same rate no matter what.
Today's infusion was postponed for a week because of the rash. The doctor wants to get the rash under control before continuing with treatment. So I'll be doing a steroid pack and changing to a stronger hydrocortisone cream.
This is how I look for the past 4 or 5 days. It's miserable. Itches all over.
The dreaded rash started today!
New treatment in Murfreesboro went well. I made it through and felt much better about doing that than going forward with the high risk potential of the clinical trial. Hopefully this drug will help. I'm on vectibix infusion every other week.
This one brings an 89% chance of bad skin rashes and acne. So I had to go to the drugstore and get acne medicine along with a lot of special soaps, lotions, creams and sunscreen. I'm still hyped up on steroids today and feel good. Only had one hot flash last night. I was actually able to lie down in the bed a couple of hours last night for the first time since December. I think the steroids might have alleviated the pain. Not sure. It all I can I figure out. Nothing else has helped. There is a small chance of infusion reaction with the drug, but will only happen during the infusion. Making it through the first infusion of a new drug always makes me feel better.
Click here to see photos of Thursday evening in Nashville (including a stop in Murfreesboro to have lunch with my sister at Chuy's). It was a beautiful day in the 70's. So when I checked in at the hotel I was able to take a walk in short sleeves a couple of blocks away to Hurry Back Tavern for a beer. They had the walls open to the outside. It was nice sitting there watching people walking by and walking their dogs. The crowd was friendly, so I was able to socialize a good bit and have a few laughs. I needed that, considering the stress that always happens the day before a CT scan.
That was some party! It was the perfect celebration. Lots of food and people and music. Here is a photo of my dad's 3 best friends in the world. They are all from his gas company days. Two of them I have known for most of my life. Taking this photo choked me up some. Thanks to everyone who showed up!
Click here to see photos & videos. Feel free to add your own.
Infusion was more or less routine this time. The only excitement was the maintenance man fixing one of the TVs. There were some adjustments to meds for my thyroid. Routine is good because it's not stressful. It's also not good, because it's routine.