Our fruitful meeting with the oncologist

[zyzyly]

We visited with the oncologist to find out what the scans showed and plot out the near future. Things looked pretty good! All the tumors are stable, and there is nothing new. This is pretty much what we were hoping for, short of having everything mysteriously disappear.

The other good news is that the doctor is going to give Arlina a month off from chemotherapy. This is so that she can build up her immunity a little, and regain some strength and weight. This made me very happy--chemo is a killer.

In the interval, she will get the new drug Erbitux, which is not chemo, but a recombinant human/mouse (I just had to ask if one of the side effects was "squeaking") monoclonal antibody which blocks human growth factor from reaching cancer cells (or something like that). Its side effects are infusion related, so it will mostly be on the day she gets it, and not drag out over days and weeks. Interestingly enough, Erbitux was developed by ImClone, the stock that got Martha Stewart in trouble. So there.

This is probably the least discouraging news we have received since this whole thing began. Arlina was quite pleased with the report. Me too.

I'll probably post an alternate version of this in agrupdate later today.

Comments

how wonderful for you!!!

[mrshannibal.livejournal.com]

yes, but will she grow a tail and whiskers?
just kidding.
you both are always in my prayers.

Re: how wonderful for you!!!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

She already has a tail and whiskers, or didn't I mention that? :)

Re: how wonderful for you!!!

[mrshannibal.livejournal.com]

no, but you know - chemo does some strange things. how is she around cheese?

[purple7luv.livejournal.com]

YES!!!
:)

[jmhm.livejournal.com]

Hallelujah!

Now, lots of freerange chicken soup with garlic and dill and smoked salmon at regular intervals.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm good!

[jmhm.livejournal.com]

Truly, I'm terribly happy for you two.

I really am happy that you have each other.

[myasma.livejournal.com]

thank you! we are very glad to have each other, and realize the gift that our relationship is.

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

Not great news, maybe, but better than it could have been. (smile) I wonder about sudden peanut and cheese cravings...

[myasma.livejournal.com]

Haha--after she left the doctor's she actually went to the store and bought cheese!

[weaktwos.livejournal.com]

I'm so very happy for you both!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

thanks!

[greymeowsr.livejournal.com]

well, leaving the chemo for a time should certainly bring better feelings, so that's really pretty good news. yf, Tom

[myasma.livejournal.com]

It is. She was a whole new person after her last break in Octiober.

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

Thank God!

[myasma.livejournal.com]

amen!

[seasoulsky.livejournal.com]

i am so very glad to read this.

laura f

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

excellent! i'm so glad arlina will have the time off. i wish her an easy time with the erbitux and a very good rest. :)

[myasma.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping the erbitux works out well for her. They are also going to give her something to strengthen her bones.

[mylastsigh.livejournal.com]

oh my friend this is good news!!!

hugs to you guys and gals

[myasma.livejournal.com]

it is!!!

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

that sounds like pretty good news!
prayers and hugs coming your way.
~paul

[myasma.livejournal.com]

thank you Paul!

[poetbear.livejournal.com]

xxx
ooo
xxx
~paul

[ex-muzer409.livejournal.com]

TOTAL YAYNESS!!!!

[vaysha.livejournal.com]

I've been very busy but thought of you today. I am glad to hear the news! Cause for celebration. How is the house hunting going ? I hope I did not miss something pertinent.
much love
V