Is the Glass 1/2 Empty, or 1/2 Full?

Brian and I have decided that anytime we step foot in Columbia, and there isn't any bad news, it can count as good news.

Dr. Miller was pleased with how Brian's leg is healing. I found out there is a 2+ inch tunnel up into the leg that I also need to pack, but the pocket was originally about 8 inches. The wound looks healthy and Dr. Miller figures it will be closed off in 3-4 weeks.

Dr. Anderson was really happy to see how great Brian looks. Brian wonders just how bad he was looking before, considering the compliments in the past few weeks, and I remind him that it was pretty ugly! Dr. Anderson and I also took a look at the tumor we found on Nov. 9th on Brian's upper right shoulder...we can still feel it, but it is noticeably smaller. This tumor has not been detected on a CT scan, which means it probably wasn't there in September, but would fit with the expected course...disease progression followed by shrinkage. We can only continue to hope and pray that all of his tumors are doing the same thing. For now, this is a good sign; yet as always, we are reluctant to put too much weight on this...just continue to thank God for the chance that this new drug is working.

Speaking of the drug...I let my guard down and didn't badger this time, and I got caught. I usually do a lot of cyber harassing of the oncologists and their nurses, and I've backed off since Brian's been home from the hospital...mostly because I was emailing and talking to them daily, often multiple times a day and sometimes at midnight. I felt like Brian was doing so much better, and I didn't have a lot that I needed from them at that point. But I should have verified what was up with this appointment because the trial is ready, just not quite ready for Brian. They are waiting on some paperwork from Chicago. But mostly, Dr. Anderson was reluctant to agree to moving forward on the next treatment until he knew Brian's condition had improved. The problem is that couldn't really happen on the same day. So today they evaluated him and did a chest x-ray and lab work, plus Brian signed consent forms. We will return on Friday for a morning treatment.

It was a bit disappointing, but not really. Our perspective has changed so much. We were just thankful that he can move forward, that he feels good, and that there wasn't any bad news to deal with.

As far as how we got there, Brian has a slide board that the hospital loaned him, and we got a prescription and picked up our own today when we were there. It is a Godsend to have, and has made things a lot easier on Brian, even though his pain level is still high where his left hip is involved. We actually got to go out for lunch together, just us, and it felt good. Getting in and out of the house is still quite a challenge with the stairs...come on St. Joseph, we need to sell our house!

We continue to be blessed by the love and support of this wonderful community of family and friends. Our family was pampered over the weekend with some early Christmas presents etc., courtesy of the Mackeys, Summas and Carrolls and their extended family. We are in awe of the generosity and kindness of others, and hope you all know that you are warriors in our battle.

Many blessings for a great week,
Jenni