Test Results...

To begin with I apologize for not posting sooner today...the tests results on the CT Abdomen and Bone Scan whole body were favorable...the kidney tumor is still shrunk, the liver tumors are not shrunk but stable...these are similar to February's tests...again a mixed bag on the bone scan as in February also...with the bones of his right hip/leg where fractured which has a long rod and screws put in hip and knee...there is still slight growth as well as his left arm (humerus) that he fractured back in September when the cancer was first found...as well as both shoulders...

The doctor feels he is basically maintaining and as you all know there is no cure...just a slowing down of it...doc recommends he continues the "Sutent" as he is maintaining on it and the infusion of Zometa which will help him from having any more fractures...I should say less chance of fractures...because the more the cancer eats at his bones the more vulnerable he is to breaks...the doctor did ask if he is able to walk...yeah to some degree with the help of his walker, otherwise he's in the motor wheelchair...Tim and I were discussing this on the way home and he was actually surprised by that question as the doctor was surprised he is able to even put any weight on his legs...

The next concern is the quality of life...he can tell there are changes going on because his quality of life isn't where it should be...each day is a struggle for him...to deal with not being able to do anything...he can't sit for long, not able to go in yard/garage and tinker...his appetite varies from meal to meal let alone day to day...it's hard to sometimes come up with something he can or wants to eat or able to eat...I finally got him back on oatmeal for breakfast but this morning he only had a few bites...didn't feel like eating....just like tonight it was very simple but it hit the spot for him in small amounts...hash browns and scrambled eggs with melted cheese...like the way daughter fixes hers....:D He can't even enjoy a cup of coffee anymore...it doesn't set well with him...he's tried couple times going out for coffee with the guys this past 2 weeks since April 23rd fracture and hospitalization for surgery...he was so wore out and hurting...he is dropping weight again...down to 169...

His infusion of Zometa is tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. which is to be done every 4 weeks...and it'll only take bout 30 minutes after paperwork and setup...he doesn't need potassium this time so it won't be a 2 days process as potassium has to be given slowly over 4-6 hours....

Schedules and appointments are already setup for next month...before we possibly lose cobra in September because his medicare will kick in but also we can't afford even the 35% insurance premiums (instead of 100% originally) in September even if he didn't have medicare starting...so doctor said when he came in after September we would stop the Sutent and re-evaluate and make a decision then...what choices we have because we couldn't afford full price on Sutent...$7500 or the 20% $1875...as well as the infusion...it would be a matter of a quality of life and being comfortable...

I don't know what else to say...we continue to take one hour, one day at a time...trying to keep him comfortable, he's lost interest in a lot of things...movies, reading, interests isn't into learning the Internet...let alone the just tinkering on the cp...

I guess I better get off here...have to be up in five hours to get ready and take him to get the infusion by 9 a.m.
and good thing it wont take long...even the short jaunt to the hospital tomorrow will have him wore out and he'll probably sleep most the morning after we get back...

You all take care and have a good day tomorrow...our prayers go out to all near and far with each set of problems, issues, dilemmas and every where I look, read, hear....everyone has something happening/going on...our prayers especially go out to the Hughes family with their young man missing since July 13th...he is a distant cousin to our niece...May you all be blessed and be safe...love one another dearly...

Good night...Wow, I hear whale cries...tehe...that's just background music and ocean sounds....:)