Seattle scan & "ipi"

Good morning to everyone:

Calvin and I had an adventure and long day yesterday but GREAT! We started at a new place for my MRI because they didn't have time for my appointment where I usually go at the University of Washington hospital.

Then we went over to U. of Wash. and waited 2 hours to see Dr. Rockhill. Sara, his assistent came in with a huge smile after we were in the room waiting over an hour and said "do you want the good news?" What a relief. She brought up all the tumors on the screen. She told me the one Rockhill did the gamma knife on last month was a bit smaller. Everything was stable which is good in their eyes. Of course I want some shrinkage!. "Patience my dear," my mom would be saying! Dr. Rockhill came in. Said it looked good and he thought the tumor seemed to be responding. We asked him some questions about the "ipi". He said he difinately thought it to be the next best step but this new Dr. Thompson that we were going to meet afterwards would be the pro to anser my questions.

We left his office at 3:00. Drove about 30 minutes to the Cancer Alliance Center. Waited there and got in to visit with him. He explained everything to us and answered our questions. I told him that I was worried about the side affects from the "ipi". It is a trial test that has been out for 8 years but not approved by the FDA. It's sppose to be out in March. On a scale of 0 - being great and 4 - being lousy in health, they only take the cancer melanoma patience that are in the 0 & 1 range which would make me a candidate. He says they have dropped the infusion dose from 10, 3, or 1. You usually don't get side affects until after the 3rd infusion. Or sometimes they don't come until later but do not last a life time. He told us that it is certain more promising then goin back through another round of Chemo. The cancer will keep coming back. The "ipi" is much more promising. He said "Janae the chemo makes you sick also." True. He gave us a 3 ring binder FULL of stuff to go over. I asked him if I was his wife what would he do. He said he understood the tough decision but he would have her do it because it can improve the risk of cancer throughout the organs and not just the brain. It last 4 months and you go over there for the infusion every 3 weeks.

I know you have other people to pray for but please keep me in your prayers. We are thinking we may go ahead and do it. We signed the consent form yesterday because Dr. Thompson also has to sign it in your presents. We can always back out but decided to save us another trip we would do it while we were there. He checked me over and said I was great but he needed a HIV blood test and some other scary ones ran. We went down to the lab and of course, if you don't know my history, I don't like giving my blood away. They got there best man there. I have learned to give a warning before they just call me back. He poked me 5 times and kept telling me how sorry he was. By now it was 6:15 and the lights were flickering off. He got 1 tube and said they would see if it was enough.

Got home after Calvin took me to a nice dinner and ctrawed in bed about 11:00...a long day for me and I didn't even drive!

We love you all so much and appriecate your thoughts and interest this fight for life!

Janae

Hymn
"Sweet hour of pray, sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father's throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief
My sould as often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter's snare
By thy return,
Sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
Believe his word and trust his grace,
I'll cast on him my every care
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!