More on Scan Results

I got a copy of the actual CT report and spoke with one of Adrienne's doctors yesterday, Dr. K, an adult lymphoma specialist and the head of City of Hope's lymphoma drug research program. Dr. K is very pleased that Adrienne's disease is stable in the lungs (the most critical location) and that the progression in the spleen has slowed down, even though it hasn't stopped yet. Adrienne's spleen isn't functional as a result of radiation so the only potential issue is pain, which she doesn't have. The PET scan on Friday will show us what's happening in the bone. Again, Adrienne doesn't have any pain but we have to be concerned about the lesion in her shoulder bone getting into the bone marrow, which would be difficult to treat.

The experimental drug experience is very nerve racking since you don't know how someone will respond. Add to that, the HDAC inhibitors like valproic acid take time, often months, to start working. Dr. K has one patient who was getting ready for hospice care and is now doing well on this drug and others who seem to be responding as well. He says, "Time is important, because we are on the brink of some findings about HL that might be immediately helpful." Sounds good to us.

Adrienne did an all nighter Sunday night finishing up a paper. I worry when she does that but she was working with other people and had a good time. She said it was a good bonding experience. Last night, when we spoke, she said she felt fine and was off to see Phillip Zimbardo who ran the Stanford Prison Experiment and wrote a book about the Lucifer Effect, why good people do bad things. Actually, she said she's feeling great but she almost fell asleep during the talk.

Curt has had a few upsetting days. After all of his scans and tests and getting a clean bill of health, his sister in Seattle was just diagnosed with esophogeal cancer. She seems to be taking it as well as you can take something like that. Curt will probably go up for a visit in the next few weeks.