Chemo Round 17

     It's been a long day.  We were up at 5 a.m. to be in Salt Lake for several appointments; labs, CT, and evaluations.  There has honestly been more peace today, but it's physically and emotionally straining none-the-less.  There is a long hallway to reach Dr. Gouw's office to hear the important news.  We walked side-by-side in silence, then Mark took my hand.  We smiled at eachother and admired eachother's ability to do this.  Feels a tiny bit like Daniel in the Lion's Den.  There are 16 or so "Lions" inside Mark's body trying to harm him.  We need to know what they are doing.  We wait and wait to discover our fate.

   We got some really, really good news;  most of the tumors are shrinking!  Ifosfomide is working for now!  As a team we've decided that the symptoms are bearable and we will complete 2 more rounds before another CT scan.  Also, in the good news department, we are going to try a slow-dose regiment that will allow Mark to spend much more time at home.  We'll be here 2 or 3 days then they'll let him take his meds through his port, at home for 2 weeks.  The slow dosing is supposed to be more tolerable for patients.  Mark is the first in this hospital to recieve this treatment as an outpatient.  Seems like they are still scrambling to get it organized, lots of coordination with our home health nurses, and the pharmacy.  Another bit of good news; we somehow ended up in the best room, I mean rooms, ever!  We have a corner suite that gives the most incredible views of the Salt Lake Valley through two picture windows.  The sunset tonight was enjoyable.  There is an additional room with a pull out bed (I'm still using my blow up mattress on top, it's just that good) my own TV, microwave and fridge.  I can shut the door between us and not have to be woke up all night long as nurses come in to check vitals and stuff. It's pretty nice.

     Well, there is some bad news to report.  Mark's cancer has spread to the bone.  Our team downplayed this step but it seems like that is pretty crappy news.  Mark has a cracked rib, he didn't even know this.  It is common in Sarcomas.  They will add a medicine to strengthen his bones, and he may possibly have radiation on that lesion, but for now we are just watching it. 

     We met Scooby Doo in the hallway and he gave us Kit Kats.  We ended up talking to him for 30 minutes.  He is a cancer patient, and he has a reputation around here.  This silly guy has done some pretty crazy things in this hospital, like ask his friend to come see him dressed as Grim Reaper, hired a male stripper for one friend he made during radiation when it was her last session, dressed like Cupid during Valentine's day, wrote "Quotes of the Day" on his bare bum for the radiation techs to see during radiation (everyday for 6 weeks), and taped a salami to his thigh during a CT scan.  This guy is a nut, but happy and excited to be alive.  He is terminal, and will leave behind a wife and two young children.  He was thrilled to meet us, hear our story and celebrate our good news.  He received some good news today as well, and he was telling everyone that passed by in the halls (all workers knew the guy by name).  What an interesting person.  The guy who is dying who talks to everyone in the hospital, and underneath the Scooby costume he was wearing a F*** Cancer shirt.  There is more than one way to kill a dragon.