Oncologist visit update

We visited Dr Kohli yesterday. Only a few elements of Joe's blood work look to be moving in the wrong direction, however, Dr Kohli attributes that to the interfuron injections. His overall blood work does not look 'too terrible' in his words. He is watching a few attributes and will make changes to his treatment if they appear to be moving in the wrong direction. The goal is to get his lymph system to heal with the no-fat diet and to have his abdomen reduce significantly of the fluids that have collected again. Today the visiting nurse is draining his abdomen of fluid - they hope to drain 2 more liters of fluid. Joe continues to take interfuron shots every other day - with one week being 3 shots and the next being 4. He takes a Sutent pill daily. He is dealing with the side effects well. He continues to be on a strict no-fat and neutropenic diet, without complaint! He is also being well taken care of this week by Gina, a rather accomplished nurse!

In approximately one month Joe will have another set of cat scans to make a determination if the current treatment is working. "Stable" is OK, per Dr Kohli - the goal is to see no new tumor growth or metastases. If we see this, then we'll know that the interfuron is working. So, if the lymph system repairs well AND he is responding to the interfuron, then Joe will once again be a candidate for High Dose Interleukin-2 treatments! THAT IS THE GOAL! Door #2 is the stem cell transplant. The bone marrow unit is currently working with the samples from Joe's 4 matching sisters to see which DNA match is the most perfect. We should have those results in another week. We thank God that there were matching siblings - 4 f them! What a blessing!

Joe has received so many wonderful cards and thoughts in the mail - I cannot thank you all enough for your love and support. Please keep him in your prayers. Miracles happen - one will happen to Joe!

Much Love
Vicki, Gina & Tom