Oncology Update

Joe's visit with the nutritionist yesterday was productive - he is moving in the right direction nutrionally and she is beginning to wean him off of TPN within the next 2-3 weeks. What a relief it will be for him to not lug around his trusty backpack every night! With Tom's soccer games well underway, it will be nice for him to sit there unencumbered!

Dr Kohli's news was not as bright. The ascites (fluid) is now showing malignant cells. We see Dr Riggs this afternoon to ensure that the shunt is OK to be there with the malignant fluid. The MRI of his right shoulder came back with scans showing many lesions. Due to the amount of lesions there and in his pelvis area, along with the fact that the cancer has spread, Joe will be receiving radiation therapy on those areas. This therapy will kill the cancer cells and help to strengthen the bones so that they do not fracture. Yesterday he received a treatment of a new drug for bone mets called Zometa. It is a 15-minute IV drip versus the 2-4 hour treatment he had been receiving.

We are scheduled to see Dr Wong at Roswell on June 9th. If he cannot offer up a treatment option due to the ascites still being a menace, we are planning on going to Houston to see Dr Amato. He has been hailed as a leader in renal cell carcinoma treatments and is on the cutting edge of clinical trials. There has to be something to stop this monster.

Your continued support and love are most appreciated. Joe is stronger and much more open to visitors so if you've been thinking of visiting - come on over!