Bob Medical Update 9/29/17

Results were not good this time.  PSA rose from 1.20 to 2.60 in four months.  The C11 Choline PET Scan found growing cancer spots in the following places:

• Right femoral shaft (not previously imaged)
• Left posterior iliac bone
• Left 3rd rib
• Left posterior 7th rib
• Left 8th rib
• Left 9th rib
• Proximal right humerus
• Left clavicle
• Right coracoid process
• Right acromion
• Right scapula
• Left C7
• L2
• L4

That's a lot of spots!!  More than can be gone after with a rifle approach like we have been doing with cryoablation and radiation.  The good news is that I am not currently feeling any pain from these spots.  The really good news is that the folks at Mayo Clinic aren't giving up on me yet and are adding Xofigo to the treatment regime to go after these spots.  What is Xofigo?  Based on the pamphlet we were given, Xofigo contains radioactive material radium 223.  Xofigo goes to rapidly growing areas in your bones, which includes bone metastases (cancer).  Radiation is released to kill the cancer cells while doing limited damage to nearby healthy cells.  The hope is that because the cancer spots are still relatively small that the treatment will be effective.

Xofigo is given through six infusions, one per month.  My blood has to be checked prior to each infusion because one of the side effects is low blood counts (along with stomach things like nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting).  Blood was checked today, we are checking on insurance coverage, and if all goes well, I receive my first infusion next Friday, October 6.  Prior to the 4th infusion, we will repeat scans and blood work to see what progress is being made.

So how am I feeling about this?  A lot better now than I was going into the appointment.  I have this habit of looking at the PSA and other blood results prior to the appointment because they are usually available online.  The PSA was a big jump.  Then I saw the list of spots on the report we were given at the appointment and things certainly weren't getting better.  But after seeing the cancer spot sizes and still having a treatment plan to move forward and fight back, I am feeling better.  A beer tonight and a bike ride tomorrow, both with friends, and life is good.  God continues to bless us!  Thursday marked eleven years since I was told I had cancer.  Despite having cancer that long, two weeks ago I got to walk my daughter down the aisle at her and Caleb's wedding.  Thank you God and thank you to all of the medical professionals God has used to keep me around!!!  The journey continues.

Speaking of medical professionals, one is leaving the team.  Susan MacDowell is a physcian's assistant on Dr. Kwon's team and she is going to retire from Mayo and move to California.  Words cannot express how helpful she has been on this journey the past three years.  Both Mary and I are going to miss her!  Best wishes Susan!!  And yes Dr. Kwon, we are grateful that you are still going to be around!  😊