Hi Everyone,
I had posted on the 18th/19th on testtime/ result time about Mike's initial results and problems, but this is the story now. He went to the oncologist today for his report on the scans of April 18th after 6 Alimta treatments. The scans showed stable disease at this time He has been stable for quite some time, but they also showed pneumonitis. He says the pneumonitis is caused by chemotherapy. It's inflammation of the lung (he only has one). The hope is to reduce the inflammation, wihout leaving behind too much scarring, and be able to continue treatment later.
Currently , he is on prednisone, was 60 mg this past week, will be 50 mg this next week and 40 mg for the next 6 weeks after that. He is also on 24/7 oxygen. In just the first week, he is already showing improvement in his breathing. The response is expected to be slow. Otherwise, he is feeling pretty good.
The next plan is for a scan of the chest on June 2nd to see how he is doing and evaluate the situation then. He will see the pulmonologist on the 2nd and on the 6th ( our 35th wedding anniversary), we will see the oncologist again. This all means a 2 month chemo break which Mike welcomes. He has had 5 different lines and it's time for a break. We thank God, he feels no pain anywhere and is showing improvement. I am asking for your prayers, please, for continued healing and no progress of disease so he can return to treatment in June. Thank you... Love and Prayers to all of you.
Love, Sue