The next game plan

Alright, well, I have lots to update on, so here I go.

Tuesday I had CT scans done and Wednesday I found out the outcome and whats next on my plate. We were hoping the tumor had shrunk enough with my treatment so that Dr. Lin would be ok with doing surgery in a few weeks. It turns out this is not the case. I have to do 8 more weeks of treatment before getting more scans. This means 4 IVs of the Bevacizumab and the tri-weekly shots of Interferon for the next 8 weeks. Now, the good news I guess is that there is no visible spread of the cancer and the tumors have indeed shrunk. Not by much though. In order to be good for the surgery, the Dr.s were hoping it to be down 30-50%. It's only shrunk about 10%. Since I have the paperwork next to me, let me read you the dimensions.

Kidney: 10.2 x 8.5 x 9.7 cm
Previously: 11.1 x 8.5 x 10.6 cm

Lymphnodes: 10.0 x 11.3 x 15.2 cm
Previously: 10.3 x 12.1 x 17.2 cm

So, they're still big. Dr. Tykodi said that it could be possible the tumors don't really go down much more, but we're just not sure at this point. If we get down to 25%, there's a good chance we could do surgery then.

Well, after hearing this news, my dad and I went to fill my Interferon prescription so that I could do it at home. That'll be different. We then went to infusion so I could start my next round of Bevacizumab. They heated up my arms for quite some time and then started with the needles. My nurse tried, and it hurt, but it didn't work. Then our expert came in and she tried but it didn't work. She then tried another spot and got the IV in. I tell ya, it all still hurts.

I was watching Ellen as they did that and then I had to wait for the drug to arrive. They wait until the needle is in before ordering it from the pharmacy. We waited and waited. My dad went downstairs outside to have a smoke and I just watched Oprah. At 4:10, the entire buildings power went out. Well, so much for watching the tv. Nurses were going everywhere to check on everyone, people were searching for flashlights, it was crazy. A few back up generator lights came on but it was still pretty dark. We found out the nurse call buttons aren't on with the generator system.

My dad came back and told me what had happened. He was standing out on the street when he heard a loud boom. To his left, a giant manhole cover came shooting several feet into the air. Then, there was another loud boom and another manhole cover went flying. Smoke started pouring out of it. Then all the lights went out. Seattle City Lights said about 450 customers went dark. This also meant all street lights in that grid were out. Mind you, it's now rush hour and one of the busiest intersections in Seattle no longer has street lights. Police had to rush to the scene to direct traffic.

My nurse brought my drug in, thankfully already mixed and ready to go. The pharmacy had no power at all. At least in infusion we had some back up power. My dad was afraid of the traffic getting onto the freeway, but when we left getting on wasn't that big a deal.

So, there you have it. I kinda feel like I'm back to the drawing board, but at least I'm moving forward with this all. Now we just wait again until February 8th for my next scans. Thank you all for your continued support.

-Mallory