Gobble, gobble...

Oh what a great time to be thankful. No news is good news around these parts. So far, I have had no need to get my lungs drained. This is a very good thing. To date it has been 23 days since the last tap. Of course, it can still come back, but each day that passes makes it less likely. There is some speculation that it might be related to the latest Cyberknife treatment and my lungs basically are saying enough radiation is enough. My breathing is much improved, still compromised, but much improved. I can walk for about 45 minutes at a moderate pace, but I will take it.

Last week I also flew to California for the day to meet with Dr. Dormady and review the results of the Caris test and plot our game plan. He seemed very encouraged by what the testing revealed in terms of potential drugs that might work on me. We decided to start small with a targeted drug called Nexavar (sorafenib). The drug has been successful with kidney cancer and liver cancer, and is currently being tested in all solid tumor types. It is part of a family of drugs called tyrosine protein kinases, and it designed to inhibit the the VEGF and PDGF pathways. Although not the same, but Avastin is also another well known drug that targets VEGF, so it's pretty exciting stuff. Kudos to Dr. Dormady for "working" it through the system. Within 24 hours I had the drug delivered to my doorstop and paid for by my insurance company. For those of you in the know, this is a Herculean feat, and Dr. Dormady deserves some serious kudos. To get a drug like this approved by insurance to use on salivary gland cancer is next to impossible. I have found in Dr. Dormady a true innovator and leader, who is willing to think outside the box to come up with the best possible solution. He couldn't get over how good I looked for having been through this whole ordeal. That sure made me feel good. Of course my parents were there to escort me from the airport to the doctor back to the airport. They actually went sat in with me with Dr. Dormady which I know was not easy for them. I'm grateful that they were there by my side.

I started taking the drug last Friday, and today is day 6. I'm starting to feel it a little. Mostly fatigue for now (nothing that a nap can't handle). Also, some muscle tremors are brewing and my stomach is pretty unsettled. But, big frickin deal, right? That's what I say. I'm sure it will get worse, but who cares, bring it on.

So the Bartlett's and Dougherty's arrived on Monday, and the kids are going like gang busters. Our house is filled with laughter, love, and warmth. We are very blessed. All my love to you this Thanksgiving.

mike