Ambiguous Test Results --- 02-13-2011

It has been a little over a month since the last update. Shortly after the last entry, Robin caught a respiratory ailment from me; apparently something very contagious, since everyone at the office and at church seemed to have been suffering from it around the same time. Of course, with Robin, it isn't simple, so while her body was fighting bronchitis, she was attacked by two other opportunistic infections. As a result, she was very sick throughout January, and had to cancel her tests on January 21st. After several rounds of antibiotics, Robin turned the corner and started improving. She is past the bronchitis, although she is still fighting some of the secondary infections.

On Superbowl Sunday, since Robin couldn't go to the party, the party came to Robin. John and some of our close friends came to the house for fun and food. The Pittsburgh Steelers let Robin down, but her friends didn't, and she had a great time.

On Tuesday, February 8th, Robin had tests done at M.D.Anderson. Her first test was at 7:00 AM, and to get me ready and get Robin ready to leave by 6:00 AM, I had to get up at 3:00 AM. We arrived on time and started with the preparation for bone scans at 7:00. Because of insurance issues, the schedule was changed the week before. Because of the late changes, to get all the tests done in one day, Robin's tests were spread all over the MDA facility. Robin could not get into the golf carts, so Connie (Robin's friend and attendant), and I had to push her wheelchair all over the hospital. My pedometer said we walked three miles that day, and my aches and pains the next day agreed with that. Anyway, it was an all day affair. Robin couldn't eat before any of the tests, so she was starved by the time we got home. By the time she was fed and settled in bed, it was 6PM and I was beat!

On Thursday, February 10th, we went to see Robin's oncologist at MDA for the test results. Unfortunately, because it is so far away and they are slow to get test reports on the patient's webpage, we could not read the reports ahead of our meeting. (We might delay our follow-up next time so we CAN read the report before the meeting. We feel very strongly about how important this is!) The doctor said the reports gave a mixed message. There were some bone lesions that showed almost no cancer activity, but there were other places where the lesions doubled in size. There were also new bones that appeared to be affected, including the skull. This was very disturbing to us (especially Robin). The doctor said that MRIs are necessary to resolve the ambiguities, and to determine if there are any problems from the larger lesions. In particular, the growth can cause pressure on the spinal cord, which can cause other serious problems. Radiation treatments can reduce the swelling and relieve the pressure. It sounds like this is the real reason for MRIs.

Unfortunately, Robin requires general anesthesia for an MRI, and it takes over a month to schedule two sessions, each ten days apart. The doctor seems to think that's too long to wait, so I think he's considering CT Scans, instead. CT Scans do not provide nearly the same quality of picture, but Robin doesn't require anesthesia, and they can be scheduled soon. I expect we will get them done and get the results before the end of the month. I'll post an update when we get the reports.

We continue to thank God for your prayers, concern, and support for Robin. It is not possible to thank each individual, but we do think of you often and include you in our prayers. Please continue to keep Robin in your thoughts and prayers. Robin could not continue the fight without the love and support she feels from you. And pray also for all those lives affected by Cancer. We just lost a friend, Bill O'Rear, to Cancer, so we are much more sensitive to the effects on the patient and family.

Love and Blessings to you,

                  --- Larry, Robin, & John