Results on Jon's MRI and CT scans

Jon had to do another round of scans to determine the cancer's size and locations yet again before we start a new treatment. Very bitter sweet. You want to start the new treatments, but on the other hand we have started not wanting all the details anymore about how bad the cancer is getting and how sick, sick, sick Jon is. That seems like the only thing we are getting right now is "oh look the cancer has doubled in size in this location" and "oh look the cancer is now here and in multiple other areas". Can you tell I am sick to death of hearing this from our Doctor? I don't know how much more bad news I can honestly take people.

Anyways, I will get along with all the results... First the good. Jon's pelvic bone and surrounding tissues that were affected with the tumor have actually shrink in size by a small bit. The Doctor thinks this is because of the radiation that was done in Dec. (that was good to hear because the damage their was very significant) Now the bad... The CT scan showed growth in the lungs and liver and new growth and spots now in the pancreas and spleen. Some new growth was expected because Jon has not received any treatments since the last scan. I should be happy that the cancer has only grown a small amount in some locations and not taken off the the races like it has done and Melanoma tends to do this, but again its bitter sweet.
The MRI scans this time did show growth measuring 7mm. in Jon's occipital lobe located at the back of Jon's brain. The Doctor thinks that because its so small and only in one location that there is a good chance to catch it, so we try and stay hopeful. This means now though, we will not be doing any other clinical trials until we can get this brain cancer treated and stable for 3 months.

The new plan because of the cancer showing up in the brain is to do a radial radiation treatment to the location. Jon will then be starting a pill form of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy is called Temodar. It is one of the few chemotherapy drugs that crosses the blood-brain barrier, meaning that it will help the cancer in the brain and will help the body. The chemotherapy has an okay reputation with side effects and keeping the cancer stable. Not so good of a reputation with actually shrinking tumors, but keeping the cancer stable at this point would be okay with us. :> We will be staying on this drug if it works for 3 months. We will get new scans every 8 weeks and just go from there. Our next appointment with our Doctor is scheduled for Wednesday and Radiation and Chemo. are both suppose to be started this week.

Thank you everyone for keeping us in your prayers. We both have been having a hard time with all the bad news coming one after another, but are now feeling the spirit and still having hope. I have a strong testimony in the power of prayer and I know that the spirit will comfort us and be with us during this hard trial in our lives. Someone left us a sweet Valentine message on our door and lawn this past week and I wanted to thank whom ever did it. It really made us feel special and feel really loved. So Thank you so much. Everyone take care and have a safe week. May the spirit of God be upon you.