Tim had a CT scan on Monday, and we've been awaiting the results with some apprehension. The last few weeks have been pretty rough for Tim -- being hospitalized for internal bleeding, ten days of radiation, draining more than 2 liters of fluid from his stomach due to ascites. The scan showed that the tumor has decreased in size -- slightly, but at least it hasn't grown. The radiation seems to have had the desired effect. Because the effects of the radiation may still be working 2-4 weeks after completing the radiation, there may be further shrinkage. Unfortunately, the negative side-effects of the radiation also show up 2-4 weeks after the radiation is completed. So, Tim continues to experience stomach pain, nausea and total lack of appetite.

The next step for Tim will be to start on a new chemo in early April. This will give him time to recover from the radiation and hopefully feel a little better before getting slammed with the chemo. One of the side-effects from this particular chemo is neuropathy (especially in the hands). While Kaiser staff can reduce the dosage of the chemo if this happens, the neuropathy is likely to be permanent and irreversible.

Meanwhile, there is a new twist to Paul's ongoing nausea. His Kaiser doctor suggested that he start taking an acid blocker (Pepcid) to counter the nausea due to having stopped Protonix that he had been taking for several months after his transplant. At the recommendation of his Stanford oncologist, Paul had been stopping various meds after his transplant. He stopped the Protonix a couple weeks ago. However, it turns out that stopping Protonix abruptly (instead of slowly weaning off it) can lead to painful rebound acid and the very symptoms he is experiencing (nausea, vomiting). So far, it seems like this new change is helping to decrease the frequency and intensity of the nausea.

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica). Bear Valley, California