Thanks, Stadium Pal!

Jerry had his CT scan yesterday to determine if the chemo is doing any good; but, before he could meet with Dr. Siefker to discuss the results, an appointment for another cystoscopy, and exam under anesthesia, with Dr. Dinney, the surgeon, popped up on his schedule, that conflicted with the appointment already scheduled with Dr. Siefker. That's how things happen at M. D. Anderson. You wake up and log into MyMDAnderson.org to find out what your schedule looks like for the day. It's similar to Band Camp, except that at Band Camp, your schedule is on a piece of paper. If you went to Band Camp before 1981, your schedule was printed in purple and called a "ditto." If you went to one of the Band Camps in a wealthier school district, it was black and called a "Xerox." The Xerox was easier to read, but the ditto was funner to smell.

At Band Camp, your schedule might go something like this:

• 8:30 a. m.---Section Rehearsal
• 10:30 a. m.--Rehearsal--Full Band
• 12:30 p. m.--Lunch
• 2:00 p.m.---Rehearsal--Full Band
• 4:30 p.m.---Ice Cream Social (bring $10.00)

At M. D. Anderson, your schedule might go something like this:

• 8:30 a. m.---Cystoscopy and Exam Under Anesthesia
• 10:30 a. m.--Arlene Siefker M. D.
• 11:45 a. m.--Lunch
• 1:00 p.m.---Blood work--Diagnostic Lab
• 2:00 p.m.---Chemotherapy (bring $80,900)

So you see, they are similar.

These tests are the same ones that Nolie mentioned in her post titled "Jerry's Day 12/21/06." But why do these tests again? one might ask. Especially, since we already know that the tumor is adhered to the pelvic bone and Jerry is not a candidate for surgery. The answer, is because, according to the CT scan report, there has been "very significant improvement" and the tumor is "considerably smaller" than in the previous CT scan. Dr. Dinney today, after the cystoscope and exam under anesthesia, said that the tumor is now small enough, and not stuck to the bone enough, that he believes he can surgically remove it along with the bladder, and get a clean cut. Jerry is having his fourth round of chemo tonight, and will receive either one or two more rounds after that. He will then return home to Arlington to recover from the chemo for about six weeks, then, if all is still going well, return to M. D. Anderson for surgery to remove the tumor and the bladder! Yea! Thanks, Stadium Pal!

Nolie described the pictures of the tumor from the two CT scans as looking like animal balloons. The first one blown up, and the second, deflated. I'm not quite ready to call victory on this war on cancer, but I am saying that this battle is proceeding nicely.

Thank you to everyone for all the cards, cookies, letters, flowers, e-mails, comments, prayers, and offers of blood donation. Nolie calls me every night and seems very comforted that so many people are thinking of them. Thank you also for reading this thing. I hope it's informative and kind of funny.