We're in...

The appt on Friday went well enough. Kev was accepted into the Ipilimumab trial.
For some info on the trial follow this link:
http://utm-ext01a.mdacc.tmc.edu/dept/prot/clinicaltrialswp.nsf/Index/2007-0730

For Ipilimumab info in general:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/73258.php

We discussed the persistent pain in his right leg/hip, but the CT scans didn’t go “low” enough – so no info was gained from that. An X-ray was ordered and we should get results on Monday. On Sat evening he went in for his first treatment. It’s an IV infusion (10mg/kg) that drips over a few hours and then followed by an hour of observations. MD Anderson is the best in trying to provide some level of comfort to their patients. Like in past times he get a private room, can watch TV (Star Wars episode II was playing on Spike) and volunteers come by offering sandwiches, chips & cookies from a cart. Usually Kev is feeling so bad he hasn’t benefited from these perks, but last night he enjoyed the movie and dinner. In addition it’s possible to order from a patient menu. MDA has gone above and beyond expelling the “hospital food” myth – where else can patients order chocolate milkshakes (made with real ice cream), Belgium waffles (with fresh berries and whip cream) or stuffed shrimp with lobster cream sauce!

The treatments are every three weeks with no home meds – what a relief after spending a year with weekly (& sometimes 2-3x/week) appts and daily meds to keep track of. We are very much looking forward to this holiday from appts and treatments and with some luck Kev will hopefully be spared from the more detrimental side effects. And what will we do with all the money we’ll save from parking and gas? Parking is $12/visit – last year I calculated we spent over $5,000 on parking and gas alone!! …Well when one looks for answers, one usually finds answers…our son Nick comes running into the house after breakfast this morning yelling “what’s running? - turn off the water!” Apparently a pipe burst (by the looks of things probably a few days ago) and water was spraying all over under the house. Unfortunately our daughter, Kelden had just started a shower that was abruptly interrupted. Even a relocation to the other bathroom that was “downstream” of the damage didn’t work – meaning there was damage and a clog! Why do these things always seem to happen on Sundays? All of this chaos didn’t seem to faze Kev at all – good thing I have volunteered to channel all levels of stress through me thereby saving him any worry…. Nick seemed confident that he could replace the pipe himself so he and Kev set off to Home Depot…what will I ever do when he goes off to college? Of course this was just another band-aid on a much bigger failing plumbing system..the parallels between Kev's chronic disease and that of our ailing 107-year-old house are beyond comical at times.

And you probably noticed a new blog design! – sort of a virtual redecorating. After nearly 2 years using a “standard template” I have ventured into a custom look. Kelden loves to play around with Photoshop and html etc so she has helped me with the new look. It’s still a work in process, but is definitely coming along. And I'll be adding more pictures too! I love the panoramic of the Rockies.