The results of last weeks scans are back. Adriana now has a blood clot in the iliac vein and now gets to enjoy a lifetime of daily self inflicted blood thinner injections or oral medication, YAY. According to the Dr., cancer patients have thicker blood and are more prone to blood clots, in fact SCCA has an entire unit dedicated to it's management. Adriana’s' comment to me “I don't recall reading this in the brochure when I was thinking about signing up to have cancer.” I reminded her, that was the 2012 brochure and that they have added features since then in order to keep people interested and to recruit new members. She must have received this upgrade as a complimentary trial, but now it's time to start paying for it.
In addition, the reports have noted a sub-q that has increased in size since October 2015 as well as increase in size of three mets in the brain (one now classified as a mass at 1.3cm and two as subependymal nodules) since August 2015 none of which were ever noted by the radiologists at the time. In fact, when Adriana was diagnosed with LMD in October, the nurse practitioner reinforced the fact that there was no evidence of involvement on the latest MRI.
It appears that the BRAFi was only partially effective this time around, as this apparent progression was on their watch although they were responsible for alleviating Adriana's debilitating pain for which we are grateful. With the discontinuation of the BRAFi part of the mix her swelling seems to be improving (time will tell) and she will be continuing on Pembro only for now in hopes that it will have some affect on the brain. The Dr. does not favor additional gamma knife at this time as it would interrupt the Pembro although we have requested that the neurology department review her situation.
Luckily her blood labs have returned to normal.
You can always count on The Beast to provide new adventures.
Best wishes to all.
Rob and Adriana
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