Scans after IL-2 treatment

I talked to Dr. Quinn on June 30 and the results on my lung scans was mixed. Some shrinkage and some growth. The ones that grew had not been affected by the first rounds in Feb. or the treatment in April-May and so the doctor doesn't think they will be helped and to go over options. Surgery will not work well because there are 7 small tumors and would require taking too much of my lungs out. We could wait and observe (for more IL-2 affects) but that could be dangerous. We could take one of the pills available. Some attack the cell division and some attack the formation of veins that tumors use to grow. They have a trial going that involves two medications. One attacks cell division and one attacks the tumor connecting to the veins.

The trial involves one medication by injection and one by IV infusion so there would be visits to the hospital. It's only open for a set time period so it won't be available some time in the future. There are many possible side effects but most people have fewer than people taking other chemo therapies. If they don't find improvement in the first scan in 3 months than I'd go off the trial and on to one of the kidney cancer pill treatments. We think the trial improves my odds a bit so we're going to go with it. Depending which part of the trial they put me in, I will have to visit the hosptial 2 or 4 times a month.

I get brain and bone scanned July 2 to make sure I don't have anything going there that would preclude me from doing the trial. I take the first infusion/injection on July 7.

I'm still recuperating from the IL-2. My hands still have some carpo tunnel issues (numbness and inability to make a fist or hard grip) which may not go away and if that gets worse I'll get it treated. Strength is getting better but that is a slow process. Maybe I can do more than walking, like volleyball/racquetball, in 4-8 weeks. Assuming the new treatment doesn't weaken me which it might.

One day at a time! I feel pretty normal so doing my daily routine is easy.