An update on my treatments & our family's life.

Had my 3rd Infusion 2 weeks ago. Next one is April 11th.  Opdaulag is working wonders for the 2 nodes on my left arm. GOOD NEWS. Both are no longer noticeable as bumps!

Fifteen days of radiation therapy for lymphoma on my lower leg ended March 5th after almost daily car trips to UCHealth. The treatment itself was without problems.  (My leg was already swollen due to lymphodema - the build-up of lymph fluid.)

However, a  week after radiation ended, my leg started to turn deep red, like a very bad sunburn. That's not uncommon. However, within a week, my leg was extremely sensitive to touch, had swollen an additional two inches and was very uncomfortable when I took my compression sock on & off each day. One night so painful I finally took a sleeping pill to avoid the pain & get some rest.

Several days ago I shared these new issues with my radiation oncologist,  and she sent me to ER for an ultrasound to determine if I might have a blood clot. Results? Two hours later...NO clot. However, they did diagnose cellulitis, an infection of the deeper layers of skin. It also causes redness, swelling & pain. I'm taking a strong antibiotic (ZYVOX) to resolve the bacterial infection. No wonder I was feeling so troubled for the past couple weeks.  As I write this tonight, I'm finally feeling better.

Following my 4th infusion on  April 11th,  Susan & I plan to fly to Cape Cod for the season. In May I'll return solo to meet with my melanoma oncologist to review progress on the 2 nodes on my arm - and my 5th infusion.

Another P.E.T. scan is scheduled for May 9th to determine how well my treatments have worked: 1) immunotherapy with Opdualag for the melanoma, and 2) radiation of lymphoma in my leg.

Later that day I'll meet with my lymphoma oncologist -- perhaps to have a conversation about chemotherapy. If chemo is necessary, my immunotherapy may temporarily be paused because chemo and Opdualag are not compatible.

Now to my main reason for using "emotional rollercoaster" in this title.

Regretfully five weeks ago, my family thought a 3rd cancer had arrived. Not mine. Our 47-year-old son Jeff had been tentatively diagnosed with his third brain tumor. This time it was small - the size of a pea - but it was  growing in the same spot where an astrocytoma, the size of a peach, was surgically removed 30-some years ago.

He had awakened. one morning with a strange sensation on his left side, head to toe. Tingling, more sensitive to temperature,  changes in both taste, hearing & smell. Initially Urgent Care thought it might be a stroke and sent him to the hospital in an ambulance for further evaluation.

HOWEVER . . . some good news for Jeff & the rest of his family: On Tuesday a very specialized MRI brain scan revealed the pea-sized "tumor" was NOT a tumor. Rather it was a collection of blood vessels that was leaking blood into his brain, causing pressure and, consequently, his symptoms.  His neurosurgeon at Anschutz will use a "wait & watch" strategy for the next few months. The exact source of his symptoms remain unknown; hopefully they dissipate as the blood is absorbed.

If you're interested in knowing more about Jeff's story or following his  latest health challenge, his Caring Bridge site is titled Jeff Dawson 2024.