It’s been awhile since I’ve posted an update, and that’s because there’s been nothing different to report—I’ve remained stable. I have continued with brain MRIs and whole body PET scans regularly and no sites of my cancer have progressed.  

A few years ago, after my treatment drug began damaging my liver, we figured out a balance at only half of the size of my starting dose and that has been effective.

But the higher the dosage, the better--to keep my cancer “dumb” and confused so it can’t organize itself to mutate and begin growing again. I’ve been doing well enough for long enough that my oncologist wants to challenge that dosage and increase it if possible. We’re up for that challenge so agreed to dial up my dosage.

But not at the risk of my liver. That means I’m back to getting weekly blood draws to monitor the treatment’s impact on my liver and the acknowledgement we may have to go back to the dance of treatment-no treatment-steroid-treatment-no treatment-steroid if my liver begins to show too much damage or ditch this treatment completely if its impact on my liver becomes too permanent.

It is tempting to remain on the lower dosage because it’s working. I’ve learned how to manage that level of side effects. I feel relatively good. But if it means this treatment continues to effectively manage my cancer for a longer period of time, we’re game to dial it up!

PS: As I type this we are on our way to the women's basketball Final Four tournament in Dallas. GO HAWKS!!!