Looks like radiation time.....

July 2009: The CT and MRI's show a couple of new small tumors in my neck area, but the areas of concern now are my spine and the older tumor in my neck. The concern is that the swelling of lymph nodes and thyroid gland may constrict my breathing, an important consideration because IL-2 causes everything in your body to swell up during treatment and chocking to death is not a desirable side effect. So in the last week I've seen the radiation and the ear/nose/throat docs. The ENT doc feels that after careful study I don't have to worry too much about the swelling, and as a matter of fact the catching I'm getting in my throat is probably related to undiagnosed reflux, so that's actually good news. I really didn't want to radiate my throat!

The spine is another story. If the cancer continues to weaken my spine I could end up with a cracked vertebra, so it's a good idea to try to stop the growth of that tumor. I'm finally getting enough pain that it requires oxycodone on a regular basis, so no point in waiting any longer. Tomorrow, Tuesday July 13 I go in for some additional tests on my throat, just to be sure, and also a radiation simulation. When I get out I'll know the schedule. I'm hopeful that we can get it done and I can still make it to my 45th high school reunion in San Diego on August 8. We'll see. I was also hoping to put of IL-2 until October, after the best weather here in Seattle is over, but now I may have to let my body set the schedule. Heck, I've got two or three models still partly built, so it's not like I don't have anything to do. And if I have to fly instead of drive to SD, that's not the worst (tho I really have a bucket list thing about doing the Big Sur in the Porsche!). More tomorrow.