June 6th 2013 update

The scan results yesterday were not what I hoped for and expected.

I have been feeling much better recently—gaining enough energy to exercise regularly and having only minimal side effects to Yervoy.

Because of this, I fully expected to hear good news yesterday.

Regrettably, four of the brain tumors that were quite small on my 3/5/13 scan have now increased in size.  One of them has increased sufficiently to cause brain swelling.

These four tumors will be treated soon with targeted brain radiation (not whole-brain radiation like I had in Nov 2012).

There is also a new tumor in my left shoulder and right lung.  A tumor on my kidney has grown.  None of these tumors is perceptible to me (they aren’t painful as other have been).  These body scan results aren’t poor.  If not for the growth of brain tumors, the scans and Yervoy treatment could be deemed successful.

After the brain radiation, Dr. Grossman has three treatment ideas for the body tumors, including a possible return to Zelboraf.  Zelboraf is the drug that gave me the great initial response.

I'm grateful for your continued support and prayers.