Results

Results from the latest scan came back today,

and they aren't good.

There was growth pretty much everywhere,

making it pretty obvious that the current drug isn't doing 

any good. There isn't any new spots, and that, at 

least is good news.

While in my gut, I knew this drug wouldn't work,

hearing it and facing it is really hard.

We are running low on options,

and the ones left seem

hard to get,

hard to pay for,

hard to live with.

Bless Trav's heart.  He just doesn't feel good.

We are trying to figure out our next step.

A clinical trial would be the best and smartest move 

for us, but Huntsman isn't currently doing any that fit the bill.

So we are looking at out of state options,

and will be figuring out if there is any possible way to make it happen.

I'm doubtful, but hopeful.

We are also thinking about a drug that isn't approved for RCC,

but will be eventually, and it looks promising for 

heavily treated patients (Trav), and bone mets (also Trav).

Friends we have made through the RCC world, 

The Battle Family,

are currently using this drug (CABO) 

and have written about it here.

We would have to find a way  to get it,

and pay for it, and it all seems impossible,

till I realize that they have done it,

so maybe we can too.

 And they have made it clear they will help us

figure out the loopholes.

We also are wondering if re-challenging the drug that 

worked so well, for almost 4 years,

is worth a shot. 

It feels a bit like we are grasping at straws. 

And we dislike it immensely.

In all of the research I've been doing,

and with the help of people about 800x more knowledgeable

then I,

we've also learned  how rare it is for RCC to happen in both

kidneys.

From what we've read, 

the second tumor is a metastases, but a second primary.

 This usually means there is a gene causing it.

This means that he may have a genetic disorder that has 

caused the cancer in the first place,

and we need to know if he does,

and what exactly it is,

in order to know if our kids could also possess it.

I mean, 

when it rains!

We are looking into going to NIH in Maryland,

a hospital that we don't have to pay!

that will be able to tell us all about it,

and diagnose him and possibly have treatment options available

to us.

Right now,

I wish we were East coast living people.

Because the options seem to be primarily over there,

and not here.

It sucks feeling up in the air without a clue

what to do next.

But we will figure it all out as quickly as possible.

And pray and hope and pray some more for the best.

 As always, 

Thanks for checking in.

Feel free to leave a comment telling Travis how amazing he is.

That man of mine, he works full time,

is a fantastic husband and father,

and he is very sick,

and doesn't feel well.

Let him know that I'm not the only one who feels this way.