The photo above was taken by Elvira and depicts wildflowers found here on the Central Coast. Since this pretty photo was taken, we have experienced many twists and turns in my health care. The most important fact is that the specialists do not believe I have had any new melanoma growth in my body or brain since I started immunotherapy treatment in June 2016. That's very good news, of course, and we look back at the confusion since I last wrote in October much more tolerantly with this knowledge.
The confusion to which I refer began with the interpretation of my September MRI, which showed a spot on the cerebellum where I had radiation for a small tumor in June 2016. My oncologist thought it was necrosis, which (as I understand it) is dead brain tissue causing inflammation of the brain. The oncology radiologist thought it was cancer and passed the MRI on to the local neurosurgeon, who agreed it was cancer but didn't think surgery was warranted. The oncology radiologist then scheduled me for another radiation treatment, but before that happened, I was referred to the melanoma specialist at UCLA. He said, in his thick but pleasant Polish accent, "Stop everything!" He was not convinced it was cancer, so he referred me to yet another doctor at UCLA, a neuro-oncologist, who did another MRI.
We received the results of the UCLA MRI on November 27, more than two months since the original MRI. This time had been stressful for Elvira and me because we didn't know if I had new growth of melanoma on my brain. But the neuro-oncologist put our minds at ease (mostly) when he said the spot hadn't grown in two months, which probably means it's necrosis and not melanoma.
Needless to say, this is a tricky, unpredictable, sinister disease that only pretends to be under control. You have to watch the bastard every minute! But as this incident shows, my doctors, even when they don't agree on a diagnosis or treatment, are making every effort to stay one step ahead. They are watching carefully and testing for any changes in my body or brain. Despite the unsettling situation over the past two months, I am very grateful to all of them for their vigilance.
And so, we go on. I'm feeling good and eating well, and Elvira and I are back to golfing and walking after the destructive fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Our best wishes go out to all who suffered losses in this fire. My CT/PET scans on December 17 remained unchanged from the ones in June and September 2017, which means they look clear except for one spot on my kidney that does not light up with the PET - suggesting it's not cancer, but they can't be sure without a biopsy. I have another MRI scheduled at UCLA on January 22, when the neuro-oncologist will check to make sure the spot on my cerebellum has not grown.
Vigilance is a good thing. And so is all the support I continue to receive from family and friends. Thank you! I'll try not to wait so long until my next post.
