Improving

Steve's blood oxygen level is up to 96. His spirometer reading was much better, too. The thrush is mostly resolved.

Steve will stay on his new allergy/thrush/inhaler meds for two weeks. By then we'll have seen the oncologist, Dr. M, who can make sure he's continuing to improve. Brooke suggested today that we talk about seeing a pulmonologist if necessary.

The next medical step is a PET scan on Wednesday. This is a new diagnostic tool for Steve. Dr. M says she used them more frequently at her previous center (the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston) than they are used at UT-SW. A PET scan looks at chemical activity in the body. Steve's will be focused just on the brain. It will be used to help determine the current state of the tumor, look for potential tumor cell growth in other parts of the brain and serve as a baseline for future scans.

Steve will need to fast the morning of the test. He'll be injected with a radioactive tracer and, after the tracer has time to move around his body, he'll be moved into a scanner. The test should take about two hours total. We expect to learn results at the June 11 appointment with Dr. M. That's the same day as Steve's next MRI -- we'll get those results the same day.

I expect Steve and I will both be anxious in the days leading to June 11. We're taking Cooper and Katie out of town for a long weekend to celebrate the end of the school year. When we get home, Aunt Ami will be here for a few days to help with the transition to summer, appointments and general TLC.