Damm Spot vs. Damm Clot

In one corner, we have the Damm Spot, a grade IV glioblastoma of the brain stem. It was officially diagnosed in January 2008.

In the other, there's the Damm Clot, a growing blood clot in the right leg. It was officially diagnosed a week ago.

The two unwelcome intruders are battling for medical attention.

To keep the Damm Spot in its place, we've used radiation, then different chemotherapies and the bio-agent Avastin. Avastin seems to be the most effective right now at stopping the tumor from spreading.

To keep the Damm Clot from moving to the lungs, an IVC filter was placed in a blood vein. The filter, though, doesn't stop the clot from growing. Platelets start sticking together, and the clot propagates. The only way to break up the clot is with blood thinners.

And there lies the conflict.

Steve can't take Avastin and blood thinners at the same time. If we stop Avastin, we risk tumor growth. If we don't use blood thinners, we risk clot growth and a whole other mess of problems.

We are in a delicate balancing act.

The current proposal is to stop Avastin and chemotherapy for the next month. Dr. M hopes that a month of blood thinners will be enough to break up the clot and not enough time for the tumor to grow.

After a month of daily blood thinners, we would evaluate the clot and the tumor and make a decision. If the clot is gone, we go back to Avastin and chemo. If the clot is still there and the tumor is stable, we most likely stick with blood thinners longer. If the clot is still there and the tumor is growing, well then we have more problems.

Please join us in praying that the Spot and the Clot make a truce, a compromise. That they both stop expanding. That they get smaller. Out Damm Spot! Out Damm Clot!

Steve braves the sidewalks of Dallas with his hospital-issue walker during PT this afternoon. (Walker Texas Ranger is getting a break at home.)