Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Graduation Day!!!

Yesterday Steve had his 3 month scans.  His doctor, Dr. Patrick Hwu, chose to switch from CT scans to PET scans.  This was the first PET scan Steve had since his diagnoses in 2012.  Read here about the difference between PET and CT scans.

Waiting on the news!!


Steve celebrated one year NED (No Evidence of Disease) on September 16, 2014.  So, between having a different type of scan and just celebrating 1 year NED, we felt we might be a little jinxed.  But thankfully, as soon as we were brought back to a room we were greeted and let know that the scans were good.  NED!  No Evidence of Disease!!! One year and 8 days (who's counting???)!!!



NED!!!!!!



We waited for the dermatologist to come in.  Steve doesn't leave without 1 or 2 biopsies, it's pretty much a given.  Luckily for Steve it was only one biopsy this time.  The biopsy needed an 8mm punch.  We should hear the results in the next 5 business days.  I suspect that it will just be dysplatic nevus as in the past, but we will see.

The hole...

The biopsied skin....

Pretty stitching......


About 3 weeks ago I had to take Steve to the ER due to what seemed to be an allergic reaction to something.  He had welts and lots of itching.  They gave him steroids and benadryl through IV and also a prescription for home.  Although most of it has cleared up, Steve has still been having welts/red swollen areas anywhere he scratches.  After talking with the dermatologists and also after his skin reacting/swelling to the pen they circled his biospy with, they diagnosed him with dermatographism.  This is not very well understood and the cause is unknown.  Only 4-5% of people will experience this. Who knows?  Was it prior treatment?  An allergy to something?  Stress?  The world will NEVER know!!
Swollen skin under pen marking.

Swollen skin after scratching.


When Dr. Hwu came in, we already knew that the PET scan and MRI showed No Evidence of Disease.  Dr. Hwu said that he is really, really impressed with Steve's body's response to Yervoy.  He said that every single time that Steve comes in and shows No Evidence of Disease, the risk of recurrence decreases.  Today was also graduation day, Dr. Hwu also graduated Steve from scans every 3 months to scans every 4 months!!  Not only does this count down on time missed from work, one less scanxiety per year, but also less RAD counts per year. 
NED ~ Celebrate LIFE!

LOVE!!!

Steve, Me and our girls celebrated with dinner out tonight.  - Shhhh, for all those that know that I don't cook usually anyhow ;)