Discharged and recharged

Dear family and friends, 

Yay!  Good news, Jack got released today!  His levels are good and although his protein is still low (it takes a while to get it back up to normal) he is good to go tomorrow for his next treatment!  

I think we were all holding our breaths when the doctor finally came in to tell us Jack was going to be discharged.  

But Jack was doing so well... He even took a walk around the floor we are on.  

Now, the bad news... Back in December Jack had mentioned that a new tumor had appeared outside the stomach.  Back then it was somewhere around 1.7-2.0 cm  - relatively small and not that concerning.  Jack mentioned it almost as a side note.  This is the tumor that is now wrecking all sorts of havoc.  It was the size of a golf ball or a little bigger in March... By the end of June it had grown to 15cm x 11cm.  By Monday it has grown to 21cm x 18cm x14cm.  That's as large as a baby.  That's not the only bad news on this.  It has attached itself to other vital organs in the abdomen and pushing his stomach aside along with the other important organs. It is growing so big, so fast it has actually started to die in the middle because it can't supply blood to the inside.   This is the tumor we need the treatment to attack and control.   

We are staying tonight in Chapel Hill and will see Dr. Hanks in the morning then Jack will get his 2nd dose of anti PD1 therapy. 

If you're interested and missed the post of the articles on this treatment I here are the links

NY Times article on PD1breaking through cancers shield

NY Times article #2 on PD1 Promising new cancer drugs empower the body's own defense system

I also wanted to share some pictures :)

Sean and Jack leaving hospital and Sarah, Sean and Jack during visit with Therapy dog!

Jack reading last night...

Peace, love and hope for a cure, 

Helen