Update on Michael Connors

Hi everyone,
Michael had a CT scan on Monday, the first time they've looked to see if the chemo is working. The news, in the words of our oncologist, Dr. Marks, is "mostly good." The scan shows that the tumors have "responded significantly" to the chemo. The large mass in his chest has decreased substantially, and bumps that had been visible on his liver and other organs are mostly gone. Overall, Dr. Marks says Michael is about where he should be at this point in the treatment, but in today's conversation the number of treatments, hitherto described as 6, is now being described as 6-8. Michael doesn't care about that, as long as the chemo does the job.
What about that word "mostly" good? The scan shows what might be a bit of fluid in Michael's left lung. It might just be inflammation, but Marks wants to keep an eye on it and wants Michael to have a chest x-ray the next time he comes in.
Next time is Monday, for chemo number 5, plus the dreaded lumbar puncture. The last two LPs left MIchael with a horrible headache that rendered him barely able to function--and that lasted a week the first time, and two weeks the second time. The difference in Michael after the regular chemo, compared to Michael after regular chemo plus LP, is significant. We hope to address that with Dr. Marks when we see him.
This present week is just a regular week after chemo (no lumbar pucture), and Michael is feeling pretty good. He gets exhausted easily, which is to be expected, but his appetite is good and his blood counts are holding very steady. His hematocrit levels aren't budging and he has not needed a transfusion.
Overall, I do not think we could have realistically hoped for better news from the CT scan. Thanks for all your care and concern and prayers.
Dan