MRI Results and Chemotherapy Plan

The results of Kevin’s MRI are neither extremely good nor bad. The tumors have shrunk a bit, but they are definitely still there. The good news is that they haven’t gotten any larger!

The appointment with the neuro oncologist yielded mixed results as well. The doctor plans to give Kevin an oral chemotherapy drug, but will not start it until a) Kevin is off the antibiotics he’s now on, and b) Kevin’s platelets in his blood rise to a decent level. Kevin has had issues with his platelets falling since December. Like the rest of his body, Kevin’s platelets are very sensitive to the medications he’s on. Some medications lower platelets while others do not. Of course, the antibiotic that Kevin is now on has a history of lowering platelet levels. He has to get off this antibiotic and let his platelets recover before his system starts getting hammered by the chemotherapy drug.

On top of the emotional experience of receiving all this news, Kevin had an extra challenge because he needed to sit in a wheelchair for most of the time. He did well, though, even despite the fact that he had therapy this morning. Kevin returned to Valley this afternoon, where he’ll focus on more speech, occupational, physical and possibly recreational therapy while he waits for his body to gear up for chemotherapy.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to keep Kevin in your thoughts. It means the world to him and to us.