Slight Change of Plans

Greg met with Dr Srinivas earlier today.  After taking a chest x-ray, she decided to delay his second week of IL-2 by one week (new start will be August 22).  The x-ray revealed that the bottom third of his lungs are still full of fluid, one of the side effects from the lingering IL-2 in his system.  He has had continued difficulty breathing since he got home, so we were not totally surprised about the fluid in his lungs (besides, JC took a listen on Sunday and told us exactly what was going on).  As far as the delay in treatment, Greg vacillates between wishing he could just get it over with, and realizing that feeling like he does right now, he'd likely not make it through more than a few doses.  He was assured that there is no data to indicated that the week on/ week off/ week on protocol is any more effective than any other dose administration.  The "no conclusive clinical data" line is becoming familiar - seems a bit odd for a drug that has been used to treat RCC for 30 years....

So as not to monopolize this blog with only Greg's medical issues, here is a much requested update on Mason's rattlesnake bite.  As the pictures below indicate. whatever lingering effects he may have do not seem to slow him down.  Having said that, he reports a little bit of numbness still on the top of his foot.  The doctor told him that over time he can expect full regeneration of all nerve and tissue damage, so clearly he is not too worried.  Cliff jumping on the other hand....