His blood results improved a lot today over yesterday. He was at about 60% yesterday and is just over 90% today. Since he is close, they gave him some steroids that should put him over 100% tomorrow so he can start the next treatment cycle. If all goes as planned, he will be home Friday evening.

The MRI results show that the tumor might have grown a little bit, but they can't tell for sure because the image was taken at a slightly different angle than the last one. However; swelling is way down from before, and that is a good sign. The doctors want him to remain on this treatment since it might be working when all others have failed so far.

He has to stay in Houston for a few extra days. His white blood cell count is too low to take the carboplatin (chemo) infusion today. They think he will be able to take the chemo on Thursday and fly home Friday...but that depends on his blood count.

His symptoms are worse in Houston, but the doctors said that is not unusual. Patients often don't want to leave home, don't want to travel, don't want to see the doctor, don't want to be in the hospital, don't want to be in Houston, and that amplifies any problems. The doctors think he will return to 'normal' when he gets home.

Physical therapy has been ordered for him because he has lost too much strength due to a combination of inactivity and tumor-related issues.

The doctor has cleared him to drive from a seizure perspective, but told us to try it out on some very low-traffic areas and take an honest assessment of his abilities. While possible seizures appear to be under control, it is a question of how much control he has of his right foot for gas and braking.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts.

He hasn't been so good in Houston. He had an arm episode, and had to take his medicine for that (he hadn't needed that in about 3 weeks). His arm was shaking too bad to sign in at the doctor, and he couldn't walk far without limping or being winded. He tripped and fell on the plane. He seemed to be doing well at home...it looks like either flying or going to the doctor in Houston doesn't sit well with him. Sherri thinks it is lack of sleep. He did admit that he gets nervous before these trips and doesn't sleep very well.

He and his Mom are in Houston today through Wednesday. The blood work and MRI are scheduled on Monday with a doctor appointment on Tuesday to talk about the results. If the results are encouraging, we expect him to fly home Wednesday with the next 28 days of medication.

Based on my personal observations, I think he is better now than he was a month ago. I hope the doctors come to the same conclusion.

We now have a car to drive while we are in Houston, and some very good friends have offered us a place to park it between visits. Thank you...you know who you are.

Tony is feeling better since this is his week off of the medicines. Next week he will be in Houston for an MRI and to start the next round of treatments. This MRI (at 8 weeks) will be the first one that has the potential to show whether or not the new treatment is working.

He is bored here, but not as bored as he is in Houston. He still gets his words confused sometimes saying the opposite from what he means (upper vs lower, pitcher vs catcher), but it went away last time when he got off his medicine...hopefully it will again.

He went to worship this morning, and is napping to rest up for tonight. How he feels is very dependent on how much sleep and napping he gets in.

He is having some problems with nosebleeds that are hard to stop. It makes him get out less since he doesn't want to be battling one in a public place.