The MRI results came in at the end of last week, and did show that there are two tumors growing in Dad's lower back. The plan is, basically, to continue the steroids in an effort to shrink them, and to continue with the chemo. The nurse practitioner said that these new growths did not appear to be in quite the same places as the tumors Dad has had in the area before, which would mean that they might be able to use radiation on them if necessary (since radiation of this type and in this area is so destructive to the surrounding tissue as to be a one-time fix).

Hopefully Mom and Dad will be able to talk with Dr. Stadtmauer about what the growth of these tumors means, given that the chemo had been keeping the protein levels so low. The NP said something to indicate that the chemo Dad is on does not specifically combat the growth of tumors. So at this point we're trying figure out where that leaves us: does this mean that at this point the cancer remains stronger than we thought? What does the tumor growth tell us about the cancer's status that the protein levels do not? Apparently the thanksgiving week is not a good one for getting questions answered at the hospital, but we hope to know more soon.

So, a setback. A reminder that this fight is an ongoing one. Thanks for checking in.