How can that happen so fast?

When we got back home from the MRI, doctor visit and drug store I took my first round of anti-nausea, steroids and super pain killers. After 6 hours, I expected the pain and nausea back, but it never came back. Where did it go? The doctors thought I would need pain killers for days, maybe longer. I slept through the night, with only super mild occasional reminders of the pain I previously had. The steroids kicked in and I had a very energetic and productive day. All is well! it is amazing to go from feeling so bad to feeling so much better in such a short amount of time!

I'll be on the steroids for a while as they gradually taper off, but for now I feel quite normal and off to the races:-).

Thanks again to doctors, medical inventors, faith and prayers!

2nd Infusion = Enlarged Pituitary Gland

Mark's 2nd Infusion with Yervoy and Opdivo was one week ago - Monday, October 21st.  The first infusion had limited side effects -- rashes that can be controlled with prescription creams, and some fatigue. But, this time was not so easy.  The day after this infusion Mark had some dizzy spells and nausea.  On Wednesday a headache came on that would not go away.  Initially, Tylenol helped but as the week wore on, the pain became more intense, especially at night.  Fatigue became more pronounced and the nausea was almost continual.  The nausea would subside when he would lie down, but the headache would intensify.  He could never get comfortable and away from some kind of discomfort. Saturday evening he had some confusion - not recognizing the names of some of our grandchildren.  He felt like his brain just wouldn't connect the dots - it felt blank.   Sunday evening he came home from meetings in the evening totally spent, with his head pounding.  If he would sneeze or bend down to pick up something, he felt like his head would explode.  He slept for a few hours, but by early Monday morning (today), he was feeling trapped with pain, nausea and exhaustion.  Mark  texted Dr. Urba with more details of his symptoms.  Dr. Urba immediately ordered an MRI.  Within a half-hour Mark got a call that he could come in at 10:15 am.  It was 9:40 at the time so we left immediately.  

After the MRI we had an appointment with Dr. Urba and his assistant, Amy.  They pulled up the results of the scan and showed us that the pituitary gland which is normally quite small, was enlarged.  This is one of the side effects that can happen and one that needs to be caught early, as it can cause irreversible issues.  The Pituitary gland is the master gland that governs all other glands and hormones in the body.  Mark will go on Prednisone, a steroid to decrease inflammation, for several weeks to possibly a month to get the gland back to normal.  Infusions will be on hold until this situation is rectified.  Mark was also given prescription pain and nausea medications.  Shortly after taking his first dose of each, he felt better than he has felt in days.  Hallelujah!  

Again we are thankful to have an amazing doctor who is so responsive, for the miracle of modern medicine, and for your faith, prayers and loving thoughts!!!