MEK Pre-Cycle 7 Visit

So, it's been a while since the last blog update. Travis completes his 6th 4-week cycle of MEK on Tuesday. That flew by quickly. I'm optimistic blogs of all the fun will be posted eventually, but no guarantees on when.

You can definitely see a change in the size of Travis' leg tumor and his hair in now really, really blonde. Currently we're at the NIH for his pre-cycle 7 visit: lab work, physical exam, eye exam, and a few meetings for diary/symptom review and family visit. Overall, Travis' lab work continues to look good. The muscle function/breakdown is a little high, but not enough to change anything nor is he saying anything. All good news. They see this in their patients, so not surprising. They also say this value can fluctuate while on the MEK.

This trip to the NIH coincided with a work trip in the DC area for Scott. Fortunately, we were able to travel out on the same flight and even catch part of the Metro together. My mom came up from Texas to help out with Nolan and Barrett.

The flight to Reagan Airport

"Walking" from the Metro station at the NIH to The Children's Inn 

Travis racing cars Sunday night

By flying on Mother's Day, I missed seeing Nolan's last Asbury Bells performance and Barrett's last time singing as a part of Choristers and playing chimes at Christ United Methodist Church. Barrett's sung with the choir every year we've been in Salt Lake City. I am thankful my mom was able to watch their performances and have a special day with the grandkids.

Traveling on Mother's Day has some perks, I received free chocolates from Delta and a random stranger asked me if I was Travis' mom (he didn't know T by name). The stranger then told Travis how brave and strong he was and proceeded to give Travis $20 to buy some candy for him (Travis) and mom. Sweet. The weather was beautiful on Sunday to take our first Uber trip to Georgetown Cupcakes in Bethesda. :)

Georgetown Cupcakes

Travis had fun playing with Andrea during the exam, as always. He's looking great with the blonde hair and you can see his leg is smaller. He's having some more headaches that may/may not be entirely related to MEK. We will see how things pan out in June after school's out and see if anything changes when school and testing is taken out of the mix.

Travis and Andrea 

Travis had a routine eye exam after seeing Andrea and rocked it. :)  No vision changes since March (none really overall) and his optic nerves look great!

Testing T's 3D vision

Eye exam with Dr. Bishop

We got to see Dr. Widemann briefly this afternoon during the family meeting. She is thrilled with how well Travis is tolerating the medicine, the blonde hair is a hit too!

Travis and Dr. Widemann 

Travis always enjoys seeing his favorite nurse at the NIH, Jesse. Those 2 love harassing each other...lots. Jesse writes Travis lots of speeding tickets. ;)

Jesse and Travis (and the baby penguin)

Travis' next visit to the NIH will be in early July for restaging, basically a week of tests like what we did at the beginning and pre-cycle 5. During that time Travis will have another MRI and hopefully we'll learn the volumetric results. :)

Thank you for your continued prayers, love, good thoughts and support.