How can you guys afford this clinical trial? That’s a question we’re asked from time to time.  Today’s entry is dedicated to the incredible resources available to those fighting cancer. In our first 12 months of treatment at MDAnderson Cancer Center we have traveled to Houston 23 times.  Mostly, we depart from Phoenix but of course, this summer we have started in Alaska the last five trips.  All 23 trips were on Southwest Airlines except the five Alaska departures.  Southwest has an arrangement for MDAnderson patients, whenever we need to change a flight there is never a fee, even up to the last minute.  In spite of some Southwest debacles around the country we have been very blessed with Southwest Airlines. Our hotel stays are generally 1-5 days in duration.  Initially, we explored the charitable housing options offered to patients, we tried several hotel chains, and we have now settled on staying at the Rotary House which is owned by MDAnderson and is connected directly to the hospi

“Do girls know about shrinkage?:   George Constanza  We often joke about shrinkage because my tumors continue to shrink with every CT Scan.  We return to MDAnderson every 28 days and I get a scan every other visit.  Each one has shown the tumors smaller that the scan before.  I would say, the prayers are working…we could have only dreamed the new medicine would be this effective.  God has us in the right place at the right time. The doctors have a matrix that shows my overall cancer has reduced by 19.4% in just 7 months! The last visit I had another rise in the protein in the urine.  As I’ve mentioned, this is the only side affect I have experienced.  The good news is it doesn’t manifest itself so that I feel any affects.  It’s mostly a doctor concern to protect my kidneys.  The protocol is to reduce my dosage by 50% for the next treatment.  But, as my doctor has pointed out, the dosage hasn’t affected the drug’s ability to kill my cancer.  My tumors continue to shrink regardless of th