Good News!

This morning we met with Dan's medical oncologist, Dr. Zuckerman at MSTI. The purpose of the appointment was two fold: find out the results of the mutation tests and to get Dan's chemo schedule. The doctor started immediately with the test results: Dan has a EGFR mutation, which is really good news for a couple of reasons: patients with EGFR mutations have a 50% chance of going into remission with the targeted drug therapy that is now used. Also, a targeted drug therapy means that Dan will take a pill everyday for the foreseeable future, but will not need traditional chemo, nor additional radiation treatments. Research has shown that the medication can target the tumors in the brain. The progress of the tumors will be monitored by a CT scan and MRI every two months.

To keep things in perspective, this isn't a magic bullet. There is no cure for lung cancer. But given Dan's circumstances, it is the best possible news we could get. Of course Dan could end up the 50% of people who don't go into remission, but only time will tell. In the meantime, Dan can continue to focus on his physical therapy and gaining his mobility with limited side effects from the targeted therapy.  Once Dan has more mobility, we can pursue a second opinion at MD Anderson. The second opinion will not likely change the course of action, but will keep us updated on any new, developing treatment options.

Through all this darkness of the past month, God has bestowed upon us an incredible support system and the ability to cope and move forward. Now I feel that he has also given us something I was afraid wasn't an option: hope.