So, everything remains largely unchanged. My bloodwork is ok, the tumor is not growing thanks to the new medication and there are no metastases.

Unfortunately, because of the operations to my spine and the removal of bits of it and the removal of part of a rib I developed scoliosis which gives me a lot of pain. According to the doctors there is nothing that can be done about it.

I got another lease on life for three months, until the next scan.

Willie,

Your news is mostly positive and like some of your fellow volunteers it's one day at a time. And we make the best of each and every one of them.

Respectfully
Bill F
Class of 1968

Positive approach and step by step, on day after the other : this is how you are doing (good)

I haven't visited the forums for several years, but I popped in to find out where the adverts have gone and see whether I needed to restart donations, only to find this thread instead.
I'm very sorry to read about your health issues, but glad to read you've got a little stability back in your latest update.
You've created a fantastic website here, which I still use frequently, and I really appreciate the enormous dedication you've given to it and thereby to us over the 17yrs I've been using it.
I haven't used any other stats-site - I can't think of anything more I could need, because you provide so much.
You are a great stalwart for all distributed-computing users.
Thanks for everything. You are very much appreciated.

My hospital checkup was yesterday. The tumor has unfortunately grown 5mm in diameter since the last scan, bringing its size to almost 4.4 cm. Given the previous growth of about 4mm, it appears to be growing at a rate of about 1 cm annually.

The doctor I saw didn't observe anything new, but the radiologist still needs to provide their official report. Since my usual doctor was sick, this doctor intends to consult with colleagues to determine the optimal treatment plan for slowing the tumor's progression.

Crucially, the tumor continues to grow and has pushed a bit further into the spinal column, which directly accounts for the increased nerve pain I'm experiencing.

In summary, this update confirms that my cancer is still progressing without any viable treatment to stop or remove it.

I just hope the pain is tolerable and doesn't make living your life a hell and you can still enjoy family and friendship.

I couldn't agree more with what Sid wrote yesterday.

Bon courage Willy.

I'm led to believe, during my stepdaughter's recent cancer journey, that it's considered "stable" if the size increases less than 20%.
I don't know if that's measured over a year or just between one scan and the next. But it's also important news if it hasn't spread to other organs.
There's rarely any 'good' news with cancer but if the growth is limited and it doesn't spread then it's not quite as bad as it might be.
Hopefully they chose the right kind and right level of treatment for you.