Tomorrow we will be at UAB for a CT scan to confirm the results from the last scan showing disease progression in the liver. We’ll hear results Thursday morning in her clinic visit. We do not anticipate a treatment this week. Dr. Saleh and the radiologist were convinced the new spots on the liver indicate tumors, so we have been working to secure Maggie a position in another clinical trial. We are still waiting for word from MD Anderson regarding the Nivolumab trial beginning in May. We feel strongly this is the direction in which we are being led.

Maggie started feeling symptoms last Thursday of what we then thought was kidney related problems. When a urinalysis showed no infection we started looking for something else. Friday night it became apparent her liver enzymes were high again – this time much higher. She showed signs of jaundice – in her words she looked like a Minion. (Cutest minion I’ve ever seen) – and had abdominal pain. We discontinued the oral trial drug and said farewell to it. She can’t tolerate it anymore. We’ll now begin what is called a washout – staying off treatment – chemo and experimental – to get ready for the next trial. She has to be clear of it for at least three weeks before starting the next one.

We covet your prayers while traveling and making decisions for the next phase. We’re optimistic Maggie will qualify for inclusion in the MDA trial but appreciate prayers for patience to wait for the perfect plan to unfold. I told Phil it’s not the waiting that is hard, it’s the not knowing what we’re waiting for that is. You’d think we would be comfortable accommodating uncertainty by now. Even though we trust the outcome to the Author of our peace, we still long for more answers than we get.

We’ll update with results and as much information as we have after clinic on Thursday. Thank you!