Mason Update
SEATTLE – In the middle of October Mason started showing signs of not being in remission for his lymphoma. He became lethargic and stopped eating (Not that he was ever “officially” in remission — it would have required a full course of expensive tests and the doctor suggested that we could tell almost as much by observing his symptoms — but all symptoms pointed that way.)
On her advice we changed his protocol from the Madison Protocol to straight Vincristine administered once a week. He also gets four days of Cyclophosphamide (50mg) as part of his treatment (this is nasty stuff – we have to wear latex gloves to handle the pills).
This new protocol of chemotherapy has a 20% chance of working (compared to 50% with the Madison), and is much more harsh on his body.
Amazingly, now that he’s been on it for a few weeks he seems to be responding. He is gaining weight and is back to his old (goofy) self. The doctor does not know what to think – he keeps beating the odds and responds when no one gives him a chance.