Trip to Houston on Sunday made more exciting by the tread totally coming off one of the camper tires - after Rusty got the tire off, two (young) angels showed up and took over the putting the spare on and getting us back on the road, no worse for the wear.

Monday was a full day of testing, eye exam, two heart tests, body CT scan, brain MRI and blood collection.  This type of extensive testing will occur once every three months for the duration of the study (three years.)  Glad to have a restful place to come back to in the evening.

Tuesday was an all-star day.  Reports from all the testing were positive and encouraging.  Eyes and heart are not, at this point, responding negatively to the medications.  According to the docs, the CT scan and MRI indicate that Rusty's melanoma tumors have decreased by about 50% and some are no longer visible at all.  This is the response the team expected for the oral "targeted agents" Rusty takes daily.  They are happy with the improvement in the indicators and with the fact that Rusty feels so well.  We did a happy dance out of the melanoma clinic!  (Well, I danced, Rusty just walked happy!)

Usual immunotherapy infusion in the late afternoon Tuesday, and on Wednesday we drove back to Corpus Christi.  For the next three months we will return to MD Anderson every two weeks for lab testing, doctor visits, EKGs and immunotherapy infusions.  Next visit is May 30.

Once again, thanks for your prayers, good wishes, support, concern and love!...we are blessed.

Blanco River "camping" ....

Celebrating a less than stellar jewelry sales day at the Wimberley Market...

Abbreviated one day visit to M.D.Anderson this time.  Just blood work and the immunotherapy infusion.

Rusty has graduated to the level where he only sees the melanoma doc and team once a month.  He is feeling good, has improved energy, a healthy appetite, and is back to making sawdust in the workshop most days.

We are very happy with the change in RV parks...Lakeview RV "resort" is clean, spacious, has great amenities,  and is a happy place to come to after a day at the Cancer Center.

Our "Houston adventure" this time included a trip to Houston Downtown where we visited the George C Brown Convention Center on the Avenue of the Americas.  It is designed along the lines of a giant ship since Houston is a major port city.  Jeff graduated from Univ. of Houston Law School and took his bar exam here.

We are now taking a couple of days break in the Texas Hill Country at Blanco State Park on the Blanco river.  We have the truck loaded with merchandise and on Friday we will head over to Wimberley to prepare the Bangles by Grace Artisan Jewelry booth for the monthly first Saturday Wimberley Market days.  We should be home in Corpus Christi by Sunday afternoon.

Just a side note...our first great grandchild was born to Jacob and Jessica Rank yesterday at Fort Lewis, Washington.  Julian Austin Rank, 7 lb. 5 oz boy.

Next visit to MDA will be May 14 through 17.  Many thanks to you all (y'all!) for your prayers, good thoughts and encouragement.