We left Corpus Christi in the wee hours yesterday in order to park the RV and get into MDAnderson in time for afternoon appointments for testing...blood work and MRI...as a follow up to the Gamma Knife surgery.

                               Rusty checking out his "surgeon" image in his MRI scrubs

As we left the Main Clinic at MDAnderson we were caught in severe Houston thunderstorms with flash flooding...the shuttle did not get us back to the campground until about 7:30 PM.  Houston did not need the extra water...once again, there is standing water in areas of the city.

                                                       Waiting for the shuttle

Our first appointment today was with the Radiation Neurologist who performed the Gamma Knife procedure.  She is very pleased with the results...one tumor appears to be completely ablated and the second tumor, which was very small to begin with, is smaller and she expects that it will continue to shrink.  She will see him again in six months.

Rusty had his routine immunology infusion later today and after a laid back afternoon and a nap, we had barbecue at "Pappas" famous Barbecue restaurant.

We are both feeling particularly blessed to have received such a grim diagnosis 9 months ago and to have Rusty feeling so good and taking part in most of his usual activities .... thanks to prayer, palpable support from familyand friends and the incredible staff and facilities at MDAnderson.

We'll  be back in two weeks...I'll post again then.

Harpist playing in the Waterfall sitting area at MDA.

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We drove back up to Houston on Wednesday for Rusty's regular infusion and doctor visit on Thursday.  The tumors in his neck and shoulder are smaller since the five radiation treatments last month and he is having no pain in his neck or shoulder now.  His doctor told us that she had seen the scans of Rusty's brain after the Gamma Knife procedure and the two small tumors that had been there appear to be gone.  All in all a very positive visit and Rusty is feeling good.

August was an active month for the Ranks in Houston...five days of radiation treatments, the Gamma Knife surgery, ER visit for seizures, routine immunotherapy infusions, a visit from the Seattle Ranks, and a hurricane.  We are looking forward to a quieter September.

Now we have to start cleaning up the yard from the mess Harvey left!

We return to MDAnderson on September 18 and I'll post again after that visit.  I will try to remember to take pix!  Thanks for your prayers and good thoughts.