Breathing a guarded sigh of relief after today's appointments, tests and discussions with melanoma team.  For about the past week, Rusty has has a tender area in his right upper arm that has been getting slightly larger daily....so... in addition to the rountine tests, they ordered a Doppler ultrasound on his arm.  He got that familiar dirty-old-man twinkle in his eye when he saw the department they sent him to for the ultrasound....

Late this afternoon, we learned that the swelling and discomfort in his arm are due to some fluid accumulation...probably a "hematoma" from oozing blood after a venipuncture.  The problem does not appear to be a tumor and they expect it to resolve without treatment.  Melanoma doc is pleased with Rusty's status and agreed to postpone one immunotherapy infusion in February so that we can take our annual trip to New Mexico with the Stegalls.  Rusty's primary Melanoma physician, Dr Amaria, has a "quality of life" patient philosophy rather than a rigid adherence to perfect patient compliance....we are learning to value and appreciate that.

Dinner tonight al fresco at D'Amico's in Rice Village, (Italian, of course!) followed by a visit to a Houston tradition, the Christmas "Zoo Lights"' ...the Houston Zoo is transformed into a holiday wonderland with music,  15 miles of amazing lights, food and drink.  The extravaganza is sponsored by TXU Energy Company and is a fund raiser for the Zoo.  It runs from Nov. 18 throughput Jan 14, from 6 to 11 PM.  The zoo animals get to "take a long winter's nap" during each evening's event.

Hoping that you all had a good Thanksgiving.  We have much to be thankful for...please know how thankful we are for each of you.

Our RV resort is decked out in Christmas finery, and it is a happy time.

We'll be back in two weeks.

Pretty routine to MDAnderson visit today.   Lab work, immunotherapy infusion, visit wth neurologist to reassess seizure activity (Rusty has had none since the two in August) and visit with ophthalmologist.  The two oral chemotherapeutic drugs that Rusty is on may cause fluid collection that would affect his eye sight...so far no sign of that.  Both neuro and ophthalmic reports were very good.  At this stage, Rusty only sees the Melanoma team once a month.

                                      Cellist in the MDAnderson lobby on Tuesday afternoon

About 2 weeks ago it became apparent that there was a large area of the right side Rusty's beard that had fallen out due to the radiation to his neck, so he shaved the whole beard off.  He's unhappy about having to shave every day after so many years of a beard, but it's a small price to pay.

                                                      The "New" beardless Rusty

Rusty is feeling good.  This week in addition to helping me transport and set up for two shows, he scouted around Corpus Christi for a new truck....test driving, negotiating, comparing and having a pretty good time.  We are now the proud owners of a new Ford crew cab pick-up.

Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you!  We are thankful for you, and your love, concern, messages, prayers and support.

I am starting this blog post with a pic of Rusty and Jeff preparing to head out fishing at 7 AM last Thursday.  Rusty feels good and is up to most of his old tricks.  (Notice I said "fishing", and not "catching." 😉)

On our way up to Houston on Saturday, we stopped in Katy where my roommate from nursing school, "Cadge" and husband, Bob, were visiting her daughter...we have enjoyed a 59 year friendship.  Their home is in Tennesse.  Good visit.

Rusty had an early Sunday morning MDAnderson appointment for "restaging" scans.  Restaging diagnostics are performed every three months and compare prior diagnostics to current ones to assess comparative size of tumors, effectiveness of treatment and general state of the disease.

Monday was lab work, EKG, Echocardiogram and MRI, and Tuesday morning before seeing the Melanoma team, Rusty had an EEG.  We saw the Doc and the Melanoma team Tuesday and the tests show improvement in all areas...in many cases, tumors have completely disappeared. There is one small tumor near the right kidney which they will watch closely.  The tumors which appeared on his shoulder and neck in July are much diminished since the radiation and are not painful.  Brain lesions are improved and according to doc "brain is happy."  In all, it was a positive "restaging" visit.

Rusty has more energy, is encouraged, and is, in his word, "giddy" about todays reports.

Sunday afternoon was free and we attended the Houston Symphony concert at Jones Hall.  What a performance!, and what a pleasure to experience a city with such rich offerings!

We'll be on the road home Wednesday and we leave on Friday for our regular monthly Market gig in Wimberley...about a 3 1/2 drive from home.  We take the RV, set up on Friday, sell on Saturday and come home Sunday...it really is fun.

Thanks for the support, wonderful messages and prayers.  We are so grateful.