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.