Rusty's status continues to improve....he has longer and longer periods of wakefulness and lucidity.  A team of neuro-oncologists assessed him Thursday to rule out small "absence" seizures and meningitis.  Neither has been ruled out, and they will do a Spinal tap today hoping for further clarification.  Meanwhile he is receiving IV antibiotics and anti-viral drugs.  In the words of his primary doctor, hopefully he has turned the corner.

The teams have also decided to do his complete set of "restaging" scans a month earlier than they would normally be done.  They started yesterday with a brain MRI which showed no changes from the one in August (Yay!!!!). Today will be CT scans of abdomen and chest and a physical therapy consult to start Rusty walking again.

He had the first of five radiation treatments to the upper right arm yesterday and will have the second today.

As Rusty's lucidity returns little by little, so does his sense of humor, his sarcasm and his independent nature...thankfully.  We cannot say enough about the excellence of care at every level here at MDAnderson.  In an institution brimming with persons dealing with illness, fear, despair and death on a daily basis, there is still joyful preparation for Christmas, music, graciousness and a spirit of generosity and sincere caring.

Thanks to Jeff, we have a room in the Rotary House Hotel, the hotel run by Marriot that is attached to the hospital.  Jeff and I take shifts, sleeping and being at Rusty's side.