Spinal tap lab results are starting to come in and, while there is nothing conclusive, it appears that there is inflammation and possibly infection in either the brain or the meninges which could cause the symptoms Rusty is having.  They are bombarding him with IV antibiotics and anti viral drugs, trying to cover all bases while we wait for the cultures and other lab work.  It could be next week before all labs are back and we still may not have a conclusive answer.

In the meantime, Rusty continues to improve little by little.  He has longer periods of wakefulness and lucidity and has begun getting out of bed with a walker for short distances.  He is regularly surrounded by teams of physicians, practitioners, "fellows" and nurses...Melanoma team, neuro-oncology team, infectious disease team and radiology team, as well as occupational therapist, physical therapist, dietician, lab techs and IV team. We are waiting now for the melanoma team with results from yesterday's CT scans.

It is Saturday and Jeff will be leaving to go back to Corpus to play his part of a "party dad" in tonight's performance of the Nutcracker...Abby is dancing as a "party girl."  Jeff expects to come back tomorrow.  It really does help to have tag team care-taking.

I am OK.  I have gotten rest, I revel in each small improvement, and I am confident that we are in the best hands possible...God and MDAnderson.