We arrived at MDAnderson in Houston on Sunday afternoon in preparation for labs, Brain MRI and  body CT scans on Monday.  On Tuesday Rusty saw the Melanoma team and got the results of the CT scans ... "stable...no definite evidence of progressive metastatic disease in the chest, abdomen or pelvis"!!!  WooHoo!!  The Melanoma team is feeling very positive about Rusty's status.

From there he had an appointment with the neuro-oncology radiologist who is managing the radiation necrosis in Rusty's brain.  The brain MRI  indicated that the inflammation is still decreasing and there is no evidence of recurrence of tumors and no new intracranial metastasis.  Once again... WooHoo!!

Rusty is still experiencing some involuntary twitching which the doc feels may indicate some very low level seizure activity, as well as some vision problems, short term memory loss and intermittent confusion.  These issues are considered "treatment related" (probably from the Gamma Knife radiation) but also may be related to Rusty's natural aging processes.  (Either way, it beats brain tumors!) He has a regular neurologist at MDAnderson who monitors these symptoms, and an ophthalmologist here in Corpus Christi to manage his vision.

After Rusty's regular immunotherapy infusion, we celebrated our good news with dinner at our favorite Italian Restaurant ...D'Amico's in Rice Village... and counted our blessings.

We're not too good with selfies to begin with, 

and a couple of glasses of spirits did not improve our photog skills!)

This MDAnderson visit was directly on the heels of two jewelry shows, the first on Friday at the Ortiz Center in Corpus Christi and the second on Saturday at Market Day in Hallettsville.  For both shows Rusty was almost back to his pre-cancer form - loading and unloading boxes, tables, displays and equipment and helping with sales.

We are immensely thankful for our many blessings - for health, for each other, for an amazing medical experience at MDAnderson, for our local primary physician, Dr. Gerry Boynton, for time, for faith, and always for the continued support, interest, help and love we receive from our family and friends.  Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving...we love you!