Visit to Mayo and Chemo Results (Day +823)

We returned to the Mayo Clinic about a week ago.  While there Jackie had her last infusion of Rituxan.  They also performed a biopsy on a spot on her hand.   In addition they increased her Cyclosporine and CellCept in order to better get the scleroderma under control.    There were discussion as to whether to begin UVA-1 light treatments immediately.  A decision was made to wait one month to see if she improves.

I'm happy to report that she has seen some improvement in the scleroderma.  Her skin is less "tight" and the opens sores and lesions have subsided.  She is still a long way from normal but there are signs of improvement.  We have no way of knowing if it is due to the chemo or the increase in immunosuppression.  In either case we will gladly take the improvement!

The docs did note an increase in her lymphocyte counts.  They felt this was due to reactive T-cells and planned to perform a flow cytometry test to make certain this is the case.  Her other blood counts continue to be very normal and still improving.

The results from her hand biopsy confirmed that she has a squamous cell carcinoma.  This will be removed during our September Mayo visit.

Jackie is feeling well enough to return to Nantucket.  We plan to leave on Thursday of this week and hope to stay until her next visit in early August to the Mayo Clinic.

So, all-in-all things have improved somewhat since the last report.  She still requires several pain pills each day to get through the day.  The pain seems to be subsiding, however and we hope the pills won't be needed much longer.

Until next time.....

Bruce and Jackie

from Pryor (but not for long!)