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PET CT Update

Any time a cancer patient has a scan that doesn’t see active disease it is a cause for celebration. Because kidney cancer sometimes doesn’t take up the glucose used in the PET CT scan like I had today, it isn’t always the best scan to use alone for kidney cancer patients. In these case of the PET CT scan I had today, it was used in addition to a regular CT scan with contrast, which is the one I had last week. Dr. Pippas hoped it would shed more light on the results of the CT scan from last Wednesday.

The good news is the scan today showed no active disease, which can NOT be a bad thing! We are grateful for this news, but we are also cautious. I still need another spine surgery, I think without doubt. But what about the tumor in my spine? At the very least, we have further confirmation this cancer is lazy. Although it is incurable, it is giving me a chance.

What we will do with this chance is left to be seen. I have a lot of research to do now. We have to get the best possible advice from as many smart people as I can get to weigh in on my difficult case. Then we have to make a decision about next next steps. What I hope for is to be able to have the damage the cancer has done in my spine repaired and to come out of that surgery with a structurally sound back.

I am also hopeful to be able to tolerate the side effects being delivered by the Cabometyx and not develop liver toxicity, which will force me off the drug. Although I’m suffering physically from the effects of the drug, my constitution is strong, and I wanted y’all to know we’ve heard some good news today.

The lesson in this for kidney cancer patients is clear: Just like Winston Churchill says, “never, never, never give up.” Having cancer is a full time job. And the pay sucks.

May 30, 2017 | Tagged With: Cabometyx, Dr. Andrew Pippas, hope, Jill Tigner, liver toxicity, PET CT, side effects, Winston Churchill| Filed Under: kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma, Uncategorized | 36 Comments

Comments

  1. Jennifer Joyner says

    May 30, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    Still praying for you, Mike! Your strength and courage is always inspiring!

    Reply
  2. Jed G. Harris, Jr. says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:01 pm

    Mike,

    You and Jill are inspirations. Continued prayers for y’all and your health.

    Jed G. Harris, Jr.

    Reply
  3. Leah says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:03 pm

    Praying for you and Jill! So proud of the strength you show in your battle! Glad to hear some good news!!

    Reply
  4. Ann Blondheim says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:07 pm

    I have been hoping you would post today. So thankful for any amount of good news. Thanks be to God.

    Reply
  5. Margie Ivey says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:13 pm

    Love the good news! Prayers continuing.

    Reply
  6. Stacie Reddish says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:14 pm

    Continued prayers! Glad to hear good news. Praying for more and more!

    Reply
  7. Bill Plock says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:19 pm

    Keeping you in my prayers Mike. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Pippas taking care of us. He is an amazing man!

    Reply
  8. Gayla Ahlquist says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:22 pm

    Karen texted me earlier today asking if I had seen a post from you. I forwarded this welcome news to her. Continued prayers!

    Reply
  9. Jim says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:31 pm

    You, Mike Venable, are something else.

    Reply
  10. Dee August says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:37 pm

    This is good news and it will only get better. God answers prayers and he is going to heal you. Stay strong and positive and remember you are always on my mind and in my prayers. Mama is watching over you Mike and Jill too. Love and hugs!!!

    Reply
  11. Laura Storta says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    Wonderful News!!! Praying you continue to have the strength and determination that you have had from the start of this long and hard battle!!! You are a Winner in our books!!!

    Reply
  12. Marianne says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:41 pm

    Good news Mike!

    Reply
  13. Dee August says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:42 pm

    I am so happy for this news!! God answers prayers and you have so many praying for you. You are so strong and positive and it is awesome. God is healing you and will continue to. Mama is watching over you and Jill. You are on my mind and prayers daily. Love and hugs!!!

    Reply
  14. Beth Martin says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:49 pm

    Prayers continue and praise God for the good news!!

    Reply
  15. Pat Daniel says

    May 30, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    This is answered prayers. I am grateful to God for that and will give prayers of thanks as we continue to pray for your treatments to be successful. We love you both. Thank you for letting us know your news.

    Reply
  16. Nell Hudson says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:00 pm

    Mike, Lloyd and I are so glad to hear this great news–your strength, determination, and courage are uplifting to us–what a model you are when it comes to fighting for good! We continue to think of you and pray for you daily. Love to you and Jill, Nell

    Reply
  17. Cyndy Cerbin says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:05 pm

    Cancer doesn’t know who he’s crossed. Keep showin’ him, Mike!

    Reply
  18. Cindi says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:10 pm

    So happy for your good news. I pray good news continues to flow.

    Reply
  19. Theri Brooks says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:22 pm

    Thank you for a good update. Continuing to pray for you and Jill!

    Reply
  20. Claire Jackson says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    Mike, grateful for the good news. Praying that you and your doctors will find the right steps to take next.
    Thank you for your update.

    Reply
  21. Kim Rozycki says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:30 pm

    So happy for this news and continuing prayers for a complete recovery! Your attitude is inspiring!

    Reply
  22. Carol Ann Kaplan says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:40 pm

    Continued prayers! Never give up!

    Love to you and Jill!

    CA

    Reply
  23. Susan Head says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    Praying for you & Jill. You are definitely one of the most positive people I have ever met. Keep kicking Cancers Butt and continue to keep us updated.

    Reply
  24. Tom and Liz Kendrickt says

    May 30, 2017 at 10:59 pm

    Great news ! So happy for you. Love and prayers !

    Reply
  25. Laura Lea says

    May 30, 2017 at 11:08 pm

    Such good news! Never, never, never give up! You inspire us all! Hugs to you and Jill!

    Reply
  26. Frank Brown says

    May 31, 2017 at 2:22 am

    Couldn’t sleep, migrated to the computer, found this good news!
    Offering prayer for you now and into the next round of whatever we face.
    Love to you and Jill.

    Reply
  27. Kim Farmer says

    May 31, 2017 at 4:04 am

    So happy for this good news. Continued prayers.

    Reply
  28. Tripp and Alice Wade says

    May 31, 2017 at 4:26 am

    Mike and Jill, so glad to get this good news. We continue to pray for you both and we know Mike that you can beat this. Team wade is pulling and praying for you !

    Reply
  29. Dianne Henry says

    May 31, 2017 at 8:16 am

    You two are an inspiration. Keep up the good fight! Prayers always and love from Jonhhy and me.

    Reply
  30. Barbara Marks says

    May 31, 2017 at 8:27 am

    Encouraging news for sure! Keep up the good fight sweet guy. We love you. Barbara

    Reply
  31. Jo McDaniel says

    May 31, 2017 at 10:02 am

    Thanks be to God for lazy cancers! This news elated me, what must it have done for you and your family. We will continue in prayer for wisdom and the best answers for you as you make the next decisions. You. Are amazing, as is your wonderful wife. Love to you both!

    Reply
  32. Susan Morgan says

    May 31, 2017 at 11:00 am

    Good news! Thoughts and prayers from your South Florida fan club.

    Reply
  33. Jo Ann Beck says

    May 31, 2017 at 11:06 am

    This is a wonderful small victory and we will continue to pray for you and your family. We are so impressed with your stamina and strength. May God continue to be with you all.

    Reply
  34. Guy Sims says

    May 31, 2017 at 12:36 pm

    I am so glad you can celebrate some positive news. I celebrate it with you. Praying you will contribute to receive good news.

    Reply
  35. Craig DuPriest says

    May 31, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    Good things come in small packages, like the report you got from your Tuesday scan. Patience is a difficult character trait but you’re blessed with a lion’s share of it. One day at a time…and prayers still coming.

    Reply
  36. Wanda Woodward says

    July 11, 2017 at 12:47 pm

    Mike and Jill,
    I am so glad I found this website today. Your names will be written in my prayer book and I will pray for you regularly. I know that God can do anything. Keep trusting Him…the best is yet to come!!! God loves you both and so do I.
    Wanda (Coley) Woodward

    Reply

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