Arnie was taken off of his last chemo drug Nexavar because of his eyes. He had scarring under his upper eyelids which was causing scarring of his corneas. The last visit to our ophthalmologist, his eye pressures were checked and they were way up because of the drug. He was told that they could operate but not while he was on the meds. Also, if he continued on the meds he would go blind.

He stopped taking the Nexavar that day, and the following week had a CT scan done of his chest and abdomen, followed by a visit with his oncologist and nurse. They agreed about stopping the Nexavar because of the damage to his eyes, and also because one of his lung nodules got a lot bigger than it was in January. He also has areas of cancer in his pelvic bone and in two areas of his lumbar spine. However, they haven't changed since they showed up, so that's good.

The next chemotherapy he is to go on is called Afinitor. It is a daily pill or a weekly IV. If we can't get financial assistance, he'll have to take the IV form as Medicare pays for IV chemotherapy.

This new med has a lot of side effects. Some not bad, some bad, and some very bad. Arnie said that if this one doesn't work or if he cannot tolerate the side effects, that he wants to discontinue chemo and live out the rest of his life at least for now feeling a whole lot better than he's felt in 1-1/2 years. I don't know if he'll change his mind when the time comes, but I'm backing him 100% on either road he takes.

Prayers for you and Arnie. You are an incredible support for him and I admire your strength and courage throughout this. Thank you for giving us an update as I was just thinking of you the other day and wondering how everything was.

How are you feeling? Have things been stable for you? I know this produces alot of stress for both of you but I do hope and pray that the both of you can find some pleasure and happy times to enjoy.

hugs and prayers.

I am so sorry to hear this drug didn't work. I know this has been a hard road for you both.

Kitty, thanks for thinking of us and thanks for asking about me.

I am on an antidepressant, which is helping me get through this. Before starting it, I went from mad to sad to angry.

I had a bad flair last summer. My tremors got so bad that I could barely stand. My arms and legs became very weak. I was given two IV courses of SoluMedrol followed by oral Prednisone. Then, I received three months of in-home physical therapy. Eventually I reached a little lower than my baseline.

We are still able to talk a lot and laugh together.

(((((Maryann & Arnie))))) God Bless You both,

Hi Mair,

This is the first I've read about Arnie and what the two of you have been dealing with. This is very inspiring and I can't even imagine the strength and courage required to face and go through such and experience. Talk about a roller coaster ride of emotions.

Quote: "We are still able to talk a lot and laugh together."

This alone speaks volumes of your relationship, strength and persistence together. I find it a primary principle of life is to laugh and have good communication. You both are setting a wonderful example for the rest of us.

Thank you.

God bless arnie and you.
i'm sending prayers for both of you for strength and peace.

I really hope the new chemo is his magic bullet to kill the cancer. I'm so sorry the other one did more harm than good. God be with both of you.