Monday, May 15, 2017

50% off! - The Overachiever Strikes Again

Update:  We saw Dr. Reddy today (chemo doctor) to review the MRI results.  BP was 123/71. Weight is 185.
Dr. Reddy (pic is 2 months old when Phil had hair)
10:30 am - The nurse took his vitals and then left the room. Phil then starts his timer. He does this every single visit to see how long we wait for the doctor. The nurse seemed extra friendly today and I said to Phil that she must know something.  She is aware of the good news we were about to hear. I could feel it. Phil loves my eternal optimism and laughed it off.

10:38 am - The very calm and cool Dr. Reddy walks in and nonchalantly said he has good news and that the tumor has decreased by half.   I said WHAT?  HALF?  Do you mean 50%?  Yes. I jumped up, Phil and I high-fived each other while I was loudly saying, "I knew it!  I knew it!" Here comes the smile from Dr. Reddy and he stated, "this is one of the best responses I have seen". He said to continue doing what he has been and he will have another MRI in 2 months. He increased the dosage of chemo pills but less frequent. Only 5 days on chemo each month. Phil and the doctor then discussed the diet, exercise, alternative options, etc...Many people can not follow such a strict diet like Phil by weighing out every morsel and getting the correct ratios of proteins, fats and carbs.Thank goodness Phil is such a rule follower, strict, disciplined and anal about everything in life - it has paid off. I will stop rolling my eyes now when I see him weighing almonds and then at dinner last night he was wondering if the jumbo shrimp were too big for him to eat. It could of been an ounce over his daily allotment.

Cliff notes from detailed report:
"The mass has significantly reduced in size"
1. The tumor decreased from 4.1 cm x 4.7 cm to 2.2 cm x 2.6 cm.
2. No new or remote sites of abnormal contrast enhancement is seen.
3. No hydrocephalus (fluid) seen.
4. Decreased perfusion (meaning the tumor is starving - thanks to the Ketogenic diet).  Phil has been in Ketosis and that is a contributing factor to the tumor decreasing.

We had to wait over an hour before telling anyone the news because we wanted sister Julie to be the first to know (besides Phil's mother in England). We had to wait for her conference call at work to finish. Really? Julie has been a HUGE help guiding Phil through the diet with research, knowledge, daily texts, blood checks and Fat Bomb deliveries. We are well aware and thankful for the combination of cannabis oil (Jason and Laura Brooks), chemo, radiation, diet, exercise, prayer and the love and support from all of you have contributed to Phil's on going recovery.

4 comments:

  1. Dear Phil and Carla, You all are such an inspiration. I am so very happy for the great news you received today! I remember when I was going through chemo and my white blood count had gotten dangerously low, my doctor wanted to put me on another medicine to bring it up. But I told them to let me try first without the medicine but through diet. The next time I came in and they checked they were astonished at how high I was able to bring it up. Good nutrition and certainly the right type of diet is so crucial! You are so blessed to have Julie helping with the diet side of things! And prayers- wow- I could actually feel the strength from everyone praying. Optimism I believe is drawing positive energy towards you, so keep being optimistic Carla! Because it's happening- Phil is being healed! My prayers are with you all! Love, Patti (Hiers) Congratulations!

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  3. Way to go Phil!! Having the most dedicated, funny, and super supportive wife on the planet definitely helped squash that Napoleon bugger!

    Getting my prehistoric Vstrom full maintained to get you out for a ride...though I will miss those rides to N. Georgia for getting stuffed on homemade blueberry cobbler, keto is the way to go!

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  4. Great news Phil & Carla. As you know Breakwell's never give up and win in the end. Keep it up

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