Summer Scan Time

Greetings all! We have returned from our lovely time up North, which means, sadly, that school is starting this week. We had a very nice summer with a lot of beach days, very little rain, and nice side trips and visits with friends.

We also attended a wedding in Erie, PA.

Oh yes, and Gwen had a birthday.

Upon our return, Gwen had her check-up with Dr. G. complete with brain scan; good news, her brain is still there and the scan showed all is clear. Also, she had a CT scan and a bone scan (it has been a year since her last bone scan).

Prior to discussing scan results with the doctor, Gwen asked Dr. G. about a ROS-1 specialist that some members of her ROS-1 facebook group have mentioned. Dr. G. knew right away about whom Gwen was referring and said that they could certainly set Gwen up with the ROS-1 doctor, Dr. Shaw, (located in Boston). She informed us that Dr. Shaw’s group is the group that discovered ROS-1 and that she would certainly be a valuable resource moving forward.

The CT scan showed IMPROVEMENT in the lung cloud! Gwen just knew it was going to be better. She had a feeling. The cloud has been present since February and got increasingly more dense through June. We compared today’s scan to the ones done in May and June and today’s looked better than both May and June’s scans! The cloud is still there, but it does look a bit less thick, if you will.

We then discussed her bone scan and compared it to the one done last August. (As a reminder, previous scans had shown lesions on her right hip and on her T4 vertebrae). The bone scan today did not show anything on the right hip OR the T4! There was a spot on the back side of her left hip, but Dr. G. wasn’t sure what that was. She continues to get shots every few months for her bones to help strengthen them.

Dr. G. remarked that Gwen was the healthiest looking patient she had seen all day! Such a nice way to wrap up the summer. Her next appointment will be in 3 months. There will be no changes in the course of treatment at this time.

On a separate, but related note, we hope to see some of you at the LUNGe Forward 5K which is being held September 25 this year (as opposed to November; avoiding election season). Gwen is famous because she is on their official publications.

Please consider walking or running with us on the Gwen Strong team! Or you can participate from your couch!

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support!