#memorialsloankettering

Just a heads up... this post will likely have grammatical errors and seem somewhat like word vomit as I’m writing it from yet another waiting room. Bear with me. Last update was about insurance approving the meds that Colton needed to treat the last pesky tumor. During his third (out of four) infusion of that treatment, his oncologist suggested to us to consider radiation. She believes that the tumor is either staying the same or may have slightly grown since the PET in February. During the last three weeks or so, Colton has been doing physical therapy and lymphedema therapy for his leg that has previously gotten radiation. His range of motion has improved tremendously and the swelling of his leg is almost completely gone and looks nearly the same size as his other leg. He has to wear a tightly fitted sock on his leg that helps keep the fluid in his leg down.

Wednesday we had a consult with the radiologist about his thoughts on radiation. He wanted Colton to get an updated PET scan so he knows exactly what he’s dealing with since the last scan was a couple months ago. Going off the last scan, he suggested us to do a newer type of radiation called Proton Therapy. We have a couple of friends that used this type of radiation for him and it seemed to work well. The final decision if we will do that type of treatment will depend on these PET scan results. If the tumor looks the same as February or larger in any way, we will do the Proton Therapy, but if it has shrunk at all, there’s a chance of us doing the traditional radiation treatment. The only bummer about us doing the Proton treatment would be that we would be traveling about an hour into New Jersey everyday for anywhere from 5-15 days since that’s where the treatment center is, or we may possibly just get a hotel there for the duration of the treatment. But we realize that if that’s what we have to do, we’ll do it. If we end up doing the traditional treatment, it will be in the city and could be about the same amount of days. Colton’s in his PET scan right now and the radiologist said that we should find out by Tuesday what the PET scan results are and, if we need to do Proton Therapy, if insurance will cover it. If insurance doesn’t cover it, he said that traditional will do the job as well, but obviously, we would like to use the newer and more proven option. No matter what type of treatment we end up doing, one side effect will be continued lymphedema issues, which will mean Colton's lymphedema therapy will most likely be ongoing.

So, that’s kind of where we’re at right now. Amongst all the doctor’s appointments, we’re still doing our NYC thing. Colton’s still working and has a few big jobs approaching, and I’m still doing the coffee/beverage thing. Oh, and to end this blog on a more positive note, WE GOT A DOG!

Her name is Clementine and she’s the sweetest thing you’ll ever meet. We rescued her from the ASPCA last week. She’s 2 years old and a pit/terrier/mutt mix. She’s such a sweet heart and so well behaved. We had been thinking about getting a dog for a bit, just because I’m now working full-time out of the house and Colton works from home. He’s home alone a lot and he needed company. This is also a motivation for him to get out of the house and get moving and take walks while I’m not there. We plan to get her certified as an Emotional Support Animal so that Colton’s able to take her with him on shoots, to coffee, and on flights. Here’s a few more photos cause she’s just so dang adorable!

Cute right? RIGHT???

As some of you know, Thursday we got a call from MSK letting us know that the biopsy would be moved from Friday to Monday. So Colton got the tumor biopsied on Monday. He was meant to resume treatment today to finish this thing off once and for all, but we received a call yesterday that insurance still has not given approval for the extra drug that he needs.

Despite that less-than-thrilling news, Colton’s oncologist did tell us today that his biopsy came back that it’s the same cancer that everything else she’s been treating and not some more matured, mutated cancer. So, while it’s a bummer there’s a new, fairly large spot, it’s the only one, and it can be treated with the same drugs that took care of the other cancer.

For those just joining us and are interested in the nitty gritty details, Colton has been on a treatment called Nivolumab and the drug we’re waiting to get approved is Ipilimumab. The Ipi primes the immune system and unmasks the cancer for the Nivo to attack and destroy it. He was on this regimen before and they took him off the Ipi because everything was working and that drug was raising his liver function to an unhealthy level, which is a side effect of it, but also meaning that it’s making his immune system to work overtime and getting the job done.

So all that to say, we’re now waiting on insurance to jump in and cover it once again. We met with his oncologist today and signed some papers just in case insurance denies it. The papers were for a scholarship program that could cover the drug if insurance doesn’t follow through.

Just because she has to, she mentioned the option of going back to chemotherapy. Before we even answered she knew that we don’t consider that as an option. When we’ve been brought this far by indescribable assurance, we can’t back down so easily.

Now we wait.

On another note, I was able to write a guest pots for a friend’s blog that was put up today. It’s a summary of how Colton and I met and how we’ve made it this far. You can read that post HERE. 

I also wanted to give another shameless plug to the Cycle for Survival event that’s taking place next Friday, February 24th. If anyone is in the NYC area, let me know, we’d love to have you part of the team! Or if you’d like to know what it’s all about or donate to help towards cancer research, check it out HERE.

The difference between the No. 1 and No. 2 cancer hospital in America and why it matters

Most people assume MD Anderson and Memorial Sloan Kettering are basically the same. They are both ranked No. 1 on different lists, but the distinction actually matters when you are choosing where to get treated.

Here is the breakdown:

MD Anderson, Houston, TX, is No. 1 on U.S. News 2025-2026. It has held this ranking for 11 consecutive years and 21 of the last 24. It is the world’s largest cancer-only center, treating patients from all 50 states and 130 countries. Its strengths include the highest procedure volume in the country, early-phase clinical trials, and rare and complex cancer types.

Memorial Sloan Kettering, New York, NY, is No. 2 nationally on U.S. News, but in 2026 Newsweek named it the No. 1 oncology hospital in the world. MSK has supported clinical trials behind 11 FDA-approved cancer drugs. Its strengths include genomic medicine, cancer screening, and nursing excellence.

Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center in Boston is No. 3 and has been ranked for 25 consecutive years. It is especially strong in blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, as well as gynecologic cancers.

Mayo Clinic in Rochester is No. 4. It is known for its integrated care model, where oncology, surgery, radiology, and pathology review every case together before deciding on treatment.

Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston is No. 5 and is recognized for clinical trial access and innovation.

One key fact many people do not know is that only 57 out of 1,500 US cancer centers have NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, the highest recognition a cancer center can earn. All of the hospitals above hold this status.

Preta Gil encontra-se atualmente nos Estados Unidos, onde dá seguimento ao tratamento contra o câncer que teve início em janeiro de 2023. Neste momento, a artista está realizando uma série de exames para avaliar sua possível inclusão em grupos de pacientes que recebem terapias inovadoras, as quais ainda se encontram na fase experimental. Para dar apoio à cantora, amigos e familiares têm se revezado em sua companhia, enquanto Preta compartilha em suas redes sociais momentos do tratamento, incluindo a administração de medicações.(...)

Leia a noticia completa no link abaixo:

https://www.inspirednews.com.br/preta-gil-continua-tratamento-inovador-contra-o-cancer-nos-eua