We slept in this morning, and got up feeling pretty good. We’re walking as well as we have in a long time – pretty gimpy by able-bodied standards, but good for me compared to what it’s been like the last couple months.

We’re continuing to ramp down the steroids – we were at 16mg a day 2 months ago, and starting on 7mg a day as of today. I see no difference in mobility or other issues at 7mg vs 16mg, so will continue ramping down until I feel a difference.

My new chemo medicine, Avastin, appears to be working better than the Temodar. Temodar was doing OK, but my neuro-oncologists seem much more enthusiastic about Avastin’s effect. My latest radiology report, after the last MRI, points to reduced flair – translates as ‘brain swelling’ – and a tumor that is not only not growing, but may be showing signs of shrinking.

I’m continuing the physical rehab – and hoping that as steroids ramp down strength will ramp up. My physical trainer says I need to work on muscle coordination as well as strength, so I have a whole new list of exercises. I’m also working on the stationary bike, and and will start doing longer walks – trying to get my steroid-induced 20-lb. weight gain off. October 9 will be the 1-year anniversary of learning that I had brain cancer…

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