'Twas the update before Christmas...

Today was Mike's 36th treatment. There wasn't any traffic on the way in which was nice. We didn't wait long for his lab draws and his port worked today. Lately his port hasn't been working (which is not uncommon) and has needed a medication called TPA. TPA is a chemical which dissolves the fibrin sheath and clears the catheter. Typically, a small amount of TPA (just enough to fill the catheter but not go into the bloodstream) is injected and left in the catheter for about 30 minutes, then withdrawn. 

When his port doesn't work it makes for a longer day and another unwanted arm stick to get his blood work. Thankfully it worked today. We grabbed some lunch and headed up to his appointment with his oncologist. Again we didn't wait long and got right in. His labs showed his platelets were low as well as his red blood counts. He was safe enough to have treatment today in hopes that his numbers would go up again next week on his week off from treatment. There's a possibility we may end up going back to a similar schedule like his old treatment where he would have two weeks on and a week off with a higher dose of treatment instead of three weeks on and one week off. After the holidays we will figure it out. If his treatment wasn't so late in the day today he would have been able to get a blood transfusion but it wasn't necessary and was too late in the day to start the process. If he is feeling crappy next week we can arrange for that if needed.

Ava is looking forward to a visit from the big 'ol jolly man. We have been busy decorating the house, making gingerbread houses, shopping and wrapping presents and watching her crazy elf, Twinkle fly around. 

Here is a photo of Mike and his amazing oncologist Dr. Rubinson. We have a lot to be thankful for because of him and his care team at Dana Farber! Just a photo of two young 38 year olds. Goes to show you cancer doesn't care how old you are, if your skin is white, black, or purple, if you have children, if you are otherwise healthy or how much money you make... Cancer can strike anywhere anytime. So remember to be grateful for your loved ones and your health.

From our family to all of yours Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

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The update we have been waiting for

Last night we went into Dana Farber to get Mike's CT scan done to check his progress with chemo. I was very anxious last night and so wasn't Mike. It only takes one scan to completely change our lives. If it comes back showing that the treatments are no longer working we don't have any other chemo treatment options to try. We would then move on to clinical trials which feel like the end of the road. After his scan we fought the traffic home and stopped for dinner. After dinner we went home to rest up for today. Mike still has a cold and I seem to have caught it too so it was an early night for us.

Today we got Mike's scan results. Everything seems to move in slow motion (besides my heart) on scan results day. We were waiting to find out the next step of our lives... My legs were bouncing around with anticipation and I couldn't sit still while Mike slept on the couch. He wore a mask today due to his cold. 

After waiting for about two hours we finally got called into meet with the Doctor. We started the long walk down the hall to the exam room. My legs didn't want to keep moving. I tried to count to 5 in my head... by the time I got to 2 that idea flew out the window. I sat in the chair with racing thoughts through my head of all different scenarios. The doctor came in made a joke about Mike's mask and made fun of our beloved Patriots and I knew he must have had good news. I mean who makes jokes when they are about to give you news about your life changing for the worst! With a smirk on his face he said... Mike's scan looked good and that his tumors were continuing to shrink... I felt like I could breathe again and was smiling from ear to ear I could have jumped into the air and danced around. I looked at Mike and said are you happy about that and he said yes!

We kind of expected this to be the result but can never be too sure. He's generally been feeling well with little to no stomach pain, no nausea or vomiting, no bowel troubles, he's been eating and maintaining his weight. His tumor markers have also been low enough to not be detected in his lab draws. So I suspected this was going to correlate with a "good scan result". 

Mike had the option to hold off treatment today due to his cold but he decided that a good scan result meant he wants to keep pushing ahead. The doctor was okay with that so he dose reduced his chemo and ordered two liters of fluids to help him bounce back from his cold. He also reminded us that his treatment plan wasn't a sprint but a marathon. He didn't have to push through treatment when he already felt miserable but for those who know my husband he is head strong and wanted to push ahead. I truly believe his stubbornness and me picking him up along the way is keeping him in the "marathon". Who would have thought his stubbornness would keep him on top? 

For now we can breathe easy and get through the holidays. For those who ask how do we do it? There's no easy response we just keep going our journey is not over. Though he has had some days recently that he's said he wants to give up and that he's tired I help him get through it. He has his moments... he's tired mentally and his body is tired. Who wouldn't want to give up? I'm tired too. This isn't a normal life but it's OUR life and we make it work! 

One thing I ask is for as we enter the holiday season be kind to one another. Slow down and appreciate those you have around you. Stop taking everything and everyone for granted. None of us are guaranteed another day. The holidays aren't about making every thing perfect, stressing about that dessert you forgot to make or the bottle of booze you forgot to pick up for uncle Joe. It's not about the material gifts you give and receive it's about having your loved ones around you... They are the true gifts of life. 

Mike and I would give anything to not have to live from scan to scan feeling like sitting ducks waiting for things to turn. However this is the cards we were dealt with in life and we will continue to push on even in our darkest of days. 

While Mike gets his well needed rest I am off to relax. 

Oh and by the way cancer... FUCK YOU we got this babe! ; )

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Each Bravelet that is purchased through this site donates $10 to Mike's Fight.
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