Actually, it feels a bit surreal initiating this site as it's only been a few weeks since using Caringbridge to receive updates on Auntie Mar. Her courage, determination and grace will never be forgotten; nor will we forget, as we move through the halls of the Tom Baker Cancer clinic, the strength, pride and love of the best dad and papa in the world, B-O-B!! Mother f'n cancer wins sometimes, but not this time!!
We've been doing our best to keep everyone updated on the roller coaster experience we've been on since "Ester, the B*tch" was discovered on May 3, 2017. The amount of emails, texts and calls have been nice to receive, but who knew we had so many friends to update! With this new found awareness of how 'popular' Tara is...and the crappy reality this isn't ending anytime soon....we thought this site could offer an avenue to stay connected.
As most of you know, Ester was successfully removed on June 2 and round 1 of chemo began two weeks ago. Generally speaking, Tara talks about being humbled by the force of the red, chemo dragon but thanks to two + years of repeatedly watching "How to Train a Dragon" with Kaden, she naturally has picked up a few strategies of how to minimize the force of the red, devil dragon!! It seems afternoon snoozes and eating pickles are not just for pregnant ladies!
Round 2 is scheduled for tomorrow, and treatments will continue on a two week rotation. If our math is correct, Kaden will be 6 weeks into grade 2 and we'll be 4 days past a big, turkey dinner before round 8, the final round, is complete. Although we anticipate being unremittingly thankful to see the end of chemo, we will also be wishing the subsequent month of radiation, 5 days a week for 4 weeks, will be successfully completed by the time our Elf-on-a Shelf, Chippie, returns to keep an eye on Kaden until Christmas eve.
In prep for tomorrow, we met with the oncology team this morning. One of the doctors, Dr. Adriana, entered the room...gave us each a hug (as most people from Brazil tend to do) and then she stepped back and enthusiastically complimented Tara with........"ahhhh, your hair looks great......IS IT YOURS?"
Hmmm.....words you'd never expect to hear.....but, yes, Tara still has her own hair! She's rockin' the pre-bald, short hair but we were also told she's got about 5 more days of the cute hairdo. She (as well as I) really hope there's no significant hair loss occurring in the Radium pool....wouldn't that be an awkward exit.....dive in with hair, slither out with a toupee left behind.
Whatever the pattern of inevitable hair loss.....or whatever lies ahead, we know (and have already felt) there's an overwhelming amount of support and love from so many.
We'll let you know how round 2 of dragon slaying goes.....
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