I wanted to come on and share a win that we have had today. I sometimes live with guilt over not being able to give people the most positive news when they ask “Hey, How’s Brad doing?”. But today, I’m stuck at home sick and have nobody to share our good news with so I’m bringing it here and sharing in a more widespread forum. Brad has increased his chemo dosage, and today, Tuesday, the day he takes his chemo every week, he didn’t feel sick waking up! 

Typically, the day of chemo and the day after chemo are routinely rough. It’s something we’ve somewhat adapted to and just come to expect. We pivot, we have a great support system both at work and home and so our people all have also grown and adapted and walk right along with us on these days. 

Brad goes in for labs on Tuesday mornings, and every Tuesday around 11 am I get a screenshot of his labs from him and I quickly analyze and compare them to his previous results, noting what’s improving, if anything. I always check for the improvements first. There haven’t been any, really. Brad’s numbers have been chaotic and unpredictable. Until today! Today, for the first time, I see REAL LIFE, ACTUAL improvements to celebrate!!!  

His white blood count has finally started to budge! This is a big deal for many reasons: first of all, it means the chemo is starting to work! Secondly, getting Brad’s white counts down, even if just by 2 points, lessens his risk greatly of having a thrombotic event, such as a stroke. I am hopeful that as his white counts (and red counts-another stubborn one) decrease we will see improvement in symptom management as well! Brad needs this relief so badly and I just can’t tell you how seeing those numbers gives me real hope that change is on its way. 

I will attach a link to an article that explains this a little more in detail for those interested, but for now, I am celebrating that double digit number becoming a single digit number. It’s funny how something so small can give us such great relief.

Another big win! Because his numbers aren’t at a concerning level, he won’t have to have a phlebotomy on top of chemo today! Phlebotomy’s tend to make him feel a bit woozy & Ill on top of the chemo so having this relief is an added bonus.

We want to thank everyone again & again for all of the cards, the support in the GFM, the support from MMS, for the prayers, for everything. It has made a tremendous impact, the depths of which are unexplainable.    It’s something you don’t get used to,  a level of gratitude and humility learned that is impossible to ever articulate ; sometimes there just aren’t enough words. ❤️

 Love & light & endless gratitude,

Chels