Hello dear ones, 

Some of you wisely realized that the last post was one year since Cindy was diagnosed. Next week is the one year anniversary of the crazy week where I went to Spain with Mom and Cindy started treatment. While we are not celebrating cancer, we are celebrating on this cancerversary because Cindy fared really well in year one and we are grateful for that, and for a great medical team, and our awesome village of friends and family who drive Cindy around, feed us, and do all kinds of things we wouldn't even think of to ask for!

News to report... as advertised, the day we anticipated came Wednesday when the oncology team made a judgment call that it was time to switch chemos. They have reiterated many times that Cindy eeking out a year of efficacy on the trial drugs, while maintaining mostly normal bloodwork, has been remarkable. So here we are at Hopkins (for the 3rd time this week), on day 1 of new chemo. We had yet another nurse we had not met before, who was, like all the others, wonderful (and who referred to the yellow plastic wrap they put on to protect them from chemo as her "ball gown!")

We're juggling lots of new stuff, our own scheduling, our own medicine management (stuff most people have to do that we were spared because of the trial). But everyone here at hopkins was great today finding answers to our questions. So here we go into year 2!

If you got this far, you deserve some good news!  The protocol she was moved to historically  involves a take home chemo pump you have to wear for 2 extra days (bummer). While not available all across the country, there is JUST NOW an IV version that eliminates the need for that so that's GREAT because we were not looking forward to that. So no take home/strap on pump and Cindy also will not have to take a chemo pill for 7 days, just infusions every two weeks, which is freeing since the 3x/day drug management cycle is a pain.  So, she will only have as needed pain and anti-nausea meds vs an excel spreadsheet and 3 pill boxes!

On the non-medical  front -- tons of happiness. Cindy's besties from college came to visit (see pics). They came in pig pen alley shirts!  Pig Pen Alley was the name of their floor in their dorm. Cindy was overjoyed to see Lupe and Mare, and I loved meeting them both, as well as Lupe's husband Kurt and Mare's sister Andi.  Lots of pictures and laughing (and good eating). 

We had a pop tart party while watching the movie Unfrosted (which is about pop tarts), and, while I love pop tarts, more important .... Jesse came home from school!  He's only here 5 weeks because he was accepted to the (LA DE DA prestigious) Aspen Music Festival where he will spend 8 weeks this summer playing his french horn.  We are so excited for him and we get to listen to him practice which is beautiful. 

We also had a deeeeelightful mother's day. The boys (ie  Andy and Eric)  made quiches and salad and brought mimosas and dessert.  We sat, and ate, and drank. And played games. 

-----  (and then I guess we drove home!)

Morning Report - May 18

Cindy made it through the night with nothing bad happening, and when starting new chemo, no news is DEFINITELY good news. 

We are humbled (and horrified) that we are, of course,  not the only ones dealing with cancer.  Since our last communication, 3 *more* people in our lives have been diagnosed with cancer.  We send our love to all those who have won their cancer battle, those living with cancer, those who support folks with cancer, and those who have lost loved ones to cancer.  Our hearts are with all of you. 

Morning Report - May 19

No crazy, scary side effects yet of the new drugs. Yay.  More to come...