12-9-22

Very pleased to relay that Emily received a glowing report during our trip to Houston this week! Her CT scan came back “clear” which is the simple, beautiful word that we are always hoping to hear.

A couple of key takeaways:

• The residual scar tissue from her “main tumor” continues to shrink – while the doctors are mainly focused on ensuring the mass doesn’t grow, or show signs of active cancer, seeing the tissue size continue to shrink is a good trend.
• Her bloodwork remains stable compared to previous visits and largely within the “normal range” for an average (healthy) patient.
• Her TSH and Free T4 levels also reported as normal. Why is this important? The treatment field used during her radiation regimen touched closely to Emily’s thyroid, so her radiation oncologist is regularly monitoring these blood values to ensure they do not require additional attention. There are standard treatment options should either become an issue, but so far so good!

So, what is next? Given that Emily continues to progress as expected/hoped, it is now recommended to stretch the length of time between scans to every 6 months in Houston. We will also remain in contact with Dr. Beaven and the UNC Lineberger team, with those appointments for bloodwork taking place every six months as well (staggered between the Houston trips). This is the plan for 2023, and if all goes well, we should have annual trips to Texas starting in 2024.

Tomorrow is Emily’s one-year anniversary of her stem cell transplant. That is a day that neither of us will ever forget. After seven consecutive days of intense chemotherapy, with her immune system purposively destroyed, the time had come to rebuild. The stem cells were delivered, blessed by a chaplain, and the process started. Tears were shed, hopes were lifted, and Emily’s countdown to seeing William was in the home stretch.

Scan days will always be stressful, but that is the hand we have been dealt. But guess what? We’ve also been dealt an incredible group of doctors, family, and friends, all of whom play an integral role in helping us navigate the difficult and unknown. And to that end, we are remarkably blessed.

So, as we enter the holiday season, we wish everyone the absolute best. May your homes be filled with love, joy, and all the blessings this time of year brings.

Trevor