Hey Everybody!!

I finally am updating this site, I'm sorry I've neglected it.  Computers have not been my thing lately!

Today is my last day of radiation!!  Celebrate for me - we'll be celebrating here for sure.  Ben and I, that is, with a few friends 10 feet away sending cheers.  What a crazy time for all of us.  My immune system has weathered the chemo/radiation storm well and my blood counts have stayed stable.  That means I don't have any crazy restrictions, but I have to be careful, like my 84 year old Dad needs to be also!

So - the nitty gritty - just finished 6 weeks of chemo and radiation.  Radiation was M-F and Chemo is every night.  Now, they are generously giving me 3 weeks of recovery during which time my cells should be restoring themselves quickly.  The Dr. said I should feel bad for the next 6 weeks but I don't believe her.  I think I'll be back to feeling good pretty quick.  She doesn't know who she is dealing with....

In three weeks we go back for an MRI to confirm there has been no activity in my head that is tumor related.  Then I start another chemo regimen that will be something like 5 days of chemo, 25 days off.  That will continue for a while - the good news around that is that my tumor genetics showed that the chemo will work for me.  While it sounds bad, it's actually a good thing.  It means there is effective treatment.  Also on April 20, I will be going to MD Anderson in Houston to become a patient there.  Apparently for this type of cancer, it's recommended to have a relationship with a "Major Cancer Center" and we are lucky to be less than 3 hours from the best of the best.  We don't expect to be presented with a miracle cure or treatment but to become a patient of this amazing research facility and participate as appropriate in trials, if we decide we want to.  For now, it seems like my cancer is "bread and butter" and as long as there is no activity (insert big prayer here), we hold our line and stay the course.

Ben and I are hunkering down in Austin and keeping away from people.  We plan on escaping to our Port A duck away just as soon as I'm feeling up for it.  I'm hoping for Monday.  So we're gathering our rice and beans and produce from the CSA and making a run for it as soon as we can!

Thank you for all of your support, love, meals, emails, texts and prayers.  They are needed and appreciated.  Feel free to call me or email me anytime.  

Love, Harper

512-784-5553, harperay@gmail.com