Whew! It has been a long time since I wrote an update. In my case, no news is great news. Treatment has been going extremely well. My last MRI in October looked completely clear. Although there may still be cancer cells lurking about, all signs point to many, many healthy years before I have to face a recurrence. I'm so grateful to have our world-class cancer center so close to home. In my professional life before being diagnosed with brain cancer, I spent a lot of time talking with Dartmouth cancer center leaders, researchers, physicians, and nurses. The message we kept coming back to was that the cancer center combines the best science and medical care with personalized, compassionate caregiving. Sometimes one's own experience doesn't live up to an organization's public messaging, but for me, it absolutely has. 

In August, I surrendered my communications director position in the Medical and Healthcare Advancement office, which supports both the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and Dartmouth Health (an academic health system that includes the cancer center). I had been working for the medical school and the hospital since 2004, so this was a bittersweet change. I loved my job, but I also loved being freed from the daily stresses of working full-time, managing a household, and tending to my children. I'm truly at peace with the decision. It has given me more time to tend to my own healing (naps, yoga, meditation, and the endless doctors' appointments). I'm also spending precious time with my teenage children. So far, they still don't mind hanging out with me--ha, ha. Also, Christian now has a wonderful job at Alice Peck Day, where he feels valued and is compensated well. All of you who gave generously to our family helped him finish his degree and internship hours this past summer. Without that support, he would not have been able to start a full-time position as a mental health counselor this fall. Now, we are doing absolutely fine financially, so PLEASE don't worry about that anymore. 

Regarding the "homestretch," I have just two more rounds of oral chemo. I should start round 11 this week and round 12 just after Christmas. I'm grateful for and humbled by how far I've come since my diagnosis. And I'm really looking forward to 2023!! 

Sending blessings to all, 

Jen