Friends & Family,

After a very busy week of appointments,  we have some more clarity on the path forward and wanted to update our supporters.

Firstly, thank you. Your love has been so instrumental in helping us through a tough winter. We are continually touched by your kind words, prayers and generous contributions. It's been a long battle, but there's plenty of fight left in this dog for the days ahead!

At the most recent scan with our team at Methodist, the majority of my brain looked stable and unchanged, which is a very positive result given the aggressiveness of grade 3/4 gliomas. The chemo cocktail seems to be doing its job!In fact, several spots look to be on the retreat (smaller than last scan).

That said, a small set of two new spots right next to each other will be addressed in the coming weeks by a small regimen of gamma knife radiation. It will be very concentrated and confined to that tiny area, which is accessible and clear of any healthy tissue.

The treatment will consist of five brief sessions (1/2 hour each) over the period of one week, starting April 8th. The procedures are unlikely to have any side effects that will necessitate  time off, and I plan on continuing to teach like I have been since returning from surgery.

Our family is staying very busy,  keeping our minds in the moment and focused only on what we can control. The rest is out of our hands, and prayers are always welcome.

DeLaSalle High School has been incredibly supportive in being flexible with the process, and it is a true blessing to be doing this work, with purpose, as we continue to face this challenge. The generosity from all of you in the small army at our backs is an inspiration to keep at it with courage, knowing we are never alone.

I'd also like to give a small shout-out to my classmates from the Orono Class of '97, after many of the ladies reached out with a special gift and a group of the guys spent last weekend up near Hayward, WI at the Gillum family cabin. It was an absolute blast to catch up, and I don't know if I've ever laughed so much in the space of a few days. 

Six is proving to be a very fun age, and Eddie is helping us ready for the Twins opener. He's developed into quite the baseball aficionado! That and drawing and mini hockey and the drums are outlets for his boundless energy, allowing us the occasional deep breath.

Maud absolutely loves her new job at Grace Hospice, doing the work she was made to do. Life is good.

We look forward to seeing each of you in the faith that there are better days ahead. 

Again, as always, thank you for your time and for being in our corner!

Love,

The Zavitz's