Hey Everyone!

Sorry that this update has been long overdue. I'm not going to blame this all on Duke basketball, but they certainly haven't been helping lately (Lexi would like me to point out that I did not wear my Duke shirt for the recent game and this likely cost them a trip to the Final Four). 

Recapping the past two months starting with February:

We hope that everyone has been able to celebrate a spectacular Valentine's Day surrounded by the love of friends and family! We certainly are thankful for your love and support each day and celebrate our great fortune to have so many wonderful people joining us on this journey. 

We faced some challenges in early February due to a very low platelet count. While Lexi did not have any specific symptoms, her treatment team worried about continuing chemotherapy. As with many things on this journey, we viewed this as but a minor speed bump and immediately sought to find a solution. Our research led us to an adventure in Boston where we met Dr. Nancy Berliner, an expert on chemotherapy related issues with bone marrow (which produces multiple useful things including platelets). This trip gave us an opportunity to explore some of our favorite places from Ian's time in Boston, as well as remind us that New England winters may be something we avoid in the future. 

Still, Dr. Berliner offered some great ideas for management of chemotherapy-related issues and helped us get started on a new medication called NPlate. This infusion had the advantage of minimal side effects and lots of positive platelet activity. After starting treatment, Lexi was able to easily return to a normal chemotherapy schedule and has continued to shrink the village idiots. 

This new treatment course has continued into the lucky month of March! I am incredibly proud to report that Lexi was selected to be the "Shamrock Shindig" keynote speaker for a group called SheRocks, a North Carolina-based ovarian cancer research organization. The event took place in Lexi's hometown of Wilmington, which is also where we were married in 2019. It was wonderful to be surrounded by Lexi's family and friends (someday I will convince them that wearing sunscreen is necessary for folks with the last name "Murphy"). 

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to introduce Lexi prior to her speech. It was a perfect opportunity to shower her with praise and celebrate her incredible radiance. Lexi delivered a beautiful and moving speech, sharing her story but also highlighting the greater fight for better detection and treatment options. She closed with a message of togetherness, love and support for the ovarian cancer survivor community. The room erupted with applause and Lexi enjoyed a much deserved standing ovation. 

Our adventures continued into the end of March where we got an opportunity to take in a Broadway show. Lexi had always wanted to see The Lion King and her coworkers surprised us with gift cards for the show! We loved every second of the show and highly recommend going to check it out! (If possible, find a way to sit next to Lexi because she will sing along to all of the music! And even harmonize!) 

We have added some of our favorite photos from the last two months and are happy to report that this Monday marked Cycle 5 of 6 on this new chemotherapy regimen! Upcoming for us is a trip to Scotland at the end of April- very excited for peated scotch and wandering the highlands! 

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us on this journey! We promise to keep updates more frequent!