Dear family & friends,

Mary began this, her third round of chemotherapy, last Wednesday.  Five days out now (Happy Easter Monday!) finds her not doing very well.  This cycle  involves  different drugs than were previously used and her side effects are, likewise, a new challenge for us both. One session down and five to go.  Hopefully she will have some “better days” during the third week of each three-week cycle when she does not receive a chemotherapy infusion.

Covering our bases, we are exploring all potential future treatment options.  We met today at Inova Hospital  with the oncology research team to discuss a trial that is just being developed.  It was a good discussion and Mary is interested, knowing that participating may prove helpful to researchers and future patients.  However, things need to happen before any decision or commitment.  First, it must be determined if Mary is qualified and this will involve  a screening process which involves numerous tests and interviews.  Then she can participate if it is determined that the chemotherapy she is now receiving is not working and her marker continues to escalate.  We’re hoping that it does work of course (understatement here!!).

Both Mary and I offer heartfelt appreciation to so many of you who are thinking of us and have been with us these past 3.5 years.  

Sempre avanti………Daniel