Hello friends and family, it has been a while since I last communicated with you all through this venue.  However it is about time, and I would like to keep you informed with Travis' progress.

Remarkably, we are coming up on one year from the time of his first diagnosis.  Travis continues to fight and persevere.   Many of you will remember that when he was first diagnosed, we had high hopes and the impression that he would have intensive chemo therapy for six months, after he would have some recovery time, surgery, and then find manageable balance of chemo and quality of life for treating his the lesions on his liver.  We still have high hopes, however after his first six months of treatment, we have realized that cancer doesn't abide by our timelines.  

Our mindset has changed quite a bit in the past few months.  I used to count down the weeks of his chemo "prescription" (if you will), and say.... "you've only got four sessions left" ... a few weeks pass by... "Three more Trav, you've got this!"  an so on, and so on....  And even though I still know that he's got this fight handled, we no longer count the chemo sessions in the same spirit.  We now realize or acknowledge that this is a marathon not a sprint.   Observing the next round of treatment, why his team has chosen this type of treatment, while anticipating the next scan to hear more progress and to plan the next method of attack.

His second round of chemo was similar to his first round, insomuch as, he had treatment every two weeks for 72 hours, however they changed up his "cocktail" to try and combat both areas of concern with more force, and it was only a three month regime.  He then had another scan which was about six weeks ago.  In that scan we learned that the main mass in his colon has managed to maintain its size, as has a few of the lesions in his liver.  There are a few feisty lesions, as well that have resisted some aspects of the treatment and continue to grow.  As always, I try to find an outlook that reassures hope, I recently had somebody point out that the maintenance of the mass and most of the lesions, is a win!  Which sounds so simple as I sit here typing it, however, I believe they were right.  It is a win!

After his last scan in early August, they decided on a new method of chemo.  His current schedule is chemo every week for a few hours for four weeks, he then has two weeks off for his body to recuperate and starts the regime again.  He's currently in week four of the first round.  His team has assured him and said that previous patients have responded quite well to this type of change in therapy. 

Travis has decided to seek a second and third opinion regarding his form of treatment.  This week he has an appointment in network (his insurance is through Kaiser) with another oncologist.  He is looking forward to gaining knowledge from another person.  That is not to say that he is not happy with his current team, just that as always, knowledge and more perspectives are invaluable.  He is also looking to make an appointment out of network with one or two of the university hospitals near him.  He wants to cast his net far and wide to find the best plan.

I will be sure to update you when we have new information.  As always feel free to reach out with questions, cards, words of encouragement and words of love is appreciated more than one can realize.  So lets bring back the art of hand written letters.

Much love to you all!  

Last minute decision: I've attached a favorite picture of Travis for your pleasure.  This is Renley (who just turned 2) and Travis at the doctors office for her check-up.  She had never worn a mask before this day, and when they asked her if she wanted to, she was so excited to be like "dad."  I can't get over their eyes!!!  Okay one more, Travis has taken every moment possible to fish this summer.  Him and our dad got to go tuna fishing with a few friends last month, I love the pure joy on his face in this picture.

~Kate