First Scan - Good News!

Just a quick good news update: I had my first scans today since beginning chemo treatments. The doctor called back early this afternoon and told me the tumors are smaller than in the baseline scan from August. For those who are consumed with curiosity, the scans are CT scans of my body, and an MRI of my head.

I am feeling pretty good about this news, needless to say. I had a pretty down week with sad family events on top of being in week three in the chemo cycle, which I find noticeably harder and more depleting than weeks one and two. The coming week is my "break" week since I had no infusion today. TTFN.

Another week...

My infusion yesterday was pretty typical. The only downer was it took them three tries to get the IV in a vein. Shannon, who is frequently my nurse at the infusion center, is under pressure to get better at IVs. I think it's messing with her head, like when a basketball team all lose confidence in their free throw shooting. The more she worries about it, the worse it gets.

Here's a picture of me and Margaret that Laura H. took at Nina's birthday party last week:

Start of the 2nd Cycle

I had an infusion yesterday. It was the first treatment of the second cycle. Nothing much new happened, but they did tell me they believe I will lose the rest of my hair. I'd say I feel fine, except I have a pretty bad cold. I'm hoping it runs its course quickly and I feel better within the next couple of days. My main plan for dealing with it is to switch to the tissues with lotion.

Rebecca has a stomach flu and is currently not keeping down fluids or attempting to eat. With any luck hers will also pass quickly. I'll keep my fingers crossed (and well washed) and hope I don't get her flu next.

More fallout

A couple of quick snapshots of how I look now. Most of the time I wear a hat or bandana...




And in a parental solidarity move, Joseph also shaved his head. Photo courtesy of Alexander: