Cycle 4, Day 1

Mom has been busy since her last treatment 3 weeks ago. Weekend retreat at Kripalu led by physician and cancer survivor, David Servan-Schreiber: check. Complication-free day surgery for port placement: check. Trip to Denver, CO to visit her oldest brother, Nick, with sister Coco: check. Weekend conference with Bruce Lipton, PhD while on said trip to Denver: check.

Kickin' ass and takin' names: check double check.

The one major hang up since her last treatment has been frequent headaches. A brain MRI showed an 8mm area of "artifact." They're almost certain it is not cancer, and it doesn't appear to be be inflammation either, but it could be contributing to her headaches. She had a repeat MRI yesterday so they'll continue to follow this area closely, but at this time it isn't a major source of concern.

In super exciting news, the spots where the cancer had metasticized to her abdomen are all gone except for one! Which means the chemo is working? We sure hope so! Dr. Choueri and her nurse, Stephanie, were both really encouraged by how she's doing and looking at our appointment yesterday.

Plan as of now is to do another CT scan of her chest, abdomen, and pelvis before her next treatment, and try to manage the associated symptoms of headache and fatigue as best we can.

Here are some little visual gems Mom emailed me this past week:

Dream Team: Linda Meyers, Susan Eastman, Sinead, Penny Woodford

Mom and Margot Larson: Fellow cancer ass-kicker.