My neck is totally cleared up. No visible signs of cancer left there. Great news! What I didn't know from the first scan was that there were "multiple" lesions in my liver when I started. I was only told about the two biggest ones, the significant ones. This weeks scan showed a "few" lesions, the measurable ones have shrunk by about ⅓. So, ⅔ of the tumors are still there. UGH.
They want me to do a total of 6 cycles (18 treatments), today I started the 4th. So, I'm not as close to finished as I hoped I would be. In reality, I'm only just over half way done. If I understood correctly, the clinical trial won't start until after I'm done with chemo. In the beginning, when this stage 4 crap started, I thought I would be OK to do chemo forever if it meant that they would keep shrinking and going away. Now, I just want a break from the side effects. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired! I feel like a science experiment.
One of the blessings of being in this cancer club is meeting so many great people along the way! My friend, Marie, was with me today. She brought me the BEST, most delicious, not-even-close-to-vegan Mint Brownie from the cafeteria at the Church Office Building. When I worked there, this was the one dessert I couldn't resist. It made my day to see what she had when she pulled it out. 
And then there are the friends who want to remain anonymous. I love them every bit as much! This came in the mail this week. I don't know who it is from, but I'm very grateful! They are silk handkerchiefs, so soft and wonderful. It's not the first time something has shown up on my doorstep and I didn't know who it was from.
This cute handmade card came from our neighbor, Kyra. Her Mom brought us dinner this week, and Kyra came with her to drop it off. This is such a sweet sentiment, I have it hanging on my fridge.
A friend talked to me on Sunday and said she wanted to come help me on Thursday morning, early, with whatever I needed. I told her I wouldn't be up yet, but she was welcome to come in and look around! I woke up to sounds from Teri, cleaning the kitchen and other things. She just looked until she found cleaners and tools, and worked until I came up. She waited until I was up to vacuum. :) So thankful!
This morning as we were pulling out of the driveway, my cancer friend, Regena pulled up. She asked if there was something she could do for us while we were gone. "Laundry!" I said. She she pulled into the driveway as we were pulling away, and started our loads, and worked on it until Brooklyn came home. I'm sure she was in and out, she wasn't here the whole time! But, another super thoughtful gesture from a friend who knows the pain of cancer, and is willing to do anything she can to help. We are so blessed!
People say all the time, "Please let me know what I can do to help!" I'm overwhelmed and can't think of things on the spot. But if you say you are coming on this day at this time, we'll look around and see what there is to do. :)
Here's a fun fact: Mat's been keeping up on our insurance stuff. He said today that the weeks when I get the three drugs, the insurance pays out $22,000 to Huntsman (or whoever). 22K times 6 = $132,000. That's not the small treatments-there's 12 of those. That's not my surgeries, port, anything else. Just 6 chemo's, 18 doses of drugs. All since the first of September. Are we grateful for insurance?? YES!!!
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