Only one day left of a very challenging year. We hit a few milestones in the past few weeks:

Tom’s most recent scan was ruled stable. We were initially disappointed by the images as they were unchanged from last month. However our oncologist pointed out the swelling appears to be gone. The gray/fuzzy patch that remains on Tom’a brain appears to be radiation scarring and may be here to stay. Overall Tom is doing well other than the Avastin causing him to feel every injury he has had in the past year all at once. But today Tom got his last Avastin infusion and even a reduced dose! Hopefully after being off chemo for a month so far and now being done with the infusions he will be feeling good by the end of January. He also got cleared to ride a bike by himself again which gives him more freedom. We have a few mote months that he will need to be seizure free before he is cleared to drive. Huge thanks to Endo and our nephew Tyler for helping out with some driving! 

I am still adjusting to my medication and some days I really do not feel like myself. I observed some patterns and at least my doctor and I have come up with a plan for managing some of the side effects during my big estrogen drops. My oncologist wants to increase the dose and it’s up for discussion after the holidays, which I guess is soon. 

To cap off a truly shitty year, Olive got very sick with Giardia on Christmas. After a few sleepless nights with a very sick bulldog she got to feeling better with some special food and medication. She loves the food and I think it makes her feel better than even before she was sick. 

Honestly we don’t have another year like this one in us so I hope next year is somewhat easier despite whatever challenges will inevitably come. We decided to take some control and to stop waiting for treatment to “end” and we planned our first international trip again and bought tickets last week. Our oncologist said we all need to “make it happen”. For now at least we have a break until Tom’s next scan. 

Thank you again to everyone who helped us survive this year by feeding us, driving us, cards, hugs, gifts and encouragement. 

2025-don’t let the door hit you on the way out!