I know it’s been too long since our last update.  It was a challenging summer but we are so busy living when things were good, that we just couldn’t stop to write it all down!     Our summer was filled with many great memories.  The girls were all about sailing their boat Ventosa (in the water about 26 hours a week!) Gianna competed in away regattas as Sophia raced green fleet and completed the season by moving up a division for her last race in some very challenging conditions.  Both girls enjoyed their summertime friends and packed in a lifetime of fun into eight weeks.  Think: bay parties, surf camp, cousin sleep overs, sunset surfs, road trips, ice cream, Chappy, crab night, fairy Godmothers, salt air and cool summer breezes.

Along with summer, came a new protocol, one that is much more taxing on my system, but one Dr. Langer feels will best benefit me at this point.   The fight is a little harder, more side effects, Dr Appointments, tests, lost time in CVS, phone calls, emails, managing my health.  I keep track of my notes, manage the extra bills that come in and copy and send out CDs to other doctors for their perspective on my condition and possible courses of treatment.  Add to this is the search for the best healthy food mixtures to combat the on slot of pain, fatigue, nausea and cracking headaches, throw in the balance of trying to keep a normal life for my family as this “new normal” can be overwhelming, and you have a FULL TIME job.

The balance is tough sometimes however, in this sea of madness it is important to celebrate.  Especially this VICTORY as my scans have shown the largest reduction since the trial in NYC. My current protocol has yielded a 50 % reduction in tumors (22or so down to 11-ish) and if we were to calculate overall tumor mass the reduction would probably be near 80%.  I think that counts as KICKING CANCERS ASS!  The MRI of the brain also shows stable – still 2 left. And there is no new growth in any other organ. Phew!

Now – having the knowledge that this protocol, the most difficult so far, is working, I can have the peace of mind that the beating I am taking is all worth it as we are getting the need results to allow me more time! Who wouldn’t want more time?  If I could invent time I would be rich beyond all comprehension, and in a way I am rich –  and gracious for all that I have that makes this fight worth fighting!

With this news came the request to continue this protocol for two more months (into the beginning of December) We will re- evaluate with scans once again, and continue from there.  Hoping and praying for continued improvement.  Continued improvement = more time. more fun. more memories.

Wouldn’t that be a great Christmas gift?  It’s on my list.

I know it’s early. but, make a list.

Start here: IF I WASN’T AFRAID I WOULD:

Yup- that list.

Then one by one start to create your future, day by day, just as I am creating mine. As we say here, “GAME ON!!”

Happy Fall! Get moving and grooving!

xx

DNG&S