We know everyone will tell us not to apologize, but we’re sorry we haven’t posted in so long. Here’s the update:
Katrina has completed 5 of 8 rounds of chemotherapy. The infusions are every other Wednesday, with the 6th coming up tomorrow. The first 4 were pretty rough on her. If I try to start listing the ways, this will turn into a feature-length New Yorker article, and not a fun one, so to sum up -- it was an 8-week long, physically, mentally, and emotionally grueling rollercoaster ride, with some deep lows, not very high highs, and some tolerable coasting as we got further away from each infusion.
However, with this 5th round last week, Katrina started on a different drug (as planned), and so far, it has been much easier on her. Fingers crossed that it continues this way through the last 3. She’s feeling much better on all fronts, mentally and physically, and thankfully is getting better sleep. Just as importantly, she feels like the end of this phase is in sight with just 3 more to go. Assuming all goes as planned and her blood counts stay good, her last day of chemo will be July 17.
Many have asked about her hair. So far, she has kept most of it, thanks to “cold-cap” therapy. This is essentially a soft helmet packed with frozen gel packs that keeps her hair follicles dormant during the infusion and for several hours after, while the chemo is at its most concentrated in her system. It makes the infusion days a lot longer and busier, but it’s been working very well. It’s a bit of a grueling process, but she is grateful her hair has stayed strong and it allows her to go out into the world with Ezra feeling more normal.
Radiation will start a few weeks after chemo ends, with short treatments every weekday for about 6 weeks. These treatments are all targeted at eliminating any remaining microscopic cancer cells that may (or may not) be in her body, thereby reducing the risk of future recurrence. And a correction to our last post - her final reconstructive surgery will not be until next spring.
Some of life goes on at something resembling normal. Ezra is doing great, expanding his vocabulary at a dizzying pace and being his usual happy, curious, energetic self. We’ve been able to take a couple of short but nice weekend trips out of town and are looking forward to a couple more later this summer.
That’s about it for now, but Katrina wants to make sure you all know that she’s an open book. If anyone has questions or wants to hear more, feel free to reach out to her. Same goes for me. Meanwhile, we continue to feel so much love and support in so many ways. Keep those good vibes coming.
Love, Dan, Katrina & Ezra