Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Balance (ying and yang)




We've had the first of what will be many follow up MRI's. Sunday night we drove down to Phoenix, spent a lovely hour and a half sitting in traffic further solidifying our decision to live in Flagstaff. After missing out on dinner, we had to settle for a glass of wine (oh darn) with our good friends James and Danielle the night before our appointment. Monday morning we made it to the hospital for blood work, MRI, and appointments with Dr. Porter (neuro oncologist) and Dr. Vora (radiation oncologist). The blood work showed a low white blood cell count which is to be expected after the radiation and chemo. The MRI looked very good. It's hard to explain the results of the MRI with out an M.D. after my name, but I'll try. The MRI looked really good. OK I'm charging everyone's insurance for that diagnosis (except for those of you Socialists in Canada). While we cannot be 100 percent sure that there was no tumor left due to the scar tissue from the surgery Dr. Porter was so impressed with Jill's recovery that she recommended her to be in the Mayo Clinic Magazine as an inspiration to other patients. Don't worry, we're not giving up the book rights and Oprah is next on the list.
We are learning how to balance our life with the BIG "C" and life in general. After her white blood cells get back to normal it's going to be another round of chemo (5 days/month for 6 months). We continue to monitor Mr. Oligoastrocytoma every other month, then move on to every three months, then every six. Pretty soon we'll be saying "yeah I used to have cancer, but I beat the sh*t out of that mofo"

Saturday, October 10, 2009

3 months




Today was the 3rd month anniversary of the first brain surgery (is it weird to call it an anniversary?) Jill and I ran the Solstice mountain trail 10K run. Jill was also the honorary starter for the race. We had a blast! Alexis and Danielle joined us in our quest to cover the 6.2 miles (10K for you Tom) along some of the most beautiful single track trails in Flagstaff. It was so inspiring to see Jill cross the finish line a mere 3 months after two brain surgeries, and 6 weeks of chemo and radiation. How's this for inspiration? She signed up for the Big Sur marathon (get a map Tom) next April. I'm really proud of her.