Hi friends!
I had session number 5 yesterday. I am feeling really good to be honest.  I haven't had any allergic reactions and my side effects are mild if.  That is a huge praise and a big relief because the packet of potential side effects and complications I had to sign off on was huge.  I do get a little fatigued towards the end of the day on infusion day and then again towards afternoon/evening days 3 and 4.  But typically by Friday, Saturday, and Sunday I am feeling more normal and going stir-crazy lol.

I will continue these weekly treatments until the end of July (as long as I don't have to skip any weeks for low blood counts or illnesses). Then I switch chemotherapies, and will receive one treatment every 3 weeks until the beginning of October. Which brings the grand total of infusions to 16. At that point I get 4-6 weeks off and then will be scheduling surgery... not sure yet which surgery I will be choosing just yet.  When I have healed from surgery I resume immunotherapy along with radiation.  I believe that is ongoing until mid-March or so.  And whether or not I do oral-chemo for a year after surgery is dependent on if they find any residual cancer in my tissues that they remove during surgery.

So - THANK YOU! To everyone who is praying, and sending door dash gift cards, and sending meals, and coming to walk with me, and just hang out and help pass the time, and help with the yard work..... it all means so much. I can't begin to explain to you how it has held me together and made me feel seen and loved.

Praises:
-The tumor is definitely shrinking! I can't quantify that yet because they haven't done any recent scans or palpations but I know it has. When I discovered it at the end of march it was mandarin orange sized. By the time I began chemo it was apple/baseball sized.  Now... 5 weeks into treatment, its about apricot sized and very squishy.  Hurray!  I am not sure about the lymph node that was invaded. I can't always find that one easily... so I am taking that as a good sign. And thus far they are only suspecting one node as cancerous. They will take several during surgery to be sure though.
-I am feeling really good. I am eating the healthiest I ever have. Taking daily long walks. Sleeping really well (thanks to some medicines from the dr. lol). And I am even losing a steady amount of weight (which they say is ok right now since it isn't from loss of appetite).  So prayers that I will somehow come out of this EVEN HEALTHIER than I went in are well on their way to fruition!
-The nurses are all so nice at the infusion center. I have long been leery of modern healthcare (even though I used to work in it) and it has been a relief to be getting care like this.

Prayers:
-That I stay healthy and continue getting healthier.
-That the kids and Brock can stay healthy and avoid germs so I can stay out of the woods with that.
-That I can find things to do so I don't go so stir-crazy (I'm not supposed to be in the sun so its a challenge).
-For our marriage and family to be strong an united .... having the person who usually gives all the attention suddenly start needing attention is not the easiest transition for everyone and it can be tricky to navigate for a long haul.
-For continued protection from the potential negative effects of the immunotherapy specifically.
-I have made several cancer friends wince my diagnosis and a few of them could use some prayers right now. Camryn, Misty, and Jenni are who comes to mind right now.
-I have to get those bone marrow stimulating shots again next week. Last time I got those I ended up with horrible headaches which landed me in the ER.  They gave me a prescription as a back-up pain plan if that happens again - but I'd love to avoid the headache and the medicine if possible so prayers for that would be great.


Thank you all again. I will try and keep everyone updated often.
Much love and many blessings to all of you!