If you have ever had any shape or form of healthcare, you know that things can shift and plans can change at almost any step along the way.  That said, we'll do our best to share what we know as we learn/know it...

On Monday 5/6, I (Lacey) was able to go with Mom/Kelsey and Dad/Wayne to the "planning" appointment for Mom/Kelsey's treatment regime.  At a high level, she will be undergoing radiation, oral chemotherapy, and a clinical trial - which includes iron and vitamin C infusions.  The radiation and the infusions will occur in Iowa City.

All three of the threatments noted above will kick off around 5/15 and will continue for 6 weeks.  The oral chemotherapy will be daily.  The radiation will be everyday M-F.  And the clinical trail will be sprinkled in throughout that 6 weeks and beyond.  

After the 6 weeks of radiation, Mom/Kelsey will have about 4 weeks "off" before starting a second type of oral chemotherapy.  This chemotherapy and the clinical trial infusions will continue on for roughly 6 more months.  

There will be scans, bloodwork, assessments, etc. that will occur often throughout this time and may shift the plan here and there, but, overall, this is the standard of care/treatment for the type of brain cancer that Mom/Kelsey has landed with.  

Because radiation and chemotherapy can affect people so differently, it's hard to tell what we're in for by way of side effects and things like that.  Mom/Kelsey is lucky to have a close friend who works in the Radiation Clinic where she will be recieveing care, so we feel comfort in that added layer of support.  

The one thing that we will need to be extra careful about is inflammation.  Some imflammation from radiation is normal, but we want to be sure we do what we can to prevent extra swelling.  With that said, if any meals/snacks/treats that you want to bring over could be high protein/low carb (specifically, added/refined sugars), that would be super wonderful!