After a busy couple weeks between treatments we are now complete with round two.
The effects of the chemotherapy were hard but as always, Anna stepped up her game and managed to come through smelling of roses. After the first couple days, the symptoms decreased slowly with the exception of fatigue (which will probably be around for a while). Not that you could tell with Anna that there was any issue...
The side effects of chemo are a strange beast. Anna has had some neuropathy in her fingers and hands (numbness and tingling) that was unexpected and a little disconcerting at times. She has experienced nausea in different forms but, for the most part, can treat it with medication. She has also had some lingering muscle control issues in her legs (makes walking a little weird sometimes), but nothing more than a little hitch in her step. Exhaustion is something we expected and have not lacked. Chemo is hard work but Anna is doing it, and doing it well.
Overall we feel really positive that Anna has experienced side effects on the easier side of the spectrum. While I don't want to downplay how hard this has been for Anna, we know we are lucky (and she is tough).
Anna had an echo cardiogram to check her heart function as it relates to the effects of chemo. Dr. Kaplan indicated that Anna was within range. She also had a pulmonary function test that came out well. Both tests were aimed to make sure that the cocktail of chemicals that is killing the cancer won't create or worsen any problems we might not have known of.
We moved again... After a very sweet 5 weeks in our rental on Queen Anne we finally moved back into our house in Ballard. The transition was nice and easy and the setup of our house just like it was before was a really nice homecoming. We have just a few more days of unpacking slowly and we will be back to "normal".
During our visit with Dr. Kaplan on Friday we discussed the results of Anna's blood draw (great counts), the effects of treatment and corresponding medication (no real changes), and finally the effects on the cancer. While we haven't had another full Pet CT scan, the tumors in Anna's neck are visibly smaller! Dr. Kaplan was excited (as much as he gets excited) about this, as are we. We both expressed that we had held off being too excited but he assured us it was something to celebrate. Not that it will change the course of Anna's treatment but that it was a really good sign.
Overall, things are going well. Each day brings new or repeated challenges but nothing we have not been able overcome. We are everyday reminded of those around us sending love and prayers. We are so appreciative and feel so lucky to have the support we do. Thank you.
Speaking of support, our wonderful friend, Heather Fernandez, has setup a Meal Train site for us. You can access the schedule here or here (https://mealtrain.com/w7939q).