12/18/2017
As Led Zeppelin said “It’s been a long time since I rock and rolled”, or I suppose I could also tap into “Communication Breakdown” for my excuses. For I guess about 3-4 weeks now; I have been a slacker, and not keeping you all up-to-date. No excuses, but I’ll still use some. Too busy between Abby, the house, the animals, last month of the semester for my classes- basically what many of us deal with daily, minus (hopefully) the cancer-thing. So maybe it’s just ennui (which I guess isn’t bad in this case), or just the holiday season (certainly has been unique), or just any combination of life’s details that derail you. Can I pull an “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” card?
What’s been going on… we met w/Abby’s medical (chemo) oncologist a few days ago to discuss options since the cancer had spread. And as she pointed out, it had spread while undergoing chemo- not the boffo results we were hoping for, though her original tumor had continued to shrink. The good news was (and is) that an esophageal cancer clinical trial was being conducted by Merck and Dana Farber, with an assist from MGH, using Keytruda, which has been touted basically as a wonder drug for cancer patients because of the great results it’s been getting. Originally developed for lung cancer, it’s done so well that many cancer patients are receiving it, including my brother, who started on it a couple of days ago- small cancer world that we live in.
So the day after meeting w/her chemo doc, we were meeting with the doctor running the study- very nice guy- very hopeful, went over the 21 page consent form with us page by page. And since it’s a clinical trial, it will be paid for by Merck, short of some co-pays/miscellaneous stuff. Where do we sign, please? Then it was a matter and waiting a few tense days for approval (yay), then again waiting to see if they’d accept Abby’s recent lung biopsy for a tissue sample. Otherwise, it meant her having to get another one if they couldn’t use “old tissue”, which would’ve have sucked, since the first one left her sore for a few days, and she just had had it done a few weeks prior. But miraculously (yay), they accepted it, and so now she starts this Thursday (12/21). And it should be much less intrusive, with many fewer side effects, than the chemo she would’ve had to have had if this didn’t come through. If all goes well, she conceivably could be on Keytruda for a long time, like in years, not months. But lets not get ahead of ourselves- we’re just happy to have an alternative to new/different chemo that would’ve ravaged her body this time around. Still doesn’t mean she will never have chemo/radiation again, but for now it gets to chill, grab a number, and take a back seat. Please.
Otherwise, Abby’s been feeling just “ok” I’d say. Lots of secretions (everybody’s favorite word), and coughing- very tired. So it’s good days/bad days/mediocre days, but it’s great to see her when she feels good and is up and about doing normal tasks/chores that you and I probably hate but for her means normalcy. So don’t bitch about emptying the dishwasher, or feeding the dog/cat/bird/reptile/animal being, taking out the trash, wiping down the counters. The Mundane Life- coming to a theatre near you– you should see the CGI of the Scrubbing Bubbles as they dance across the screen with Mr. Clean- La La Land reshot in Swampscott.
Looking forward to having the kids home for the holidays, as I just picked up Aliza Grant in Boston, and Ben Grant should hopefully be home end of the week. It is a bit hard, these holidays, especially when you can’t eat or drink (Abby trotter Grant), or be very merry (I’m trying my best). But since half the people I talk to seem ambivalent, disgruntled, or force fed happiness around the holidays, I guess we’re solidly in the middle of the pack on the happy-go-lucky-meter. So to all, please take every step in stride, while you hopefully relax, chill, spend time with friends and family, chill, and then chill some more. For now, ignore the haters, the browbeaters, the predators, political parties and "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named” (President Voldemort).
Once again, thank you to everyone in our lives- we are blessed and fortunate to have you as friends and family. Only wishing good times, good thoughts and good cheer to you all. So have an eggnog on me, or better yet, have it all- it’s truly disgusting. Love, Abby, Craig, Ben and Aliza
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