Good Stuff!

Last week, at Linda’s check up with her Oncologist, the progress report was “brilliant” meaning that there are definite visual signs of improvement. With that, we looked forward to confirmation from the surgeon the following Monday and we weren’t disappointed! The ultrasound shows that the tumor is dramatically smaller now indicating that the chemo is working. So, unless there is some further development along the way, Linda will continue with the course of treatment (same “cocktail” and same 3-week cycle) until May 4. That makes this coming Friday’s chemo treatment the half-way point. After that session there will likely be another PET C/T scan and MRI to assess the progress. Judging from the doctors’ smiles and enthusiasm, some stomach knots started to unravel.

The few days following chemo treatment are un-fun, but by Wednesday they start getting better as measured by appetite and energy. When Linda asks for take-out from Bocca Toscana (a favorite local restaurant) it’s a signal that she is turning the corner. In fact, last night we went there for a dinner out.

We had some terrific, roof-off-the-Jeep weather this week, despite last weekend’s snow. Linda’s sister Mary was down for a few days. Jess, TJ, and I went bowling (game one: no beer, I rolled a 106; game two, with beer, I rolled a 188!). On Tuesday, my brother Mike and his wife Debbie stopped by with my nephew’s wife Jennifer and her kids Joey and Aryana. On Wednesday night Linda and I went to see “The All New Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers” in Richmond – a fun night with Jake and Elwood Blues (great back-up band!). We got a terrific meal from Beth, a friend of Adrienne’s and Greg’s (I didn’t know peas and corn could be that good). Today we had a nice lunch with Nancy and Drew, our new friends in Richmond – quite possibly the only other Patriots fans south of the Mason-Dixon Line!

We’re getting used to our new normal and we’re pleased that good things are happening. Optimism is high, and that helped me realize that a hug in the morning is even better than a kiss goodnight.