The Three -ing's...

Good evening family and friends!

I was fortunate enough to take the trip to Goodyear for Kimmy's last chemo treatment of this first round.  Leaving Friday and returning Wednesday afforded me quality time with my sister and her family. I am going to write a separate post about my experience but suffice it to say, my brain is fried.  As I told my husband last night, I virtually spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in silence, except for the voice of my new tv pal Rick D'Amico, who does a whopping 4 hour telecast on the channel 10 news (I thought GMA was long!) I came home to 3 children wrapped around my legs and a dog jumping on me. The welcome committee was heartwarming and so precious, but 5 hours post-return with 3 children under 9 all talking to me at the same time was mind numbing! So, in an effort to bring to life my almost 6 day, humbling yet inspiring trip, I'm taking a moment to reflect just a tad....

I am writing tonight to serve up the latest news on Kimmy's progress. Today, she had an appointment with her Oncologist. I left yesterday afternoon and tag teamed with mom. She flew in last night to go with Kimmy to this appointment. With Duane keeping to the daily grind, it's nice to have a second person with Kimmy.

So, drumroll please.......

As stated to me by Kimmy, the doctor said the tumor is 

Shrinking

Softening and

Dissolving

in that order. KABAM!

He is so happy with her progress, everything is really going great (easy for me to say, right?)

Let's say it one more time, the tumor is shrinking, softening and dissolving. I know when I spoke to Kimmy on the phone today (she was shopping with mom), I could hear the excitement in her voice. It think she may have done a little soft shoe up and down the store. This fight is not over, but as I mentioned in a previous post, we celebrate all victories along the way and this is surely one of them.

I could also hear the lightness in my mom's voice after she and I spoke a bit later. Mom, I'm sorry I can't remember exactly the way you said it to me, but whatever you said, conjured up some images in my head.

From the first day we learned of the cancer until the recent past, I offer up this photo of Mike Wizowsky to explain how I think everyone was feeling....

At this point in the journey, I think Kimmy (and the rest of us) probably feel like Buddy the Elf when he sees Santa in the mall.....

Again, this is clearly not behind her yet, but those three -ing's were the best three words I've heard in a long time.

So, what's up next you ask?

Starting next Thursday, and for 11 Thursdays after that, she will be going through her second round of chemo, same type of process, in a chair for three hours, etc, but a different drug with different side effects.

I think there was definitely an UGH moment to hear 12 Thursdays, but the alternative was to do less infusions of a stronger dose which meant she could be down for the count alot again. Given the choice, she opted for the 12, apparently might have numbing in the hands and feet and unfortunately might get stung by the big D (not Bee, D, if you know what I mean...and if you don't know, it has 4 syllables and kids will often add cha-cha-cha to the end).

The good news is this takes her to mid June, and god-willing, she'll have a recovery period that will allow her to fully enjoy our niece's wedding in July. If there ever was a gift to get, that's the one folks.

One last thing, remember how I mentioned the significance of some of these big events falling on family birthdays? Well, this next round begins and ends on the birthdates of two of her good friends. Kind of crazy.  She is surrounded by so much love. Keep lifting her up, our collective force field is working! Incredible....

Don't forget to buy your Mega Millions ticket,

Jessie