1 week after first treatment - follow up exam results are in

Hey all,

Allyson had her first follow-up exam this morning with the oncologist to mark one week after the first chemo treatment. He was very upbeat and positive about the fact that he was having trouble locating the tumor beneath the hematoma that had formed after her last biopsy. The hematoma is still large enough where he couldn't get a good measurement of the tumor, but he he also explained that he wouldn't be surprised if the experimental treatment had already made large inroads on shrinking the original mass. This seems incredible to us that he would be that positive so quickly. He said it wouldn't be the first time that shrinkage occurred at that level after the first treatment...woohoo!

Allyson continues to run out of gas in the early afternoon hours, and the oncologist was surprised about this side effect as well. He hasn't really experienced anyone else having that amount of difficulty with nausea and energy with this treatment. He even suggested that she might have caught an actual flu bug versus this happening as a result of the treatment itself.  So until she goes through the second treatment we really won't know what the cause/effect is with that issue. Let's hope she gets better this week and doesn't have any further issues!

Everyone is in good spirits here...Grayson is just about recovered from his tonsillectomy, and Avery brings home new words and phrases every day...They are the perfect age for us right now because they still need help enough to keep us very busy. But aside from their teasing one another, they are nothing but sunshine, rainbows, and wonderment. Add in the fact that we have the Christmas season and the joys of that come along with it....and you couldn't ask for better distractions during tough times.

Linda tells us that she is finished nesting in our guest bedroom upstairs. She has truly turned it into her little "retreat", as she calls it. A new desk in there that looks great, side table, lamps, new bedding, etc. She wants to show it off to every neighbor that walks in the door! LOL.

Anyway, I hope everyone enjoys their week, and I'll continue to post updates as they occur.

Love you all,

Kyle