A Big Week

All around this was a BIG week in our household. Lenie left for sleepover camp at Camp Ihduhapi for FIVE days on Sunday. Because she was bunking with her bestie, Remi, she couldn't get rid of us fast enough. (I fear what college drop off will be like when the time comes). It was a strange week to be sending her off, especially in the shadow of the heartbreaking tragedy in Texas involving Camp Mystic. My heart is with all the families and loved ones affected. There are just no words.

 We are so proud of her for wanting to try new things and for her bravery. She continues to grow into this beautiful being and it warms our hearts. She is wise beyond her years and sometimes I need to pinch myself that she is ours.

As a couple, we have decided the Sunday before chemo will be a day for "us." After dropping Lenie off, we went for a breakfast date, ran surprise errands (iykyk) and then saw the new F1 movie starring Brad Pitt. In a nutshell, Sunday was wonderful. Everything was normal and life was good. But cancer is a tricky bastard, and on Sunday night I dreaded Monday knowing it would take Phillip away again with the chemo treatment. It is a different "Sunday Scary" I am used to from the legal world.

But, on Monday, we woke up to a litter of NEW KITTENS. This was something good right when we needed it most. And so, we took that spark of joy and carried it with us into Chemo Round #3.

We walked into #3 feeling confident and ready. Phillip had received his platelet booster shot and also had been slamming papaya juice over the last two weeks, there was minimal chance chemo would not happen!

Phillip's blood work came back and everything was a go. Dr. Tatineni mentioned during her visit she would be running a tumor marker test - this perked my interest. My late night research diving into reddit threads led me to be familiar with the carcinoembryonic antigen ("CEA") test. This test is used to measure the carcinogen levels in colorectal cancer patients. (Why don't routine blood tests check for this at regular physicals... Because our system is broken). Prior to treatment, Phillip's CEA level was 142. (Normal range is 0-3). I cannot count the number of times I refreshed the webpage on the MN Oncology website to see if his results were loaded. Finally, they appeared - and my jaw dropped to see the number had decreased from 142 to 43! This is remarkable news and indicative that his body is having a response to the treatment.

Phillip's bounce back from chemo has been phenomenal. Friends, I cannot describe the night and day difference in him from Chemo #1 to Chemo #3. He felt so normal after this round that I question whether he even received chemo! Once again, I am just in awe of him. This Tuesday he was doing demo calls, making dinner and doing all the things he loves doing. It was amazing to see and filled my heart.

Our appointments with the Mayo were scheduled for July 10th. Given some of the appointments were early, we made the trek on the 9th. Regardless of the construction throughout downtown Rochester, the Mayo facility is impressive. Phillip had bloodwork and a CT completed this morning.

For better or worse, test results are sent instantaneously and the result interpretations are up to the novice individual in receipt of the notification. Unfortunately, my googling could not sugar coat anything.

When we met with the nurse practitioner they were very honest, which is appreciated.

There is no cure

Surgery is not possible

The disease is advanced, there is nothing else the Mayo would do differently

With all this in front of us, we are looking at the positive. Cancer is shrinking, this is working, Phillip is pain free. He is happy. We are happy.

So, we’re choosing to live in this light. To soak up every vibrant, joy-filled moment in front of us. We’re planning trips, laughing more, loving harder, and leaning into life with everything we’ve got.