New phase of this journey

Dear diary.  I have really been delinquent in writing a new entry.  Sorry about that.  I focus most of my cyber energy on my wife’s site:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kmotz

Since my last entry, Dr. J prescribed the white blood cell booster Neulasta following each chemo treatment.  This stuff is made using the e-coli bacteria and it really works.  Unfortunately, it causes major bone aches and pains.

Kelly’s been continuing with carboplatin infusions every 3 weeks with her most recent treatment on Monday of this week.   Her CA 125 count has continued to drop steadily until this treatment when  it rose for the first time since she her recurrence last September.  It went up from 79 to 90 and we have decided to discontinue chemo treatments for now.  Strange, but I’m not screaming from the top of my lungs to keep pumping her full of medicine.  She needs a break. 

Dr. J explained that there are several reasons why it makes sense to simply monitor how she feels into the near future, watch her energy levels, and continue with CA 125 testing every 3 weeks all the while giving no more chemo for now.

It is truly awesome that she has been doing well enough to be able to stop chemo for a while.  At the same time, it is truly scary as hell that we may simply be giving the monster a chance to rear it’s ugly head again.

But, we trust our doctor.  She is truly an amazing person and we are blessed to have such an incredible relationship with her.  I wonder how many lady patients and husband of hers are invited into her home where she fixes them a great dinner and spends personal time explaining every aspect of the disease and treatment….answering all of our questions!  Obviously, she is much more than just our doctor.  She is truly a unique friend.  One we trust Kelly’s very life to.

I didn’t even mention that this past Saturday was the 2-year anniversary of Kelly’s diagnosis.  We had our 2nd annual survival party to celebrate life.  Among others, Dr. J came down (a 4-hour round trip drive) with her kids and we had a great time visiting and boating.  It was awesome.

For now……we are focusing on Kelly having no more bothersome chemo side-effects for a while and having a great rest of the summer.  I hope yours, dear diary, is great as well.