Another good scan!!!

We are thrilled to report that scan results today showed NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!! We are full of joy and feeling so relieved. After the good Jan scan, we were hopeful, but of course bracing ourselves after everything that happened this past year. My doctors are attributing the NED streak mainly to the radiation, and the current chemo pills may also be keeping things at bay. There are side effects from the pills: nausea, fatigue, low white blood cells, and low hemoglobin, so my doctor may lower the dose, but the hope is to continue this treatment. There is also a new technology that looks for tumor DNA in my blood, so it can be a way to detect cancer, even if nothing is visible on the scans. The blood test was negative in early Jan, and we'll get the results from today in about a week. My next scan is April 26. Overall, I continue to love my team of doctors, and it feels like such a gift to get the next 2 months with no major changes in treatment. 

The past couple months have been great. I went back to work part time in January, and that's going well. And I turned 42 and have never been happier about getting older. 😀 I'm like: yes! I made it to 42!

We celebrated Nora's 3rd birthday (she's a Valentine baby). We had a party with lots of friends at a trampoline park. Look how happy this kid is! And Shah Rukh Khan (the best movie star in the world) joined us for the family party. Nora also transitioned to a preschool classroom at daycare. She is potty trained and wearing a princess dress every day when we pick her up.  

This past weekend, Fiona heard someone at the zoo tell his kid to "be careful not to run into the little girl," and she was so offended, saying to me afterwards "I'm not a little girl!" Indeed. She is now jumping off the diving board into the deep end at swim lessons and is very proud.

Our neighbor helped us tap our maple tree in the front yard. The kids loved it! Will let you know how the maple syrup turns out.

Recently, Liam introduced writer Marlon James for a lecture at Capital University, which was wonderful. I had read him in grad school over 10 years ago, and we felt so lucky to meet him in Cbus.

In January, I went to Las Vegas for my SIL Rebecca's 30th bday! We had a blast. Highlights were Magic Mike, eating vegan tacos and dim sum, and hiking in Red Rock Canyon.

The sad news to report is my 93 year old grandfather Kingsley died the day before we had planned to visit him at the end of December. He lived a full and animated life, with a sharp wit and a huge heart. He was an Episcopalian minister who supported getting the Diocese of Maryland to commit to reparations for slavery. As a young kid, I remember him sharing his spearmint gum, which will always remind me of him. My family went to a wonderful memorial service in Towson, where I got to do a reading. It was really sad to lose him, but we also welcomed his 11th great grandchild (my cousin Chloe's second kid Abbott) less than 1 week after his death, in the same hospital! We love you, Kingsley. 

That's me (not Nora!) in the purple dress.

We continue to appreciate all the love and support and send our best to all of you.

xoxox,

Molly

p.s. There is an organization called LMSDR that has been invaluable for me throughout this journey. They are volunteer-led by LMS survivors and caregivers and are fundraising for medical research this month. If you'd like to make a donation you can support the organization here.