something of an update

Well yesterday was the big day for getting results from last weeks CT scan and just as anticipated, the results are pretty good.  The tumors seems to be responding to the treatments and while they can appear to be modestly larger than they were 2 months ago, it's also true that the level of fluid build up I had for the first one vs. the second can cause some distorting so the doc says that nothing really changed.  Sounds not great except when you consider that the other option was that treatment might have done little or nothing and I could be much worse off.

So, we're happy about that.  We continue with this course for another two months and reassess formally in early January.

I had a paracentesis scheduled in the morning as well but they were only able to drain off a tiny bit of fluid (there wasn't that much to start with been though it's been two weeks) because it's accumulating in a more difficult to access area but the discomfort isn't too bad and eventually they should be able to get at the pockets of fluid, they just need to expand a bit.

It's been a whirlwind of visitors lately as well.  We loved getting to spend some time with Renee, Yasu & Courtney.  They arrived on Saturday afternoon and stopped at Whole Foods on the way to our house and Yasu made us an amazing dinner from scratch (of course he did).  Wonderful!  Got to see them a few times over the course of the next few days and had lots of laughs as we looked through old sort scrap books etc.  Renee made up a whole bunch of little buttons that say "I <heart> DS" so expect to be sporting one the next time you leave because everyone gets one!  :)

Speaking of scrap books...Dave and I received one of the most thoughtful gifts I can imagine.  Several friends gathered lots of materials from several more friends/family and created (1) a bound books with all kinds of pictures and stories and (2) a scrapbook filled with even more of the same!  So many people were contacted (out of the blue no less) and so many people sent in items to share (you all know who you are) and I cannot wait for everyone who comes over to see these books because they are really wonderful.  Thanks to Melissa, Irene, Emily, Jenny, Raegan, Anne and everyone else I may be forgetting.

Since Sunday we've also been hosting Dave's parents, sister Sarah and two nieces Ariana and Anina.  It's been a lot of fun plus, while I spent the day at the hospital yesterday, Sarah made meatballs and sauce from scratch (for a wonderful dinner) some soup to freeze for a later meal (not to mention extra meatballs and sauce to freeze) plus a couple of lasagnes to boot.  Then Dave's mom, Dorothy, also made a pumpkin pie and an apple pie which are also in the freezer for later consumption.  We are stocked again!  We've had so many wonderful meals pre-made for us and we have been eating them people!  Eating and LOVING them (we have some good cooks for friends.  For real.)

Thanks for reading.  I hope you are all having a good day.  I am.  :)