Giving thanks...

What's new...we went to the doctor again on the day after Thanksgiving. We got basically the same news as last time. Dr. G warned us that Tim may need a couple of additional chemotherapy cycles, depending on the results of the tests, but also said that was unlikely. So next week is the expected final EPOCH treatment, the week of the bag. On Friday, Tim gets the PICC line removed and we're both very excited about that! No more nightly flushings and showers are back in! If T does need to get the additional treatments, he will need another PICC inserted, but we don't expect that to happen. The one he currently has is about 15 weeks old and Dr. G said it is time to remove it, that it wouldn't make it through 6 more weeks. The removal is a simple process, according to the nurse Kara.

I thought I had written a post about the spinal chemo, but apparently I did not. Tim has the second one on Thursday of this week. Tim described it as a pinch and a burn, not bad at all. Of course, Dr. G said that it was easier for T because he's the optimum candidate, tall, thin and young. As usual during this entire debacle, Tim complains very little. He's a tough cookie! On the other end of the spectrum, directly after my flu shot earlier this year...

We haven't been up to much in the past few weeks. Our semesters are wrapping up and we've kept busy with that, plus work for both of us. I have only a few more weeks left at my job and am trying to get everything situated there. I'll start student teaching in special education for junior high aged students on the 4th of January. T is still working part time for the University of Chicago, but when he's done with the chemo and grad school at the end of the year, he'll start looking for a full time position. Needless to say, big and exciting changes are coming!

Thanksgiving was lovely, full of feasting, football and a rousing round of Yahtzee. There's so much we are thankful for this year. Tim's parents and Hana came to my family's house and we all worked together to make a delicious meal. Sitting next to me in current time, Timberly just thoroughly enjoyed a large plate of leftovers and we have plenty more in the fridge. I participated in my first and hopefully final Black Friday shopping spree the following day and then it was back up to Chicago for the doctor's appointment. Yesterday I went down to my uncle's house for another family dinner, but T was worn out from the traveling and opted out. We lazed the day away today, as Sundays tend to go around here, and we're preparing for finals in the coming weeks. Wish us luck!