First off, thank you one and all for the outpouring of love, concern and generosity over the past few days. We are so grateful and fortunate, again. And know that even if Kelly and I don't respond to emails or texts or calls immediately or at all, please keep the messages of encouragement, of humor, of solidarity in your shared anger and sadness coming.
Kelly is now scheduled to have surgery to remove a brain tumor on Tuesday. Her neurosurgeon and oncologist will not know if it's breast cancer until we get the pathology on the tumor, but we're told it's likely breast cancer and is likely triple negative. After surgery, she'll be in the hospital, recovering for roughly 5-7 days and then home recuperating. Surgery will be followed by some period of radiation, still to be determined.
It's unknown if this tumor was there all along or if it's something new. Apparently the brain mostly protects itself from allowing chemo to penetrate it, so it's possible that it wouldn't have been addressed during Kelly's rounds of chemo.
Until Tuesday, Kelly will remain in the neuro ICU at Georgetown Hospital. But she is on 'step down', meaning that the medications to prevent seizures and reduce swelling in her brain have improved her condition. Her cognition is sharper and she hasn't had any sharp headaches, which means that the swelling has decreased presumably.
During this time, we're also waiting on the results of a PET scan from the neck down. Her oncologist ordered the scan to find out if the brain tumor is an isolated issue, or if there's something larger going on. We should know more tomorrow (Monday). Needless to say, please shine that light, send positive thoughts, keep us in your prayers, whatever it takes.
Many of you have asked about our spirits. That's a tough one. It's minute by minute. It's everything all at once. Not defeated, definitely very bruised, confused...is this really happening again? Trying to find humor and reason for hope. Yet overwhelmed and daunted by so many hurdles, so many unknowns, so many questions. We felt like we had a handle on our future again. We were set to go skiing with our good friends in a week. Putting 2014 in the rear view mirror. "Jelly" was getting back on track.
And then there are 2 little boys who make us tear up and smile at the same time, just thinking about them. They're both sweet and good and joyful, and give us the strength to keep on. Miles made a visit to Mama at the hospital this morning, and Ian is going to stop in tomorrow. Family and friends are jumping in to make sure that they're well taken care of, having fun on play dates, and more.
I'm going to continue to update Kelly's blog until she can take over again. Her wit and humor and raw honesty will be back, promise. I'm going to do my very, very best to make sure that happens.
Jim
