Update

Sometimes you need a glass of rosé.

First of all, I had a WONDERFUL time in New York last week hangin' with family. I ate good food, saw a really great play that one of my nieces wrote and that both of my nieces are in, saw some sights and survived the heat and humidity (UGH! I had forgotten how oppressive humidity can be.) The best part was being with family. So thankful it was possible to go!

While I was in New York, we worked hard to try and figure out a way to reschedule our Dr. Lin appointment because it was accidentally scheduled on the same day as Harv's pain clinic appointment. There was no way he was gonna miss the pain clinic appointment. Thankfully, we were able to work it out so Harv could see Dr. Lin today... Which meant that we got up sorta early (not very, but sorta 'cause I just got back into town) to drive to Seattle... 

Harv had blood work, we saw a nutrition specialist and then we met with Dr. Lin.

Unfortunately, the numbers that are supposed to go down are not down and the numbers that are supposed to go up are not up. His CEA is at about 107 -- up from 70-something from last week. Other numbers are also not cooperating, but I don't actually want to look at the charts when they're ugly so I chose to avert my eyes and just listen. 

Dr. Lin doesn't think the chemo is working 'cause of what the numbers are saying and 'cause Harv isn't feeling better. So, we're going to stop the TAS-102. It seems to be more harmful than helpful.

Our time with the nutritionist helped a lot in trying to find foods that work for the cook and for the eater. I hope we can both put some of her suggestions to work and that it'll start making a difference in how he feels and that he'll start to gain some weight.

Next week we'll go to one of our favorite vacation spots and then when we get back, we'll do a CT scan and some more blood work. Dr. Lin thinks that maybe a combination of some more radiation and a little bit of chemo might be helpful for keeping things at bay.

Truthfully, we are aware that we've tried much of what we can try. Nobody's giving up, but the options are becoming fewer.

The plan now is to continue what we've been doing -- which is to fight the best way we can with what we can...and to squeeze as much good ("good" can mean different things at different times to different people) out of every day as we can... Which, truth be told, should be what we do every day, but you know... 

We are thankful for so much -- family, friends, where we live, good doctors... The list is actually very long...

As always, prayers, good vibes, well-wishes, rain dances, chants, good thoughts are all welcome. 

Much love and many blessings to you all.

P.S. Raney started limping when we got home. Same bad leg... Please, please, please say prayers that it's just a tiny little thing and not another need for a veterinary appointment... Hoping the anti-inflammatories do the trick. Goodness-stinking'-gracious alive!