Friday, July 27, 2012

July NIH Visit

Hello everyone! I am so sorry it has been so long since I have updated here at Kicking Cancer.  I am going to make a real effort to post after every NIH visit from now on, even if it is a simple one or two line update just saying "Things are great! See you in eight weeks :)" .  I know people check here to see how our sweet Melissa is doing, and I am sorry I have dropped the ball.  Now on to the update!

Missy's MRI today showed that both the aggressive and the non-aggressive cancers are actually shrinking! This is wonderful news.  The Avastin is still working to shrink the aggressive cancer, to the point that even the tiny peripheral dots were smaller.  She is now also on Carboplatin for the slower growing cancer in her tumor, and it that too is shrinking.  We are so thankful for this update!
Recently Missy has needed a few blood and platelet transfusions before her bi-monthly treatments.  This is a side effect of the Carboplatin, and thankfully was not a sign of any other issues from the cancer.  Because of this side effect, they are reducing her dose of Carboplatin, but are keeping her on the medication since it is working so well to fight the cancer.  She is of course staying on the Avastin for the aggressive cancer too. We love Avastin!

So, that's the update for now!  Missy is doing great! She is feeling tired from the carboplatin and her lower blood levels, but mostly she is truly wonderful.  Since I last updated, Missy had her 30th birthday and we have taken a family vacation.  I will end with a few pictures of our sweet girl so you can all see how great she is doing!
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In the pool, enjoying the Florida sun
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The entire family on the beach
 MIssy's 30th Birthday
With some of her best girlfriends at her birthday party
MIssy's 30th Birthday
Sisters at the birthday bash
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Love :)

You can see lots more birthday party pics HERE and more vacation pics HERE :)

Thanks for continuing to check in, even when I don't update often, and thank you for all of your prayers and support of our sweet Melissa!