Meet Rosemary Bennett Tracy!

Kim went into labor on the due date, 11/12/15.  Somehow we were surprised because we had talked ourselves into believing Brim would be late.  Kim's minor contractions in the morning/afternoon progressed rapidly in the evening and we were in the hospital by about 11pm at night.  It was a long, sleepless night.  Kim was an absolute rock star going through labor with the help of some excellent nurses.  At 10:53 am on Friday, November 13, 2015, Rosemary Bennett Tracy was born and placed in her mother's arms.  Rosemary's eyes were wide open and, for me, to witness mother and child seeing each other for the first time was incredible.

Rosemary is named after my great Uncle Bob's late wife, Rosemary Sidur.  She was my grandma's best friend and was also my Dad's godmother.  Uncle Bob is an incredibly wise, humorous and generous man.  I do not remember meeting my Aunt Rosemary (and she may have passed before I was born), but my entire life Uncle Bob always talks about what an amazing and kind women she was.  We also absolutely love the name.

We left the hospital 24 hours after Rosemary was born.  Taking her home and welcoming her to our home was incredible (We have a roommate!).  She has already met a lot of her family and friends who have showered her with love.  There are many more of you for her to meet.  She told me she can't wait to meet you all!

We are now trying to figure this whole parenting thing out.  So far she is healthy, nursing and giving us plenty of diapers to change so we are doing something right.

We couldn't have gottten through the ups and downs of this pregnancy or the first few days of being parents without the help, support and love of so many of you.  Thank you.

[More photos to come soon.  Our friend,  Amy, took some higher non-phone photos a couple days ago and we will post some here.

2.5 weeks to go

2.5 weeks to go and we're getting to know Brim better with every day as we can see each tiny movement with the ever-shrinking living space for him/her.

Honestly, it's been hard to sit down and write an update because life has been a little crazy. We've been busy with people in town helping us to get ready for the baby. The goal for October was to get ready for the fast-approaching Brim.  And, knock on wood, we're about there! Stroller, crib, car seat, and plenty of cute things to boot.  I am feeling pretty good aside from my feet. They swell up to clubs by the end of the work week. Brian is still plugging along in the second cycle of chemo. We're still on "Plan A."  The effects are up and down, but he's staying as active and positive as he can. The support from others certainly helps. There is no way we could have been as ready for Brim as we are now without friends and family coming in from all over. We're grateful for all of the love that folks are sending in so many ways.

Brim's nursery in progress

Our friends call a due date more of a "due period" so we're mentally preparing for the baby to come any day, taking time to appreciate the moments we have now, but also with major anticipation to invite Brim into the world. The hospital bag is packed...

Chemotherapy Cycle 1 DONE!

Today was the final chemotherapy drugs I take for the Cycle 1.  I did an infusion at the SCCA this afternoon.  The disclaimer is that although the drugs are consumed, it is also near peak of the effects so I might feel crappy for a while.  I get 2 weeks for my body and blood counts (platelets and white blood cells) to recover and then chemotherapy drugs will start all over again for Cycle 2.

Getting IV for infusion today.

Overall I am happy with how I am holding up. I went for an outrigger canoe downwinder yesterday (about 6 miles) with friends and have been riding the stationary bike and the real bike around the neighborhood.  I'm working as much as I have energy for. Most importantly, I still feel myself.  So I am glad to complete the first step of chemotherapy, and I will be a pro for the cycles to come.

This is the canoe, but not a photo from yesterday. It was windy and cloudy yesterday.

Now the exciting updates!  Kim is incredible.  She is teaching 7th and 8th graders while growing a baby and being 7+ months pregnant.  Seriously if you had to simply choose the physical effects (leave out all the cancer details) of chemo vs. Kim's pregnancy and teaching, I might choose chemo!  Kim and Brim keep me motivated.

Brim is kicking all the time and we are in awe as we see and feel more and more as he or she grows.  Less than 2 months until Brim's due date, so we are really starting to get the house more ready fit a baby or more appropriately all the baby's stuff.

Last, my good friends who run the MFG cyclocross race series in Seattle named a race after me!  It should be fun day, so if you are around Seattle come check out the scene.  Info here:
http://www.mfgcyclocross.com/events/brian-tracy-experience/

Padawan

My favorite Yoda quote these days is "Patience you must have, my young padawan." In working through Brian's treatment, I need to constantly remind myself that we're in this for the long run. In this case, I am certainly the padawan.

We are packing in the appointments before I start the school year. Monday, Brian and I saw his neuro oncologist to review Brian's general health, blood count, and a current MRI.  After a few weeks to recover from radiation, we were told to expect the MRI scan to look about the same as it did before the biopsy, or slightly larger because of swelling. This was exactly what we saw.  The shape looks a lot like Casper the Friendly Ghost, or a Grateful Dead dancing bear (which seems fitting). So these results, paired with Brian's general good health, leads us into phase two of treatment: Brian started chemotherapy treatment Monday night.

Of course, all day I've been asking Brian "How are you feeling now?" and the truth is that these drugs will take some time to work into his system and the symptoms will progress throughout the 6 week cycle. Again I'm reminded: Patience, my young padawan. The easy and hard times will come and go. It's all temporary. As for Tuesday, he felt well: woke up to meditate and hop on the spin bike, and then paddled on the OC-2 with Nick this evening.

Thank you all for your continued support and concern. The messages, T-shirts, visits, stickers, and thoughts and prayers all lift our spirits. Thank you for keeping us positive!