Staying positive

Long time no write! Sorry for the lack of communication, all. It turns out that life gets pretty busy after you have a child.

Rosemary is now three and a half months old. She is waking up to the world - noticing more than just the face in front of hers. She is interested in everything: conversations, reflections, all sorts of toys, books, sounds. Brian and I are constantly amazed by how much she changes in such short periods of time. She keeps us on our toes. She loves and is loved by everyone she meets.

We went to Hawaii for a week in February with Marla, Ken and Ken's daughter Jen. Rosie dealt with the heat pretty well, loved the pool, and especially loved the ceiling fan. We don't have a lot of those here in Seattle. This trip was also a great break from the rain and cold in Seattle. The sun certainly has some healing properties. It was also nice to go on a multi-generational trip. We're looking forward to more of those in the future.

After returning to Seattle, Brian had his MRI and blood draw to conclude Cycle 4 of chemotherapy. For the first time, we got to see major results of the treatment: his tumor shrank from the previous MRI about 7 week ago!  To this point the routine MRIs were showing stability in tumor size and we were happy.  This result helps up feel more secure in his progress because the overall trend seems to in his MRIs is that the tumor is getting smaller. Of course, the goal here is to stabilize and continue to monitor the tumor. We will not be able to get rid of it entirely, but this was a great result to see.

Brian's blood counts were on the low end, so we anticipate starting the 5th cycle out of 6 in about a week, giving his more time to recover from his last treatment.  The 6th cycle should take us through June.  It has been quite a long haul of treatment starting all the way back to last June with radiation.

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/