Like Daughter - 60

First, I have to say -- this is blog post #60. That's just unreal to me -- cancer certainly has been a pain in the neck/blood/head for this family since this blog was first created in 2009. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and checking in. It still boggles my mind how supported and loved Jason and I are, though he certainly more than deserves that.

On September 30, Jason finished his final radiation treatment totaling 50 sessions over 25 days, as well as his first month of aggressive, daily chemotherapy. Since then, he has been doing really well. He remains pretty stable mentally, and is physically healthy. Overall, he is enjoying his month of rest before the next phase of treatment.

On November 2, Jason will receive an MRI to determine how successful radiation and chemotherapy were. The body and brain need time to heal from the damage that was done from treatment, which is why the MRI is scheduled for a month post-treatment. Immediately after his MRI, we will be meeting with his radiation oncologist to go over results. Then, on November 5, we will see his neuro-oncologist to once again go over the MRI results, follow up on how Jason is doing, and then get ready for his upcoming chemotherapy treatments.

The next phase of treatment for glioblastoma is very interesting. I honestly wonder how it was developed and became protocol. Here is how this will go:

On November 8, Jason will begin his oral chemotherapy. The dose has been nearly doubled from what he took in September. He will take it for 5 days, and then stop. He will be off of chemotherapy for 23 days following, and then begin another 5 day cycle on December 6, stopping again for 23 days on December 10. This will continue until April 2027, unless his neuro-oncologist says otherwise. I suspect he will get regular bloodwork and, from what I remember her saying, he will also get an MRI every two months to see how things are progressing. For now, this is the plan. 

Considering everything, Jason is doing really well. He never ceases to leave me in awe of his strength.

I will be on intermittent FMLA once this begins. I will be off for the week he is on chemotherapy each month. It's certainly going to be a challenge -- the last time I used FMLA at all before this was when I had my blood clots in February 2019. I was on the struggle bus when I came back pretty much until the end of the school year.

It's really hard to articulate how this school year is going for me. I don't want to seem like I am complaining -- it's honestly just facts. As an elementary school librarian, I am not only teaching a full load of classes, but I am also maintaining a library of thousands of books. In addition to the expectations of me as a teacher, I have a myriad of other responsibilities in the library itself. It's honestly a lot, and I have been struggling with the load. I am also going to still run our Battle of the Books club, as well as host my two yearly book fairs. Whew -- I'm feeling exhausted just thinking about it all.

I posted on Facebook the other day about my work family. They are so unbelievably supportive. I'll be truthful -- I've had a few meltdowns during work, and they have been unwavering in their love, kindness, and empathy. I am proud to be a member of this school. I love every person I work with dearly.

On that note, I shall take my leave and doom scroll until bedtime. 

As always, dearests, I wish you all nothing but love, happiness, and -- most importantly -- good health.

Dorienne

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