Lori!!! How in the world are you? I pm'd you last month but hadn't heard back from you so it is great to have you checking on us!

Well - this has been an interesting journey. I'm not sure that interesting is the word, but you understand 🙂 Mr. Ray of Sunshine is doing very well. I'll catch you up since it's been a bit and I've lost track of where we left off. He completed 4 rounds of BR (it's come to the point where I understand and know some of the "terminology") and he had been seeing his PA during those appointments. For Round 5 he was scheduled to see his Hematologist for the first time since beginning treatment. That was an eye-opening appointment. She spent a full hour with him (I was on speaker phone sitting outside in the parking lot with our dog as it was too hot to leave him in the car - I know, I know - leave him at home. But he's the baby and we just can't do it LOL) So - two things happened at that appointment that were a first - his neutrophils dropped too low for chemo that day, but in addition, because he had completed four rounds and his Pet Scan was a Deaville 1 with no evidence of disease it was decided that he did not have to have the last two rounds of the Bendustamine/Rituxan combination. Basically, he could be done with chemotherapy. I do remember you saying that finishing the entire run was the suspenders, etc. but his doctor felt strongly that due to some trials that had been done regarding Follicular Lymphoma she felt stopping at 4 rounds was absolutely acceptable. A very strange feeling indeed. Then came the conversation about staying on Rituxan for two years with an infusion every two months. To be followed up at his next appointment with her on the 2nd of August. So that day Val received Rituxan only and Neulasta. I was told that they call Neulasta NASTY LASTA. It hit him harder than either the chemo or the immunotherapy. It kicked his butt. He will have his next Pet Scan on the 30th and hoping and praying for another "lights out" scan.

I feel like I have learned so much going through this, as has Val. His doctor is very thorough, very caring, and very intuitive. I am so grateful for her and the Mayo Clinic. This last appointment really made it sink in that the type of cancer he has is chronic - it is not curable, unless it transforms into a different more aggressive type, and that is always possible. Val is such a warrior, but he is very realistic and while not being a defeatist, he knows that there is a good possibility that the cancer will return, but he feels that as long as he can go back into treatment all is well. The doctor assured him that if he does come out of remission, he can definitely start treatment again, and that things change so quickly in the world of medicine that there are other treatments emerging all the time. Many people stay in remission for many years so that's what we are hoping for, but truly understanding this disease makes us calmer and not scared, like in the beginning.

With all of that said Mr. Ray of Sunshine is taking it slow, but doing more each day. Getting stronger and trying to build up his stamina. Mr. Crabby Pants has left the building!!!

How are you????? Here comes a hug right at you!