The doc stopped by

Heaps of thanks to the folks who made the airplane sound in this white noise app. Liz finally slept for a couple hours. Nurses come in periodically to scan the barcode on her bracelet with a gun that flashes red lights. Then they give her drugs. And it's an oncology ward, so there are a lot of sick and old people here. We're not thrilled to be here, but we're becoming big fans of the nursing staff, except for that one lady... You know, that one from earlier today. Glad she's gone for the day. Right? Seriously.

Liz will be in the hospital at least until Wednesday, maybe Thursday. There was only a 10% chance that the chemo treatment would land her in the hospital, but 'lucky' Liz beat the odds and here we are. They'll give her a white blood count (WBC) booster each day for the next few, which takes a few days to work. But it will work. Day 8 (today... huzzah!) is the low point in WBC anyway. Darn you, wonderfully effective and terrible Taxotere. But once the mouth sores/thrush and skin issues clear up through the medicine, she should be good to head home.

And now, lo and behold, SOME GOOD NEWS...

The oncologist just stopped by. Liz's liver enzymes are getting better! He's seeing daily improvement. That was his biggest concern after we found out the cancer had spread to her liver—it does the bulk of chemo drug processing, so it is critical to make sure it works right. Her enzymes had been elevated, but as of today, 1 of the 3 enzymes is normal, and the other 2 are almost normal. He also confirmed visually and through exam that the breast tumor is also SHRINKING. Keep those prayers and happy thoughts coming, it's working.

Liz's birthday is April 2nd, so it's good to get some smiley news before party time. She's still on schedule to get a port put in April 4th, which will be a big help in administering chemo and drawing blood for tests in the future. We'll check her breast cancer markers before the next chemo treatment to see if they show a decline as well. Then 4-7 more chemo treatments of Herceptin, Perjeta, and Taxotere, and if the liver clears up (go team!) then she'd just stay on the first 2 chemo drugs, which have few side effects and can keep on working. Surgery is an option, but not necessarily a requirement, down the road, especially given some recent studies. But time will tell... For now, let's high five the liver for a job well done and kick its cancer in the, um, liver.

So Passover begins this evening. Just a few minutes ago, actually. Passover commemorates protection, it celebrates freedom from suffering. It reminds us that the obedient were saved from the crushing plague that convinced Pharaoh to let Moses lead the chosen people away from Egypt.

Exodus 12:13
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

Protection, safety. Seems like appropriate timing to me. Just a few more bitter herbs first...then freedom. Happy Passover!

Go Team Liz.