A month of "firsts"

Last weekend I finally got to take my first backpacking trip since "the diagnosis". My freighbor, Drainage, and I all headed off to one of my favorite spots in the Sierra - Emigrant Wilderness Area. It was also the first trip to Emigrant without Bobsey, and without Chana. I suspect there will be many "firsts" in all of those categories. At least for the upcoming year, as I hope to move through it with some semblance of normalcy.

Speaking of which, the latest MRI looked unchanged! The two disappearing dots did NOT reappear, and the remaining dot might actually just be a blood vessel. Though I'd like to still see it disappear sometime soon. The generalized grey blob is still there, but hasn't increased its size or contrast. So, in conclusion, things really couldn't be much better!

I just completed cycle 11 (which happens to be my lucky number - as much as I believe in lucky numbers....) That means that my next cycle marks a complete year of chemo. This didn't mean that much to me until my oncologist told me that I might want to start considering whether I want to stay on the chemo or stop it. There wasn't a lot of clear information on what to do, but it was exciting just to hear that I have a choice in this. The chemo has been frustrating my life in ways I never expected. The idea of letting it go sends chills down my spine. I will be talking with several doctors and experienced survivors to get their opinions, but I am willing to accept other research information anyone might find regarding the efficacy of long term treatment by Temodar for grade 4 glioblastoma multiforme. My family will act as a buffer to keep me informed without being overwhelmed by the typically negative and useless statistics.

Meanwhile, it's time for bed. I'm wiped out from having just finished bringing my first niece/nephew visitor on my first Cache Creek trip since the first, and hopefully last, diagnosis of a brain tumor.