Ups and Downs are the Norm

 Kristi had her most recent immunotherapy's injection last Friday, and this round has been a little tougher than usual -- we were told the side effects tend to build up with each new treatment. By Sunday, as we made our way home from the Bay Area, the fatigue and body aches had set in, and she’s spent the rest of this week in bed. The delayed side effects gave us one great day on Saturday, though—we were able to head over to San Jose (Los Gatos actually) for a Reedley College football game. We had a good time and enjoyed some INCREDIBLE food. You must try Limón if you are in the Bay Area.

Reminder: Pazopanib (Votrient) is the major component of Kristi’s current treatment plan. Unlike traditional chemotherapy that directly attacks cancer cells, pazopanib works by blocking the tumor’s ability to grow new blood vessels. Without that supply of oxygen and nutrients, tumor growth can slow down. The tradeoff is the side effects that come with it—Kristi often experiences deep fatigue, muscle and body aches, and sometimes an overall sense of heaviness that keeps her in bed for days at a time. These side effects don’t hit right away but roll in a day or two after treatment. Despite these hard days after an injection, pazopanib remains an important tool in managing the leiomyosarcoma, and we’re grateful to have another option in her ongoing fight.

Even though Kristi said this morning she still doesn’t feel much better, I got a sense that the worst may finally be starting to ease, maybe. Or, she may have been showing her bad-ass self in an attempt to be positive.

Looking ahead, Kristi has an outpatient procedure scheduled for October 6 at Stanford Hospital. The doctors will be removing a few subcutaneous tumors, one on her upper arm and several on her scalp. The one on the back of her neck, just above her hairline, has always been tender, and lately it’s become more painful, so this procedure should bring some much-needed relief. Compared to the bigger surgeries of the past, this feels like a smaller step—but still an important one in helping her feel more comfortable day to day.

As we move into October, we’re reminded again of the rhythm of this journey: good days, hard days, and everything in between. Through it all, Kristi keeps showing her strength, and we keep finding joy in the simple moments.

We’re so grateful for the encouragement, love, and prayers that surround us. Each message, visit, and kind word makes this road a little easier, and we carry that support with us into every new step.

Our little new buddy Babu is a complete joy. He snuggles with Kristi more than anyone else.