“The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

I would like to give a little update regarding surgery, recovery, and treatments. I am recovering quite well from the surgery. My abdomen is giving me very little trouble. My neck is still giving me a lot of trouble. 

The treatment plan has had some hiccups and we’ve made some changes. I had hoped to have the five radiation sessions on my neck completed a couple weeks before Thanksgiving, but the final session ended up being just one week prior to Thanksgiving. I couldn’t start chemo until radiation was done. In addition to the radiation treatments running later than we expected, CCare in Fresno either didn’t or couldn’t get some of the chemo drugs in time.   Those two issues ended up pushing my first infusion appointment all the way to the day before Thanksgiving. 

After much discussion with Jim and consultation with Dr. Ganjoo, I decided to hold off on any chemo until December 26, after our trip. 

My rationale for waiting? This chemo is a killer; there is no evidence that the smaller doses are going to lessen the side effects. And I’ve suffered those before. They are severe. Furthermore, the likelihood of any benefit from this chemo is very low.  All that aside, I just want to enjoy our trip. 

Jim and I are currently being chauffeured to San Francisco to catch a plane. Our first stop is Paris — and the adventures that follow are sure to be amazing.

We will of course have a travel blog if you’re inclined to follow along: https://transatlanticescapades2025.blogspot.com/?m=1