6th inning. (halfway through)

Guest blogger #2... my mom

I am tucked into Katy's window seat (oops -- Katy & Erik's -- love that guy) drinking coffee in the NY mug.  Katy has a mug from all of our "girl" trips & so I think about all our good times as I choose my mug.  I will sit here for a long while as Katy sleeps ... and sleeps.  The fatigue she carries with her is palpable, her energy is zapped ... but she is still beautiful.


Their apartment is filled with the sweetest cards & good wishes & flowers.  Their romantic story has touched many.  The caring helps.


Speaking of caring -- the nurses who attend to Katy in her treatments are awesome.  To a one, they are young, highly efficient, friendly, chatty with Katy as they know her story, & confidence -- inspiring.


Yesterday Katy's Oncologist repeated that Katy is an "A+ student".  Her response to her treatments has been perfect.  My joy is tempered however, as she has 6 more emotionally draining treatments.  They take a toll.  However, her husband, both families, friends, faith, work, bike rides, Phillies games, & an impending move fill her life.


Tomorrow we train up to NY to meet Erik returning from Spain.  He managed to get us tickets to the Phils vs. Mets at Met Stadium.  Always something to look forward to -- and looking forward to August 16th is the most focused thought of all.

5th Inning: "Complete Metabolic Response"

One-baseball-season welcomes guest 5th inning blogger Erik!

Top of the 5th, bases loaded, nobody out. The Phils have been channeling the Bad News Bears lately, with base-running blunders, dropped fly balls, and blown late leads. Katy Jo steps to the plate with a chance to change the course of the season. She knocks the first pitch out of the park. Grand slam.

Ok, so even Katy might not be able to save the Phils this season. But the 5th inning was a grand slam in every other sense of the word. Before the treatment, we received word from Dr. Nasta that the PET scan results were in. “A Complete Metabolic Response,” raved the report. In other words, Katy’s rebellious lymphatic system, which had been sneaking out of the house and driving its parents crazy for months, had been grounded. Not to leave the house again. Indefinitely.

In other words, the cancer cells are no longer cancerous. The chemo treatments are working – and not only that, they’re working ahead of schedule. The desired results for the first PET scan were half of the cancer gone (a “partial” metabolic response, if you will). The complete annihilation of the rebellious cells was enough to bring a beaming smile to our typically game-faced Oncologist, who awarded Katy an “A-plus patient” rating for the first two chemo cycles. Once a valedictorian, always a valedictorian.

After receiving the good news, we decided to celebrate – across the street at Au Bon Pain. A delicious sandwich and mac-n-cheese platter later, we were back at Penn for our regularly scheduled infusion. Despite the rapid progress, the treatments will continue as scheduled: every other Thursday through the end of September.

As I write, my beautiful wife is getting sleepy (Benadryl doesn’t mess around). We have a beautiful view from our room on the 4th Floor at Abramson, directly overlooking 34th Street and West Philadelphia. Before she got sleepy, Katy and I were discussing how convicted we are that God is working in these moments – not only in our own lives but in those around us. We have been so blessed by our friends and family. The healing power of your love and prayers is working.

Get the bullpen warmed up – on to the 6th.

champion.

Had to show off my champion.  2 hockey championships in one year!!  C'mon Flyers it's your turn.