Home again!

We got home last Thursday after five weeks in the Bay Area and are happy to report that Emalia's scans showed continued tumor shrinkage. Also, the tumor marker number has continued to drop. HOORAY!!!! Emalia is continuing on the chemotherapy path right now and had chemo #11 yesterday. Took this photo then when Dorien Romanchak came by to visit!

Now that we're back, Emalia and JB could really use help in the dogwalking department. Also, having one or two meals a week "appear" would be a great help as well. If you want to help with either of these things, go to https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/662525/ for the calendar and details. Becky Worley will be updating that site/calendar very soon so you'll be able to sign up then.

Back to Maui soon missing photo!

Back to Maui soon!

Happy to report that all has gone well on this trip, and Emalia's tumor marker number has continued to drop! We return to Maui on Thursday, Feb. 21st, and Emalia will have chemo #11 soon thereafter. Doctors' orders are that she continue to prioritize REST, exercise, and diet! There have been many fun-filled moments on this trip, despite many medical appointments filling the calendar. Took this photo during such a time--of Emalia's cousin Christy Churchill, Emalia, and Kahalakea when lunching at Mill Valley's Dipsea Cafe.

Hooray for Emalia!

Family photo op at the tip of Tiburon with Angel Island  and San Francisco in the background.

Emalia had chemo #10 today and is doing well. Her recent CT scan showed that her tumors have continued to shrink. Yesterday's meetings with Emalia's UCSF and Kaiser oncologists went well, and they told Emalia to keep doing whatever it is she's doing! The MDs are very pleased with how she is responding to the chemo and plan for her to complete 12 rounds. They also plan to present Emalia's case at their respective tumor boards later this month, and thereafter determine the course of future treatment.

Back in the Bay Area!




View from Emalia's Chemo Chair at Kaiser San Francisco

Emalia has finished chemo #9 and all is going well with the help of Us Magazine. She continues the 5-day Neupogen injections after the chemo cycle and says that JB is the shot master!

The days have been beautiful but cold. Thursday we walked Mill Valley's Tennessee Valley trail to the Pacific.



Happy Campers at Muir Beach!

Emalia and Becky bundled up while the kids played in the sand and JB took a crazy-cold ocean swim with his cousin Jack Wolford. 

Imua!

Here are Emalia and Kahala riding out 2012, Emalia and her Maui chemo team, and Emalia and me this past Weds. when Emalia received chemo #8. 

Great news is that Emalia's most recent blood work once again showed that the cancer marker number has dropped. Also, the Neupogen injections worked so she was able to get chemo #8. She began another 5-day series today.

We're heading back to the Bay Area on January 14th for a month or so to check in with Emalia's medical team there.  We'll keep you posted!

with aloha,

Brooke

Awesome Kaiser Chemo Crew A++

Chemo # 8

movin' along!

Emalia is doing very well although she has hit a couple of speed bumps on the chemo highway: she was turned away from chemo on Dec. 19th and again this morning because of a low blood count but hopes to be able to have her next round next week. She began Neupogen injections today to raise her blood count and will continue them for the next four days. She was also told that it's pretty amazing that she was able to get seven successive chemo rounds without a break. That's our Emalia!!!!!

Among things I'm most grateful for is that Emalia didn't catch anything except love last week from Kahalakea, who had pneumonia. Happily, he has recovered!

This Christmas is a time for so much gratitude, and we send all of you love and appreciation for your support. We wish you a wonderful New Year and hope that it brings healing and good health to all of us!

with aloha,
Brooke