Ken finally got some good news today at his monthly check-in with the oncologist. Here’s how the appointment generally occurs: the nurse goes over Ken’s vitals, checks his medication list for changes, and asks about symptoms and pain level. Then, we sit side by side in the coldest exam room this side of a freezer (I swear it was like 60 degrees in there) and we await the doctor.

When he arrives, he asks a bunch of questions about Ken’s symptoms and treatment. Then, he has Ken get up on the exam table where he conducts a brief exam (listens to Ken’s lungs and heart) and looks at the visible tumors. Today, we also talked about the radiation symptoms: the skin damage, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and exhaustion, among others.

After that, each visit, Ken gets dressed and we go over “The Plan.” Right now, The Plan is to finish radiation (and the chemo pill) in the middle of August and then put Ken on Avastin. Today, the oncologist also added a PET scan 6 weeks after the end of radiation (Apparently, having a PET scan immediately after radiation can cause false positive results.) and asked Ken to meet with the surgeon. We haven’t met his new surgeon yet but we learned today that he is ALSO on the tumor board and is very familiar with Ken’s treatment plan.

And he gave us some good news —  Ken can have a two to three week break from chemo after radiation is over!  Unfortunately, the doctor said that we can’t risk a break longer than three weeks. As it is, Ken has two (probably three) new tumors, just since the start of radiation. But a break! Two or three weeks without chemo or radiation! I am anxious and happy for Ken at the same time. He really needs some time away from doctors, hospitals, needles, and toxic medication.

We’ll have our 24th wedding anniversary during his break.  When we heard the diagnosis back on February 2nd, there was no telling where his cancer journey would take us. We didn’t know if we’d even have a 24th wedding anniversary.

So … Ken’s getting a break. Celebrate with us.