Happy New Year! Treatment #49

January 29, 2024

Happy New Year! Treatment #49

Hello! Hello!

I know it has been forever. I am chugging along mostly with status quo. There was a little bit of "excitement" in September when my tumor grew a teeny tiny bit. There was a bit of a hubbub of what to do about it, and ultimately the decision was to keep a closer eye on it. There have not been any changes since.

In other news, I am on Pembro (the chemo infusion) treatment #49. So, we think we will celebrate #50 somehow. The main celebration will be a treatment review, and discussion of how everything is going.

It is January, so work is super-duper busy. The weather makes people a bit edgier, the students forgot how to behave over break, and teachers are over it-- so I get to hear about it! Additionally, we have a lot of special programming and it hard to get in rhythm. I coordinate some of those programs, so that is another thing on my plate. I also presented at a conference at Mohonk on the tools I have implemented in the Lower School which was a lovely experience--and the spa at the hotel was A+), but my paperwork/emails piled up and I am going to be catching up forever!

I am also pretty busy on the weekend hosting or visiting family and friends. I am so very happy to have to space to host. I am also learning tools to make it easier like using instacart (which I am late to the party on using, and if you are too use the code AMANDAJL175 to try it out). Annnnnd, I am also making things trickier by exploring new *healthier* recipes. The emphasis is on being healthy. I am committing to eating much healthier in an effort to treat my body better... and perhaps try and shed a few of the pounds I've gained on treatment. My treatment team reminds me that the meds won't make it easy, but I am hoping that I can make a dent.

I have not updated in a while, and have not been posting to social media, so here are a few highlights over the past few months...

This is me learning that Madison Square Garden is not, in fact, a garden at all. It is an indoor arena where performers-- both athletic and musical-- do their thing. Who knew?!

Our 7th anniversary in Montreal-- this was taken on the ferris wheel!

Met up with Chris' cousin and family at the Intrepid-- which is a big boat with planes on it and submarines next to it. Very exciting museum for the small boys with us and a life's dream fulfilled for Chris.