Gung Hay Fat Choy

Team Cathy wishes a Happy Chinese New Year to our extended family and friends who celebrate this occasion. The Year of the Dragon arrived on Monday, January 23, 2012 and according to one web site, “the dragon is considered a benevolent creature that brings good luck.” Along with everyone’s prayers and good thoughts, it never hurts to have good luck.

Cathy’s uncle and aunt hosted their annual ‘dim sum’ luncheon for the family which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It’s a new year’s tradition for married adults to give red envelopes with money to children as a good luck symbol. Carrigan learned to recite ‘Gung Hay Fat Choy’ which she did so well many times upon receiving the red envelopes.

Last Wednesday, Cathy received her second chemo treatment which included the new drug, Irinotecan (eye-ree-noh-tee-kan). As you know, the last scan indicated increased tumor growth. Although you never want to hear that the cancer has become more active, knowing this has allowed her doctor to treat her symptoms more effectively. Happily since the last scan Cathy’s symptoms have largely been alleviated. This has been a bit of a silver lining for us.

Nautrally, we will still be watching her symptoms closely until the next scan. Another possible silver lining is that if the Irinotecan holds the cancer at bay and even makes progress she will be able to remain on it indefinitely, unlike the Oxaliplatin that did such a good job stopping the cancer initially but had a dosage limit.