Short but sweet update. There is good news in our house!

1. I got through chemo slump number 2. I even went running and did some more active yoga last week, which feels good even if it’s in starts and stops. Even if I look less than graceful. I don’t recommend suddenly moving around in the world one-breasted and hairless if you don’t have to… but I’ve found some freedom in it. Who CARES if I don’t look great running?! I have cancer and I’m SORT OF RUNNING for God’s sake.
2. More importantly, Lucas is doing better!! The wheelchair repair person came on Tuesday, made a minor fix that I thought couldn’t possibly be enough to change things dramatically… but I was wrong. Lucas went from being able to sit up (which is where he can do most things, like leave the house, go to school, etc.) for 10 minutes without discomfort to hours and hours. It is phenomenally exciting. He still has healing to do — we’re not even four week post-op yet — but this opens up so many more possibilities for the coming weeks. Including him going to school, going for walks, writing, getting on zoom calls with friends and family, and even (at Ida’s cajoling) going to get a picture taken with Santa.

This is not in the category of good news, but my worst chemo side effect right now is that my head is so, so itchy. I just mention it in case you’ve been through chemo and figured out a fix. It is almost unbearable at times. I’ve tried three different medicated ointments, hot and cold cloths. Last night I broke open an aloe leaf and rubbed it on my poor, itchy head. I’ll live, but if you have tips, let me know.

Lucas’s sleep hasn’t been great since surgery, but he feel asleep enough before we did that Burke and I got to watch a movie this weekend. We watched American Symphony. It’s about Jon Batiste — his brilliance as a musician, his heart and humanity, and his relationship with his wife, Suleika Jaouad and her treatment for leukemia. I knew that not all cancer is the same, but man. What I’m dealing with is not even in the same solar system as leukemia and some other forms of cancer. Anyway, it’s a gorgeous documentary. It’s on Netflix. Borrow someone’s password if you need to.