December 23rd, 2009

(A few more pictures)

Andrew got up early (5:30!) to take Meg's sister, Caryn, to the airport. He returned home for a leisurely breakfast, then enjoyed watching the family do everyday things: Meg wrapped presents and Nick dinked on the computer.

In the afternoon Nick went to the airport to pick up Elspeth, while Meg and Andrew went for a visit with the neurosurgeon. We discussed the pros and cons of various treatment options with her, in preparation for our consultations next week with the neuro-oncologist from the hospital, and also with another highly regarded neuro-oncologist, from the University of Washington. Dr. Jost, the surgeon, has kindly agreed to meet with us again after those meetings, to help Meg arrive at the best possible choice of treatment options.

Various scientific colleagues, especially Andrew's boss and a former graduate student from our lab, have been invaluable in helping us wade through the sea of relevant research information while we were busy in the hospital, and in getting Meg comfortable around the house. Glioblastoma is a fast growing cancer, with no "magic bullets" to cure it. Recent advances have made survival times better, and there's hope that the clinical trial that Meg may enroll in will make them even better. Andrew also talked to a scientist at the Hutchinson Cancer Center (where we both work) about a more experimental therapy that he's pioneering. We're considering it for use after the cancer recurs, if the therapy has been approved by then.

A nurse then removed all the staples from the incision in the side of Meg's head: one staple was very difficult to get out and required the joint efforts and brains of all the nurses in the office. Her hair is growing back, and we've got several hats to keep her warm and dry while out and about.

We returned home to find Elspeth snoozing on the couch, and we're now struggling to figure out which of our 3 silver Macintoshes is which. There would have been 4 Macs, but Nick was visiting a friend for the weekend when he dashed out to be with us, and hadn't taken his one with him.

We were also met by a lovely gift hamper from Meg's clarinet choir, which complemented a gift basket from Andrew's lab, and several soups brought over by Vicki Halper, Andrew's boss's wife. Many other people have kindly volunteered to help us, for which we are very, very grateful. We'll be fine while the kids are here, but are comforted to know that help will be available when Meg is undergoing her radiation and chemotherapy.

We now look forward to a joyful Christmas season with our family, and hope that you all do likewise.