[Readers' advisory:  This post is looong, and there's some sad stuff.  Skip down to The Happy Stuff as desired.]

Brain cancer is...

...behaving as expected.

To Wit: 

1.  Brain cancer is controlled by a volatile BFCB (Big Fat Cancer Baby). 

• We went from waking up and singing an ABBA song in the shower (Lay All Your Love on Me, if you must know.  We sounded great) to...
• ...being irritated ("Where is the mini cooler?"  "Where are my glasses?"  "Where did you put the toothpaste?").  To...
• ...being discouraged.  To...
• ...being happy about the rain (which materialized, rarely enough!).

 2.  Brain cancer ushered in Life 2.0, which requires reflection on every experience.  Life 2.0 leaves no experience un-turned:

• For long-time readers, you'll remember the couple who, as captured in our March 15 post, taught me to be patient with the people I love most. 
• Update:  Since March 15, that couple has arrived at radiation every day, shortly after we have checked in, for the husband's treatment.  His face has sores that have become scratchier along the way. Our relationship with them has been up and down, but we've gotten to the point where we talk daily. 
• Today was like this:  They arrived first!  Life has gone crazy! (Says the wife.) Sorry about your team's opening game (the Angels; says Andi). Tomorrow is Darrell's last day (says Andi).   They have 12 more days of treatment (says the wife).  It's wearing on the wife (says the wife).  When we leave after Darrell's treatment, the wife says, "If we don't see you tomorrow, good luck."  Says Darrell:  "You too."
• Andi feels so sad.  Impermanence is universal.  This couple taught me patience for the people who deserve it most. And, while we finish tomorrow, this couple has many days of radiation left.  They have probably 30 years on us (which would make them punchable under most circumstances), but today Andi just wishes them strength for the journey.

3.  Brain cancer is horrible.  We got the CARIS (advanced genetics testing) results today.  We ask:  "Hey, Gods of Chance!  Is this the day that Darrell gets a cancer break?" They respond:  "Nope.  Not today."  The results indicate that Darrell's tumor has no genetic markers/mutations that make it more susceptible to the cutting-edge treatments you read about in the news and that you have shared with us. 

The Happy Stuff

1. Dr. Park has done more reading and made more phone calls.  We have a plan for treatment:  Optune (Hat Partaay!) and Temodar (5 days per month).
2. We know what to ask Dr. Cloughsy at UCLA on Monday.
3. Darrell's last radiation treatment is tomorrow (as you know), and he gets a four-week break before maintenance phase (including electrical hat) begins.
4. It rained.  And we walked in it.
   
5. Zach joined us at Thai Basil as we had another adventure from our adventure journal.  Thanks Kristine and family!

   

   Rest assured:  It's the way they are seated.  Zach is human.

   
   

   
   We love you.  Until tomorrow.