Hi Everyone,
I am thrilled to report that today is Vivi's last day of chemo! After today, Vivi will have two weeks to recover from the treatment before she receives her first round of post-treatment scans and tests to ensure that everything is clear. At that point, we are hopeful she will be officially deemed "in remission", and even more hopeful that she will stay in remission for many, many years to come!
While these final rounds of treatment have been nothing short of incredibly challenging, Vivi has done her very best to remain strong and positive. Per usual, she has managed to maintain her infallible sense of humor, sparkle, magnetism, and, well...drama - even as she is hooked up to numerous machines. These Vivisms, along with her will and strength, which rival that of a bull, have, without a doubt, been the driving force behind my mother's rather miraculous recovery. After 9 rounds of chemotherapy, 2 surgeries, 2 near heart attacks, and countless tests and scans, Vivi is walking out of the other end of the "Big C" almost exactly as she walked into it (minus a bit of hair, but plus an unimaginable amount of head coverings).
These qualities have also, quite literally, made Vivi a star here at the hospital, which is simply not surprising. These last rounds of treatment have required a lot of hospital time, which is never easy. However, for Vivi, it has certainly not been boring either. Once word has spread that Vivi has checked into her room (private, of course!), a slew of nurses, doctors, technicians, and patients start pouring in for visits - not unlike the hordes of people who gather in Rome to greet the Pope. Just so you know, I am not even referring the to people who are actually here to treat her - who often have to push their way through the crowds that have gathered around my mother's hospital bed. Her visitors are various people she has come across through her time here at Sloan. In her Vivi-way, my mother has made each of these people feel as if she were their new best friend - or therapist in many cases. Only my mother can get someone to tell their entire life story while they are performing an EKG on her - after which, she will manage to get their phone number, home address, and email, and stay in touch with them on a rather regular basis (hence, how the word spreads so quickly upon my mother's arrival at the hospital). But such is the way of Vivi. She thrives and survives on connecting with other people, and feels special by making them feel special. And while I poke fun, and often role my eyes from my regular chair in the corner of her hospital room, it is through this truly special network of amazing people that my mother has found so much of her strength - and for that, I am eternally grateful. So, to everyone from Memorial Sloan Kettering who is on this list - thank you for the care you have offered Vivi, the support you have offered our family, and the friendship which, I am sure, will sustain my mother in her continued recovery.
So what now? Well, once it is determined that Vivi is officially in remission (meaning, there is no traceable cancer in her body), she will receive one last procedure to remove her chemo port. After that, she will be closely monitored, and will receive scans and blood tests every three to four months. We are hoping this will be coupled with her new diet and exercise regimen - right, mom?!?!?
While we are extremely hopeful about Vivi's prognosis (something we were not able to say just a few months ago), we also must remain realistic in our expectations about what lies ahead for Vivi. Ovarian cancer is just an extremely tricky and unpredictable cancer, which has an unfortunately high recurrence rate. However, Vivi has beat the odds (more like, kicked the living shit out of the odds) through every single step of this process, and I have no doubt she will continue to beat this disease with the same continued fervor and flair.
While I have said this in every post on this blog, I will continue to say it - we could not have gotten through ANY of this without the undying love, support, and prayers from all of you - our dear friends, family, and all the wonderful people on "Team Vivi" (Stefanie, Nathalie, Marti, Marcus, and more). While this has certainly been the most significant challenge our family has faced yet, it has also been a surprisingly positive experience on so many levels as well. Never in my life have I seen such true good, grace, and kindness from the people around me, and never before have I appreciated all the blessings in my life as I do now. I think you would be hard-pressed to find anyone in my family, especially my mother, who would feel differently.
As to be expected, my updates will be less frequent from here on out. However, I will try to let you know how Vivi is doing at least once in a while. Hopefully, you will periodically hear from Vivi, herself - that is, if she isn't too busy out riding her horse, or designing the latest and greatest in beaded and diamond jewelry!
So onto "normal" life we go. Hopefully, the only thing left for us to weather this winter is the snow. Thank you all, again, from the bottom of our hearts, for all you have done for my mother, for our family, and for being a part of this challenging journey.
As the last few drops of chemo make their way in, I am going to sign out. And with that, we are, officially...DONE!
