Hang 10.
Riding the roller coaster? Surfing the wave? Which metaphor for an update on another Perry plot twist? This was supposed to be the point in the year when those Perrys were going to pack up and move their hummingbird south to warmer climes — to conserve heat and recharge batteries for the winter. But, alas, new developments…
Over the last few days Dea has learned that the utility of this summer’s chemo regimen has run out. Last week she went in for a PET scan, and it revealed a bunch of new tumors. Too many to count. Her amazing team at SCCA/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is shifting gears and fast-tracking a search for a clinical trial that is well matched to her tumor physiology. This Friday they will take a bone biopsy, assess tumor genomics, and evaluate trial options.
Dea reports that a) if this is about surfing a wave, she “intends to stay on the board and hang 10.” b) She’s hoping that this week’s tests qualify her for an awesome clinical trial, but if that doesn’t happen, they’ve got other options. c) She is so grateful for the amazing food that people have shared and d) she is loving her watercolor class, and time with Peter, Ricky, and other friends. Our girl is turning a corner with a smile on her face, and preparing to get to work with her Seattle medical team. She wanted to share this news with all of you, and to send a big wintry hug.
Since we now know that the Washington branch of Team Dea gets her for the winter, I figured I would extend the Perry Meal Train sign-up sheet through the holidays! If anyone in the area wants to sign up for a dish, the new sheet is here. If anyone far away wants to sign up, I’m happy to team up and broker some sort of local takeout (you can just sign up, and then shoot me a note to conspire :^)
Dea P, we love you, and look forward to learning together what comes next.
PS: If anyone needs to see the old sign-up sheet for the rest of October, I’ve created a quick and crude archive of *old* sign-ups here.
