tuesday was a brief return to a formerly common occurrence at the beginning of this process: another scan! technically, just a simple ultrasound, but it felt oddly comforting. two and a half months ago, every new procedure and scan was a reason for anxiety and an opportunity for more bad news. this particular scan was just to monitor my progress before moving on to the new regimen of taxol. the tumor had pretty obviously been decreasing in size; mostly this was just for official tests to be added to my charts and records. so back into the white spa robe, hgtv world in all the waiting rooms, and ultrasound goop all over hillary and the neighboring lymph nodes. after about half an hour of ultrasounding, the technician left me to my own devices while the radiologist looked over the results. after wiping all the goop off and robing back up, i was a little bored. i looked behind me and realized that there were two computer screens filled with my own ultrasound images, so i took a boob pic selfie in front of them, because i am mature. finally, the tech and radiologist came back, and confirmed that the cancer in both the breast and the lymph nodes had decreased in size, with no progression of disease. in short, the news was expected and welcomed, and things are going according to plan.

wednesday was uneventful, aside from the general anticipation of the new drug regimen the next day. thursday we arrived bright and early for the usual: check-in, blood draw, meet with dr. m, infusion. we discussed scheduling, blood levels, and ultrasound results with dr. m, who was very happy with our progress. then it was down to see what mysteries awaited me with taxol. i had been told that taxol is much easier than the previous chemo drugs BUT YOU NEVER KNOW. one of the different side effects is possible neuropathy (tingling and loss of sensation) in fingers and toes, so i came armed with cold gel pack sock things for my feet and cryomax ice packs for my hands. it looked a little silly, but i'll take silly over temporary and/or permanent nerve damage. the process was all much the same as previous infusions, with anti-nausea meds first, and the addition of benadryl to alleviate any adverse allergic reactions. the taxol began, and i was monitored by both the nurse (susan) and andy for any weird changes (rashes, blood pressure, oxygen levels, etc) just in casies. after about fifteen minutes, susan declared me clear of any possible issues, and set my taxol drip for a normal rate (about an hour). i kept watching and waiting for any blood pressure drops or lightheadedness or nausea, but all was well. there was a moment when i moved my left arm and realized OMG MY WHOLE HAND IS TINGLING, but yeah, i just hadn't moved it in awhile, and it had started falling asleep. nothing to see here. and then that was it. we came home, had lunch, i took a two hour nap, and... that was it. no side effects. i'll take it.

went in to work on friday, much to the surprise of my coworkers. i assumed i would not be in that day, but had never really felt less than 100% human after thursday's chemo. win.

saturday was a little random. slept in, finished a board game we had started the night before (which i surprisingly disliked quite a bit), and replaced the light in the laundry room (possibly the last of the house's light fixtures i wanted to replace). later in the evening, we went to a friend's album release party, which involved a couple of outdoor heaters of varying complexity, and an outdoor show on their back deck. and no noise disturbance warnings issued! as far as i know.

today was your typical sunday. church, a meal with andy's family, a nap, dinner at home, and writing this blog. all in all, i'd say Week 12 was pretty good. given how uneventful the new infusions seem to be, i may or may not continue to write weekly. perhaps i will, but they will be more brief. who knows? time will tell. let's do this.