Laughter is the best medicine

Erica started a new treatment on Friday, Avastin, a medication that is expected to stall any potential tumor growth in her brain while controlling swelling and hopefully reduce some of cognitive symptoms she is experiencing. If there are no adverse effects, she will restart her Enhertu chemo treatments in three weeks along with the Avastin. This is good news because we know that the Enhertu was effective, it is radiation effects and swelling that have been her most recent battle.

It seems odd to say that a treatment day feels like normal routine, but there was something comforting to both of us as we checked in to the doctor’s office, got a thorough check up from our regular PA and found a familiar seat in the treatment room. (Erica gets the comfy reclining chair while I sit in the tiny side seat). Normally, she is about two hours for blood tests and treatment. Today, she was in the chair for 5 hours. The first treatment of any new medication takes extra time as they do extensive blood tests to be sure her body is healthy enough to receive these strong meds, followed by a slow drip of the new drug in case she has an immediate reaction. Praise God that her check up and fluid tests revealed a generally healthy body and we can proceed with the plan.

Typically, Erica naps while I work remotely with my laptop and phone. Conversations can be awkward because treatment rooms are usually open spaces shared with other treatment patients. But on this day, we were a bit more chatty as we were remembering some experiences from her physical therapy stay. Many of which, when played back in memory are pretty funny if you allow for a sense of humor. Stories about the kind-to-a-fault roommate, random wandering, the occasional bathroom mishap… Anyone who knows Erica, knows that her laughter is a gift. It is contagious.

Honestly, most of the time Erica was impatient or asleep. But I like to believe that those brief moments of laughter inspired the other treatment patients, their partners and nurses – just as they did me.