Hello all of you wonderful people! Boy do we have an update for you!

Paisley started her first day of 3rd grade Monday and was so excited to be back! So excited, in fact, that she tried to come home before 12:00. 😝 But she was upset at the fact that she missed Tuesday and Wednesday to see her friends.

So let's just dive right into it. Tuesday, August 27th, Paisley seen Ophthalmology first and the Dr was able to actually see some of he movements we have previously mentioned in action. (The eye twitching episodes that we had the EEG for.) So I was glad that she was able to witness it firsthand. All the tests looked the same as before aside from her optic nerve being slightly more pale. They said they will monitor it but it is to be expected given the location of her tumor. We then went to the cardiologist for an echocardiogram and it all looked great! 

Yesterday, Wednesday, we had to be at Levine's at 6am for her MRI. Well one accidental sip of water set us back two hours. 😵‍💫 So we had the MRI at 9am instead of 7am. This was the first time I have walked in and she had a device in her mouth that kept her tongue in place. (Forgot the technical term) So I was extremely nervous walking into that recovery room! Turns out she gave them a hard time while she was out. 🙃 So she has a sore on the end of her tongue that's swollen and hurts but it'll be gone before too long. We were able to get some food, as well as her usual milkshake for getting bloodwork, fairly shortly and then headed to rest for a few hours at the Ronald McDonald house while the oncologist received the results.
We got to the office and I may or may not have already peaked in her chart and looked over her bloodwork. 🫣But Dr Gass has already figured me out when it comes to that so he came in and said "I know you've already seen the labs so what questions do you have?" We both laughed and I told him I'd let him give his report before I asked anything. 
Soooo bloodwork results first! The levels I mentioned last time BOTH look BETTER! The Phosphorus level is completely back within normal levels. No more sodas in Paisley's future! The other level is still high but it is lower than before so we are taking that as a positive and continuing to monitor it.  All other levels were trending in the right direction if they were "abnormal". Overall, labs were better and that was all amazing news.
Now for MRI results! Let me first remind you all that our goal is to maintain the size of the tumor. Yall... I have tears streaming down my face as I tell you WE HAVE SHRINKAGE!!!! 🥹 The tumor has shrunk! The medication is working! GOD IS GOOD! All the side effects are worth it because my baby girl's brain tumor has SHRUNK! The previous measurements were 3.5cmX3.5cmX3.0cm and now they are 3.1cmX2.9cmX2.4cm! Dr Gass was very pleased to give that information but did remind me that there's a high chance that we won't always see such a change. Our goal is to maintain, shrinkage is a bonus. But I am absolutely over the moon after yesterday's appointment and I want to thank each and every single one of you who have prayed, donated, listened to me vent, been with me while I cried, and those that sent love in other forms. I am so appreciative to have such a village! 

Cycle 4, here we come!

#PrincessPaisleyStrong  🩶🎗️🩶