Today marks an important milestone in our family’s journey—Keith is officially halfway through chemotherapy. He began treatment in late June, and his final infusion is scheduled for August 29. As of today, we’re standing right in the middle of the road between start and finish, and we’re incredibly grateful for how things are going so far.

Keith still has his full appetite and his sense of taste, which is something we don’t take for granted. He’s lost all the hair on his head and most of his body hair, but he’s maintaining good energy overall. His third chemo cycle starts August 4, and we’re all looking ahead to September 5—his birthday—as a symbolic turning point. By September 14, which is also Brinley’s first birthday, Keith will have completed the final rest period of chemo and, hopefully, be closing this chapter for good.

Aside from some expected fatigue, Keith’s main side effects have been limited nausea on days 6 and 7 of each cycle, which he’s been able to manage well with medication. We’re thankful that the roughest days have been relatively short and predictable.

At the same time, Brinley has been going through her own challenges and milestones. One of the biggest difficulties we face with her is managing her GERD (acid reflux), which recently became severe enough to require a hospital admission earlier this month. Lauren and Brinley spent a few nights at the hospital where we worked closely with her care team to adjust her treatment. We’ve since transitioned her from Pepcid to Prevacid, and we’re cautiously optimistic—she seems to be feeling more comfortable.

This hospital stay overlapped with one of Keith’s infusion days, and he was able to visit them afterward—a moment that underscored just how intertwined our two journeys have become.

Brinley is still taking Keppra, an anti-seizure medication that was prescribed after a scare several weeks ago. Fortunately, it turned out not to be a seizure, and we’re meeting with her neurologist tomorrow to explore the possibility of tapering her off the medication.

On a brighter note, Brinley’s first teeth have officially started to break through! We noticed them yesterday on her lower gums, and we’re thrilled. She’s loving puréed foods—carrots, strawberries, beets, peaches, and even kale (which she doesn’t immediately reject!). Many of the ingredients have come from the Healdsburg Community Garden, where Lauren and I have been growing food together this summer.

As we pause at this halfway point, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us—through meal train deliveries, generous gift cards, and messages of encouragement. Your love and care have sustained us in ways big and small. We’re looking ahead now—not just toward the end of chemo, but also dreaming about a much-needed beach vacation once this is all behind us. We haven’t picked a destination yet, but the thought alone brings us comfort. For now, we’ll continue to take it one day at a time.

— The Bakers