As we move into fall, we wanted to share an update on where things stand with both my health and Brinley’s progress.

Keith’s Health Update

I recently celebrated my last day of chemo (woot woot!) on September 6—a day I will never forget. The journey of chemotherapy is unique for everyone, and I’m grateful that I made it through with positivity and strength. It was such a special moment when all of the nurses slapped a sticker on my shirt and cheered me on as I finished my final treatment!

I’ll also always remember my 41st birthday, which was on September 5. We brought cupcakes for the nurses, and they sang a beautiful rendition of Happy Birthday that truly lifted my spirits.

On September 26, I had a follow-up call with my medical team to map out the next steps in monitoring and recovery. Here’s what’s ahead:

Bloodwork (tumor markers, CBCs, liver and kidney function, magnesium) is scheduled for October 9. Full-body CT scans are scheduled for October 13. These labs and scans will be reviewed by the Kaiser Tumor Board in late October, where they will determine if a biopsy or surgical intervention is needed. With any luck, I’ll have good news for our next update.

At this stage, the board may recommend either surgical intervention or continued surveillance.

On a positive note, my chemotherapy drugs are likely fully out of my system now. That said, my immune system’s strength is still somewhat unknown since we aren’t testing bone marrow directly.

Brinley’s First Birthday & Progress

On September 14, our sweet Brinley celebrated her first birthday! We gathered with family in the backyard for a joyful celebration. I even sabered a bottle of champagne to mark the occasion—it was a moment we’ll never forget.

This month has also been full of important updates for her health:

EEG Results: Brinley had her EEG last week, her first since completely weaning off Keppra. The results were very encouraging, showing signs that her risk of seizures is trending lower. We’ll review the details with her neurologist next month.

GERD Management: We continue to manage her reflux with Prevacid twice daily, paced feeding, and holding her upright after meals. We’ve also started her on a new toddler formula along with purées.

Strength & Development: Brinley is getting stronger every week. Her head is still a little wobbly, but it’s improving every day, and her core strength is steadily building—a wonderful sign of progress. Therapies: We are continuing with weekly physical, occupational, speech, and vision therapy. Each therapist has become such an important part of her journey, and we’re endlessly grateful for the care they provide.

Ocular Progress: We recently met with an ocularist, and Brinley will soon have a conformer—a clear, contact lens–like device for her right eye. This will gently guide the growth and alignment of her socket with her left eye, helping ensure proper development.

Gratitude

We continue to be amazed and humbled by the support of our family and friends. Whether it’s a kind message, a visit, or simply keeping us in your thoughts, it lifts us up in ways we can’t fully put into words. We can’t wait for the day when all of this is behind us and we can gather with each of you in person to celebrate.

Thank you for walking with us through each step of this journey.

— Keith, Lauren & Brinley