David has asked me to 'Blog' today - my first time - but, hey, I'm always up for a challenge! I spent several hours with Beth last evening and it was pleasant to be around her for an extended period of time.

She was actually trying to eat a little when I got there which was a very nice surprise. She took two bites of vegetables in a pot pie thing and ate some fruit cocktail. I asked if she were ready for some chicken and dumplings and she said yes, so I started on those last night. I hope she'll still have a little appetite when I take them to her this evening.

I was surprised to see that she was receiving blood, but was told by Jan Wielke (a friend of Beth's and the oncology nurse for Dr. McCoy) that this was normal for a patient on chemotherapy. Beth's swelling hasn't gone down much and her right arm is swollen and red. They performed an ultrasound on her arm yesterday afternoon, but no results were ready when I was there. I expect they'll know more today.

She is also on an air mattress pad now to help with the pressure points - the mattress is set up to rotate the air around underneath her which will hopefully help with preventing bed sores. She doesn't need anything else that needs to heal on her body. I don't think she got out of bed yesterday, but she told me she was going to do everything she could in order to get out of the hospital.

She also spent a little time looking at cards yesterday - not all of them, but a few. I believe she would really enjoy hearing comments from all of you that read this blog - say something to make her smile. She needs happy thoughts around her now.

I rubbed lotion on her legs, and yes, even her feet. I reminded her that she must know how much I loved her if I were touching her feet. (For those of you that don't know me, I hate feet and I hate for anyone to touch my feet.) Jan actually gave her a foot message which Beth seemed to enjoy.

She said she was expecting to leave the hospital on Sunday or Monday. I hope she'll be ready to do that, but she has a long way to go to get there I believe. She's very weak from being in the bed for so long and from all the meds.

Jan also said this would be a very tough week for Beth as the chemo drugs would be really working on her system. Masks and gloves are required for anyone going in her room and she needs all the rest she can get. While I was there, we talked very little and she even slept some - until the nurse came in to check her vitals. This happens every 20 minutes it seems, so it's very hard for her to get quality sleep.

Our friend is very sick and needs your good thoughts and prayers. She especially needs happy things and sunshine, so I'm very glad the sun will be shining for the next few days here.