Round #2 - No Go

I came home from the hospital last Monday and rested all week. I was able to attend the Green Family Reunion with all Mother's relatives except 2 cousins who could not come. They automatically got elected as Chairwomen of the Reunion in 2011 (sorry Lucy and Carol Ann -- you should have come!). Thanks to our "Millionaire" Uncle Jack for paying for brunch on Sunday, although we all had to write checks to him!! He has to keep his good credit report in case Auntie Ann needs more diamonds and emeralds!!

Heather is so supportive (as are David and Trisha), and I do so love her being in Blacksburg for the summer. She calls everyday to check on me and I could not move this weekend without her worrying over me. She is such a beautiful young woman, inside and out, and I'm so proud to call her my daughter. She is my "Baby Girl" for sure (Sugarland song).

They did a CT scan while I was in the hospital and determined that the 2nd round of chemo did not work. We knew there was that possibility up front but Dr. McCoy wanted to try the treatment anyway. There is a new tumor in my left abdomen that has no activity, and the right one has not shrunk.

With my children's support, I am going to take a month off from chemo. As the home health care nurse said this morning, it's all a matter of quality of life and right now, I want these wounds to health first. The only one that still causes me pain is my abdomen wound, but the port-au-catheter and right leg blood clot are doing great. I have so much empathy for people who have to take pain medication everyday -- it is the pits. I do pretty well if I can stay ahead of the pain but I usually end up behind it so that sucks (in a word).

I have an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow to determine the next plan of action, but I'm told I'll probably have to go to a stronger level of chemo. There is talk of a treatment that involves oral medications only, and I'm all for that. For the first time in my life, needles scare me to death.

I hope to go to Greenville late next week and recuperate at D & T's. They have invited me to do that and you know I'll get my walking time there, thanks to David. They have bought a home and close on it the end of July, so I'm anxious to see it.

Thanks again to the wonderful friends who have donated their precious vacation days to me so I can stay home and continue to recuperate.

Please keep those thoughts and prayers coming -- I'll take all I can get!

Beth