Good News is Sometimes "Relative"

Heather finished her June chemo, and she actually handled it quite well. Her white blood cell count was a bit low again, so another shot. The shots make her bones ache, so her back suffered a bit. However, it is now Friday - 5 days from last chemo pill and 4 days from last shot. She seems to have managed both, but she is tired (slept until 11:00 this morning!).

Her left side continues to be a bit weaker - a bit less coordinated? - than her right side. As she and I were walking the other night, her dog Sky started running from firework noises. Heather tried to run - OK, it was funny in a sick way - but she looked something like the Hunchback of Norte Dame. Thank goodness she kept it all under control!

Her good news is that she got a job! She begins the paperwork on Monday, July 6 with training to follow. I know she is excited about where she will be working, but the pay is low. So, she has started free-lancing and seems to enjoy it so far. We will see.

Our dear friend Bob, whose situation was noted in my last entry, finally received his updated cancer information. Again, good news is relative. His lymphoma is in his stomach and right kidney. Yes, it could be worse; for that we are all grateful. However, it could be better; for that we are sad. Our entire "clan" will be there supporting Bob and Robyn.

As July 4 approaches tomorrow, we celebrate our independence and once again thank all past, present, and future military personnel who protect it.

Brain Cancer Information: Brain tumors are unique because they occur in the skull -- a confined space with rigid walls. A brain tumor takes up space normally allocated to the brain. As the tumor continues to grow, it pushes aside or compresses the brain. This can cause a build up of pressure in the skull that leads to symptoms such as headaches, seizures and strokes. Brain tumor treatment is designed to eliminate the tumor or reduce tumor size, thus allowing the surrounding brain to resume its normal functions.