What Next? Or, Where to Begin?

So much has happened in the past four weeks that I'm not certain I can write in a logical manner. All has happened since my father-in-law's passing or started during his illness.

Heather and Mike have decided to get married. We are thrilled that they will be taking the next step in their relationship. They have certainly shared more intimate challenges than many couples have to face for years and years, so I believe they are a strong couple. Planning a "simple" wedding is starting to be fun and certainly takes our minds off the brain cancer. These two deserve something fun and memorable and positive to plan. Date will either be July 31 or August 7. We are waiting for another couple to decide on their date at the UNO Alumni House. Mike and Heather are 2nd in line for July 31. We should know by Wednesday. Next? Heather has chosen her wedding gown and attendants' dresses - at least her first choice. Flowers: Gerber Daisies. The colors should be so bright and hopeful.

During all this excitement, we have been working on Monster Bash, which is Thursday, October 29 at the downtown Old Chicago Restaurant. Check out the "events" link on our website for more information. Jon has been working hard to obtain Silent Auction items, and he has done well. In addition, we obtained free garage parking for the evening when Monster Bash attendees present a voucher. The band "Chasing Daylight" will be playing; and good food, a special brewed beer, costume contest, and raffle prizes will be available. We are so excited for our 2nd Annual Monster Bash.

On October 4, Bike Masters at 129/Fort will be hosting a bike ride in memory of Seth Embrey, who lost his battle with brain cancer last spring. Interestingly, Seth and Heather went to elementary school together. The bike ride is a 100, 62, or 30 mile ride. Entry is free, but LFAC donations are suggested. LFAC is honored to support another meaningful event for brain cancer awareness. For more information, see the "events" link on our website.

"Wear Gray for a Day" celebrated its second year on Friday, October 18. From Omaha to Atlanta to several other areas in the United States, the event was honored. Many cancer groups and organizations tweeted about this event for weeks prior. I heard from one person today who has asked to be become involved after her friend wore gray on Friday. Another business contacted us about supporting our cause. Time will tell how many people may have been touched, but one person more is a step forward.

Heather has been feeling fairly well. However, her platelets and white cell counts were too low last week for her chemo. So, she was supposed to try again today, but she came down with the flu late Saturday night. She was sick all day Sunday and began running a steady fever early Sunday night. After a phone call to the oncologist, we were off to the ER. SIX HOURS later (4:30 am to be exact) we were home. She received a Nupergen shot, another antibiotic, and Tamiflu - but no pneumonia. They tried to do a flu test on her - tube inserted through the nose to goodness knows where - but Heather did not fare too well. We decided that we did not care what flu she has since all Type As are treated the same. The fever remains, so no work for a few days. She must remain fever free for 48 hours. I did not feel so great when the medical personnel looked at me and said, "You will be getting this." We are all on Tamiflu.

Lastly, my friend wrote on my facebook: Stop asking, "What next?" I think I am going to adhere to her advice. My sister's husband, Matt, is undergoing testing to determine what is going on with his eyes. He has been told anything from an infection to an autoimmune disease to ocular lymphoma. The infection has been almost 100% ruled out, but the other two remain the focus. As Matt said, "I don't know what one I'm hoping for." This situation has been very stressful for my sister and her husband - obviously. Waiting seems forever, but in the medical world, "it" has been moving quickly. Five weeks has seemed like five months. Now they have to wait another two week for all tests to be analyzed and reported. Heather and I stay with them while we are in San Fransisco, and now Matt is also going to UCSF. In fact, his doctor is the office directly below Heather's doctor.

I think that is about "it" for now. As I mentioned, Heather and I head to SF on Tuesday, October 6; her appointments are on October 7; and we return on October 8. I have several new questions to ask as we begin to think about Heather ending her chemo in December. I think it will be bittersweet. Ending the chemo and beginning a normal life again, but also ending the chemo that has kept the tumor from growing - as I said, "bittersweet."

Updated Information:
An experimental drug derived from cottonseed proved effective in hindering the growth of the type of brain cancer that caused Ted Kennedy’s death. The drug completed Phase II clinical trials under the direction of researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

The American Cancer Society estimates that 21,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with brain tumors. Of these about 10,000 are glioblastomas. A glioma is any tumor that forms in the glial brain cells, the most abundant cells in the central nervous system. Glioma is not a specific type of cancer but a category of brain tumor that includes glioblastoma multiforme, astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, and ependymomas.