Dear Family and Friends,

Sorry I”m so late getting this out. I do have a little extra good news, but I should have sent it as it came. My last oncology appointment was Fri. June 1, when I saw my doctor and my chemo tech, who I saw more than my doctor. Dr. Eisenberg is the driving force behind the Marin Oncology Center, so he is definitely excused to do all of the good things he does. The results of the latest CAT scan, May 29, and my last blood test were very positive. Clark and I go in to SF tomorrow to see my surgeon, and hopefully all will be verified again. It is a good clean feeling to have NED, no evidence of disease. I was so glad to have all of this confirmation, because as good as the numbers have been, I have had some bad spells, and it is good to confirm that it is the good old side effects, that just take time to wear off. I am still very anemic, and have low red blood cell count, and my white cells are at an all time low, but since I’m finished with chemo, I now have to be patient, and help my body recover and build back up.

This week, June 4, I am feeling more energy, and by today Thurs., my other good news, I am much less light-headed and fuzzy. I haven’t napped since Tues., partially because there is so much going on here at the house. We have a garden project, and a plumbing project going on, so I have contractors, but we are designing some things as we go, so I want to be in on the shifts. Hard to stay ahead of them. The one day I did try to nap I was just too wired- so we have had several very simple suppers, and one day I even cooked. I have also been running back and forth to hardwear stores and special ordering several parts we couldn’t find. Clark and I picked out some new hardwear for the guest bath, but being a 50’s house, it is often hard to find just standard sizes for everything. All is going well so far. One of the big yard projects was to add a flagstone area to put a gas grill on. We still have a Weber, and all true believers, but know there are advantages to the gas. Cal. is also getting strict on the burning of wood and charcoal, so we are trying to spare the air as well.

One of the side effects that I’m working on in the anemia is shortness of breath. I am seeing a Physical Therapist, and she is especially working in improving lung function and oxygen exchange. Much more complex but I’ll spare you that. Part of my routine is now to walk at a good pace three times a day for 30 min. and to do deep abdominal breathing for 15 min. 3 times a day. Seems strange, but I really have to discipline myself to get that done. As an example, today, Thurs. I’ve only done one of the deep breathings, haven’t done dinner, and it is 4:30. Believe it or not, my blog has been a top priority since Sat. I do have to tell you about Fri. because after our great doctor news we had a fun day. We rushed home, had a bite of lunch and met with a video guy who is going to help get a few areas up to speed. He always has some good ideas, and could actually keep up with Clark. We have the house wired to do about anything, but need some updating on speaker system and TV’s. We also have multiple complicated (for guests) remotes, so we’re shopping for ideas, and a workable universal remote. Ah well, some of it a necessity of modern life. Anyone remember W.H. Auden’s “The Unknown Citizen”? I’ve always been a bit haunted by it, and used it in intro poetry classes. A couple of the powerful lines are –

He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Installment Plan
And had everything necessary to Modern Man,
A phonograph, a radio, a car, and a frigidaire…..

and later continues

Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd.
Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.

Written in 1940, in a different climate from social media and networking, and all the connections we have, it is still interesting to me how many facets of ourselves and others we know and don’t know. One of the reasons I am continuing to blog is that it has been so good to be back in touch with so many of you. Now that I have some better energy I hope to get individual notes out also.

After the video consultant, I took a short nap, and then we took the ferry in to SF where we had dinner with Dana and Dona Buttenhoff and friends who were in SF for a Co. rewards trip. It was so good to see them. For the non St. John’s readers, Dana and Dona are rapid St. John’s fans, and we met at the tailgating festivities.

Well, I’m so happ[y to be sharing this good news with you. I am going to keep blogging, which my be more like letters or logs, so we’ll see. Do continue to keep us in your prayers and thoughts as we do you.

Love Annie/Noel