Dear Family and Friends,

My apologies for the blog delay. My goal is still to write about once a week. I had my first check-in since chemo ended. I decided not to do a new clinical trial with any new drug maintenance. My current trial requires a CAT scan, blood work, and a Dr. check every 3 mos. My first one was very good, and the Dr. was really pleased. I could tell by my good energy level that my red cells were much better, and most of the anemia gone.
My white cells also are much better, and my CA 125—the tumor marker was the lowest it has ever been. I am still working with a physical therapist, and that has been directed at first toward lung function and aerobic exercise, and still posture, and core strength. A lot of what I am doing is sort of re-learning what I thought I already knew, but in many cases I just have to be more precise, and isolate some muscle groups, so I can maximize what I am doing.

Summer has been a great time for seeing friends and being in touch. Having too much fun to do my blog. Not really, but I am shocked that it has been so long. For those of you who know some of these folks, it was great fun to have dinner at Charley and Helene Martels, and a wonderful birthday celebration at my sister Ellen’s. We had a memorable evening with Laurel and Robert Jones, and Adoria Williams and husband Julian. Special out-of-town friends and evenings were seeing Jane and Peter Hayman from Austin, vacationing in CA., Brian and Judy Henderson from Pasadena, on their way to Lake Tahoe, and Pat Virnich Hipsher and husband Woody, here from Boulder, Co. to see daughter Amanda and family in Santa Cruz. Another great weekend was a friend’s wedding celebration at a resort in Sonoma. Wendy and Steve Phillips were great hosts and despite the 90’s, the evening cooled off perfectly. We did some shopping and roaming in Sonoma, and hit the Farmer’s MKT. on our way home.

Clark and I swim for several hrs. on Sat. and Sun. and really enjoy it. It is the perfect unwinding for us.

We are so anxious to travel to MN over Labor Day weekend. We will see the Johnies’ season opener, and especially so many good friends that we have known over the last 6 years. It is always so good to be back at
St. John’s.

I’m having a ball playing tennis- so good to be back. We play doubles, and usually can play for 2 hrs. or about 2 sets. My energy is good, and my feet are getting better. Seems as if the nerves have to reconnect and say run, run and get that ball. I’m slow, but manage. Will close and get this out. Do know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love, Annie/Noel