Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you to so many of you who have e-mailed since my last posting. Well, I had my first new chemo and it seemed successful, and then our insurance cleared the use of another important drug. So, when I went in for Cycle 2, I flunked the blood tests. Both my red and white count were too low to have the next treatment. I asked, of course, if there is anything I can do to help, but it is just a matter of the body recovering, or next time I have to get some injections to help the situation. So, I was very discouraged at the time, and then thought, well, I have a whole morning free that I didn’t think I would have.I enjoyed a little retail therapy, an extra walk, and some good gardening that really needed to be done. My energy is good and I feel good so I will just have a week to get things done. I go in for my next appointment on Fri., so I hope we can get it done. There certainly are highs and lows to these treatment phases, but I’m coping fairly well, and am actually busier than I usually want to be. It’s not rocket science, but I have so much energy when I’m doing fun and satisfying things, so I do try to keep that perspective.

I’m wondering what others do in the midst of American mayhem, so much suffering, and Congressional paralysis, mixed in with the Chinese earthquake, continued refugee crisis, and just worlds of folks out there trying so hard to make it. Sometimes I think the best I can do is just really fight “disaster fatigue”, and just make sure I still try to identify with someone in those situations,find one note of help that they are receiving, and think thru if there IS anything I can do now. I know I can always pray, but I should want to do more. NOw the gun control is another topic for another day- but being Leo Nusbaum’s daughter, and having grown up with hunting and guns in the house—–strangely enough we had no hand guns and no automatic rapid fire killing guns. Enough for now–but culturally, there is much work to be done. And by the way, some of our “hunter friends” in Falls City, NE. and Minnesota now use bows and arrows. Seems much more sporting, although I don’t know if that works on ducks and geese.

Well just another social item or so. We had a really good evening at a fundraiser last night, and they had a danceable band- 70’s-80’s stuff, and we had fun dancing. It was a the MC Student Center, and was for MS research. A great gal and her family have done so much. Last week we went to Clark’s CA. Health Care Attorney’s meeting in Balboa. It is always a great Meeting and a good chance to see long time friends. After the meeting we went on to San Diego to see Julie, Clancy, Katherine and Brian Wilson, and Steve and Carolyn Locke-Prosi. Steve is Clark’s first cousin, and Clancy and Julie and college-plus friends. After delicious meals, and lots of catching up Clark and I headed up to the Long Beach area, where we were able to see John and meet his Japanese boss. They were here on a 4-day trip to interview admissions counselors and see foreign student programs at some local Jr. colleges. This is part of John’s new job. We had a good short visit and dinner, and were happy to get in a visit in their busy schedule. John returned for Spring football season in the X-League.

Need to close now, but know it is just fun picturing all of you as I write. Please keep us in your prayers as we do you.

Love
Annie/Noel

Dear Family and Friends,

I began my second round of chemo this morning at 8 a.m. It is disappointing that it is only 9 months since the last treatment. One of the things that isn’t clear is whether I was resistant or sensitive to one of the major drugs used in my chemo. Under 6 months is clear, 9-12 months it isn’t known what the effectiveness is. Many folks don’t have clear signs that the cancer is back, so in my case my symptoms are back, the numbers are indicators, And the CAT scan is conclusive. So now to just hit it hard again. I will have 3 week cycles, and have Gemzar, Carbo-platin, and Avastin every 3 wks, and then the second week Gemzar only. I definitely don’t feel good,but the worst of it is watermelon size bloating, and new fatigue. So that is the cancer on its own, so we’ll have to see if the chemo can reduce the bloating. My metaphors of watermelon, and beached whale are descriptive, and give you a little idea of struggles to get around, etc.

We are still keeping a fairly busy schedule because Clark has CA. Health Care Attorneys. a 3-day conference in Newport Beach,next week Fri.-Sun., and we will be able to see John on Mon. He is here on a 4 day business trip to visit Jr. colleges to see about Japanese athletes getting in to these schools. He and his boss will visit various admissions offices and foreign student departments. We will probably get to see him for dinner or breakfast.

This week Ellen in hosting Mrs. John Stone, Carmelita. We grew up with John- sort of the brother we didn’t have. We usually get to see John when in the Midwest, and Carmelita is going to get in some good hiking and a little touring.

May marks the biggest event of the year in that Luke graduates from Pepperdine Law School. He will have his law degree, plus a Master’s in Negotiation and Arbitration, in which Pepperdine’s program is #1 in the country. He has also held down a job in a Law firm during these years, and will continue with them after school.

Well, this afternoon I was very anxious to see if I would get a boost from my chemo- or rather prep. steroids, as I did with my first chemo. So far, no boost. I don’t feel any better, but I also don’t feel any worse. Such is life; it is what it is.

Do know one of my joys is knowing I can connect with you, and thank you for so many of you who have been in recent touch. I’ll get back to the blog every two weeks or sooner, if there is any good gnus.

Please do keep me and us in your thoughts and prayers as I do you.

Love
Annie/Noel