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