The Latest

 Mom and Dad, New Year's Eve.

Hello all,

Happy snow days!  Mom's appointment with Dr. Rixe this past Wednesday went very well.  One of his fellow's who hadn't seen Mom in a while was super impressed with her strength and how well she is doing.  So that was nice!

As for next steps, her white blood cell count was a tiny bit low, so rather than start the next course Monday as planned, she will start the following week instead.  That will give her a chance to be in the best shape possible for the treatments.

She'll have another MRI before then just so they can see the latest status of the tumor.  Judging by how well she has been feeling and how much energy she's had, I would have to wager that the treatments are working.  What a blessing!  We are enjoying every minute with our sweet Rosie.

Love to all,
jk

 Mom with Esphyr on New Year's Eve.

Mom on Esphyr's birthday, which was January 14th.  Mom made the icing-- score!  She and Natalie are tied for the best icing makers in the world.

Good Times

Hello, all,

Mom continues to do well.  She went to church this Sunday and really enjoyed it.  Her respiratory infection seems to have cleared up completely.  She took a great walk Sunday afternoon (and even felt a little soreness in her legs as a result-- she got a workout!).  They went to Marriage Encounter at the Schroeder's Sunday night.  And she was hanging out with us much of the day yesterday (after getting her blood work in the morning).  Sonny stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while I took Esphyr for her two year well check, and they played Sorry (several games) and ate all manner of delicious soups.  When we got back, Esphyr joined the Sorry game and decided she wanted to "stay with Gram" when I went home.  Sonny of course was in agreement.  But, since it was nap time for all involved, we went home.  :)

Yesterday evening, they paid us a quick visit at our downtown house, so Mom has really been getting out and feeling great.  And Dad is doing well, too.  They are having lots of good time together, and in between times, Dad even gets to work a little.  (haha)  He is also excited that the Chestnuts are back in action.  We've been making music again, which is fun.

Tomorrow they go to Cincinnati for a consult with Dr. Rixe, at which time they will make plans for the next phase.  She has completed her second full course of chemo, so now it will be a matter of deciding whether to repeat a similar course or try something new.  Not sure if she will be getting another MRI at this time.  I guess we will find out tomorrow.  Stay tuned!  And stay warm.

Be well,
jk

First Update of 2011

Mom is doing great after her most recent round of chemo.  She went into it with a bit of a cold, which worsened after she returned home from Cincinnati.  Dr. Rixe called in a Z-Pack for her and that seemed to help a lot.  We got to hang out with her last night and she looked and sounded much better.  We had pizza for dinner and then she played Crazy Eights with Sonny.  She had been busy earlier in the day, too.  Rather than nap, she helped my dad assemble juggle ball sets for his Western Kentucky tour this week.  She folded several loads of laundry, too!

As we were leaving, her sister Jane was on her way from North Vernon for a sister slumber party.  :)  Life is good!

York Christmas Group Photo

Just wanted to share the picture from the York Christmas last Sunday in Greenwood:

Also, blood work was good today, so chemo should happen Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week as planned.  Dr. Rixe pushed it back a little so Mom could enjoy all of her company.  He said it was his Christmas present to her.  A good one at that!

Happy New Year!
jk

Merry Christmas!

 People have been asking, "How's your mom?" and my answer has been, "She is amazing!"  She has been thoroughly enjoying this holiday season, and, with a little help from her merry band of elves, doing everything from sewing homemade purses for her teacher friends, to baking holiday goodies, to making blankets for her grandkids, to shopping downtown, to fixing meals for 12.  She is AMAZING!

Many of you may know, but on December 22, we got the best news: the tumor has again shrunk, which means that her treatments can continue apace.  With the new combination of drugs and the rare nature of her tumor, success was anything but guaranteed, but Dr. Rixe assured her that things were going well.  He even said she could celebrate with a little wine over the holidays, under the following conditions: "One glass a day, and as long as it is French."  I'll drink to that!

Below are a few pictures of the Amazing One on Christmas Day.  Today we are off to Greenwood to celebrate with the Yorks!  Best wishes to all of you and thank you for your continued thoughts, prayers, love and support.

 Mimi Rosie and Jonathon (Jonathon is sporting the blanket she made for him).

 Grandma Rosie helps Esphyr open her new tea set.  It sings "I'm a Little Teapot"-- but only when you tip it over and pour it out, as we discovered.  :)

 Sonny sports his blanket, cape style.  And below, the grand girls have a tea party on Lola's blanket.  Further below is a little video of Sonny trying out his new game with Allie, Rosie, J, and Harlan looking on.  (There is no sound, so don't worry if you don't hear anything!)

Back to Dugan Hollow

The chemo went well.  It seems this outpatient arrangement is really much easier.  Every time I talked to them on the phone, mom sounded relaxed.  She knitted, she napped.  She said she took a two hour nap today and remarked that it was really "zapping" her this time, but I think it's good if she can rest.  It seems like during the summer when she was doing both the chemo and the radiation, she was zapped but couldn't even rest.  So hopefully this resting will be healing.

She sounded happy to be home.  I look forward to seeing her!

Stay warm,
jk

Rockin' the Chemo

Blood work was good Monday, so Mom started her second round of her second course of treatment yesterday.  It's a three day deal, so she has another dose today and a third dose on Thursday.  They decided to stay over in Cincinnati to maximize rest time and minimize time on the road.  Amen to that, I say!