Busy Week

Well we are almost packed for the shore but have a lot of household stuff left to do - the lawn is cut but the water in our huge fish tank needs to be changed, vacuuming done, pool cleaned ETC ETC ETC... I am EXHAUSTED and have to tie up at least some of the loose ends on the homeschool portfolios tomorrow. I guess Anne will take them 90% finished and let me do my obsessive fixes after vacation ( will you Anne? ).

Visits at Fox Chase and Penn went well. Took 4+ hours each including travel, parking, waiting, registering .... but it was worth the time spent. Fox Chase/Dr Hudes was informative but slightly more conservative, Penn/Dr Flaherty much more technical and very "on the cutting edge", and a little more aggressive in his viewpoint on treatment. These were really only slight differences even so, as both Drs agree on Sutent as the most appropriate medication for me, and both agree that it is not proven yet to be a sure benefit. One leans a little more toward a "wait and see" approach, the other slightly toward a "treat incase it might help you" point of view. Both agree that it would be reasonable to lean either way, given the scientific data to date on this medication and it's success rate, since it is a very new mediation and still in clinical trials.

I will have a repeat round of CT scans the week after next to establish a baseline, and would start treatment in the next few weeks if we decide to go ahead at this time. Meanwhile I have a bit more healing to do, and I need to build up my stamina and strength.

I have been doing pretty well this week, most of my fear has been masked by the activity level and so much to do. Plus, I guess DOING something about my fear by finally getting these second opinions is comforting in a way. That WAITING thing is not my favorite game!

I have been able to sleep in my own bed all week, although I often do wake up at least once and have some trouble falling back to sleep, and I am a little stiff when I get up. My friend Barbara D brought me a "memory foam" mattress cover and it is WONDERFUL. When I lay down on it I feel so comfy and cozy I don't want to move, it just settles me right in. (THANK YOU Barbara!) The meals were a lifesaver this week. We never could have done all that needed to be done this week without them.

So, thank you all for praying for us and supporting us in all that is going on in our lives. Please pray that we do have a restful vacation, and that I am able to recouperate yet build my strength. I am looking forward to lots of walks in that wonderful ocean breeze! And pray for Charles and I as we pray about and discuss the treatment recommendations and come to a decision on it, that we have total peace and unity. Pray also for our discussions about how to approach the children's schooling this fall, as we have much to consider in that regard also.

Pray also for our children to have a wonderful time. We have not been able to do many special treats or any vacations in a few years because of Charles' truck accident and the insuing financial hit from that, so this trip is a real blessing for our children. We are so grateful to my mom and dad for giving all their kids and grandkids this wonderfully generous gift - after all it is THEIR anniversary and WE get the perks!