Helloooooo out there......

May was a very busy month filled with Mother's Day, visitors from Oklahoma, and oh yes the chemotherapy sessions and doctor's appointments.  We had a nice Mother's Day for mom by pampering her all day with gifts and food, and receiving calls from all her kids. Teresa (sis) and Kevin came that day to visit.  Marghi was able to go home and celebrate the day with her husband and her sons.  Anne (sis) took on the responsibilities of the Bradford household for Mother's Day weekend.  Louis (bro) took on the Bradford household responsibilities the following weekend 05/18-05/20, so Marghi could go with Dave and family to the annual BofA Bowling Tournament in Reno.  Louis thoroughly enjoyed staying with mom and Karen.

At the latest doctor's visit on Tuesday 05/29 the doctor informed Karen that her cancer markers, were way over 300 when she was first diagnosed, the April test checking for markers was 140. This is Great news!!!!!!!! The doctor stated Karen is doing remarkably well. He is inspired by Karen, her determination, her attitude and mental outlook, and the fact the she has attacked the situation and the pain with just a little Tylenol, now and then.

Chemo sessions went well this month.  Karen has braved through them and knows exactly what the reactions will be and when they will set in.  This second round of chemo has not been as rough on her appetite as the first round.  She is, however, experiencing neuropathy in the tips of her fingers as well as the browning of the fingernails.  Typical side effects for Taxol.  Karen has stayed true to form, she gets herself and sometimes the nurses in trouble with her levity and gut wrenching laughter.  In fact this past Wednesday, the nurse told Karen she had passed the test, referring to her blood numbers.  Later Karen and Marghi were talking about the blood test results and Karen said, "at least she (the nurse) didn't say I passed gas."  Some other nurses overheard this and they just started to laugh. 

Marghi is so grateful she is able to be with Karen through all of the chemo sessions.  It is heart breaking to see how many folks come by themselves, or are dropped off.  This past Wednesday, we met a lady who was 88 years old, she had surgery a week ago, was receiving radiation every day, and was getting her first chemo treatment on Wed.  No one there with her while the nurses tried several times to get an infusion line started, final after an hour they did, then premeds started.  Her daughter stopped by for a short minute, then left.  This poor little lady, was hungry, didn't know the ropes,  really had to use the bathroom, and there was no one with her to be her advocate.  When she finished chemo (4 hours later) we offered her a granola bar and a bottled water to tide her over.  The little lady stated Karen was very "cheerful."  (Little does that lady know LOL)   She thanked us for lunch and stated we should do it again. She made several calls to her daughter to be picked up, but never got through.  When we left she was sitting in the lobby of the medical center, still trying to reach her daughter by telephone.  It was truly heartbreaking.

AS PROMISED HERE IS THE PIX OF KAREN WITH HER NEW HAIR.  LOOKS GREAT

Thanks to everyone for reading the blog and most definitely for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.  They truly are very important to us.  :o)