A gigantic hello to one and all,

First and foremost, we our sorry for not posting since June 29.  During the month of July Karen finished her fourth cycle of the chemotherapy treatment and had a PET scan.  Karen's cancer has remained the same since starting the chemo in April but she keeps an upbeat attitude about her life and treatment.  When she was not busy with blood tests, chemotherapy treatments and doctor visits, Karen stayed busy in July (even while the weather was in the 100s) completing a couple woodworking projects (rebuilt a record cabinet for her older sister, Anne, and constructed a coffee table for her younger sister, Teresa).   Both projects turned out very nice and the family members were extremely pleased with the furniture. 

During the first week of August Karen celebrated her 61st  birthday with family members and also started her fifth cycle of the chemo regimen.  Like in the past, the nurses are still scrambling and yes, the sessions are still lasting a minimum of 2 to 3 hours.  Of course Karen is thankful she is not receiving transfusions or other medications as some of the patients are in the infusion center for over 4 hours and longer.  Like in the past, something humorous always happens with Karen and the nurses.  This past month was no exception.  Karen has been dubbed "Ms. Glitchy."  Prior to any medications or chemo being administered, the patient's temperature is taken as a precautionary measure.  At the second session of the fourth cycle, the nurse (Barbara) took Karen's temperature four times orally.  The readings vary from 91 to 100.  The nurse settled on a temperature between 98 and 99.  Thinking this was an isolated incident, the following week, the nurse (Jessica) using an oral thermometer had to take it twice as the machine was not reading anything until it was taken out of the mouth.  When Karen went for her doctor visit, the nurse (Marisa) using an oral thermometer again took it twice and informed Karen that the thermometer was not indicating any temperature at all.  The nurse decided to set the machine down and advised Karen she would take it later.  While it sat on the counter, believe it or not, the thermometer flashed a reading.  It was 98.2. Believing that the medical staff had their thermometers fixed, Karen went in for her first session of the fifth cycle.  You guessed it.  When the nurse, Ivah, placed the oral thermometer in Karen's mouth, there was no reading.  She repeated the process and there was no reading.  As the nurse could clearly see, Karen was still breathing and laughing and shaking her head in disbelief.  Karen then told the nurse about the previous episodes with the nurses and the thermometers.  And  yes, after taking the thermometer out of the mouth, and waiting a few seconds, the thermometer read 98.3.  Karen did not like the nurses' backup plans of taking a "rectal" reading.  Anyhow, Karen is praying that everything will go okay this week.  Wish her luck as rectal reading are not funny. 

Anyhow, Karen and her Mom are thankful for your prayers and thoughts and likewise keep you in their daily prayers and thoughts.  May the good Lord bless you all and keep you happy and healthy.

Tip of the blog:  Everyday, we carry many crosses.  Sometimes, the cross is a little more than we can carry.  Remember, to thank the "Simon" who came along and assisted you with your cross.  Even Jesus Christ had to have a Simon help him with his cross.