Don't be shy

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Have a great week.

Thursday's Chemo (NEXT TO LAST!!! yipeeeee!)

Emily has been home for almost a week so she was able to go with Laura to chemo. She goes back to San Francisco on Sunday.

Thursday they began the day with a latte from a local coffee shop then headed to the hospital where they were cheerily greeted by everyone -- staff and patients. Even the front desk knew her name without her telling her name or signing in.

In spite of all the cooking and eating she's done lately, she still lost five pounds. Not a concern to any of her doctors.

Her INR count is still too low so they made another adjustment with the Coumadin.

This time, she did not have the research drug, Avastin, because her body needs to get ready for surgery in May. (Something she DOES NOT want to do. Prayers for that would be appreciated.)

After seeing Dr. Jani, they discovered that the pharmacy was short-staffed and that they would be waiting a while. So, they went to get something to eat and then waited some more.

Laura is amazed at the strength she sees in the cancer patients each time she goes for treatment. Some of them can hardly walk, but they're positive and pleasant and interested in each other's lives. It's a source of encouragement to her each time.

We're thankful that she only has one more chemo to go...

We're also thankful for the people who read this blog. Please take a minute to sign your name if you've read this entry. (We're just curious who's "stopping by.")

Thank you so much for what you do for Laura.

Remembering Mama

Laura, as you either know or have heard it said, likes to stay busy.

A while back, she read Julia Child's book called "My Life in France." Laura loved the book. It reminded her of Mama. Not so much because Mama and Julia Child were so much alike, but they both loved food and both knew a lot about how to prepare it. Reading the book, for Laura, was (is) inspirational.

So... she started to learn more about Julia Child. Someone gave her videos of Julia Child's old cooking shows. She began to experiment with recipes. And, she started going through Mama's recipe box.

The other day, she made a quiche from Julia Child's cookbook. She made the crust for the quiche and said it was the best she's ever had.

Yesterday, she made a cheese soufflé. She said everyone loved it. And, everyone was seated at the table when it came out of the oven so that it would still be "poofy" when it was served.

She's been making Mama's whole wheat bread recipe lately, too.

Though all the cooking wears her out, she finds it very rewarding and satisfying. It's been a fun way to stay busy, learn new things and to remember Mama.

Some Sights from Callaway

What's happening this week?

Yesterday Laura went to have her coumadin checked and the INR number was too low…1.06…which means her blood is too thick. The number was lower than last week for chemo. They are afraid if they increase the coumadin too much it will spike again like it did around her birthday and then she won't be able to do anything for fear she might bump or cut herself. Anyway, they slightly increased her dosages and she REALLY has watch her vitamin K intake…which means she can’t eat much.

Later that afternoon she went to a support group on Reconstruction of the Breast. It was informative and gave her lots to think about. She was able to meet some other breast cancer survivors and plans to attend a yoga class next week which might be especially useful after the surgery. Though it's unlikely to happen, her dream would be that since they can’t find the tumor somebody will say "lets don’t do the surgery." This whole process is so long and the reconstruction is usually more than just one surgery.

She still has a crick in her neck. Dr. Jani told her it was alright to take the pain medicine and a sleeping pill together which is what she did, but she feels bad this morning. Feels drugged.

The disability insurance is not settled and the frustration with that continues.

On a happier note, she and Steve leave this afternoon to visit Clif and Lisa. They're excited to see them. Tomorrow night they'll see a play Lisa is in. Also, Emily’s play "Macbeth" opens tomorrow and then all next week they take it on tour to high schools in San Francisco. She'd love to be in San Francisco for that, but it doesn't look likely.

Fortunately, Emily will have spring break the week of March 23rd and spend it in Leesburg.

Please continue to pray for her health, her spirit, and for the silly disability insurance to do what they're supposed to do!!

Have a happy weekend.

Mmmm Good!

Laura ate these the other day...

Pink is Everywhere!

Chevron car, Swankie Hankies, Breast Cancer 3-Day Promise Ring,

Sharpies, Post-It Notes, and Revlon Lip Gloss

Look at all the things I found!

What have you seen with the pink ribbon on it?

Thoughts for/about Laura's Journey

We asked Steve, Clif, Emily and Lisa to give their thoughts on Laura's journey with cancer.
Here are their thoughts:

This is my message to Laura……………..”Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” that you can’t climb. You are almost at the top and the view will be spectacular. I’m going to be there with you! (Steve)

My mom is the strongest person I know. Even when she has cancer she still takes care of all of us. I want to have half her strength someday. (Clif)

Often it's really hard being way out here--feeling like I physically can't do anything to help out. But I try to talk to Mama everyday--sometimes we have a lot to talk about and sometimes it's just "hey, i love you." But that makes me feel more connected, in a way. From out here, it feels like she is making great progress--from what she tells me, some of the only not-so-great reports she has are that she exercises too much! (Which I always tell her to not push it--it's most important for her to get well--there will be plenty of time for exercise after all of this is done.) I also hope that she can stay as un-stressed as possible--you know how thoughtful and caring and worried she can get about all of us. I feel very thankful that she has all of the local support of friends, neighbors, the church community--it's always good to have that face-to-face contact and love. Also, I am thankful for the calls and emails and prayers and comments on this blog she receives from all over this country--literally. (Emily)

"What doesn't kill ya, makes ya stronger." This is one of the many sayings I have grown up to hear from my mother. And, as always, she is right. My mother is a fighter. Throughout these past five months, each day I am more and more amazed by my mother's strength. I've never known a woman with as much determination and self-motivation as my mom. She is not one to cry or dwell on things. She is not one to never try or give up. My mom is the kind of person that never gives up. She is the kind of person that if all odds are against her, she will beat it and, not only that, come out on top. My mom is the toughest person I know--and I would say that even if she wasn't my mother. She's got fight in her, and I don't see that letting up anytime soon. So, her progress over the past five months? I say, 'What progress? It was over before it began.' (Lisa)

Six Down, Two to Go!

Laura received a good report from Dr. Jani today, though he expressed concern about the crick in her neck and some concern about her life port. Other than those things, though, he thinks she's doing GREAT.

Right now, she's fighting nausea and that "wiped out" feeling she gets from some of her meds.

Sunday, she and Steve are going to Callaway Gardens for four days. Her plan is to lie around, read her Kindle and maybe take some little walks. What she'd really like to do is ride her bike; Steve and Dr. Jani weren't so excited about that idea.

Thanks for your continued prayers...