A New Puppy!

Hi, everyone. I'm sorry it has been a while since my last posting. We've been pretty busy around here with medical issues since I last wrote and I just haven't had the energy to write.

My cancer continues to be unrelenting in its attack on my body and nothing Dr. Livingston has tried has helped. I had trouble tolerating the chemo he tried initially on learning that my cancer had spread. They have to give you a ton of fluid with it to flush out your kidneys and my body just couldn't handle it. There was also no sign that it was having any effect against the cancer. He then went back to the chemo I was on when he originally started seeing me. We were happy with this plan because we knew that at that point it had been at least partially effective and I knew what I was getting into with it as far as side effects go. I had my first dose of it last Wednesday and was supposed to return this Wednesday for my second weekly dose. However, again, over this past week, I have noticed a gradual increase in my symptoms rather than any improvement. I was really tired last night and not feeling well and spent some time reflecting. Joe's parents and Pam's family are arriving to visit this week and Michael's graduation is Thursday evening. The whole idea of trying this chemo again was to give me more quality time with my family. Instead, I was dealing with the tiredness and icky feeling that comes with being on chemo and not seeing any improvement. I made the decision that I am not going to do any more chemo. I emailed Dr. Livingston this morning and discussed my decision and the factors that had gone into making it with him and he agreed and was very supportive. Now, our complete focus can be on managing the side effects of the cancer and allowing me to enjoy the time I have with my family. It is an emotional decision and of course has involved quite a few tears, but one, now that it is made, I and my family feel very comfortable with. One of the most positive things about this decision is that I will never, ever have to do chemo again! That is something to celebrate!

In the midst of all that has been going on with my health, a couple of good things have happened, too. Joe's brother, George, lives in Florida and is a pilot for United Airlines. He doesn't usually fly into Phoenix, but was able to arrange to do so last week. We hadn't seen him since our trip to Alaska, so it was a real treat to have the opportunity. I wasn't up for dinner out, but he and Joe and Michael and Janaya all went out to dinner and had a great time visiting.


Joe and George


George with Janaya and Michael

The second good thing to happen many of you might already know from my Facebook page. Janaya and her boyfriend, Andrew, have been wanting to get a puppy for quite a while now, but were waiting until the school year finished so they would have time to spend taking care of and training it. School finished for them two Wednesdays ago and on Saturday they got a new Boxer puppy. Her name is Lucy and she is the cutest, sweetest, most adorable thing! Both Andrew and Janaya had to work double shifts on the Sunday after they got her, so Joe and I got to "puppy" sit. I was excited, but also a little hesitant about how much energy it would take to watch a nine week old puppy for an entire day. It was no problem at all! She was so much fun.





Well, that is it, again, for now. This week promises to be filled with lots of family time and good memories, so as long as I'm feeling well, it won't be so long until my next post. Graduation pictures, plus a big, top-secret surprise! Stay tuned!

Love you all!
Martha