Weekend Update 10/29 - 10/30

Family Fun:  I can't quite remember what I've put in previous blogs so briefly here is what's been going on.  Jim went to Family Weekend at Bowdoin and he and Joseph had a great time.  They had a nice Thai dinner on Friday.  Saturday they attended a lecture on Sir Thomas Moore and went to a couple Bowdon museums.  They both enjoyed their time together and I am so glad it worked out.  Gina (Jims sister) came back for a second visit and her first job was to bring me home from the hospital (Monday 10/24).  We had a great week and Emma was happily spoiled.  Emma had her last Volleyball game on Friday and the team played so well.  Until Friday I hadn't seen her team play and play they did.  Another sin for the girls Junior Varsity!!  Jim's friend Bob and wife Joan are here this weekend.  We had a lovely dinner last night and today Jim took them on a tour of the North Shore of Mass.  Kate arrived this morning and has been busy pulling the hose together while also being wonderful company. 

Medical Update:  I came home Monday after a 10 day course of chemo.  Being home this week has been wonderful.  I'm hoping it can extend a bit butt anticipate going in within the next 1 - 2 weeks for more treatments.  My liver function numbers are high but fortunately coming down - this could be a reaction to a new drug.  Some of my other lab values are off and if they continue to trend in a bad direction I could go back into the hospital sooner rather that later.  For now I am home, getting my treatments as an outpatient and live is pretty good. 

Thanks for checking in

Love,  Maureen

Weekend Update 10/22 - 10/23

Family Fun:  Good Sunday morning.  This week I am told we've gone from 80 to 50 degrees in the course of a couple days.  Brrr - who knows what the day holds today.  Jim and Emma are coming in today (Sunday).  We've  been going to a Catholic Mass in a small chapel on the West campus which is about a 15 minute wheelchair ride.   Today may be tough with the wind and chill but we'll see.  Jim saw Joseph this weekend for 'family weekend' at Bowdoin.  They attended some lectures, went to a couple of museums, and, of course, enjoyed the famous Bowdoin food..  It sounds like they had a great time.  Emma spent the night with her great friend Caitlin after winning a volleyball game on Friday.  Last night was the homecoming dance and I await a report on that - I am thinking it will go something like this "it was fine".  While I've mostly been resting this week, I have enjoyed several visitors including some good friends from the north shore earlier this week and some close friends from North Andover yesterday (who brought a chocolate cake!  what a glorious idea).  And my Aunt Debbie and cousin in law Jane brought lunch earlier this week.  All good stuff

Medical Update:  I was readmitted last Friday after a brief stay at home.  I've had several rounds of chemo over the last 3 months most lasting 5 days with 21 days or so of recovery before the next regimen.  The plan has been to do the recovery at home but I always seem to run into complications - a drug reaction, infection, mouth sores, just general pain in the ass chemo stuff though some complications gotten pretty bad.  Anyway, this last stay has been completely uneventful.   I came in Friday Oct 14 and started a 7 day course of chemo on Saturday (2 different types of chemo).   The chemo ends Monday and, barring any complications, I will be heading home tomorrow.  We continue to look to a immune therapy clinical trial as the next step. I hope to get more details on this next week.

Thanks for checking in - thanks for all your love, meals and prayers.  We are blessed to have support on so many levels.  Looking forward to another visit from Jim's sister Gina followed by my sister Kate. 

Love, Moe

Update 10/16

I know it has been awhile since the  last update.  Thanks for your patience. 

Family Fun
We had two amazing overnight visitors this past month mto keep things together while I was in the hospital and Jim was traveling on business for a couple of days.  Thank you John (my brother) and Gina (Jim'sister).   Your company was great and I cannot believe all you did;  John helping with outside projects like getting deck furniture put away.  Gina - there is not a dirty towel, shirt, or sheet in the house.   Plus all the food you made was amazing. 

Both kids are good - Joe was here for Columbus Day weekend which was also his birthday weekend.  Emma is keeping busy with school, friends and volleyball

Medical Update
I've been in and out of the hospital these last several weeks.  I am back in the hospital now. Currently getting chemo on a regular basis with the last two regimens as an inpatient.  The most recent round of chemo began Saturday 10/15.  We are adding a second round of chemo as the leukemia is pretty active.  Ultimately we are still working toward getting me into a clinical trial and we are hopeful that will happen after this round of chemo (there would be a waiting period before the trial).

Physically my appetite is good and I am getting around just fine.   I am tired to my bones and the Doctors say this happens when the leukemia gets active.  However I am doing exercises in the hospital, keeping my head in a good fighting place and thanking God every day I have the strength to keep up this fight.  Will be nice when I am not so exhausted but I need to be patient.  Please continue to call, write and text and accept my apologies if it takes me awhile to get back to you. 

Thanks for checking in - love and miss you all

Maureen