Presidents Day Update

Here we are again at the oncologist's office in Reston for the third chemo treatment.

The past week has been a good one. Laurie has been feeling well except for a nagging cough that we believe is due to allergies.

The week began with Laurie and Brooke attending Girl Scout Day at the GMU girl’s basketball game. They got there early Sunday morning so Brooke and her Brownie friends could learn a dance routine which they performed at half time. The day was long but both enjoyed their "Girl time" together.

Then on Tuesday we were treated by Roberta and Karen from Floris ES to homemade sugar cookies and a gift card to Chick Fillet. Many thanks to you both! We enjoyed the cookies and look forward to using the gift card.

Thursday was my Dad's 84th birthday. I was able to meet him for lunch at a local Chinese restaurant which we both enjoyed. I forgot to bring the birthday cards from the family so I put them in the mail. Cards or not, it was still good to be able to see him and enjoy a quiet meal together.

Thursday evening we were grateful to receive a platter of chicken strips and a large order of fruit salad from Chick Fillet. Jesse, Phyllis and Shanan of Oak Hill ES were the thoughtful trio who put that together. Many thanks to you all!

Friday the 13th, one of my favorite days in the year, was also Laurie's Mom's 70th birthday. The family couldn't get together that evening so we hosted a birthday party for her at our house Saturday evening. Each family contributed to the meal which included steamed spiced shrimp, KFC chicken, honey baked ham, baked beans, scalloped potatoes, apples and grapes, Cole slaw, tossed salad, rolls and birthday cake and ice cream. Sounds like a lot of food but when you're feeding 18 people you have to cover all the bases. Laurie enjoyed being able to do this at our house and the timing of Mom's birthday as related to Laurie's chemo schedule was perfect. We all missed David who was sick and my Dad who was out celebrating his day again with friends.

The chemo treatment went as expected. Laurie gets a bit apprehensive before we leave for the treatments but once we get there that all goes away. Her blood levels were really good today. Her WBC was 8.3. That is close to the level she had before she started chemo. Her GRAN count was 5.8 and her PLT was 306. All three are in the good to very good range. Thanks God! The only anomaly today is that the ice chips and fruit pops that she normally eats during the Adriamycin did not taste very good this time. We were told that her tastes might change. They were right!

So, three treatments down. We know that with each step in the recovery process we are that much closer to the fulfillment of God's plan for a full recovery. We thank you for the continued prayer and support. Please don't stop. Another update will be posted in the next few days.

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