No Visitors for Now

Becca's wiped, so no drop ins for now. You can call and if she wants visitors (doubtful), she'll let you know.

Steve

She's Not Here

Becca's at Alta Bates Cancer Center on Dwight getting a transfusion. Probably won't be home until 5 pm. You could possibly visit her there. Just ask the scheduler what room she's in. I think it may be 1179. I wouldn't wake her up if she's asleep. Otherwise, check back home after 5. But knock gently.

Later,

Steve

AnemIck

Becca's pretty much set to begin chemo Tuesday, but at today's appointment I questioned if she was ready, since she's got about as much energy as a slug on a slow day. Lab test revealed an 8.7 hemoglobin count (norm around 12), so she got a transfusion. I expect her to be moving furniture shortly. Yesterday's call for visitors is still on. Just call or ring doorbell first. Toni Martin, yesterday's surprise guest did that and came with the sweetest smelling Sweet Williams? from her garden. They lit up the whole house. Can I get a witness? Thanks Toni. Oh, and Diana Lion folded the laundry which instantaneously got her in my hall of fame. Now do you see why I like visitors?

Steve

Better Daze

The stomach and headache have corrected. Yay! Becca even put some air in her system with a walk today. She only complained about being out of it, a cumulative effect I'm sure.

Becca seems to rally when she has visitors, plus it distracts her and sharpens her mind.
Here are some visiting hours you can key on when Abby and I won't be here:

Thursday after 5
Friday afternoon
Saturday 9:30-1
Sunday 11:30 on
Monday 5 on

But you can come any time Becca is up for it. Just phone first and don't tell her I wrote this :—)

Steve

Step on the Gas

Becca had bad stomach cramps last night after she went to bed. They don't appear related to last week's pushing on the bowels, More likely they're related to her surgery and recent diet. She called one of those gastrowhatsitcalledologists but hasn't heard back. Looks like we'll be sticking with the soft stuff for now. Later this week we'll start to use the website lotsahelpinghands (http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com) so ya'll can plug in where needed and share the load falling on about six of us. Thanks for rallying to support her.

Steve

Same Pain, Some Gain

I pretty much knew "What's up with Becca" when I walked into my neighbor Tucker's house upon our return to see Becca lying on her couch eating a beautiful looking meal (at least it looked beautiful after feasting on the fast foods of Ontario Airport). So the headache is still there, although not quite as intense as the spinal force variety, but the appetite and edible food are back and staying down (knock on keyboard). We're waiting for the anesthesiologist to call back.

One doctor who did call back was Dr. Sabbatini from Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC. Sounds like he recommends the chemotherapy AIM (Adriamycin + Ifex + Mesna), which is a really toxic brew that has shown success with LMS. So when Becca is up and at 'em in a week or so, she'll be getting AIM in the hospital for three or four days, then get three weeks off, then a second three or four day stint, then a scan for results. I'm waffling on the exact number of treatments here as this is second-hand info and I don't have my crack fact-checking team here led by Tucker Malarkey. And don't let that name fool you, cuz she doesn't tucker out and she ain't full of malarkey. Sorry, Tucker I just pity your parents' name choice a little.

Hopefully some good ol' fashion routine will kick in this week around here. We'll keep you posted.

Warmly,

Steve

Long Distance

Hi Scott and Tanya,

I think we're going to stay at the Doubletree Hotel here in Claremont instead of drive to Pasadena tonight. Becca is doing better after hot patch. I told our heroic gastrowhatsitcalledologist neighbor friend Mike that the only thing worse than a spinal headache must be getting off caffeine. (He thought it was funny anyway. That's not why he's our hero. He's our hero cuz he makes house calls at 9:30 the night before surgery and checks that things are moving in Becca's tummy.) Norman and Janet had a six hour trip yesterday with Becca to UCSF. They got stuck in traffic to and from SF and waited through a power outage at UCSF. Becca was able to hold down a graham cracker while there. Sorry I missed the celebration! Norman is spending the night again while we're down here. I hope he takes care of Austin too. We'll be back tomorrow. Catch you next time. Sorry we missed you.

Steve