A rough start, but a pretty good day

Hi everyone:

Kathleen has really struggled with nausea lately, even with the near-wonder-drug Zofran in her arsenal of antiemetics. She bounced back enough yesterday afternoon to join Patty and I on a short trek to Utica for dinner. We were all a bit disappointed to be skirting Starved Rock State Park and seeing no color other than green, but it was still a nice, low-key outing on a gorgeous day. Along the way, we shared a ton of memories and laughs, and picked up a pretty cool studded pink leather cap for our patient. She can add this to her collection of knit caps and an amazing scarf she was sent by her Aunt Sue.

Upon our return, we stopped by a party Kathleen's friend Cindy was hosting, and then ran Kathleen back home. She was pooped, but happy about her full day. I was happy to be taking home a care package of tons of food from Cindy's party. Kathleen's feeling a bit nauseous this morning, but hopes to rebound to join her son Sean for a trip to the arboretum.

I'd share pictures from our afternoon out, but I had drained the battery with all the other snaps from recent days. Oops.

From what we've observed, Kathleen thrives if she can set her own pace for things and doesn't take on more than she can handle. Last weekend, at our house, Kathleen barely moved, except for our occasional photo ops; she was too weak to do much of anything. The chemo was being a monster to her, but everyone did their best to keep it at bay.

This week, after Kathleen received two rounds of blood products, she had what we've been calling a "blood buzz"; she has huge amounts of energy followed by equally huge amounts of fatigue. It's hard to convince someone to take it easy when she's feeling better than she has in several days. She's a tough cookie...and a stubborn one.

Love,
Brian