Karen was released from the hospital Friday, 17June, in the afternoon. It was great to get outside and see and feel the warmth of the sun! She was (and remains) very weak, sleeping much of the day. She spent the weekend trying to shake off the medications she was given for pain while in the hospital. We are extremely grateful to report Karen has experienced no more bleeding since coming home.

Today, 20June, Karen began her first dose of Xeloda (Chemo) with no complications present at this time. If her system stays strong enough, she will take 3000 mg a day in the form of pills every 12 hours. The current plan is for them to be taken at 10:30 and 22:30 daily. She also had a blood and urine test today. She will start getting blood test weekly to monitor her cell counts. The urine test revealed a bladder infection so she also began medication to hopefully clear that problem up.

We are still waiting for the results of the bone scan. We plan to see a doctor on Thursday, 23June, to discuss having a "port" placed in Karen's chest. She is also scheduled for a follow up visit to the Gastroenterologist on Friday, 24June, where we expect Karen will be placed on blood pressure medication. This in an attempt to reduce the pressure on her circulatory system due to the cancer tumor(s) pressing in the liver on the portal vein.

The reason for the port ("vascular access device" also known as central lines for venous access) is to reduce the amount of times Karen is stuck in her arms and the ware and tare on the smaller veins. Recently Karen said she feels and looks like a human pin cushion. The port or "port-a-cath" is inserted in the upper chest wall (the space between your collarbone and your breast) to alleviate this problem. Generally this is a straightforward procedure. However, with Karen's advanced cancer it requires planning and better health than she has been in recently.

It's only been 26 days since we learned of the cancer. It seems like much, much longer. Our lives changed instantly. Things I once thought were important are no longer and things I took for granted are now reasons to celebrate. For Karen to be able to get out of bed to go the bathroom by herself is reason enough for me to smile and be happy. Our children get excited just to hear her voice and to be able to go into our bedroom and talk with her. I didn't fully appreciate what I have until I was faced with the possibility of losing it.

In closing I leave with you with this, take nothing for granted. Instead take a look around at what you have, not in the material stuff we usually do, but in your health, your family and friends. You are truly blessed beyond measure.

Celebrate life!

Darren