A good day!

Thank you to everyone who has so willingly offered to help us throw this special luau in honor of my mom. She was just tickled to hear of the great response, and has already started making "To-Do" lists for the big party! She is up frequently at night, due to the steroids she is taking. Since her writing skills are returning, she is trying to "keep busy" with lists and tasks to accomplish when she returns home. I truly think the anticipation of this party is going to see her through the first 6 weeks of treatment. Knowing how many friends and family she will see in February, gives her the strength to endure what is ahead.

My mom has had two radiaton treatments so far, which sound like quite an interesting experience. A mask was made of her face to enable the technicians to deliver the radiation to the precise areas where cancer cells are forming. She referred to this as if she were wearing a hockey mask, and said it is eerie seeing all the "hockey masks" lined up on a wall, awaiting each patient's treatment. Blue beams cross over her, and she must remain perfectly still for the length of the treatment. Inevitabley, an itch, funny pain, or sensation occurs when she is in the machine. In time, her hair will fall out where the radiation is delivered, but fatigue is really the only other side affect. She has begun the daily chemotherapy pill, and it is delivered at a very low dose, so side affects should be minimal. The subsequent rounds afterwards will be much stronger, but we will just take it one 6 week block at a time.

Brain tumors are an aggressively growing cancer, and a Glioblastoma, is the most aggressive of all. Completing these treatments will hopefully "buy" my mom more time. We all want more time and more memories, so thank you for helping my mom celebrate her life with you in February. Your friendship and kindness continues to bring us both joy, and lifts up our day! I apologize for not getting back to each of you personally, (I hope to do so soon!) Keep leaving blog comments as you are able. I print them all out, and read them to my mom. Hearing all your kind comments brings her many smiles!

P.S. I have been informed by a helpful editor in our home, that I have been abusing comma usage! Apologies for the poor grammar...to all the teachers out there who are loyal readers, feel free to critique...constructive criticism welcome! Ü