May 12th, 2008

Well, today was supposed to be Joe's second Gemzar IV of chemo but his blood counts dropped way too low so he won't have any til we come back from Phoenix. His hemoglobin is 9, his white count is 1.2 and his platelets are only 68,000. So he got Procrit which helps build the red blood cells and Nulastin which helps build the white blood cells and the doctor will check him again on Thursday before we leave for Phoenix on Friday. Each time we see him we like him more. Joe has walked everyday and really feels stronger. The oncologist said that his patients who exercise have way less side effects than those who lay around. Joe told him his own goal of walk/run three miles in 8 weeks and he agreed with it.
Joe will play golf tomorrow with his golf league for the first time. The weather should be warmer and the sun always helps Joe feel better. We are looking forward to Phoenix. He finishes his first week of Xeloda tomorrow and will be off that for a week so we don't expect any more changes except good before we go away. Thanks for being there for us. It is nice to see and visit neighbors as we walk the neighborhood. Lucky,our Maltese, is learning some manners as we meet and greet people on the street but he is not so good with other dogs. He is going to obedience school next month so maybe that will help. He is a joy to have around and he doesn't run when we have him off the leash which is so great.
We are still trying to set up an appointment with Dr. Parsons to put a stent in where the catheter is in his bile duct but he wants to review the records from the hospitalization first. Will try to update before we leave for Phoenix. God Bless Mary Anne