Pat updated immediate family and close friends on her condition about a week-and-a-half ago. Following is what she had to say…

It’s been a while so I thought I’d send a quick update. Being that I haven’t sent any in a bit is a good sign. It means everything remains the same.

I’m tolerating the chemotherapy and haven’t had any really bad side effects. It’s mainly been fatigue and feeling somewhat loopy. Don’t know how else to describe it.

Still trying to find the right foods that also taste good and are nutritionally best for optimal health. Thank goodness for the internet…there’s a lot of info out there.

I usually work 3 days a week, unless I have other appointments. This Wednesday will mark the halfway point for my current treatment.

According to my doctor, my labs suggest that I’m “responding to treatment with disease improvement.” His response was to an email I’d sent him about a week ago. I think it means we’re on track insofar as controlling the cancerous cells/protein deposits…in preparation for my transplant. Brad and I will have a chance to ask questions and get more detailed information when we meet with him next week. (No worries. Doc is…wwwaaayyy…more personable than it might seem.)

Other than that, things are as normal as can be…considering.

One trippy note.

Out of the blue, cousin John called last week. I don’t think I’ve ever had a conversation with him in my life! We’d see him during the holidays when I was just a little girl. As a teenager he couldn’t be bothered with me. 

John had me try to guess who was calling. I had no clue. The only person who came to mind was Jimmy (my brother-in-law). LOL! (hugmamma here: I’d say that was a pretty good hunch.) It’s a good thing John didn’t keep me in the dark for too long and indicated that he was family right off the bat. Otherwise I probably would have hung up on him. Julie warned him that might happen.

Anyway, John called to see how I was doing. After the initial shock wore off, it was pretty cool to talk to him…getting philosophical and all. I wasn’t aware that he hasn’t completely recovered from a stroke he had about 2 years ago. John assured me that he and the rest of his siblings, including Sister Mary Helen and her fellow nuns in Rome, are praying for me. How cool is that?

I’ve also heard from Aunty Therese and cousin Marion as well.

Well, I’d better get on with my day. I’m off from work since I had to go to one of those “other appointments.” Loads of laundry to do. Which reminds me…Aiden is home this week for spring break. He’s loving the warm weather and surf at Makapu’u and Sandy Beach.

Chat again soon. Love you all always…

…and all my supporters.

………pat…

………and hugmamma.