Update

Hi Everyone:

Well, Jim had an A+ on tests. He's passed them all, and he's welcomed into the trial, and they will begin the meds on Monday.

It's not in his spine or his brain. We don't know if it's in the bone marrow, but that doesn't matter in terms of being part of this trial. That's just for staging for scientific information and such. That's a bummer for Jim, as it's not a fun test, but we're not complaining. It will be interesting to see if this cancer has gone to his bone marrow though, because it hasn't spread into any major organs, and that's pretty amazing considering it's such an aggressive cancer. The doctor said that Jim's kidney's are okay, too. Both of them. The docs said that Jim's tumor is "weird." That's a very scientific word down here. I hear it all the time. "weird"

So... It's a 72 hour push and then he'll stay for a few days for monitoring. We're not thinking we should be here for Thanksgiving. So...

We're still not tap dancing expecting a cure, expecting anything. But we both are breathing a lot easier right now. We'll take any type of reprieve.

Jim is sitting here reading with me and wants to thank all of you for all of your prayers. The sentence moved him to tears.

NANCY: Thanks for the headsup on the sudoku website. "Evil" huh? I tried to access it last night from the lodge to print a few out, but it wouldn't let me, but it will be fun to try. I bought a book a year ago, and it had 100's of puzzles from easiest to "migraine." I had mastered migraine and was puffed up until you told me there is "evil" We'll see.

KRISTEN: Thanks for watering the plants. If the temp is high and hot and sunny, every other day or every third day, but if the temp. is cooler, once a week is fine. It was 78 here today. Oh, to be a bit more south. Also, call my sister, because I know Mark will be at the house and he's watering this weekend I think.

Yes, I have grapefruit, a few lemon trees an orange tree, a barbadoes cherry (there should be a few ripe, eat some) and figs (should be a few ripe, eat some. I bet Larry, my piasano, would love to have a fresh fig. All of us italians did, anyway. HOWEVER, THOSE TWO BIG LEMONS....Well, I guess I would give them to you :( if you really asked, but when Jim was in pain and out of it, he said, "TELL EVERYONE TO KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF MY LEMONS." So, you can't have them. ;) Have you ever seen any so big?

You'll have to come in January and February when the citrus and gardenia and jasmine are blooming. It's so sweet, it's almost too much to bear.


CHRISSY: I had called your mom and dad up at the cottage and it was busy. When I got through, they told me about your wonderful story. I bet they felt bad in a greatful way, that they were up there. :) Sorry about the plumbing problems.

Okay everyone. Next update will be on Monday to let everyone know how Jim's first day with treatment went.

Love Gloria