August 7

Hey there...

So, here is the scoop...

Right now they still haven't seen the results from the biopsy. Based on the a blood smear they took the are making an educated guess that it is a recurrence of the APL. So, the have started her on Arsenic and ATRA. The ATRA she had taken after she left the hospital her 1st stay. Currently this will be her treatment... after seeing how she responds they will then make the decision as to if she should have a bone marrow treatment too.

Today she had an echo cardiogram as well as a pick line put into her arm. This morning she gave Dr. Martin a bad time because last year he had her port removed... apparently she didn't really want it removed! She is in good spirits a little tired, sore as well as many more bruised on her arm and hands.

I am going to start to look at a plan for things that need to get done... but for now just a couple of request...

Wendy... you were awesome of doing the daily updates and keeping up on keeping the potential visitors in line with if she was up to it... would you be willing to handle that again?

And the next request is for those of you that are computer oriented... I was thinking maybe a website? Something that ultimately might have a calendar so we could easily see what days are covered with visitors and where there are some holes. As well as somewhere that Mom, we, along with anyone can post messages to her or us. We are going to get a laptop to her.

I think for now that is about it... I do have some other things that I am thinking about and once I have a plan I will let you in on those thoughts! ;)

Thanks guys ... and thanks Wendy for some of the missing addresses!

Talk to you all soon! - Frances