> Hi Everyone!!
>
> I've not written for about three weeks so guess it's about time for an
> update. Things have been somewhat challenging for all of us, and energy 
> has
> been low all around, so writing just wasn't quite priority. But I think 
> this
> is a good time, and there is quite a bit to catch up. So, we'll begin with
> Ann's comments:
>
>
>
> Hi there. This is Ann's portion of the update.  I thank all of you for 
> your
> hair suggestions.  I do have a winner, but I haven't notified that person
> yet.  I want to do it by phone, and I want to do that because if they
> receive notice that they have won 142 boxes, they may have a heart attack,
> and I'll be right there to call 911 on their behalf.  So stay tuned for 
> the
> winner to be recognized, with their idea, next week.
>
>
>
> I have figured out what to do for the hair though.  I went to Swedish
> Hospital.  They have a huge facility for cancer care, including loads of
> hats and wigs.  There is a person from the American Cancer Society on 
> site,
> and the wigs, if obtained through them, are free.  Someone had donated,
> after their own treatment, a human hair wig, approximately the length of 
> my
> hair and my exact hair color, worth $1100, which I got free.  That 
> person's
> hair was magnificently thick, and mine never has been that thick, so I 
> will
> have it styled and thinned some, and I'll be wearing it during the 
> Christmas
> performances.  Otherwise, I'll probably be wearing a hat that I do like 
> and
> which I bought there.  So I think we're taken care of in that category.
>
>
>
> Now I give you back to Debbie for the rest of the events:
>
>
>
> Yeah she'll have to announce this soon or there will only be bubble wrap
> left for the prize. We're making pretty good work on emptying the boxes. I
> use to love bubble wrap!! I think we have about 142 pounds of bubble wrap.
>
>
>
> OK. Today was Ann's final chemo treatment in this round. She will now have 
> a
> two week break from the chemo before the next round starts. This 
> scheduling
> is slightly complex because the radiation was to finish during this next
> week so that she'd have a real break before the next chemo. But on 
> Thursday
> they discovered that a layer of skin near her ear has been burned off from
> the radiation. Since this is a severe burn, they can't continue until it
> heals adequately. So, she returns on Tuesday to see if radiation can 
> resume.
> She has five more treatments which would put radiation ending on Nov. 6 at
> the earliest, and the next chemo treatment cycle starting as soon as Nov.
> 13. Please pray that this all comes off as scheduled so as to reasonably
> ensure she could participate in the Christmas program as planned. I'll 
> talk
> more about the next round of treatment when we get closer to it.
>
>
>
> Ann is more tired. This is all becoming quite tedious. In some ways though
> this few days off from radiation has been good for a rest. But it's just
> hard to do this stuff day in and day out. Treatment in the perfect world
> makes you feel better, but cancer treatment generally makes you feel worse
> as you go. So it's psychologically hard I think. And, as indicated, it has
> been harder for all of us. But at the hospital, they report that she's 
> doing
> exceptionally well and they're really pleased with her energy levels. She
> doesn't eat much, but is eating every day. She's the only person I know 
> who
> can eat caramel apple pie and still lose weight. A friend made Thai food 
> for
> us this week, and Ann really enjoyed that.
>
>
>
> Ann was very concerned that this update might not be too cheerful since
> there have been many challenges and fewer bright spots. But never fear!! I
> find something funny in almost everything-much to the horror of my parents
> when I was a kid. So, two weeks ago Ann reported that there was a bake 
> sale
> to raise money for one of the Cancer organizations. I interviewed her, and
> concluded that they'd totally missed a market. Of course the hospital 
> staff
> and the volunteers who transport the patients would enjoy nice overpriced
> baked goods but Ann and the other patients are consuming at least half 
> their
> daily calories by drinking Ensure. And, the hospital has samples of tasty
> treats like Ensure and graham crackers for patients to try. So, I thought
> the bake sale should have included Ensure blender drinks. Ann makes a 
> great
> one with frozen fruit, a banana, some bran, and whatever else we have to
> throw in. My mom volunteers at another hospital and they raise money by
> selling lattes. My mom says the line is out the door. So, I thought this
> bake sale could have been a marvelous success with the patients lined up 
> out
> the doors to get these wonderful ensure smoothies and everyone else asking
> about the secret ingredient. When Ann told her doc about the smoothies, he
> was really impressed. But then, he asked if he could have one without
> Ensure. Of course not!! So, would you like a gooie brownie or one of these
> nice smoothie drinks?
>
>
>
> We're still waiting for the Disability benefits to begin. This is driving 
> me
> nuts. It shouldn't take so long and be so complex. The systems that we put
> in place to help people are completely burdensome in their effort to be
> accountable. Somewhere there must be a balance.
>
>
>
> Ann doesn't have much energy for the phone, but we've moved her PC into 
> her
> room and she really does enjoy your emails so keep those coming. Her 
> address
> is:
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Also, with the PC in her room she's able to listen to our vast music
> collection and of course to the various internet radio programs she 
> enjoys.
> And there's also those late evenings playing online poker. She does much
> better than I do at keeping up with your emails. I try, but find myself 
> just
> dropping by the end of the day. But know that they're all appreciated and
> eventually I'll get around to some individual replies.
>
>
>
> Marcina and Eddie have signed a territory agreement, each one gets a 
> floor.
> We'd like to get them negotiated, but neither party seems inclined to
> negotiate. Maybe they'll eventually work it out on their own.
>
>
>
> Note from Marcina: Just wanted to let you all know that I'm pretty annoyed
> with Deb. Last weekend she took me to have my nails cut. There was no
> discussion or preamble. We just got down on the floor, she held me firmly
> even though I tried to kick her, and the vet tech began cutting my long
> nails. Horrifying!! Should never happen to a dog. When it was all over, 
> the
> human paid the bill and we just left. Dreadful losing your toenails just
> like that. Maybe I'll shed some more.
>
>
>
> Rick is getting more settled in-actually finding a lot of his stuff.
> Shipping himself here was rather strange, but I think everything actually
> arrived in the right number of pieces. And we've got 142 pounds of bubble
> wrap, or maybe I said that already!!
>
>
>
> Well that's about what we have to report this week. Thanks as always to 
> all
> of you who are helping us and giving your support in whatever forms it
> comes. We appreciate everything even more as we go along.
>
>
> Deb & the Crew
>
>
>
> *** For GREAT listening variety, check the schedule at
> http://interactive.acbradio.org to find live broadcast times for: Deb's
> Oldies Mix, Deb's Country Mix, and A New song.***
>