Create Understanding and Compassion

We know also that in the Kingdom of God there is suffering. Where there is no mud there is no lotus flower. Where there is no suffering there will be no understanding and compassion. So my definition of the Kingdom of God is, "The place where people know how to make good use of suffering in order to create understanding and compassion." (ca 2:50:00)

Mindfulness as a Foundation for Health: Thich Nhat Hanh


Thank you David.



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Chemo #2

Yesterday was big boy chemo #2.  We went to the new infusion center closer to home. It is very nice and the chairs even massage (his, not mine). We had met with doc last week and the day before chemo. He adjusted the nausea meds and also prescribed more drugs to take in the days following.  What a wonderful difference!  Jim slept through the chemo and I got some work done to get ready for school Monday.  He felt great last night (Tricia, you are so right about the D. steroid! As if the man of action needs MORE energy!) Today he has been running errands, working in the yard and generally feeling pretty darn good!  Whew! What a relief! I even slept great last night!

We mapped out the final four sessions of this cycle and have the appointments all booked. After the 3rd infusion, (halfway) he'll have a CT scan to see the effect of the chemo on his tumors.  I am starting back to school Monday and the staff has been incredibly supportive of working around appointments and such. Jim talked to his management team and he will continue to stay on leave for now.  His number one job is to get healthy!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

T-shirt Love

Enjoying Sisters

At one of our favorite spots in Santa Cruz, the Crow's Nest for brunch. Sporting our garb.






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Location:Atlantic Ave,Santa Cruz,United States

Feeling better

After the fluids and new meds and the passage of time, Jim is feeling much better. This weekend he was like a whirling dervish doing all sorts of work in the yard and even some honey-do's off my list!  He is in what is called the nadir, which is essentially the point in his cycle where his immune system is at its lowest, so he needs to avoid large groups of people and be really careful with hand washing, etc.

We were bummed to miss SYL this year, but here a picture from the time we were able to be there -  it was already 2 years ago!

I have been visiting the classrooms a couple times a week trying to get a good jump on the year. We have our first meeting tomorrow and officially report back on the 13th, with classes starting August 19.  We are most excited to have the sisters here tomorrow!! YEAH!  Bring on the snicker salad!