Get me out of the house!

Looking good ladies!

"Get me out of the house."  Two weeks post treatment Jan is more than ready to get out of the house.  The tired feeling is overwhelming, although she is able to eat fine thank goodness, but the tiredness takes its toll.  With each treatment the weak tired feeling has lasted longer so she is glad there is only one more of this type treatment to go.  Jan planned a night out for her and Mallory (one of her granddaughters) who was traveling through on her way to South Carolina.  After picking her up at the Richmond train station they headed over to Siné for dinner then over to the Carpenter Theatre for the annual production of "The Nutcracker".  Mallory being a veteran of many Nutcracker performances was the perfect date.  So ladies night out was a perfect celebration for Jan's first day out again.  One more treatment -- a rest period -- and she can move on to the next set of treatments, this is one time in life when yes you do want time to move a little faster.  Thanks to all who make calls, send emails, visit it all helps!

Carpenter Theatre, Richmond

"Ballet Pink" roses

Treatment #3 ---Done.

Treatment #3 is in the books.  

Chocolate dipped strawberries with pink ribbons.
Jan with some of her work friends.
Downtown lights.

After surgery there is often some fluid build up and drainage down into the surgery site.  Jan's fluid build up didn't occur till 6 weeks post surgery but the site filled up quite a bit.  The surgeon tapped the site and was able to remove all the fluid leaving her feeling better.  Often this will just dissipate but sometimes they have to remove it especially with a larger amount as they did with hers.  Other than that all went well and she has one more done.  The first 2-3 days she feels pretty good so we took advantage of that with some shopping, eating out, and a visit to the Jefferson Hotel in downtown Richmond.  Knowing it would be decorated for the holidays we thought it would be a nice spot for lunch after her treatment.  Jan, Toni, and Lyn had a relaxing lunch overlooking the beautiful lobby area and enjoyed the decorations.  It ended up being a late lunch so were able to catch the downtown lights on our way out of the city.

Jan & Toni 

Completely made of gingerbread and candies,
it made the whole area smell amazing.

Lyn & Jan

Happy Birthday!!

Sharon, Carol, Bessie (mom), Janet
sitting: Janice with Carolyn
1960

Happy Birthday!! 

 Today is Jan's (& Janet's by the way) Birthday!  Throughout their lives they have occasionally been able to get together for their big day, even a few surprise get togethers.  This year Jan will be having dinner with both her kids that hasn't happened since at least 1977, so that alone is a reason to celebrate.  The four of us sitting at the table together a little older and "wiser", wouldn't you love to hear that conversation?

It is also the night before treatment #3, she has her house decorated, her Christmas cards mailed & house cleaned.  The first 10 days post treatment are a bit rough but she still has gotten plenty done the next 10 days.  Hopefully this treatment will go as well and she'll be down to one more of these "big" ones and can move on to weekly treatments.  These leave her very tired with the weekly the lower dose should have less side effects.  Monday she'll meet with the surgeon to set up surgery in the spring, then radiation to follow that.  As always keep those emails, notes, prayers, and well wishes going her way.  

Wintergreen Birthday Weekend 2008

Carol, Sharon, Janice, Janet early mid 80's