Memorial Weekend Update

Happy Memorial day - hopefully people were able to enjoy family, some sunshine and a nice cook out. We were able to enjoy family and some sunshine. Next year - we'll cook out.

Mom is doing MUCH better today than she was over the weekend. Between the chemo on Friday and spraining her ankle (yes - its only a sprain and one that isn't too bad) her blood counts were very low. However, during my visit yesterday I was there when one of the doctors came in. She said that its expected that her counts will drop for a few days after chemo and that they will rebound. After many platelett and blood transfusions this weekend it seemed to do the trick. They were back up at very good levels today. They keep saying once they are up she can go home. However, we think with chemo once a week and them going down after the treatments - its better for her to stay there till its over. But we'll see. The nurses are very good to her - so that really helps. And she's been lucky to have family visiting during the week and on weekends. That keeps her spirits up too. The phone calls, letters and cards also help as well.

FYI - the answering machine is back and working as of this evening. But if you find it doesn't go on - just know mom just can't make it to the phone all the time or is out trying to walk around or someone has her out of the room.

Dad and I figured out this weekend they want her to hvae two more Friday's of chemo - so a total of 4 Fridays (2 more weeks of it) - the first Sunday didn't really count for one of the 4 treatments. Not sure how many weeks she'll be home before the 5 day intensive treatment.

MOm's ankle is also doing much better - she has a lot less pain in it now. So that is good too. Her spirits are getting back up - the weekend was rough - she just didn't feel well for most of it. Again - expected side effects - no food tastes good or even sounds good.

She's all excited because Marcus is coming to visit her tomorrow and I'll bring her some soup on WEdnesday for dinner. So far we've just happened to work it out that we are there on different days so that she has a visit almost every day.

Bare with her this week as her hair has started to fall out. She seems to have accepted that fact this will happen - but I can't even imagine the emotions she'll be having this week. I expect this to be a very emotional week for her. Please keep her in your prayers that her strength and blood counts continue to rise. Also pray that her doctors have the right treatments for her durning all of this.

As for me - not sure if Craig shared I had my first "practice" contractions last week. I know they are called Braxton Hicks - but I like my terminology a lot better - keeps me calmer. Baby is just moving all over a few times a day - I think if we catch it at the right time - we'd be able to really see the movements. Only one more week of baby classes - so that will be nice. And the nursery is on its way! Craig was a busy dad to be this weekend! We cleaned the carpets on the first floor, and he put the crib together. Now all we need is to hang the border and put the other pieces of furniture together. Then get the few final touches like a matress and the bedding. I ordered out stroller and had to break down and get more maternity clothes. I have been so lucky to be able to wear most of my normal pants and some of my sweaters to get me through to now. Also - my cousin was generous enough to let me have all her clothes too - that was a saving moment.

Marcus - he's busy getitng his house ready to put on the market and move. DAd was out there this weekend to help finish the painting. He's sure done a TON of improvements on the house - I'm sure it will be easy to sell. With his job - he'll probably be relocating closer to Howell.

That's about it - not too much news for a daily update - but at least enough for a few good posts a week.
Thanks for the prayers, support and calls - its so great to know how much people care!

Also - Keep the comments coming - mom is LOVING the comments Craig prints off to show her. We haven't shown her our posts yet - but I'm sure once she's home she'll get a kick otu of the whole thing.
Love you all,
The Wilcox/Backus gang