The Last Day of School

A bittersweet day for Jack. Happy about it being the last day and all--sad, because all of his best buddies are a year ahead of him--and they're moving on to middle school. Thankfully, his teacher is NOT going to change schools as first planned, so he gets to return to her again next year. Jack started the year reading at a 7th grade level...and finished it at a 12th grade level! He is going to be in the gifted program next year--we are so proud. And I, for one, am thankful that he inherited his father's brains. His report card is better than any report card I *ever* got.

Mom is getting blood right this minute--she was down to 6 & change...but platelets were holding at 18k. So--she had to go in for THREE units this time and was very discouraged. But remember, she just had a week of Vidaza shots....so the roller coaster ride is simply continuing.

Jack & I are taking off for NYC tomorrow and coming back Weds. night. We are going to the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island...hopefully a Broadway show...and my awards dinner is Monday. We're going to try to get on the Today Show on Tuesday, since it'll be Jack's birthday. Look for us behind Al Roker!

When we get back...summer theatre for Jack. Our church is producing Peter Pan, and I think Jack might actually be more excited about that right now than going to NY. He'll learn.....

Jack & his fifth grade friends 

No Treatment this Week

Well, Mom did NOT start treatment #3 yesterday as scheduled, and she's pretty bummed. The Dr. forgot to tell her to get a blood test...and he won't start her on the Vidaza until he knows her levels. So...shots will commence next Monday. Her platelets were at 33,000--oh, and I don't think I wrote about it, but she had to have both whole blood & platelets on Thursday. That really upset her.

On a brighter note, Bill & Jack & I had the pleasure of heading down to Sacramento this weekend. KCRA had a really amazing reunion--several hundred people were there. It was so neat seeing all these folks from Bill's past greeting him with so much love and respect.

We also had a chance to spend Saturday afternoon with Bill's mom. A good time--actually a great time--was had by all!

Barry's Birthday

It is the season of celebrations. Our friend Barry's birthday is on Thursday, but we decided to help him get an early start on the fun. Tom cooked his signature Eggplant Parmesan, and I tried out a new lasagna with butternut squash & mushrooms. Then we played poker. Boy oh BOY did I have a great time!

Another Birthday Party? Yippee!!!! 

Lisa made the most incredible caramel brownies. 

Barry blows out the candles on his 39th birthday. So he says. 

OK, this was Barry the other night at Bill's party. He really, really, really loved the Lemon Cake.  

How great does Kari look? She's wearing her brand new Scion shirt, from the Scion @ the Mariners event. Very cool. 

OK, I might not look happy but I am. Very happy. My hours and hours playing on-line poker have paid off!! 

Holy Sprouting Platelets!

As of Wednesday...mom's platelets were back down, hovering close to the danger level. She was at 13,000--while her whole blood count remained high, at 9.7. We feared she'd have to get another transfusion of the platelets before the weekend--but that won't be necessary! Her test yesterday showed her platelets at 61,000...whole blood @ 9.1. GREAT NEWS. The Vidaza is in fact working! She sounded VERY tired on the phone today, and said she has had a LOT of bruising. The doctor didn't seem too concerned about that; SOP for this stage of the game.

Jack's school is having a carnival tonight. And Bill is home for the weekend! And our house is getting cleaned today! Life is good.