Where did August go?

Hi All,

For Mary and I, August was a blurr. After her third chemo treatment on August 12, her white blood count dropped drastically; she became dehydrated; was nauseated almost daily and began to run a fever on August 20. Mary's doctor had her go for daily injections for a twelve day period and had her on antibiotics for five days. Mary was very sick for two weeks but, the injections, hydrating fluids and antibiotics worked great. The past week has been really good for her, she's felt wonderful and was finally able to see our beautiful granddaughters, Ava and Allie. That really made the month for her.

August was a trying month for several reasons. Besides Mary being very ill, we were all concerned and worried because Amy's doctor had found a lump and wanted her to get a diagnostic mammogram. Emily had earlier gotten a script from her doctor for a mammogram as well. We prayed hard for Amy and Emily and, as He always does, the Lord saw us through that ordeal. Nothing out of the ordinary was found on either of our girls mammograms. Praise God for that, He certainly listened to and answered our prayers.

Mary had chemo treatment number four this morning and it went pretty well. She receives only one drug with these final treatments, where she received three drugs for the first three treatments. Two more to go and with God's Grace, she will be cancer free. Her doctor told us this morning that she will not have to have radiation after the chemo is complete. She will start a pill form of medication four weeks after her last chemo treatment and will take that pill for five years. Although she still has reconstructive surgery to go through, she continues to have to very best attitude and the most amazing strength of anyone I have ever known.

We were talking yesterday about all the medical situations we have been faced with during our forty plus years of marriage. I asked her why she thought we had had so much adversity in our lives and she responded " Because God knows we can handle it". What an amazing answer.

I want to thank each of you again for all your prayers; support, phone calls; cards and kind and comforting words. Mary and I are truly blessed to have such a fantastic and loving support group of family and friends. You have all played a part in helping us through this terrible ordeal. We have made it more than half way and still have forty-two days until Mary's final chemo treatment. Please continue with your kind prayers and good thoughts. You are all very much appreciated.

God Bless,

Ron