I’m happy to report the birthday weekend was a success. Phil had all his girls home to help celebrate another year of God’s blessings. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Crescent City Grill (special thanks to our server and the chef for bending the rules a little and allowing Maggie to order an off menu entree). Maggie did make it to Bible Fellowship Sunday morning but started to feel yucky by the afternoon. Monday dawned with the realization she was staring at C-Diff round #6. We are forever thankful for doctors who have allowed us to have meds on hand for just a case like this. (We’re thinking the resumption of Cetuximab infusions coupled with the use of antibiotics during her last hospitalization at Batson set the stage). She started Vancomycin Monday evening and by Tuesday afternoon was much, much better. We’re thankful for this quick turnaround. Without a rapid response to Vanc, we knew she wouldn’t be up for the trip back to Houston. No worries – she and Phil took off this morning for the drive. They almost had two stowaways! Max and Meg saw their chance with the car door opened as we were loading the Tahoe, jumped in, and took their seats. 

Maggie will have a full day at the clinic tomorrow. She has appointments in the lab, pain management, and with Dr. Raghav all before she gets cleared to report for her next treatment. Her infusions will, once again, be outpatient and will take 5-6 hours. Tomorrow will be tough for me as I’m back at home. I know they can manage just fine without me, but I feel like it’s my place to be there. I’ll be joining them in Houston Monday after a little bit of “business” on the streets around Disney World. In December (before we knew we would be at MD Anderson in April) I signed up for the Star Wars 10K/Half-Marathon challenge. Phil encouraged me to not cancel the plans with the promise he would take care of Maggie (which he is more than able to do – my mom did tell me he made a better mother than I did. Thank you, Mother, for saying exactly what every new mom wants to hear.) The race weekend is a “must do” for a special reason – one I’ll share in detail after I’ve done it. Let’s just say I know some pretty special Star Wars fans!

These are my top prayer requests:
1) A “hitchless” day in the clinic – all appointments to run on schedule with an early start to the infusions – and quality rest after its over.
2) Full management of side effects/good tolerance of infusions
3) A restful and fun weekend for all
4) Strength for me as I run 19.3 miles over Saturday and Sunday (my training has been interrupted at times by more pressing concerns)
5) Effective treatments for all cancer warriors, rest for weary caretakers, and strength for doctors and nurses in the fight

Thanks for prayers!