Holding Strong

Hello everyone, here is our update for the week. Sorry it has taken so long to get some news up here, but it has been a crazy two weeks and we don't have that much new stuff to share. We do understand some of whats happening a little bit better now, so here is what I can tell you:

First- Pam had her first new treatment (ICE) up at FAHC (you know the place, beautiful lobby/entrance and old hospital). It went great. Pam continues to amaze me. I don't know how she does it. I have to believe that the nurses are fighting in the back room to get to work with her. She took the treatment wonderfully and had no real side effects other than quite a bit of fatigue for several days. I, however, had quite a sore back from two nights in the reclining chair! (if you didn't already know, Pam is the tough one in our family)

After we left the hospital we came home and rested for three days. We sent the boys off with their cousins in Maine for a few days. We are working really hard to keep the house and Pam germ free as these drugs will really wipe our her white blood cells. (I will be scrubbing lots of things for the next few months). It was hard on Pam and the boys to be away from each other for so long. She left for the hospital on Tues. morning and they didn't come back from Maine until Monday afternoon so a week seemed like forever! They handled it pretty well and that is good because it will probably need to happen a few more times.

Second- We met with Dr. Nunnink and Dr. Unger on Tuesday morning to talk about the next steps. Pam will have her next ICE treatment in 2 weeks. They will test her blood counts once a week from now on. After the next round they will do another scan to see if it is working. We will also be going to Dana Farber on Feb. 1st to meet with Dr. Alyea to have him review Pam's case and give us his thoughts. We will also be meeting with Dr. Unger again next Tues. to get some more education on the Stem Cell Transplant procedure and what that will look like.

Third- It has really been a very emotional two weeks. We were thinking that chemo. would be ending now and we would be finishing this baby off with the radiation and calling it a day. This new twist has been quite hard to stomach. It has left us feeling very anxious and nervous, but still absolutely optimistic and energized to beat this thing cold.

Fourth - Everyone has been amazing! We are absolutely humbled and without words to describe how great people have been to us in the last few weeks. The CVU Administration and staff have gone beyond what we could have hoped for in terms of support and consideration in this process. Thank you all so much. The Robinson staff has also really outdone themselves once again and continues to put a smile on Pam's face! All of our friends and family have been so great, thank you, thank you, thank you!

We will keep you posted on any new news as we get it. Keep the good vibes coming!
Troy and Pam