Monday 3/27/2006, 2 days before admission

Hello everyone,

First of all, I have to say, please bear with me as I'm creating the blog. I thought posting a comment on Debs' blog was tough...whew! I had no idea. I just hope this works.

So, we have been rather busy this past week. Bob, in typical Bob fashion, made a To Do list 30 minutes after getting the news last Tuesday, and has been working hard on that. Getting the taxes done, going over bills w/ me, that type of thing. He feels his best in the morning, and that is when he gets the bulk of the work done. He's been sleeping well, albeit with the help of a sleeping pill. He was being plagued with muscle spasms of the back and neck after his last hospitalization, but they have stopped. Fatigue continues to be a major drawback, but he rests through the day intermittently. He is, as I write this, on his way to the post office and the Quest lab for his biweekly blood count(CBC). You'll have to forgive me if I forget, and go all medical on everyone. There are so many medical abbreviations. Just let me know if I get too technical.

We had a nice weekend. Bobs' brother Bill, his wife Ann, Bobs' sister Santa and her husband Sam, all visited on Saturday. We had a wonderful time...they have great family stories(with the most outrageous ones usually involving Bill or Sam!)...and we shared a lot over a big pot of stew and some delicious red wines. Bob loved every minute. We have been in close contact with Bobs' son Matt who lives in Memphis. He is planning to come up next week. That will be just what the dr. ordered.

The plan continues for admission to HUP on Wednesday morning. Bob will have to have a central venous line placed(a big IV in his neck) through which his chemo, blood and drugs will be given. He may need an infusion of platelets before they do that, to prevent any bleeding at the site. At any rate, we expect the chemo to be started by Wed. evening. Bob already had a heart scan done at CMMC last week and he passed with flying colors(EF of 74 %, for all you doc.s out there). That is a routine test that must be done, as the one chemo agent in particular can affect the heart. So, all that's left is to pack up. I think we may need a trunk already, what with clothing, toiletries, books, magazines, cd player, cd's, pillows, etc. Actually, maybe a pack mule won't be out of line either!!!

I want to close by thanking everyone for their calls, cards, e-mails and visits. We appreciate them all. Bob sends his love to you all, and please continue to remember us in your prayers.

Love,
Mo

P.S. I will post Bobs' room number, room phone number and address when I know them. He will have a cell phone, and the number is 215-760-5116.