A Week Away

The last update was three weeks ago, when Sandy had just interrupted her chemotherapy and was starting to take HGH injections. Those shots are a bear. She could only tolerate two days in a row before they beat her up enough to land her in bed for the rest of the week. The good news is that they work—I injected her twice during the week of July 23rd, for a total of three that week. Her white blood cell count did rebound. Two more last week, and her WBC was back to almost “normal” before we left for vacation. We went to Michigan to visit with Dotto and Grandpa Bill (my parents) last week, and no shots were needed. During this time, Sandy was still not taking any oral chemotherapy, and was able to enjoy the vacation.

Last week was clearly the best she has felt in many months. Sandy exhibited more energy last week than I have seen from her since March 2006 when we went to Steamboat to ski. I think the weather there above the 45th parallel helps, too. While it was in the 90’s and even 100+ degrees (with very high humidity) in Baltimore, Bay Harbor (MI) was a cool, dry 80-85 degrees with nice breezes. How could you not enjoy that kind of weather? We spent most of our days on the beach, or in boats, and in the water.

Sandy sat comfortably on the beach and read three or four books last week…I am not exactly sure. Hannah read at least four, while Haley and I trailed with a measly one book apiece. Actually, I am about 80% of the way through the second book, “The Great Match Race,” by John Eisenberg. John is a neighbor of ours and author of several books, including this one and a book called “Native Dancer.” I’ll add some comments to the blog on both of these. They are terrific books that I have really enjoyed. I also read the book on the Duke Lacrosse case, “It’s Not About the Truth,” co-authored by the former Duke coach and a former editor of Sports Illustrated. If you have any interest in the case, or have ever had concern about being falsely accuse of a crime, then you must read this. If you disliked DA Mike Nifong before, you’ll hate him and a couple of other key characters who investigated and prosecuted this case.

Hannah did her annual “Bay Harbor swim” – three years ago that included a single length of the harbor. The following year, it was two lengths. 2006 was a bye, but this year, she swam SIX lengths @ ¾ of a mile each. That is 4.5 miles in a lake! What an accomplishment! To make it a little sweeter, Hannah bet her grandfather $25/lap that she could do it. He capped it at four laps, but she continued with the extra two just to make a point…and came home $100 richer.

I'll post some pics from the week shortly.