Hello again!

Hello everyone! I apologize for taking so long to give you an update, but we have been on the run for this whole week. I met with my doctor on Monday, and he went over my records. Basically, we got the same diagnosis. The breast cancer has spread to my lymph nodes under my arms as well as the T7 vertebrae. He said that I'm "technically incurable", but that could just mean that I have to receive medication for the next 50 years. When those words came out of his mouth, all I could think was "Thankfully, God doesn't function in the "technical" realm!"

The physician went on to say that the medication he recommends has shown great results, and he has patients who just take it on a weekly basis and have had no sign of their cancer for 13+ years. So that was encouraging.

On the "flesh" side, I am weary of being poked, stuck, prodded, and shoved! Those of you who know me well are fully aware of my aversion to needles. I can take a shot anyday, but you go drawin' stuff out of me, or leaving an IV in me, and I start to see stars!

Tuesday night, I had to go in for lab work. The lady who was to draw my blood was just sitting there waiting on me. I felt obligated to inform her of my inablility to sit upright while being siphoned. "Listen," I said, " I don't do well with this. I need to recline, and I have to turn my head away." (Pardon my French henceforth) She replied, "Well, shit...you know you bizness...look away if you gots to...but I gots to look. Ummmhmmm." Then she started humming. As I looked to the left, she had a little card on her bulletin board that read: PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES AND DEAL WITH IT! I started laughing so hard, that I didn't even realize she was done. "Ummmhmmm," she continued, "What kind of work do you do?" I told her I was raising 3 very active boys. "Ummmmhmmmm...What you do before that?" she asked. I told her that I taught preschool. "Ummmhmmm...well, ain't no reason to get used to needles and blood in that line of bizness, is there?" "Well," she continued, "Dat's it! Last call for alcohol! You done!" I laughed all the way out to the waiting room! That was the best bloodwork I've ever had done!

After that, I had an MRI...at 9:30pm! I didn't even know they did MRI's that late at night! We didn't leave the hospital until 10:45! And I hadn't eaten! Thankfully, my cousin Nanette (sister to Jenny with whom we are staying) had fixed us a roast, potatoes, and carrots as well as hot rolls! I didn't stay hungry long.

Yesterday, I had a mammogram, chest xray, and a CT scan. We left the hospital around 8 I think.

Tomorrow I have more tests, and then we are trying to time my next chemo treatment. Here or home...it'll just depend.

That's about all I know. I'm enjoying Houston. There are so many pretty things to see, not to mention fantastic food. Best of all, we are enjoying a long overdue family reunion with cousins I haven't seen in probably 20 years. What a wonderful family God has blessed me with!

Blessings to you all. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for us. That's more important than anything else!

We love you all,

Leslie and Jeff