Think and think and think...

Well, I finally made it back to the computer! What a crazy past few weeks we've had. My last round of chemo really knocked me for a loop. They gave me a new (to me) drug to strengthen my bones, then a flu shot, and the next day a shot of Neulasta (white cell booster), all three of which have the side effect of achiness! I was hurtin' for certain! I couldn't even sit up without help. It was a mess. That lasted about a week, then I started chilling, only to be admitted to the hospital Wednesday night (a week ago) with low white cells, low hemoglobin, and a fever. Lovely! After antibiotics and lots of fluids, I was sent home on Saturday, and I have felt much better since. So now at least you know what I've been up to. My dr. decided to postpone my chemo for this week (it was supposed to be Monday). He said he thought my body could use a break. I'd have to agree. We'll start up again when I return from Houston.

I am scheduled to be back in Houston the week of the 26th. I have appointments with a neurosurgeon (for the spot on my spine) and a bone marrow transplant team, just to see if I'd be a candidate for that program. This trip we are taking all the boys, and fortunately my parents are coming along to help. We are all looking forward to the trip, for various reasons. My parents will get to visit with Aunt Teresa (mom's sister) and Uncle Howard. The boys just want to see some fancy sports cars on the highways in TX...Jeff told them he saw a something-or-other (I can't spell whatever it was), and now Levi, especially, is just jumping with excitement...and those of you who know him know that that's a literal statement! The boys will love playing with their cousins that they've only seen in pictures. Once they get together, there will be 5 little boys under the age of 9...all in Texans football uniforms! Doesn't that sound like a party!?

Let's see...what else. Oh, since my last entry, I have discovered that I look hilarious in bucket hats. Remember that Andy Griffith episode where Gomer Pyle tries to join the Marines, and he ticks off the Sergeant, who makes him sit on his cot with a bucket on his head "to think"? Well, that's all I could think of when I saw my reflection wearing a bucket hat. "Boy, Andy...this really works. You can just think and think and think! Here...try it on and have yourself a think!" I looked just like Gomer! No joke! I'm sticking with bandannas!

I guess that's all the news I have for now. My last entry was so lengthy, I think I'll cut this one a bit short (relatively speaking).

Quickly, congrats to my niece Jamie and her husband Nick, who are celebrating the birth of their first child, a boy! He is incredibly handsome, a well known family trait! What a precious little Thanksgiving package!

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving. Aren't we all so tremendously blessed? God is good.

Thanks for everything. I appreciate all your prayers. I'll write more when I get a chance.

Love,

Leslie