My last chemo was on the 9th of August. The side effects were not as serious as the previous three treatments but then I was only getting half of what they usually give me. I was still ill enough for the rest of the week to notice. The numbness in my hands and feet and my sensitivity to cold is still there and it may not go away.

Brian and I arrived in Houston Sunday evening. It has been a whirlwind getting here, lots of loose ends to tie up since we could be away most if not all of September. All of the love and support from family and friends helped. Thank you, thank you and thank you. You will never know how much your kindnesses, and thoughts of love and your prayers have meant to us.

Today was full of tests, blood tests--I thought that would be easy with no need to be stuck because of the groshan I have for chemo. But no, you have to have a note from your doctor because some doctors are afraid of infection and I haven't seen my doctor yet. They hunted around poking holes in me until they found a vein that would work for them. The chest xray was quick and easy then the CT scan, when I checked with them about using the groshan for that procedure they said it wouldn't dispense the radioactive isotope into my body as fast as a vein would, however, after I told them of my previous experience they were very careful and only had to stick me once. Everyone is very friendly to you and you are treated well and if you want to get alot of tests done fast and know the results within the next couple of days this is the place to be. I think I have mentioned this before. It is also the place to realize that my challenges are small compared to many of the others we saw there. One mother at the motel had admitted her son to the hospital today, he has brain cancer and can't see anymore and is 13 and things aren't getting any better.

Tomorrow our long time friends from Plano will be coming to visit and take us to see their youngest son, my namesake, Evan, in Austin. We haven't seen them for years, it will be a nice reunion.

After our visit with the surgeon on Wednesday I will know how the tests went and when the surgery will be scheduled. I will keep you posted.