Week 6 of IL-2 begins

Wow - I sat down after finishing up the slide show for Tom's travel soccer team (a yearly event for us all) and decided to write a little on the blog. Much to my surprise was a very heartfelt letter from Paul. If I had a brother, I would want him to be just like Paul. He's been my adopted brother for more than half my life! How lucky we are to have friends like he and Maureen - and the thoughts he shared - as well as the time he and Maureen spend helping us - amid his own mother's ill health - well - it speaks volumes as to the type of people they are. We are truly blessed.

As I was reading it - I don't know when life's new normal took us over. I guess it's just like a normal day that I change Joe's bandages or give him a shot - or one of the kids goes to get new medicines or take him somewhere. Life goes on - regardless if one person has cancer. But the biggest thing is that we have support from so many people. People who don't know us well stop me in the store, or at a sporting event, or a soccer meeting - and ask about Joe. They lend their words of support and these help sustain the kids and I. We don't think we're doing anything extraodinary - there is no price on life - so the new normal becomes finding a cure. Thank you all for your support. It's been a godsent to us!

Joe has been feeling OK since we came back Monday from Houston. His legs have reduced to their normal size and while he does experience side effects from the IL-2 he is tolerating it well. One more week and then he has 2 weeks off. His abdomen is pretty sore from the 25 shots he's had over the last 5 weeks - but I'm pretty stubbon and usually find a good spot that doesn't hurt him too much! He's not sleeping well lately - abdominal pain still plagues him - but he's tolerating it better with the pain patches.

So, think good thoughts as we move on to week 6. Gina has left for her 3rd year of college and once again the house is quieter with her gone. Tom has been busy with varsity soccer and a picture of Doug Potter and he were in the Brockport-Spencerport post! There's a star living among us!

Scott Anderson continues on his radiation and chemotherapy doing well with both. Mrs. Cassarino is again home from the hospital recovering from her latest treatment. Both are in our daily prayers.

Love
Vicki, Gina & Tom