December 12, 2006

I am sorry for the last Diana Grace update email that I sent out earlier today by mistake – the email was originally sent on 11/9/06. I had a request from someone to resend that email to them – but apparently I sent it to the whole list instead of that one individual. Sorry – there was only old news in that email. I did not realize I had the whole email list tagged.

Here is a quick unplanned update. Since I need to send an email, i might as well include some new information. We have heard from the radiologists and they do not want to proceed with using the Stereo Tactic Radio Therapy treatment on Diana as Dr. Blumenschein had assumed. Therefore, Diana will be starting her new chemo regimen on Dec 20. A second treatment is scheduled for Jan 10 assuming the first one goes well. Following her second treatment will be a new brain MRI and CT scan the week of Jan 29. We will see Dr Blumenschein on Jan 31 for the results and a decision whether to continue with Taxotere.

I still have not recovered mentally from the fact that lesions were found in Diana’s latest brain MRI. We were so hoping she would be able to proceed with the clinical trial using the oral pills that are much less toxic than chemo. I am not looking forward to Diana having to suffer through another regimen of chemo. There is only so much her body can withstand. But at the same time, we cannot give up and do nothing. Diana has been so strong and continues to fight this disease.

We haven’t done much planning or gift purchasing for the holidays this year. Diana has not been strong enough physically to shop. I hope to get time to buy her a few small gifts – it just doesn’t feel like Christmas this year. Especially since Diana will be receiving a chemo treatment on December 20. Let’s hope she has an easy time and can enjoy the day. Diana’s brother and his wife will be visiting for several days. They are planning to arrive on Christmas eve and stay for 5 or 6 days.

Diana’s Mom and I have put up a few decorations. We have a series of three small artificial trees prewired with lights set up in the family room. The tallest is four feet and the shortest is two feet. They are set up in front of our grand father clock upon which we have strung some garland and lights. We also put some garland on the fireplace mantle with some Christmas ornaments. At least it is a little bit of Christmas atmosphere in our house. No presents under the tree yet. There won’t be very many this year. All we both want is Diana’s health and you can’t buy that.

No more emails from me until after Diana’s next series of tests in January. So….Merry Christmas to all – have a great holiday season and I hope for a great new year for y’all!