Robin Update: Grad School Reunion --- 03/07/10

Robin completed the second round of her new Chemo cocktail, GemCarbo, last week. Recall that she gets chemo for two weeks in a row, then a week off, making it a three week cycle. Last week was her week off. Again, the aftereffects of this mixture seem fairly tolerable, with mostly three or four days of nausea, hot flashes, and general achiness, somewhat like a mild flu. After a Tuesday dose, it seems to resolve by about Saturday or Sunday. She starts round three on Tuesday, March 9th.

Of course, nothing is ever simple with Robin, though. On Valentine's Day, both eyes bled, so she can hardly see at all. Her vision is just starting to recover. Then, last week, sometime Saturday (I think), she developed "intestinal problems." She started getting over that about Tuesday, then came down with a (or should I say, "my") sinus infection, causing coughing and chest congestion. This is the second time we have been through this together. The last bout was in January, and now we are suffering together through it again. I called and received antibiotics, but Robin chose to wait until she sees the doctor on Tuesday. Besides these maladies, she is still dealing with bed sores.

In spite of the blindness and problems with the alimentary canal, last weekend was a big lift for Robin. We had a small grad school reunion with our friends Terry and John, and John's wife, Marie. Friday or Saturday nights during graduate school, Terry, John, Robin, and I would get together to advance spaghetti sauce technology and study the mathematics of (alcoholic) fluid mechanics. This was generally followed by a study of probability (using cards) and meters (with music). Saturday night, Terry did a fine job of advancing spaghetti sauce technology once again, but we passed on most of our other traditions in lieu of catching up after so many years. Terry stayed with us until Monday morning and was a big help to us both during the weekend, especially with Robin's illness on Sunday. It was a priceless gift. (I hope we didn't scare him away).

We do appreciate everyone's prayers and support. Robin's love of meatloaf was satisfied this week as she received meatloaf from two different excellent cooks, Kelly and Dottie. Due to her illness, she couldn't really eat any until Thursday, and Friday is no meat, so she's been eating meatloaf all weekend. Fortunately, meatloaf is one of those foods that seem to get better with time.

Please continue to keep Robin in your prayers. Pray for everyone suffering from cancer! As Robin says, "Cancer Sucks!"

If you haven't talked to her in a while, consider giving Robin a call. Our number is in the Houston phone book.

Our love to all,

                  --- Larry, Robin, & John