This week has been consistently smoother than the one before it, for which we are very glad. Last Saturday evening (last week's blog entry was a morning effort) we went out dancing, to our favorite dance floor and one of our favorite bands, and had a brief but very enjoyable time—a good number and variety of dances, and some encouraging conversation with friends.
Sunday we drove to Ravenna for brunch with Margie and Ted (first time we've been there since last October, when we had just received the diagnosis). That visit also included their friend Ray with whom they share the pursuit of steel drum music; it was nice to see him again, too. On Monday we had a fairly quiet day at home. On Tuesday, I went to school and finished the first pass at organizing my new office (several more passes to go, I'm afraid). Steve drove to his Reiki appointment in the afternoon, and we both went to our Gathering Place support groups in the evening.
Wednesday was chemo day again—but unlike last week, this time all the tests were fine and the treatment went forward (though with a 20% reduction in the active drug). Everyone there agreed that Steve was looking better than last week, which confirmed our own impression that things are getting back into a better balance.
Wednesday was also the beginning of Nora's visit, which she began at Margie's since we couldn't predict in advance that our chemo day would go so smoothly! But on Thursday Nora came up to us, and we had a very nice day together, enhanced by visits in the morning from Ken and in the afternoon from Olivia. On Friday, some of the Ravenna contingent came up for a mid-day celebration of Margie and Ted's 32nd anniversary—and Steve prepared the risotto main dish, which was a great success! Then in the evening Nora and Steve and I walked down into town for the Little Theater's production of Hairspray, which was very well done and enjoyable. And all three of us were in good shape for the walk back home, uphill though it is. J
So now it's Saturday again. Nora has left for home, and Steve is having a well-deserved nap. He continues to feel optimistic about his progress (in spite of the occasional snags, the overall trend seems to continue upward), and we remain convinced that optimism is in itself salutary. Thanks again to all of you for helping us to continue onward and upward!
--Carol
