Update from Gloria

This is Mike's week off chemo; the last set of three treatments starts next Thursday. He's had two pretty bad weeks, but today things look bettter. He's needed to go back to the doctor for extra IV fluids both weeks, even though he's really guzzling the fluids...practically chugging diluted gatorade and iced tea! When he gets dehydrated he gets extremely shaky, weak, trembly and generally begins to feel if it's worth it. But, he rallies, as one would expect from a guy nicknamed Tank (in the old days. I'm informed he has several other nick names that are of AIG origin.)

He has had a strange, very uncomfortable, and hugely humorous rection to something used in the hydration process that causes him to be jittery. We're not talking butterflies here. He starts to get restless, then begins shifting position in the chair and the whole experience culminates in his legs taking off in all directions involuntarily. He's up and down from the chair, sitting and lying back, kicking away for over an hour. Can't quite find the medication that will stop it completely until we get him home and try to knock him out with marvelous combinations of contolled substances and over the counter stuff. Finally, he falls asleep and all is fine the next morning. But, the time in between the magic potions and sleep can be really amusing. He looks and acts pleasantly drunk, but isn't aware of it. I'm trying to control my baser instincts, but it's hard not to take advantage of such a lovely drunk!

Today he's feeling really good. He's going to do some AIG work from home, which I'm sure will include lots of phone calls checking in with people all over the world, some of whom may prefer him to be asleep or still kicking.

We had a trip to Boston planned to visit some friends, but now one of them is coming to us today. She's my best friend, but one of many of my friends who bear me up through these times. My sister is coming soon and Hans will be back in three weeks. My family checks in frequently and my brother Fred has made this blog possible. The minister and the rest of our church is right here when we need them. Mike's colleagues and friends have been fantastic about flexibility, phone calls, prayers, and I'm sure, some extra work.

So...that being said, we're not in as bad a place as many. Just don't rest on your laurels, because we still need you!...GLO