Nov 2, 2012 10th Treatment

This trip was special as Del and Chuck came along with us, and we went a day early so we would have a day to do other things in the area.  We drove up on Monday and spent Tuesday taking a ferry to Bainbridge Island to see our dear friend Jackie who has had a stroke.  She is in a very nice rehab center there, and progressing very well.  It was good to see Wes, her husband who has been staying there in Paulsbo with their son so he can see Jackie every day. 

It was a very wet and rainy day in Seattle and on the Island. Waiting for the ferry we could see the tops of the skyscrapers shrouded in misty fog. We were interested to see the Washington State Patrol K-9 unit working the waiting cars, each one being sniffed for explosives. The dogs are extremely well trained and the teamwork between them and their handlers is amazing.

 We were all glad to have Chaunda for our driver all day as she is not only fun to be with, she also knows the area much better than we do.

After seeing Jackie and Wes we explored a little of Bainbridge Island going to Indianola to see the new home which Chuck's brother and his wife recently purchased. It is in a charming neighborhood dominated by hundreds of very tall fir trees and attractive homes. We then took a different ferry back to Edmonds and meandered south to Seattle where we ended up at the Pikes Market. It was just closing so we did not see much, but we were all tired by then and ready to rest.

Leland's treatment was Wednesday morning as usual.  The chemo is beginning to affect him a little more each week, and he is not feeling quite as well as before. We saw a PA who assured us that the side effects he is dealing with are temporary, and will recede when treatment is over because the supplements he is taking are protecting him from permanent damage. His sense of taste has been affected the last couple of weeks; his food does not taste as good as good to him as in the past.  He says it is the oral equivalent of having a semi-sheer veil over one's eyes.  But even with that, he was up another 4 pounds, for a total of 16 pounds restored. The smaller clothing we bought a couple months ago is getting snug on him. Shawna, the PA said that is a very encouraging sign.   There will be two more treatments, then another round of tests to measure the progress made.   The Oncologist said that realistically he should expect to need another  6 treatments, but the test results will help to determine that. 

Thank you Chaunda for spending a whole day driving a bunch of senior citizens around-you did great :).  And thanks Del and Chuck for going along and sharing your company with us.  We always enjoy doing things with you.  We are blessed with family who are also friends!