Monday, October 27, 7:45 PM

Hello,

  Let me start at the back half of the day. Most of you know why:-)

  I came home from the hospital 13 hours after leaving this morning and was stunned to find someone had been in the house! There was a "Happy Birthday" banner strung up in the kitchen, a slew of birthday cards spread out on the counter, and a birthday cake in the oven. As if that wasn't enough, the mailbox was filled with more birthday cards. All together, I can confidently say that I have received more birthday cards today than all previous adult birthdays put together! Many, many thanks to all of the coconspirators! A big "Thank You" to my beloved wife for planning ahead for this day, even when she knew she would be in the hospital being pumped full of noxious chemicals when I got home to see it.

  More "Thank You's" are due for the prayers that were evident by today's events. Michele was very tense about today, right up to the point where she discovered her favorite chemo nurse, Holly, would be the one starting her day for her. Holly is the perfect combination of gentle sweetness and technical proficiency. Best of all, she was Michele's first chemo nurse, so we feel like we know her personally. Michele began to relax immediately.

  When it came time for the Lumbar puncture, another male nurse, Rob, took over. Rob is a big teddy bear of a guy with an infectious smile and confident demeanor. He wheeled Michele into the capable hands of Doctor "D". Doctor "D." has a last name that I haven't mastered, but she is of German extraction. Michele reported that she did such a great job, that no anesthetic was needed beyond the local variety, and Michele never felt a thing.

  The final satisfying surprise came when Michele was taken to the 7th floor and placed in the care of Rebekah, the same Christian sister that tended to her during her previous Methotrexate treatment. Michele was still receiving the Methotrexate when I left her at 7 PM, but all things considered, it couldn't have gone much better.

  Please continue to pray for a good report from the pathologists, regarding the spinal fluid. If it is free of Lymphoma cells, she will not need another Lumbar puncture. Also pray for minimal side effects from the treatments. When this one is behind her, she will be past the halfway mark.

With much love, gratitude, and blessings,

Tim and Michele