Back again . . .

Well, it has been an interesting few weeks. A quick update: my son's diagnosis is still uncertain. They have determined it is NOT lymphoma, as they first thought, but a "small round blue cell sarcoma-like tumor". There are spots on his liver that are growing. We have been to Dana Farber to consult with a doctor there, and he and the other doctor at Dartmouth have agreed on treatment, which finally began on Friday. I took Stanford up to Dartmouth to have a medi-port put in, then they accessed the port for the first round of chemotherapy. He received three chemo drugs on Friday and Saturday then we came home. We'll go back on the 18th of August (three weeks) for five days and two more drugs, then home again for three weeks and back for two more days, and repeat. We decided to have treatment done at Dartmouth because the drive is much less stressful than into Boston and the area is beautiful. I definitely need lovely things to look at to lift my spirits these days. The treament would be the same at either place, and both doctors will be keeping tabs on him. Now comes the part of organizing my household to prepare for my absence every three weeks when I go up with Stanford for the treatment. Of course, I'll pack a stitching bag each time! Oh, Stanford is feeling just fine after the treatment, surprisingly. No nausea to speak of, just a slight bit of queasiness that he solves by eating and sleeping. He is on anti-nausea medicines which I'm sure are helping, too.

Here is what I've been working on while waiting. I finished this Lizzie Kate Spring Cottage, and I've made good progress on the Drawn Thread Spring Sampler. I also began a cute little Mill Hill kit called Bountiful Kitties, which has lots of beads. I found a Tacky B.O.B. in my bead things which I packed, and used for the first time, and it did the trick to keep the beads from flying all around the hospital room. It was great!




I was just a few minutes from ABC Stitch Therapy, but couldn't visit there. The first time we went up to Dartmouth, I got to stop in for just 15 minutes. Then each time after, I've gone up too early and come home too late. But perhaps the timing will work out in the future. I pass the exit and wave every time! I've also been itching to visit Sue and hope to actually go there this week. It will be great to go some place where needles are for stitching, not injections!

I just wanted to say, also, how lovely and cheering it is to read people's blogs. I haven't made comments on them all, but will try to more, but it helps so much when I'm worried and stressed to "visit" so many friends.