Hi, Everyone!

Several of you have asked about my blog, which hasn't been updated for quite a while. I really haven't felt very well for the past few months so sitting at the computer is a bit of a chore.

This picture is of me and Heloisa, my sister-in-law, when they came to visit in November. I actually had some hair then. It's all gone again! My sister Martha was also here, as were my brother Bill and niece, Sonia. (Bill and Heloisa's daughter) We had a wonderful visit, even though it was a short one.

Here's the latest on my medical treatment. The doctor has taken me off all chemo treatment. While on the chemo drugs, I was having to go to the hospital at least once a week for transfusions of either platelets or red blood. The chemo treatments were just too rough on my blood counts. We are still trying to see my body regain its strength and normalcy even now. I am taking a hormonal treatment instead right now. The drug is one given to breast cancer patients, Tomoxefin. It has shown to be effective in ovarian cancer in 20% cases, so we are praying for its effectiveness with me. I have some difficulty with a swollen tummy all the time. The abdomen swells with fluid called ascites and this causes a great deal of discomfort. I've had the fluid removed two times and there was some relief. Then, of course, there's always something else. I came down with a case of shingles. Youch! It's mostly healed up, but the nerve endings are still sensitive to touch and just give me pain whenever they want to.

Please feel free to write me an email. I don't usually answer the house phone, but do try to return calls on my cell phone. Sometimes it just takes me a few weeks to get those calls answered. Please be sure you leave your phone number if you do call on our house phone.

Thanks for all your continued concerns and prayers. Many of you have sent beautiful Christmas cards, and these have been such a pleasure to us. Unfortunately, I won't be sending cards this year. But, Clint and I do wish you a very Merry Christmas.