The Final Round...

is underway.

Friday evening Mommy as admitted to Rhoads 3 for her 4th and final round of Consolidation Therapy.

Because her admit time was late in the evening, they didn't start the first dose of chemo until Saturday afternoon around 2:00 pm. It made for a pretty long day of waiting for Mommy, but thankfully she had a good night's sleep even with getting hooked up with her 2nd dose at 1:00 AM.

So far things are going well. Right now Mommy is hooked up to her bag 3rd of 6 bags of Cytarabine. She's been having some swelling in her ankles and her blood pressure has been somewhat low, but things continue to go well.

This go round her attending doctor doesn't want her to leave the hospital on her "off" days. Glad her room has some TV channels and that she brought some books to read! I don't think there's any specific reason why he doesn't want her to leave. I think it's more this specific doctor being cautious and not wanting to be held responsible should something happen to her while she were outside. Apparently another inpatient patient took a walk over to Dunkin Donuts. During the trip outside he didn't feel well and an ambulance had to pick him up and he had to be admitted to the ER. Yes. I can understand why the doctor wouldn't want to be responsible if something like that were to happen.

Please rejoice and give thanks with us for God's continued care given to my mother! We are so grateful as we think about the last several months and the ways He has shown His grace, His care and His love. He has provided wisdom and guidance to all her doctors, nurses and CNAs. He has provided strength and comfort during each round of treatment and recovery. He has provided protection. And He has been bringing about healing and wholeness.

This past weekend we were blessed with gracious reminders that God is with us... as are so many family and friends. Over the weekend we were blessed with the sweet fellowship and prayers of one of Mommy's nurses. We were able to worship together online with my church in Orlando and be encouraged in knowing of prayers there for my mom. Mommy received yet another card of encouraging words, thoughts and prayers. The blessings of love and prayers is overwhelming... in a good way :)