Terry’s update :  Once again I must apologize for waiting so long between updates. The good thing is that I have been busy. It’s Tuesday morning and I am doing well. The post chemo “crud” has mostly passed with only the metallic taste in my mouth as a reminder now. All the family is home and the summer craziness has resumed. I do love it.

Mimi and Rose (along with Rose’s buddy Elly) returned from Houston late Sunday night. They had a wonderful time at the National Alopecia Areata Conference reconnecting with old friends. The highlights included the talent show (Rose & Elly performed a dance), a field trip to the Johnson Space Center and a dinner at the Houston Aquarium restaurant. Most importantly, they reconnected with people from past conferences, especially for Rose. For more info on Alopecia, click on this link www.naaf.org  

I enjoyed my weekend with my “big brother” Ed and his companion Barb. I did not feel up to doing too much and spent a lot of the time sacked out on the couch. Ed was great with that and he was good enough to enjoy “just hanging out”. He provided the company I needed and pitched in where ever he could. Meghan and Tommy loved seeing Ed and Barb and it was a good opportunity for them to reconnect with their uncle as well as Meg’s godfather. Ed & Barb helped out by trimming all of the shrubs around the entire house on Saturday and Sunday. The yard looked fantastic when Mimi arrived home from her trip. In addition to all the yard work, we squeezed in a ride on the lake Friday night. We spent the rest of our down time watching the Cubs and the White Sox games out in Gallagher’s Sports bar (the garage). The cheapest upgrade to our house was the best – cable TV in the garage rocks!

This weekend will bring more family visitors from Chicago. My brother Tom, his wife Barb and daughter Maggie are coming up from Roselle to spend the 4th. It should be a good weekend since I will be 11 days out from chemo. On Monday, I will begin my treatments at the new cancer center at Park-Nicollet’s Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park. It is an amazing place. The facility includes a new chapel, meditation room, outdoor gardens to stroll during chemo and a wonderful lounge for the caregivers. The chemo seems to a little tougher with each treatment, but it reassures me that it must be working.

I am enjoying the summer to it’s fullest. The cool weather this week has been a welcome relief. Have a great holiday week and enjoy everyday.

All the best, Terry

Psalm121: I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth