Well it has been about 2 months since I updated this site. I don't know if I mentioned that in Feb. we will be grandparents for the first time. My oldest and his wife (Zach/Lindsay) are expecting. Because of her age they consider her high risk so they had a lot of testing done and they know it is a girl. No names have been shared yet but that's ok healthy is all I really ask. So, after 2 rounds of the 5days on/23 days off chemo they have made some changes. Frank's Blood Pressure and blood work were very bad. Very low on the pressure (which you would think is good-after all High blood pressure is bad) but it was so low it was worse than having high blood pressure and his platelet count was very low. He was sleeping about 18 hours out of 24. He was not eating as much as a toddler. The more I nagged him the more he fought me on eating. Saying he wasn't hungry. He was not drinking either. So they took him off the blood pressure medication he had been on and increase the steroid he had been on. He will now be getting infusions of a different chemo medication every two weeks at the hospital with blood work on the week in between. Because of the pressure on Health Care workers to be vaccinated the U of R Medical is closing 11 of their labs. This puts added stress on the ones remaining open as people will have to travel farther, wait longer and possibly come back on more than one day for their blood work if they are being treated for a chronic illness. I have had the opportunity to talk to many Health Care workers over the course of this journey and I can tell you they are just as worried as everyone else about what is going to happen. I am pro choice on the vaccination. I believe that as adults and professionals who see the effects of Covid they should have the right to choose if they wish to be vaccinated. I also believe that work places have the right to require those who choose not to be vaccinated be tested weekly for the safety of others. My stand is not a popular one I know. But having worked in schools and seeing what "mandates" can do to dedicated professionals I will hold my stance. I know that some will say that is apples and oranges but I'm a simple person so I make simple comparisons. So all that being said I now have to figure out where to take Frank when he needs blood work (every other week) and when (for a man who spent his entire working career getting up at 4:30 am now he gets up about 10:00 am) and by the time he dresses and has brunch it is afternoon. His balance has gotten worse and some days a walker is needed instead of the cane. Other days he can do OK with just the cane but distances are not his friend. Most of the labs that are remaining open are in Dr's office buildings but not all are near an entrance. The two at Strong in the Cancer Center are well away from the drop off area let alone the parking garage. I am blessed that Noah is able to help by driving us over to Strong and then coming back to get us (the treatment takes about 2 hours). They have arranged that I can go to the infusion center with him in case he gets confused. He had his first treatment this past Thursday and seemed to tolerate it well. His next is on October 5th. The medical teams end goal is to help him be the best he can and make it to Feb. so he can meet his granddaughter. That is my goal too! Also beyond! In October Zach will be coming in and helping his brother (with Dad supervising) get the yard and some other small things done around the house. Noah has been keeping the lawn up and the garden. He has also helped with the heavy lifting of everything. I could not be more blessed. As with everything some days are better than others and I cope better some days than others. I have gone back to therapy (mental) to help me. The caregivers support groups are good because they assure you that you are not alone and sometimes there are useful tips. I am grateful for the cards and prayers being sent up for all of us. Thank you for them. I know others are going through some tough times right now and please know I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be back with any updates that I can. Sometimes day to day living gets in the way of updates. Everyone stay safe and hug a loved one.