Hello Everyone,

It’s been a while since my last posting so I thought I would check in.

Many of you are probably aware that I am a huge fan of Broadway musicals, especially those by Stephen Sondheim. He wrote a song I particularly relate to now, as I celebrate my 68th birthday:   “I’m Still Here!”

Good times and bum times, I've seen them all, and, my dear,
I'm still here.
Plush velvet sometimes, sometimes just pretzels and beer,
but I'm here.

After difficulties and a pretty scary episode back in early summer, things settled down a bit. I continue to deal with daily challenges as my disease progresses - fatigue, nausea, GI issues, some pain, etc. I have met with my medical team in recent weeks to explore the possibility of immunotherapy, previously unavailable to people like me who have autoimmune conditions. Unfortunately, the relatively low chances of success in slowing tumor growth are not worth the guaranteed sickness and potential danger of the side-effects. So, after ten years on this journey, I will continue to trust in God to be at my side for the rest of the road ahead.

I have been blessed this summer to enjoy time with my beautiful granddaughter, Mae Linda, now four months old, as well as my children, Heather, Patrick and Bridget, and their spouses, and Patrick's fiancé, Cathy, my 3 handsome grandsons, Liam, Henry and Ryder and many friends. Over the summer, we spent time at the Lake close to nature, and here in Madison, enjoying seeing many friends and neighbors as well as the Thursday night Band concerts in Rennebohm Park.

Thank you for your ongoing support and friendship and especially for your prayers.

God Bless You,

Linda