Gene’s update: 2-28-10

Wow….the whole month of February….today is day 46. And there are still no numbers. Now the docs are saying two to three weeks after the end of chemo they will expect to see some neutraphils, the key number that will allow Gene to go home. So we are 2 days into week three after the last chemo. Closing in on seven weeks in the hospital. The nurses tell us that it is better that he is not coming back too quickly, that is what happened last time, which is why they knew he probably still had some leukemic cells. They say that because his marrow had a double whammy….he did not have time to recover between rounds of chemo so it is taking longer to come back. All, they say, to be expected. So we are still in watch and wait mode. Gene is hanging in there really well. Still good attitude, still good energy, still race walking the halls daily. We both just can’t wait for him to be able to go home, so we can both, but especially he, sleep. Gene hasn’t had more than a 4-5 hour stretch of sleep in 46 days. We both agree, he just needs to sleep for a couple of days.

And then we’ll take a deep breath and think about the next phase. We found out this week that none of Gene’s sisters were a tissue match for his transplant. I took the news very hard, but Gene maintained is good attitude, and that, once again, helped me through. The complication risks are higher when it is a non-sib donor, and there is the wait for a donor. Gene is entered in the registry, and we’ve been told they are already doing a check with two possible matches. But even that can take 2-3 months. We’ve heard from 3-6 months to find a match. And in that time, anything can happen. Remission, if in fact we got there this time, which we still don’t know, is fragile with this kind of leukemia, so he could slip out. He will need more chemo, and each round has to take its toll. And there are the dangers of developing an infection. Although he will have enough white blood cells to come home, he is far from having a restored immune system, even for up to a year after the transplant. So, the reality of how long a road this will be is just sinking in. Having a sibling donor would have put us on the freeway. Now we still have the mountain to cross, but is will be a winding back road, with lots of twists and turns. Another lesson in acceptance.

We did have a little adventure this week. Doc must have felt pretty sorry for Gene because he told us that we could go outside for a walk.. The only other time Gene even stepped outside was the night they told us he would not be going home before the second round of chemo. We were allowed then, to go out onto the front foyer/entryway/driveway, look at the stars, etc. So this time, when he told us, he didn’t mention how far we could go. So we walked three buildings over to the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine. Behind that building is a labyrinth. I’d discovered it when I was trying to stay calm during his bronchoscopy way back in week two or so. We went over under the waxing moon and walked the labyrinth. A small thing, but it was pretty cool and we felt like we were really daring and had escaped for awhile. Gene of course, had a mask on, and the next morning I immediately checked to see if he had a fever or any other warning signs that we’d crossed the line, but he has been fine. Doc just chuckled and said he hadn’t really intended for us to go that far.

Regarding the donor issue, several of you have asked how you might be able to donate. The way it works, from my understanding, is that apart from first-degree relatives (siblings), one has a 1 in 5000 chance of being a match for someone. What that means is that you cannot get typed just to be a match for Gene, but you can join the bone marrow registry, simply by giving blood in a regular blood drive and completing paperwork to say you are willing to be a donor. Your contribution would be “for the greater good”, not necessarily directed at Gene, but you never know….they told Gene that they’d be checking the registry daily. These days it is almost exclusively a process through blood donation, not the old way of extracting the marrow, literally. The website www.bethematch.org has information on the nearest donor event, usually through the local bloodbank, in your area. There is no cost, though contributions are welcome. I still don’t know really how ethnicity impacts the donor list, and recipient opportunities, but plan to ask those questions next.

So….one more thing. Some of you don’t actually know Patty and Jim, only what you’ve read here about how incredible they are, continuing to hold us up on angel wings, or as my friend Jocelyn says, raising the bar for what friendship means. So here is a photo:

The next update will have news of being home, hopefully!

g

Scheduling Visits

Hi All,

If you are interested in visiting Gene this week, he is open for visits from 1:30 pm to 2:30 PM. This allows for two 30-minute slots per day. If you are interested, please send an email request to Jose Luis at: alvarado@mail.sdsu.edu.

Gracias,

Jose Luis

Gene's update: 2-21-10

Gene’s update 2-21-10: No numbers, No news…..continue to watch and wait. Gene is still strong, still hiking the floor, has started looking at his work email, talking with the docs about how things will be once he is home and on outpatient status. He did get some really good news, maybe not what you might have anticipated would be good news, but if you know Gene, you won’t be surprised. Doc said that once he goes home, which will mean he is no longer “neutrapenic” (extremely low white blood cell count, all the dietary restrictions) he will be able to have a beer, even, a beer a day! I think Doc knew Gene really needed something to look forward to, and that worked! Gene says he can cook and clean too, and can take over for Patty…..but those will be hard shoes to fill….breakfast, lunch, dinner, dishes, cookies, brownies, laundry, etc, etc…..and then Jim’s shoes…..if my husband spoils me as much as they have….wow, I’d be one lucky girl.

So, other than that…..nothing to report. There has got to be some news this week, at some point….both on the testing of his sisters and his numbers. We’ll keep you all posted as soon as we know something. In the meantime, we are cleaning the house, carpets cleaned, behind the furniture dust, Patty’s already started the fridge, Breezy has an appointment to have her nails done….we’ll be ready when he gets the word!

Some of you just get the email updates, and some of you check the blogspot. Sharlene and Micheal posted some cool pics of Gene on the farm, so if you don’t normally check there, you might want to go look at them: http://www.genecentral.blogspot.com.

And now a word from the horse’s mouth – Thanks to all of you for your prayers, thoughts, vibes, energy, cards, hats, food, Valentine’s cards/balloons, and just general good feelings. It means a lot to Gail and myself. It has all definitely fed my soul. While I can say it has been ‘a long, strange trip’ it has been heartwarming to have so many people rally round. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. With a little luck this portion of the ‘trip’ will come to an end sometime in the next 7-10 days and I can go home and I can start thinking about the next portion but that’s for another day. That’s about all from this horse and here’s hoping I can be drinking that 1 beer soon. Down side is that the Doctor said that many patients reported that they found that they didn’t like the taste of beer after this experience. Really, how is that even possible! Hasta Luego!

Favorite Valles Pics From Michael and Sharlene

Gene picking green chile at The Farm.




















Gene and Kara Dana checking on the green chile at The Farm.

Favorite Valles Pics From Michael and Sharlene

Time for some roof repair at No Cattle.

Gene's update: 2-15-10

View from the Room

Hat Contest 1

Hat Contest 2

Hat Contest Winner!

Gene’s update: 2-15-10

More watch and wait: Chemo round 2 ended on Friday. Gene again tolerated it very well, according to docs. He has a good appetite, he still takes his daily, or two, 15-minute power walks. Now that he is off chemo and can be unhooked from the IV for periods of time, we can walk a longer perimeter of the floor, about a one-minute loop, 15 or so times, so he gets some blood pumping and seems to have good energy.

Toward the end of this week, middle of next we should get some more news. We will find out about the success of this round in achieving remission, and we hope to have sibling results from the blood tests in anticipation of the bone marrow transplant. And hopefully see the good white blood cells coming back so that he can be sent home. He is thinking that should happen within two weeks. He has been incredibly tolerant of this going-on-five weeks in the hospital, really only getting grumpy a few times.

We had a nice Valentine celebration….Bobbie his neice contributed some great room decorations, Ann and Chuck brought more balloons (mylar), and Gene gave valentines to all his nurses…and me, of course! Mine was the best ;-) we have a tradition of Gene making my birthday and valentine cards and he did not disappoint…..his creativity is alive and well!

He continues to read lots and lots on his kindle, but hasn’t watched any movies yet…says he is waiting until he comes home for that. He’s received a lot of gifts of great hats. My sister Esther knitted him three, in his natural hair color, out of soft baby blanket material. Regina, one of his SDSU colleagues, brought him two of the kufia or kufi hats that he likes. She has a great story to go with it. She found them at a store in Las Vegas. When she went to pay for them, the clerk/store owner told her that she could just have them (not knowing anything about the story of Gene). When she asked why, he told her that in his morning prayers, the message came to him to share blessings and this gift to her was a way to share blessings. (Regina, hope I got that story right.) That story just one of the many things that bring tears to our eyes. Attached should be pics of some of his hats.

This four day weekend I thought I’d get so many of those little things on the list done….I spent two days at the hospital and two days at home trying not to take a nap and finally succumbing to a deep afternoon sleep. A combination of exhaustion and escape I suppose, but I am finding it difficult to be motivated to do much of anything.

Visitors are starting to trickle back in. We haven’t really been scheduling, but Gene says his best time is 1:30-2:30, and a bit in the evening. Weekends were a bit busier. Let us know if you can, if you want to come. Everyone reports feeling better once they see him, as he really does look good and strong. We really better go home soon, as the walls are almost completely filled with cards and wishes, and now valentines too!

Will update when there is any news, but we expect another long wait. Docs are very pleased, “good, good, excellent, excellent” and say we are in a period of “stasis” (not sure if that is the spelling).

g

Update 2-8-10

Gene’s update: 2-8-10
Get ‘er done!: Once the news was absorbed and the new course of action undertaken, Gene has been revved up and rarin’ to go. They started the second round of chemo on Friday night, so we are already almost halfway through this seven-day course. Gene is in great spirits. He is once again tolerating the chemo really well, no nausea, no major side effects, and this time, all the troubles with his chest seem to have abated, as well as the yucky rashes. And no fevers at all. He sounds and looks strong, and is still doing his laps, doing morning exercises…..as he says, he is doing his part.

The docs are really, really positive about how well he looks and sounds. And that makes Gene feel really happy and positive, and that helps me feel really happy and positive. Yesterday doc told Gene that they probably would not need to do another bone marrow biopsy at this time, or at the end of this round, because they’d be able to get the data they need just from watching his blood counts. They are expected to go up 7-10 days after the end of the chemo. So this chemo ends 2-12, so somewhere around 2-20, we should see new, good, blood cells growing….and Gene gets to go home shortly after that.

We are still waiting to hear on the results from the blood work from his sisters. If there is a match it means they can get to the bone marrow transplant sooner, and if they have to go to the world-wide registry, it will just take a little longer. But for right now, we are really feeling like things are looking up, we’re climbing out of a hole. We both know that there can, and probably will be, more bumps and potholes…but for now, we are feeling, and looking good.

Gene has been trying on lots of hats, and seems to have settled on a few that he likes. He still has a bit of hair, and it isn’t falling out at the same rate as it was last week. That constantly falling out hair was a drag. But now we are used to his new look, and he is hanging on to some facial fur for now. The rasta cap with dreads attached arrived today for a good chuckle, Mike and Eileen….thanks…now we’ll see if he’ll actually wear it out in public!

Other gifts and cards continue to arrive. Your notes are so appreciated, and usually bring tears to our eyes, and sometimes chuckles. We have a beautiful prayer quilt that was made by a quilting mission that Jim’s sister Lynn Greer works with here in San Diego, at the Point Loma Presbyterian Church. The quilt, was I think, just randomly selected based maybe on colors Gene likes. The basic quilt is made and then as they “quilt” it the prayers are said for Gene’s recovery. Two really cool things about the quilt, besides all the love and care and prayers that went in to it, and all the energy it holds, is that the fabric pattern is horses. And Gene is the son of a cowboy who grew up with horse décor, so that is quite perfect. MP would love it! The other neat thing happened today. A former colleague of Gene’s who has long since retired, was actually not in his exact department at SDSU, but had a friendly relationship with Gene when Gene first started at SDSU back in 1993, sent a card today. Apparently he is a member of the same church, saw the quilt and/or prayer list, and was dismayed to discover that it was the same Gene Valles….so he sent along a card with his best wishes….one of the many unexpected but small yet positive outcomes of this process. I spend a lot of time in gratitude for the outpouring of support we are receiving. It helps me through the more challenging days, which do crop up, sometimes unexpectedly.

Speaking of support, I had to get by without Patty for a few days while she flew back to ABQ for Robyn’s shower. Jim stayed behind, kept me company at home, watched the Super Bowl with Gene at the hospital, while I actually relaxed a bit at home, got a few (very few) things done. We did okay without Patty (no home cooked meals, but Jim made his first guacamole!)…..but the pajama wash and return cycle got messed up…somehow Gene ended up without a top to one set. When he asked how that happened, all I could say was, “Patty”….not blaming her, just that laundry was one of the many, many things she has just taken over….and Jim and I just didn’t have the whole program as together as she does. She wasn’t home 10 minutes before she was already doing things for me. I’m not just lucky…I’m becoming spoiled!

So, time for our walk around the unit…we are famous in these parts for them. Gene does the afternoon walk with Jim or Patty and the evening one with me. We’ve figured out that he can get homemade brownies as long as they are frozen immediately in individual packages. So we’ve got the “gain weight in the hospital” going on.

We feel all of your love, energy, prayers and good thoughts and it’s workin!
g



gail.moriarty@me.com

Update 2-5-10

Gene’s update, 2-5-10: Next storm due in San Diego. Well, the promise of rain is notoriously unreliable here in SD, but we do know for sure that Gene’s next storm is happening. Based on the results of the bone marrow biopsy that they did on Tuesday, they have determined that there are still leukemic cells present in his bone marrow and they want to go immediately into the next round of chemotherapy. This morning. Do not pass go, do not go home for the minimum of five days that they told us at the outset would be possible. And this round will be stronger. It is almost as if he tolerated it too well, so they’ll try a harder punch. I tried to make a case for a brief visit home, but the docs, and nurse that I greatly respect, felt that it was too much of a risk. That if he developed an infection, of course so easy to do when you have NO immune system, that the infection could be, well, fatal. Although he didn’t use that word, that was the message. So, that means another month in the hospital.

Gene is thinking of it as this week of chemo and one more, still within the original 4-6 week time frame, but also acknowledging that it could mean the entire month of February. When he said to the nurse, “at least two more weeks” she replied, “at least”.

I have to say though, that after the initial let down, he is taking it well. I’ve been very worried about his mental/emotional/psychological state over the last week, he seemed depressed. Doc said about that, “He is an academic, he likes data and we had no data and that was difficult. Now we have data, we have a course of action, and I think that will make him feel better.” And I think he is correct about that, and of course, I can only trust that he is correct about the chosen course of action, because, there really is no alternative. Can’t walk out the door now. Although, that was the compromise. Doc decided that last night, instead of just walking the floor, Gene could actually go outside, with mask of course, and walk around the front of the hospital, where there is kind of a large atrium. So Gene got to breathe some fresh air for about five minutes, spot a few stars, although the north star that he always looks to was obscured by clouds.

They told him to expect more of a reaction, more side effects to this round of chemo, as it will be stronger, and of course Gene is hoping, “and maybe not”. But from my side conversations with the nurse and doc, I believe that will be the case. And Gene has said that prospect frightens him.

He is losing weight along with his hair. He is down to 132. Hugging him is starting to feel more like hugging MP than hugging Gene. Patty King and Patty Dana are trying to convince him of the benefits of daily afternoon Haagen-Daz cups, but for him, eating when you are not really hungry doesn’t make sense. He is still eating my soup all up, so we will keep that coming.

I was extremely sad on Wednesday night because his spirits were lagging so. But when I left last night he actually seemed in a better head, so that helps me as well. So, take a deep breath. Not sure how to batten down the hatches for the coming storm….it continues to be a day at a time. I’ve come to accept that there are constant bumps in the road….just wasn’t quite prepared for whiplash!
g
Gail Moriarty
gail.moriarty@me.com

Favorite Valles Pics

Update 2-3-10

Gene’s update: 2-3-10
I guess they didn’t want to wait any longer: Gene had his second bone marrow biopsy yesterday afternoon. They gave him anti-anxiety meds first then morphine and then more anti-anxiety. He said it was “way different” than the first time. I know that docs and nurses and myself hoped that the second experience would remove some of the anxiety and fear, as he will have to have several more. The wonderful nurse held his hand throughout the procedure, and the “fellow” doc who had been working closely with him the last week and a half performed the procedure. Although he was quite groggy when I came in after they finished, he was relieved, as was I. Saint Patty and Saint Jim were there before to distract him as I couldn’t get there for the before. By evening, he was eating (the soup I made which he said was delicious and ate the whole thing) and we did our 15 minute hike around the floor.

My concern is why they ordered now. Just Saturday I asked the attending doc when they might know if the chemo had been successful in achieving remission and he said about two weeks out from the end of chemo, which would have been Sunday coming. He did say, that if they had any reason to suspect that it was not successful, they would do the biopsy. And he noted that Gene had told him that he didn’t want to be told more than a day in advance. So, it is very possible that they suspect from what they have seen that they did not achieve remission, and would begin a second round of chemo immediately. That is what doc said when I spoke to him on Sat, so that is what probably will happen….which means even more time in the hospital. Gene is preparing himself for one more week….let’s hope that is all it is. He is on so much IV med, only free a few hours a day, that I can’t imagine how they could release him, and no white blood cells. He did get another transfusion yesterday. Or, as Gene says, they could say, great, we’re sending you home in a few days.

The other roller coaster ride was yet another lung CT Scan, this time with dye. Docs told Gene they ordered it, but didn’t elaborate. Monday night when they did it, Gene asked the techs what they were looking for and they said the orders said pulmonary embolism. (Coincidentally, I had just finished telling my doc that day at my physical that that was what my maternal grandmother and uncle died from). Needless to say, Monday night was not great. But, Tuesday morning results showed no sign of pul. Embolism, and in fact the spots they’ve been watching are getting smaller. Still no fevers, though the cough is still there and the chest stuff still a concern.

Tuesday, at least before he was untethered, showered and we had our walk, which helps tremendously, he seemed to be in less than great spirits. So I asked if bringing some visitors in might help. At first he said he had Patty, Jim and I , but then agreed that it might be a good idea. So we opened up some time today (Wed.) Thurs and Fri, 1:30-2:30, and hopefully more on the weekend. Just have to keep the visits to 15-20 minutes.

I’ve come to depend so much on Patty and Jim that I fear I am taking them for granted. Patty will fly home this weekend to be at Robyn’s baby shower, and I told Jim I did not expect him to fold laundry, make brownies (which Patty had waiting when I got home last night), etc. etc. But he is there in all the many, many small ways that I did take for granted from Gene. And just waking up, and coming home to a not-empty house, just that alone is huge. Even if they didn’t cook my meals, do my laundry, clean the house, take care of the yard, garbage and Breezy’s needs ( my little “bd” kitty is still so unkind to them), AND do caretaker time in the hospital…..just having them there is such a gift. So this weekend will be a test to see if I can get by without Patty….but Jim will be here, and attending the Super Bowl with Gene in his room on Sunday. Maybe they’’ll let Gene have a root beer for the occasion.

That is the main scoop. Hair is shedding fast. He donned the first cap for our evening walk last night. Robyn and Chris’s sufi or kufi hat is his most favorite so far. We got a black crochet cap in the mail from Amazon…but I forgot who sent it, Micheal and Eileen? It is a bit small, maybe we can exchange it.

If you like the blogspot, http://www.genecentral.blogspot.com, there are some photos that have been added.

Thanks for your cards and letters, gifts and wishes and prayers, emails and phone calls (when I can take them) and texts. We are on the road to recovery, and of course, it is full of twists, turns, bumps, potholes and sometimes we get lost, but all of your support helps us find the way back.
g
Gail Moriarty
gail.moriarty@me.com

Limited Slots Available for Visits

Hi All,

No slots available yet. As soon as the schedule opens, I will enter a post.

Please email Jose Luis (alvarado@mail.sdsu.edu) if you would like to visit Gene.

First come, first served.

Favorite Valles Pics

I have finally figured out how to post photos on the blog. So, if you have a favorite picture of Gene that you would like to share please email it to me at: danapatty2@gmail.com and I will try to get it up.

Favorite Valles Pics

Update: 1-30-10 & 1-31-10

Gene's update: 1/30/10-1/31/10

Waiting, waiting, watching, waiting: We are in day nineteen of this experience. It seems hard to believe and at the same time feels like it has been months. For both Gene and I there is a routine being established. Gene’s is quite regular, mine fairly so and the fact that both of us are experiencing some kind of new normal is due in large part to Patty and Jim being there for both of us in whatever ways are needed. And then some.

Hair is the first distraction. Gene’s nephew Mannie, who is a hairdresser by trade, came in on Friday afternoon and gave him a very short haircut….the transitional cut. It looks very contemporary, not that Gene wants to hear that. But it is falling out fast. When he told me on Friday I had to stop and sob for awhile, but now we have accommodated to that as well. Patty and Jim and I shopped for hats this weekend and found a few to his liking, but his favorites so far were the ones Jason and Nancy found. So he has options, but hasn’t actually donned them yet. Although yesterday when we took our walk he did say his head was cold. But, understandably, putting off the hat for as long as possible.

The other main concern continues to be whatever is going on in his lungs. He now has a marked cough, which he now describes as hurting, but before called “pressure”, and that has been a change over the week. But no fever for 4 days, so that is curious. When he does a backwards stretch, and opens up his chest, it relieves it….so it could be posture related. Jason suggested checking to be sure the HEPA filter in the room is working as expected. I’ve asked twice and they say it is all automated….Gene will ask his doc this morning. I worry that it is related to the picc line because when he coughs he reaches over his heart. But they are the experts…..they’ve done the heart monitor and it showed nothing, they have done three clot sonograms, listening several times an hour, and probably another CT Scan today. They’ve changed his meds….he is on anti-biotics, fungals and viruses, and has some nasty looking rashes. He has some good lotion for it, I think it looks worse than it feels, although it does itch. Yesterday they also gave him platelets as he has almost none and a leukemia-related rash called petachea is all over his legs, basically broken blood capillaries that cause dots, some quite large, on the limbs. The platelets, which are responsible for clotting, should help with that. And his back is bothering him now, he thinks because the bed is too soft. I suggested today that he ask for physical therapy.

We’ve been doing our own physical therapy in the hall walks. He is now unhooked from the IV for an hour at a time for several times during the day, so last night he put on his tennies for the first time, instead of walking in his slippers, and we actually walked on the treadmill for the first time since starting chemo. He does 15 minutes twice a day most days, and we walk pretty fast. I have a stopwatch timer on my phone so we time the laps, kind of a motivator….I get to pretend I’m the trainer.

Randy, SDSU colleague and friend, set up an Excel spreadsheet for his key blood markers, and the nurses printed out all the reports from 1/23, the next to last chemo day, to today, and will continue to do so daily. So we can enter the data and see the results on line graphs. So far, key markers are flat, but that is where they are supposed to be. So that is cool, and something Gene really wanted to do, track the data. Even the nurses are impressed, and say the graphs look better than theirs! Docs say it will probably be at least another week before we see any indication in the bloodwork if the chemo was successful. Two weeks out from the end date which was last Sunday. And then, it will probably be another week before they release him. I think Gene’s own calculation was one week short of that, so that was discouraging to him. And it is a difficult time, just waiting, dealing with the chemo-related symptoms and whatever is going on in his lungs/chest that they don’t know how to identify either, despite the best efforts. I do notice Gene’s spirits lagging a bit. Not that he is not hopeful and positive, but getting worn down. And being uncomfortable does not help. And because human nature is to show your least best, sometimes, to the ones you love the most, it seems that I’m not doing a lot of things right. But I’m trying to learn to navigate the new territory, and I am making mistakes. And mostly Gene lets me know!

Food is a challenge too. I’m going to make a pot of soup today. Patty made him a breakfast burrito, eggs and potatoes and green chile. He was excited to get it but then after a few bites said, “Tell Patty it probably tastes really good”, and said it confirmed that his taste buds are much impacted. The cups of chocolate Haagen-Daz are still a hit, so we’ll keep working to find what it takes.

Vicki, Teri and Lola have received their test kits and will complete them today. Emilia was tested when she was here. I’m not sure how long it takes them to process the results once they receive them back here. So that is another wait and pray chapter. I’m still quite anxious about the whole bone marrow transplant process, but recognize of course, that it is the best possibility for a cure. But from the little bit of reading I’ve found time or allowed myself to do, it will require tremendous strength, tremendous lifestyle changes (as if this is not already), and a long time in recovery…..almost a year till he is clear.

So, on the updates: Patty hopefully has set herself up to take over the blog-posting responsibilities from Jose Luis. Those of you that are so inclined can subscribe to the blog, instead of getting the email message. So just let me know if you want your name removed from the email list because you’ve subscribed, except I can see who has subscribed and I’ll just assume you want to be removed. And if you didn’t subscribe or ask me to take your name off, I’ll just keep sending it as an email for the time being. The blog URL is: http://genecentral.blogspot.com/. It was on my list to learn how to post, how to be an official blogger, this weekend, and even though I limited my list to 6 or 8 things, only 4 got done: eat, sleep, be with Gene, move Symphony to a new berth away from a neighbor we didn’t (I didn’t) appreciate being next to. Thanks again to Patty and Jim, who also wear fabulous crew hats AND cleaned out both yucky dock boxes. So, sending this long one as an e-mail and Patty will post. I notice Jose Luis has added, at Justice’s request, a “favorite photo of Gene” section….feel free to send yours along or post yourself (however that works - EMAIL FAVORITE GENE Pics to Jose Luis at alvarado@mail.sdsu.edu). Oh yea, we are good with pajamas….lots of you, mom, Sharlene and Micheal, Bobbie, have contributed so we should now only have to do wash, maybe only weekly.

I’m taking a day for me today, taking a day sick leave, just to breathe and stretch and get some of the list things and a doc appt for me. Breezy appreciates that. Jim and Patty keep trying to do everything right by her, but she is, after all, a cat…..not easily pleased. Thanks for all of your cards, emails, wishes, and prayers….they mean so much to us.
g