It’s September. We really didn’t think Tim would still be here. It’s been a year since his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Back then, they gave him 6 months and maybe a year at the most. So, despite the ups and downs, we’re really grateful for the extra time we have together. We’re hoping for a lot more time. Tim had his chemo today, so if he gets sick it’s likely to be in a couple days or more. But, at least Tim doesn't feel like he gets as sick as he used to for the first several months when he started on chemo.

Paul has had a reversal of plans for harvesting his stem cells. The doctors at Stanford and Kaiser now agree that the chemo is continuing to lower his levels, so it’s worth waiting another month or so before considering harvesting. Meanwhile, Paul has had some pain in his hip and leg. The X-rays showed that there are lesions in his hip bones but, like other lesions in his spine, these are now inactive. The Kaiser oncologist thought about starting radiation, but since the lesions are inactive it looks like the chemo is keeping things under control for now. Although the lesions aren’t reparable, the Zometa infusions Paul gets helps strengthen the bone structure around the lesions so that his bones aren't so brittle.

Paul’s mom is doing so-so at the nursing facility. Although she tries to do therapy exercises daily, she’s not eating well and that undermines her strength. Paul’s dad is there every day all-day to keep his mom company and help out where he can.

Calochortus kennedyi, Joshua Tree National Park