Update

Viruses are just one of those slow and tedious things that you have to wait out and wish they would "run their course" just a little bit faster. We know we're where Kate needs to be, to best battle this virus, but as you can imagine hospital stays and the changes they impose on our lives and routine are growing old for all three of us. So we're doing what we need to do, trying to keep a good attitude and trusting that we'll get home sooner rather than later.

Friday Kate's shingles seemed to spread a little bit more, while others seem to have begun to dry up. The goal (much like chicken pox) is to get all the blotches to dry up. Based on how the blotches look, we still have a ways to go. There's really no way to predict how quickly this zoster virus will run it's course. The pain medication makes Kate sleepy. The maintenance dose the machine gives her automatically seems to be helping enough so that Kate can avoid pushing the button for an extra dose of pain meds if she knows friends or family are coming and she wants to be awake enough to enjoy their visit.

Kate had radiation as scheduled yesterday (Friday) and that completed week two. Next week will be her final week of RT. We are thankful that this will soon be behind us and that Kate has the summer to allow her body to recover from all that it has been through. Yesterday we had a physical therapy(PT) consult. Since Kate's high dose chemo, we have noticed significant muscle weakness in Kate's legs. This was evidenced early on in her gait when walking. While we have seen improvement in her walking as her muscles slowly strengthen, it still takes considerable effort for Kate to climb stairs. During our PT consult several simple movement tests confirmed this muscle weakness in her thighs. The therapist gave Kate a series of thigh and hip strengthening exercises to do each day. Kate was a willing and diligent patient (of course the fact that the PT therapist is a young, good looking guy, might have had something to do with her positive attitude and willing spirit:) Those of you who know and love Kate know that she willing admits to not liking sports or being into exercise. We laughed with the therapist that this is "Kate's kind of exercise" she doesn't have to leave her room or break a sweat! We will probably continue some outpatient PT once Kate is released from the hospital. Please continue to pray that Kate's body will be renewed and grow stronger each day.

We are grateful for friends and family who help us pass the time in the hospital. We're looking forward to a visit with friends today and tomorrow when family comes bearing a picnic lunch filled with some Kate's favorites that she requested:) As always we are grateful for God's grace and your faithful prayers.

Walking in His strength and grace,
Elaine