[tousled1]

Hello to everyone,

Well, I got home from the hospital Friday at around 5:00pm, oxygen in tow. Not exactly what I wanted to bring home with me, but all the same I'm home and it feels great to be here.

My electrolytes are still a bit off so we're taking medication for that. In addition to Zofran, Phenegran and protonex for the nauseau and immedioum for the dirrehea I seem to be doing ok. I have severe heartburn but the nauseau is under control. I'm still on steroids and am being gradually weaned off the Prednisone. So many pills to take a day and certainly not enough time in the day to get them all in. Seems like I'm turning into a real pill popper!

I must admit that the worst thing is the fatigue. Do you think I should finally listen to my body and try and take it easy??? Being a Type A personality it's very difficult for me to just sit and wait for results.

I have an appointment Monday morning to see my oncologist and at that time we will sit down and discuss our long term goals. We will discuss how we are going to monitor my progress with this combo. My oncologist has mentioned that she may want to give me Ixempra the week when I don't take the Xeloda. I say -- go for it -- let's hit these vicious mets with all we've got! I know it takes longer to notice whether this combo will work since it's pill form.

I want to thank everyone for your wonderful words of encouragement and support and especially for all the prayers being sent my way. I don't think I ever realized how much I depend upon you guys for guidance and support. You are a truly amazing group of people.

I may be laying low for a few days trying to recover some of my strength but am in no way leaving this wonderful website. I know talk is cheap -- I say I'm going to take a break but somehow everytime I walk by the computer it just seems to call out my name.

Any ideas on what I can do to help overcome this extreme fatigue would be appreciated. I hold each and everyone of you close to my heart.

I want to especially thank Karla (Kavy) for keeping you posted on my progress and also calling me every night relaying all your wonderful words of encouragement.

I have found that though life you develop few friendships but develop many acquaintances. Here on this site I have met women and men who I consider very dear friends who hopfully one day I'll be able to meet in person and give them a great big hug for being here for me.