From Dan:

I am happy to say that this past week, Robin has made amazing progress. Her mom and sister kidnapped her on Monday and off to Carmel she went for two days, armed with plenty of Ibuprofen and Vicodin. Mackie and Gloria wanted to take Robin to the ocean for rest and relaxation before she starts her Chemotherapy.

There must have been something in the ocean air, because when she returned to Sacramento she has been a completely different person discarding her walker for a cane. On Friday, her sister-in-law Susie Hayes and Robin’s nieces Misty and Tootoos, and Robin’s great niece Haley, came out to the house for a visit. Robin said they laughed and laughed, made cucumber, tomato and spinach sandwiches. The highlight of the visit was when Misty insisted on cutting Robin’s hair.

Later that afternoon, Dan took Robin to her appointment with Dr. Miller, who is her treating hematologist and oncologist for the Leukemia and Ovarian cancers. He had good news for Robin. Her blood count is all the way down to 6,900 as she has responded positively to the Gleevec treatment and for the present, he cut her Gleevec prescription in half from 400 milligrams to 200 milligrams. He also scheduled her first infusion Ovarian Chemo to begin Thursday, July 30 with the second Chemo scheduled for August 20. Robin will meet with the Sutter Cancer Center Chemo nurse practitioner the first of the week to get the “gouge” on what to expect. Dan is taking the day off to be with Robin for her first Chemo session – 5 hrs in duration. Several of Robin’s friends have offered to accompany her for succeeding Chemo sessions.

The plan for now is to do three Chemo sessions and than Dr. Leiserowitz will run tests to determine if her tumor has shrunk to a size, where he is comfortable to do a second surgery to remove the tumor. Doctor has also mentioned that Radiation treatment is a possibility as well.

News Flash!!!

Today (Saturday), Robin drove (Dan rode along) to her nail appointment and than on to Terry and Nancy Isbill’s for lunch. After a splendid lunch with two of the finest people in the world, Dan drove Robin to Raley’s where Robin did her shopping. While waiting in the check out line, Dan suggested that Robin go to the car and turn on the air conditioner and rest while he completed checking out. When Dan left Raley’s and headed for the car, he heard a familiar whistle. It was Robin, who had discovered that their favorite restaurant had opened up another location in the shopping center. What a sight, Robin whistling and swinging her cane.

As an aside, Robin called her Boss at Zoom and is planning to visit her Zoom family next week before she starts the Chemo.

Obviously, we are all thrilled with Robin’s increased energy and enthusiasm; however, she has a long road ahead to climb and will need all of your prayers and encouragement as she enters this new phase of treatment.

Thank you once again, for all of the cards, flowers, gifts and meals....there is nothing like having friends...we are blessed.

She looked beautiful and was in great spirits. Continue to pray for her leg which was really bothering her today. She took us back in her room to show us all her gifts and cards. It made her tear up to realize how treasured and loved she is. She is saving all the precious cards and notes.

Robin is also so touched by everyone providing meals for her, and was saying what a burden that has lifted for her as she is just unable to be in the kitchen or even think about it. You are all such a blessing to her.

We talked a bit about all that she has a head to face with the chemo, etc. She is quite brave and is such an example to me. She also remains quite selfless and spent a lot of time asking what's going on in my life. She mentioned that when she receives cards the once that touch her the most are the ones with little notes about what's going on in the writers life. She just loves hearing from you all.

The treasures you've given her like the blanket with scriptures hand stitched by Sue and a prayer shawl that was prayed over every stitch in it, those are so dear to her. She can feel all the love and support coming from each of you.

She's just so positive and perky, and I like the rest of you love her dearly. Thank you all!!!

Robin is continuing to recuperate from her surgery and preparing for her first round of Chemo to be scheduled sometime during the last week of July. The good news is that Robin’s white cell blood count has come down from a high of 69,000 to 19,500 (11,000 being normal) since she has began taking Gleevec for her Chronic Myeloid Leukemia. Unfortunately she is experiencing a mild reaction to the Gleevec in the form of a rash. This is one of the side effects and is treatable with Benadryl and other prescription medication. We are optimistic that this will be brought under control.

On another positive note, Robin is now staying at home. Dan is extremely happy and Gloria, Mackie, Paula and others will continue to drop in and offer assistance driving her to her weekly blood drawings and doctors appointments. Robin continues to use a walker and we are optimistic that the nerve damage in her left leg (as a result of the surgery) is temporary and will be restored over the next weeks and/or months.

Please continue to pray as we know we are in an uphill battle for healing; however, we are confident that the “battle” is the Lord’s. He is our hope regardless of our circumstances and we remain strong and confident in our faith in our Lord Jesus.

Here's the latest from Dan:

Robin was seen by Dr Leiserowitz this morning and he gave us his overview of what he termed “a successful abdominal surgery.” All tumors have been removed with the exception of the tumor in the upper third of the vagina. She also had her incision “staples” removed.

Dr. Leiserowitz’s strategy of treatment is as follows:

·
Continue Gleevec oral Chemo medication daily for the Chronic Myeloid Leukemia - High rate of successful outcome

Start the first of six Infusion Chemo treatments (3-week cycles = 18 weeks) starting in the last week of July

Evaluate via CT Scan, etc. the tumor response after 3-weeks of Chemo – May consider surgery to remove the tumor or spot Radiation treatment<>

Robin continues to spend her days at Mom’s with Mackie, Paula and the others. Dan picks her up and takes her home for her evenings. She plans to spend her weekends at home with Dan

We are very excited to know that we are working with a top notch medical team and will continue to believe the Lord for complete healing.

She is scheduled to meet with Dr. Leiserowitz next Tuesday and well will update the blog with the latest information.

Here is the latest update on Robin, sent via email from Dan:



Robin had an appointment on Tuesday with Dr. Miller Hematologist/Oncologist. Her husband Dan, Mother, Gloria and Sister Mackie were present at the appointment.



Dr. Miller has prescribed Gleevec an oral Chemo medication taken daily for her Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). This is an expensive drug ($4,000 monthly) and it will be covered by Robin’s health plan with a monthly co-pay of $25.00 (Praise The Lord!). Until 10 years ago the treatment for CML was a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT); however, for patients over 60, a BMT was not an option. We are thankful that this drug is available, as it is the only treatment for CML other than a BMT and has a 90% rate of success. Robin will have to take this medication for the remainder of her life.



Robin is scheduled for two blood tests weekly for Dr. Miller to monitor her white count. He told us that he wants to stabilize her CML before he begins Chemo Therapy for her Ovarian Cancer. He will see Robin again on the 24th of this month and at that time will schedule the Chemo. We think her Chemo (six sessions @ five hours each, once every three weeks) will start the last week in July or the first week in August. Infusion Chemo Therapy is the standard treatment for Ovarian Cancer.



Robin continues her recovery from her major cancer surgery where it has been determined that she has Stage III C Ovarian Cancer. Dr. Liserowitz Gynecologist/Oncologist was her surgeon and he will be monitoring her progress with her Chemo. He was unable to remove all of the tumors and he told us he might do a second surgery if the tumors shrink from the Chemo treatments where he feels he can remove them without collateral damage to her organs. We will wait and see.



Robin has an appointment with Dr. Liserowitz, Tuesday of next week and we will update the blog after that appointment.



Robin and her family want to thank everyone for their outpouring of love in providing meals, flowers, cards and gifts…we are overwhelmed at how loving you have been…Thank you!!!!!!



We are continuing to trust the Lord for complete healing and we covet your prayers.