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.