Cancer Contagious??

As Owen was being released from UCLA about 3 weeks ago, we received news that a biopsy (which Anita had done due to spots in a mammogram) came back positive. We have met twice with her oncologist, Dr. Harness. He is an excellent doctor and assures us that this breast cancer is very low grade and very treatable. In his words, this is not life-threatening and probably would have taken a couple more years to be detected by finding a lump. He will treat her by removing a small amount (lumpectomy) and then giving her a few days of radiation. The lumpectomy will most likely occur on February 18th or 19th. In Anita's words, our bodies are falling apart, but our souls and spirits are doing great. Thanks for your support.

Home

Yesterday Owen was released to come home after the doctor pulled out the catheter. Our friends Randy and Rose Howard made the trip to UCLA and assisted him with that. How great to be home together! Although Owen is a little weaker than when he went in, he really feels great and will soon be ready for nearly anything.

Progress

Today, we saw the doctor and were given the good news that Owen's numbers are great! The white blood cell count has come up from 0.02 to 3.5 where 5 is about normal. The platelet count was 3 and is now 43 where 150 is about normal. They are slightly concerned about the platelets, but not much. We have been given the OK to return home, but Owen still has an IV and needs the catheter removed on Wednesday before he goes home.

The Holidays

Christmas Day was spent together in the Ronald Reagan Hospital at UCLA. I did have a hospital gown then, but no camera. A couple days later, our friends Bud and Millie Shipman came to our rescue and helped move Owen to the Tiverton House - a sort of convalescent facility about 2 blocks from the hospital.

New Years Eve was special with our friends Jim and Betsy McCarty as they drove up to play bridge and fellowship around takeout food.