It's hard for me to admit to myself and you that this is the first time I have felt well enough to get to my computer and post something on my blog. After getting the ascites (fluid) removed from my belly on Wednesday, I have been in a lot of pain. I was not able to go to school on Thursday or Friday, and felt too sick to get the chemo infusion as planned on Thursday. I rescheduled the chemo for Friday, but my blood draw showed that my red blood cell count was too low to give me the infusion. So, I am now scheduled for 2 units of blood on this Monday, MLK Day, and will hopefully get the chemo on Tuesday. I am greatly discouraged that I am already a week behind where I thought I would be in the process - the fluid is already building back up which is a sign that the cancer remains unchecked by anything I am doing. I am still taking the alternative remedies for my immune system, enzymes, and sticking to the vegan diet because I know they can't hurt, and just might help in the overall scheme of things. That cancer is a tough one to beat! I have had to resort to taking some powerful narcotic pain medication and the side effect for that is constipation which causes even more pain! I feel like an old lady talking about all my aches and pains, but I did want you to know what's going on. I was able to meet with the head doctor of a Phase 1 clinical trial for endometrial patients at the University of Colorado Medical Center that could possibly be something I could participate in down the road if I remain strong in all of my bodily functions. Sarah has left the park, Patagonia Conservacion, and is traveling with her friend Caroline in Argentina. All seems to be above and beyond her wildest dreams. Bob continues to work 12-14 hour days, take care of me, the house, and all the shoveling, and still swims 3 mornings a week and runs 3 days a week. We both pray that God will loan me some of his energy, as I could really use it. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and phone calls. It is so comforting to know that you are pulling for me and encouraging me to get through these rough days because there are brighter ones ahead! Our Lord is so faithful in meeting our every need, so at times like this, I know to just draw closer to Him. Love you-
Ruth

News from Sarah is all good - sounds like she is enjoying every minute of her experience at Conservacion Patagonica! Bob is glad that finally everything has gotten back to "normal" at the club after the holidays. I'm back at school but have been struggling with a lot of abdomenal pain and overall discomfort due to the fact that the fluid has already come back in my belly. I will be starting chemo again with a drug that I had success with over a year ago but was taken off of because of the danger of congestive heart failure for users over a long period of time. Since I have tried all of the chemo drugs that are on the "approved" list for my kind of cancer according to my insurance company, I really have no other alternative at this time. I hope the doxorubicin (trade name adriamycin) will be as effective as it was previously. My homeopathic physician has been unable to get the enzymes from Germany that he hoped to give me intravenously over the holidays, so that is on hold for now until after I get through a few rounds of the chemo. My oncologist will order an echocardiogram prior to the treatment on Monday or Tuesday of next week, and will infuse me with another drug that helps counteract the negative symptoms that might occur. I have an appointment on Wednesday, Jan. 12, to meet with doctors at University of Colorado Cancer Center in Denver about eligibility for any clinical trials they may have going on for endometrial cancer. I will also get the fluid drained from my belly that afternoon at Presbyterian St. Luke's where I have had it done the past three times. I feel so relieved that we have a plan for my treatment - I felt like we were floundering for the past few months trying different chemos that were ineffective and losing ground rather than making progress. The Lord is in control and He is faithful, so with your continued prayers and support I know that we are on the right track for now. Will keep you posted as any new developments (good or bad) come up.