All,

As many already know, Cathy came home yesterday evening. She was tired and a little nauseated, but glad to be back. They are wanting her to stay away from large groups, so we are not sure when she will come back to church. She goes back to Houston on Monday for 3 days of tests / dr visits (Bone Scan and PETscan) Then back home. The long stay is over.

Thanks to all for your continued support and prayers.

In case you haven't hear, Cathy is currently scheduled to come home on Thursday October 29th. She will be going back for some tests the following week, but should only need to stay for a few days. The long stay in Houston is almost over. She is doing great. Having some fatigue, but other wise feeling good.
Thanks to all who have helped, encouraged, supported, and especially prayed for us during this difficult time. We love each and every one of you.

Randy

Here is the latest:

Cathy is in the apartment now. Last week, the blood work came good. She did not need any platelets / blood. She has another appointment today to be sure everything is still on track. Patty Gee is with her this week.
Cathy is feeling good and wanting to come home. We hope she will be able to come back for a few days the end of the month. She is scheduled first week of November for a PET to see how she is doing.

Publish Post

All - sorry I have not been keeping those of you on this blog with Cathy's status.
Last week was a tough week. She had a fever and blood counts were very low. However, the last few days she has shown a marked improvement which shows the stem cells are doing their job. Her white cell count was zero at one point last week. They are normal now. Platelets are still low but they are the last to recover. As of this morning, it looks like she will be leaving the hospital and going into the apartment tomorrow or Thursday. we are hoping to have have her back home by the end of the month.
Thanks all for your support, prayers, work, etc, etc...

Talked to Cathy this morning. She is not feeling well. Running a low grade fever, fatigue. No red blood cells or platelets. They are giving her blood. I talked to her nurse and she said this is normal for someone with a low immune system.
Pray that she gains strength and the stem cells graft in.

Just got home from Houston. Thanks all for your gifts, cards, well wishes. Cathy loved them all. Cathy is doing very well. She is eating, exercising, with little nausea. They did the stem cell on Thursday before i got there. It will take about 10 ...days to graft in. After that assuming her blood counts are up, she may go back to the apt.

Our entire family wants to thank everyone for their continues support. From home repairs over the weekend, continued house cleaning, food, trips to Houston, support, prayers, etc, etc, etc.. I cannot think of all the ways you have helped and supported us through all of this. Cathy is in Houston today. Will be going into the hospital today or tomorrow (they are very full and she needs to wait for an open bed in the right area) Once she gets in they expect her to be in the Hospital for 2 - 4 weeks. I am betting closer to the 4 but Cathy is shooting for 2 in the hospital and 2 in the apt.

If you want to send her a card/letter, here is the address for the hospital. Her birthday is Oct 3. Feel free to send cards/little gifts as you desire. However, no flowers, live plants, etc. They will not be allowed on the floor.

MD Anderson Cancer Center

1515 Holcombe Blvd. Room G1184
Houston, TX 77030

Address to the apartment when she gets there is:

Cathy Burson

8181 Fannin St #1316

Houston, TX 77054

Also one neat thing that we found out about last time is that she is able to get messages via the centers web site. Keep in mind that she is not updating the journal (that is what I use facebook and the blog for :) ), only the "Message to a Patient".

http://www.mdanderson.org/patient-and-cancer-information/guide-to-md-anderson/patient-and-family-support/online-support.html

Select

Message to a Patient

Send a secure message to an inpatient at M. D. Anderson.

It will ask you for her Patient number and it is 784585. Her date of birth is 10/03/1955