June 14, 2010 2:41 PM

Pat has just awoken refreshed from her first nap of the afternoon. She was really out of it. I’ve delayed updating the blog, mostly because nothing dramatic has happened and by now you pretty much know the drill. As was expected, little things like the tingling on the tip of her tongue faded away as the week progressed. By and large Pat has learned to husband her resources - bursts of energy to accomplish “I gottas” , and naps preceding social engagements. Yesterday morning Pat did a slow one lapper around Lake Santa Margarita before our usual Sunday group breakfast. Back home, a quick check of the plants and then a rest before we picked up the Gross’s and headed off to a concert. It featured Andre Watts performing the Grieg Piano Concerto. At the risk of sounding like a teenager - “we were blown away”. Watts played so beautifully. The fluid ease of his attack wonderfully complemented the beauty of the music. Afterward it was a short drive to the Capital Seafood Restaurant in Irvine. Although one of a chain, it offers excellent Chinese seafood. It is in the Diamond Shopping Plaza in a very Asian neighborhood. Interestingly, the developer of the center insisted that contracts include the stipulation that all signs be in English.

A summary of this morning’s visit with the doctor that preceded the start of her chemo will fill out the picture. Her blood test showed a very low hemoglobin so that the doctor has ordered a transfusion of 2 units of blood. One of these will be tacked on to today’s visit and the second will be administered tomorrow when she comes for her white cell stimulant. There was some swelling in her legs due to the suspension of one of the meds used to lower her blood pressure. It had a diuretic effect as well. That combined with the increased fluid intake that the doctor had recommended probably accounts for the swelling that should readily be resolved. Most significantly, Dr. Lilly has come to the conclusion that, at least for the present, we are on a three week cycle.

The transfusion having been finished, we are now home, and have finished dinner as well. We are looking forward to the 2 units of blood picking up Pat’s energy so that we won’t have to cancel the plans we have made for the coming weeks. Stay tuned for the further “PERILS OF PATSY”. 22:13:27