Saturday, February 6, 2010 7:22 AM, CST

We are so thrilled to be back in our own nest!

Mark has been feeling good except for a swollen aching ankle. He had to have his scheduled labs yesterday in Chattanooga and saw Dr. S who checked out his fat ankle. The doc ordered scans, x-rays, more labs - and after prodding and poking decided he just didn't really know what it was. We should get the test results on Monday. Mark was put on more antibiotics and joint medication - what is one more pill??????. He has been trying to get around with a cane - we used a wheelchair at the hospital ( he doesn't like me driving that any more than a car). Last night he progressed to crutches. We have decided that Chemo just does some very strange things to your body!
Dr. S was very interested in what was going on in Little Rock and in all the strides they have made in MM. That was very encouraging to us. I think he would have liked to have talked and found out more but he had other "customers "waiting.
It was such a yucky day and I tried my fire making skills to much success. Another thing “girls” aren’t supposed to do. BAH! When we got home last night our dear friends brought us dinner, wonderful soup, fried chicken and DESSERTS. Linda and I didn't get to see each other at Christmas so we had a talking good time in the kitchen and listened to Mark and Donald laugh in the living room. We made supper trays for the guys to eat by the fire and watch TV. It was good for our souls (and our stomachs)! Only now I have gained more weight!

Mark is scheduled to return to LR the first of March for the consolidation phase. It is another round with “Mrs. Hall”, but will be a lighter version. We had wanted to be here for Matthew’s 2 year old birthday, but we will have to celebrate early! Our prayer is that the consolidation will put Mark into remission or very close to it! The maintenance phase of his treatment should begin around the end of April which should make our trips to LR less often.

We are praying that all of our friends in LR are doing well and are home or on their way.

May God continue to bless us all.
Love from Valley Head,
Karen