Wednesday, August 4, 2010 6:34 PM, CDT

Boy is it hot, hot, hot......... Only 111 right now at 5:30 in Little Rock and 100 in Valley Head. Wow!

Good news from Sister Faye. Her heart surgery went well and she is up in a chair. So amazing!

Mark had an apt with a dermatologist today concerning a spot on his arm. The doc removed it and told him he was fairly sure it was a skin cancer. We are not very concerned about it as we know being in the sun as much as we have it is inevitable to have a few skin lesions. The doctor told him to just keep an eye on it until we get back in Dec. and call to update him.

After the appointment we went to see Tom. He confirmed our great fear that he has Acute Myeloid Leukemia. His myeloma is still in remission and he is quite a puzzle to the doctors. Debbie and Tom’s sister were out getting tested for transplant compatibility. Tom is hoping his sister will be a match. He looked good and it was great to get to visit with him. He had lots of IV fluids - they are treating him already. He said he thinks he will have to be in the hospital for about 7 weeks receiving chemo. Knowing what a strong man he is, we have great faith that he will beat this really soon. We just hate that he has to go through this again (his hair looked so good!). Hopefully we will see Debbie tomorrow.

While Mark was “getting his arm cut off” (his words), I checked out the new cancer center. It is gorgeous, but still about the same with the chaos. The wait time at the cancer infusion center was 2 to 4 hours, worse than in the old place. I saw lots of the nurses and APNs. Frances gave me a quick inside tour - it will be wonderful when they get the kinks worked out. So excited to get to see Alaina (she has gotten married and is expecting a baby boy since we have seen her), sweet Katie, Tina, Jovannia, Deena, Nadine and Peggy, they are such special people. It is such a blessing to have this hospital and know what good work they do.

Mark’s appointment with Dr. N is tomorrow afternoon. Please pray that he has good news for us.