Cyber Monday

Kristine and I finally recovered from whatever flu we both caught. It lasted about a week and a half and we both agree it was one of the worst either of us has ever had. Since regaining our relative health we've been pretty busy getting our lives back in order. We have also been playing host to a stream of visitors over the past couple of weeks. Kristine's parents and two of her sisters have been in town to help Kristine and, of course, squeeze in a few games of cards.

Kristine got the green light a week ago to start Cyberknife radiation therapy on the tumor in her shoulder. The tumor (originating in a lymph node) has reached about half the size of a tennis ball, and as a result, is causing Kristine a great deal of pain as it puts increasing pressure on the nerves and muscles in the area. She begins Cyberknife at Delaware County Hospital (one of the few and first places in the area with a Cyberknife center and an affiliate of Fox Chase Cancer Center) this Monday. The procedure lasts about an hour a day for a duration of just five days. There are some risks like potential damage to the skin, nerves and bone in the direct area. However, the alternative is to do nothing which will result in certain damage, including the possible loss of the use of her only good arm. There is also a chance that the procedure will not work -- sarcomas are generally radiation resistant. But Kristine has seen success with Gamma Knife radiation therapy, very similar to Cyberknife. She therefore has a better chance of success. The radiation oncologist advised that, if all goes well, she should see results (that is tumor shrinkage) within a of couple weeks and even as quickly as one week.

We'll keep you updated on how the procedure goes.