So, here is what you have missed. . .
The second cycle of chemotherapy followed the pattern of the first. The first treatment went well. The second treatment had to be approved by Dr. Ritch because of a borderline platelet count. The third treatment was skipped because my dad's platelets were too low. Of course, in this cycle there were only three treatments scheduled.
My parents went to Door County for a few days before Easter. Rhys was very excited to join them on this trip. He hadn't been to the house since fall and was thrilled with all the new changes.
My family and I all spent Easter together. It was a wonderful day, but I was very sick with a fever, sore throat, and headache. I joked that my dad felt better than I did which was very true. I am finally better although I still have a lingering cough.
After Easter, my dad continued to keep very busy doing taxes for all the last minute clients. I wish I could have helped him, but was too sick to be of any use to him.
On Monday after Easter my mom went to the Milwaukee Catholic Home and resigned her position. With a tearful goodbye to fellow employees, she answered a few questions relating to her job and collected her personal belongings.
The next day my dad was informed of the death of his Aunt Charolette McCauley. My parents had visited Aunt Charolette just before Easter because her health was failing rapidly. The obituary from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel can be read here. Below is a photograph of Aunt Charolette (on the left) and her daughter, Maureen. The photo was taken at my dad's birthday party in January.
My parents left for a week long trip to visit family and friends in Florida. Being that we live in Wisconsin, it snowed about five inches while they were gone! They enjoyed visits with Enders, Slaytons, Gordons (my dad's sister Francesca and her husband), and others. Alligators, anoles and geckos were prevalent.
While my parents were in Florida, I attended Aunt Charolette's funeral and enjoyed visiting with several of my cousins (one of whom I hadn't seen for about 25 years). I know my dad would have enjoyed visiting with everyone, too. I am glad I was able to attend in spite being ill. I wish I could have provided the above picture to the family for the funeral, but it was trapped inside my broken computer. Hopefully, the McCauley's will enjoy seeing it here.
That about brings everyone up-to-date. My dad continues to feel physically very well. His primary physical symptom is still that annoying diarrhea. There are some minor side effects from the dye when he has a CT scan. The anti-depressant medication helps to keep his mood more upbeat, so we are all pleased about that.
