Monday, November 5, 2007

Reasons to smile

Hi, all!
It's Linda this time. Believe it or not, I'm home alone now. Jim's at work and the kids have gone back home. Ordinarily that would be very depressing, but, fortunately Tony and Beth are coming back this weekend and Andrea will be back the next week. They were just the greatest support while they were here, and I do miss them already.
The good news is that I'm starting to get some of my strength back. Each day that I've been on Sutent I've felt a little better--which has to be a good sign!!! In case we didn't explain it before, I'll be on this medication (just one pill a day!) for 4 weeks and then will go off of it for 2 weeks. During that time we'll get more scans to see how effective it was. I may be just in the "honeymoon phase" right now, though, because the side effects can get much worse and some people cannot tolerate even the whole 4 weeks in a row. So we'll see, but for now I'm going with the positive effects I'm seing now.
Each day I am more amazed by the wonderful support of family and friends. You're getting me through this in ways you'll never know. Bless you all!
Love, Linda

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Mom - I just got a sore arm from my flu shot!

Anonymous said...

Pleasant suprise to hear from u. Glad u r feeling better. We read the blog and pray for u daily. We both have flu shots and will try to visit soon. Love from Frank and Dottie

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda,
I am vey pleased to hear that yur felling stronger every day. You have been in our prayers and thoughts daily. Since I've had my flu shot I've been hoping to get over, but ther are toooo many germs at school so I've been hesitant. you just keep getting stronger and we'll just keep praying.

Love,
Tim and Beckie

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda,

So glad to hear you are feeling better. I'll start crossing everything I can now in the hopes that you are able to get through the 4 weeks without the bad side effects. As always, you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love ya,

Judy Bosse

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda,
Good to see you blogging again and feeling stronger. We read the blog daily and look forward to seeing you.
If there is anything we can do for you, just let us know.
Trice & Dale

BostonDigs said...

Linda,

It's great to read that you are feeling better. I hope the sutent kicks ...

Jeff

Anonymous said...

Linda,
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better! I'm really looking forward to seeing you! Still praying and hoping! Love you lots!
Gina

Beverly said...

Linda,

I'm so glad you are starting to get your strength back. You sounded stronger yesterday!

You are always in my thoughts.

Bev

Susan said...

So good to hear you're feeling better. I, too, had my flu shot and would love to come and visit when you're up to it. I can even bring my little ray of sunshine/tasmanian devil if you want. I will call you later this week.

Keep the faith!

Unknown said...

Good reason to get my flu shot! We have a clinic on campus tomorrow! Glad to hear you are feeling stronger, Linda!

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda! It was so good to see you this weekend and to hear that you are getting your strength back! (Hold arms out now and pretend you're getting a big hug)
Love, Eleanor

Anonymous said...

Look ^^^ Andrea- I finally figured out this Bloggie Thingy...
Eleanor

Anonymous said...

Linda - glad you are feeling somewhat better- you and Jim are in our prayers and we have many friends working on this also-- we had a great weekend w/Beth while Tony was w/you-although she is pretty consumed w/teaching and sending out applications-
Ron & Rosie

Anonymous said...

I have had my flu shot, but as Beckie said I' m surrounded by such sick kids where I teach that I'm afraid that I would bring you their germs.
I'll call to find out if you need any food for the weekend when the kids are back???

We are continuing to pray for you here and send those healing vibes your way!!!
Deby

Anonymous said...

My smile is from ear to ear and my heart is jumping with joy!

Susan W. said...

Linda,

I think about you everyday! When I read comments from your students it makes me wish you had been my teacher. Of course, you've already taught me the importance of being strong and staying positive.- In addition to the joy of mimosas and tennis matches with Nadal. :)

Love,
Susan W.

becky long said...

love you, love you, love you - keep smiling! Becky

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear that you're starting to feel a little better... keep at it.. miss you terribly!
Angela Zix

Anonymous said...

Hi Linda, I was so glad to see that you are feeling better! All of Chris's family are praying for you and keeping Andrea very close to our hearts! Love, Ann T

magronotte said...

OH, Linda!!! You are feeling better!!! You don't know how good this make ME feel too. I am so hapy for you. This is great! Keep it up. I think that having Tony and Andrea around is what helps so much. I know when mine are home I feel great too. I'm so happy for you. Keep working on your stregth with Tony and Andrea. BTW, I had a great soup this weekend. It was that Campbells's Gold Select soup. I had the Butternut squash. It was soooo good. They have other ones but that one hit the spot for me. A new comfort food! Love you. Mary Anne and Tim

Joules Evans said...

It is so good to read a post from you, and to hear YOU giving US reasons to smile. You are to us, what we all wish to be to you, Linda-Encouragement. But, even though I have only recently been blessed enough to know you, I am pretty convinced that is the way it is with you. Hopefully you rub off on us all and we pay it forward.

Unknown said...

Big smiles and hugs!!!

Love ya!
Lora :)

Anonymous said...

I just want to give you a HHUUGGEE HUG! Just keep SWIMMING! Be tough! I'mm praying SUPER hard!

TONS OF Love,
flummie!