Ok folks...here's the latest

Caryn had the Lumbar Puncture (hereafter referred to as the LP) today. They (whomever 'they' are) did not find any proteins that would serve as an indicator of spinal METS (metastases), but they did record an elevated white blood cell count, which brings us back to.....

...an indication of some sort of (viral) infection. So we are back to Bell's Palsy or a similar condition brought about, most likely, by the use of Avastin. The theory is that the Avastin activated a chronic condition which previously lay dormant.

Stay tuned to this channel for further updates....I now return you to your previously scheduled AOL , or other ISP, session.

Steve

No wonder Caryn is always in such an upbeat mood....no matter what....her hubby must be the greatest!!

Dear Diary,

After waiting for the cleaning ladies to finish here, I got over to the hospital. My parents had gone over several hours ahead of me. When I got there, two 'clown volunteers' were entertaining the room and I joined in. Apparently, Caryn had 2 clowns yesterday as well, so thanks to all 4 of you for lifting the spirits and for clowning around. I was also delighted to notice a significant increase in the non-indegenous flora (translated: flowers that people have sent) in the room, including a lovely arrangement from my Kingston co-workers.

As for Caryn's condition.....well, 'they' are continuing to examine the spinal fluid for the root cause of what would appear to be Bell's Palsy. Caryn's face is definitely drooping more which means it'll be tougher to smile when people come to visit. Still looking into the 'dormant virus awakened' theory or the 'bacterial infection' theory.

That's all for tonight, dear friend. Mom and Dad will visit in the morning and then drive back to MD, and I'll be there to visit after work.

Hello All,

We got some rather disturbing news today from the oncologist at RWJ. Apparently, further studies of the spinal fluid revealed the presence of atypical cells. To a cancer patient like Caryn, atypical =cancer. They are supposed to do a second tap tomorrow. Suffice it to say this is not at all good.

At this point, I do not know exactly what comes next, but what I do know is that I MUST make this URGENT appeal to family and friends...Caryn is feeling very afraid and very small right now and she needs you...I am begging you...visit, call , send flowers, send cards, send prayers....please.

Steve

For those of you who have asked for it, Caryn's address is:

Patient Caryn Rosenberg Room 4227
c/o Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
One Hamilton Health Place
Hamilton, NJ 08690

Thank you thank you thank you

OK Folks,

This is it...the oncologist came by about an hour agototellus that they found somecancer cellsin Caryn's cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). With nomore to be done hereat RWJUH,I'll likely br bringing her home tomorrow (SAT) and westillplan to go to AC Sun-Tues. Afterthat,we needyou....visit,call,send cards,etc tothe house...if ever Caryn has touched you, touched your life, made a difference, you need to make a difference for her now.

As for next step, we will be consulting with CTCA and will likely be having a shunt installed in her skull(like a port) so the chemo can be put directly into the spine. I can honestly tell you all that we are very scared and we don't know how much time we have.....please please please visit, call,whatever before it's too late.

Steve

Disclaimer: This central nervous system stuff is screwing with my typing and spelling. I'm doing the best I can, but please excuse my quasi-English.

Well, we had the best intentions. I didn't want to let cancer get the better of me in terms of living my life, but after 3 hours of trying to take a shower and dressing, I experienced an extreme fatigue and weakness that I've never had before. I couldn't even manage to raise my voice loud enough so Steve could hear me. And I had a stomach ache, something that I'm not known to have.

The thought for me was that if my central nervous were shutting down, that it would also be affecting my internal organs.

And so, we called CTCA and we're heading there for triage tomorrow. They said pack a bag because they might admit me.

This seems to all be happening so quickly, but right now, I don't have details and so I'm trying to just 'be' with what is happening and trying not to let the fear overwhelm me.

I don't know how often I'll be posting, but I wanted to update you.

Love,
Caryn

OK, I'm at CTCA. Was admitted today in waiting to get to Temple in Philadelphia to have an Omaya Reservoir installed in my head. That will enable us to directly infuse chemo into my cerebro-spinal fluid and eliminate the few cancer cells that they have found there.

OK, so how did we get here? Those who are familiar with cancer know that when someone is given systemic chemo, it usually doesn't cross something called the brain/blood barrier. That means that as they were giving me what they were last year, it was getting at the cancer 'from the neck down', and quite well, thank G-d. However, there were probably ALWAYS seeds of cancer that ended up in my central nervous system. They weren't reached by the systemic chemo and they lay in wait, unseen. According to Dr. Willis, only a very few cancer cells pressing or bothering on nerves can cause a rather pronounced reaction, and this is what he thinks is happening in the case of my facial paralysis.

Anyway, right now, the plan is to use methotrexate into the CSF (cerebro-spinal fluid); however, there are other things that Dr. Willis has up his sleeve, including bringing in radiology for possible tomotherapy and using an oral chemo (don't have the name off the top of my head, but it begins with a T, I think. It's supposed to make chemo more effective on breast cancer cells.

How it will work: (disclaimer -- if you are queasy, skip this part, but in the interest of full journalistic expression, here goes). Each chemo treatment will begin with them creating a sterile field on the top of my head. They will withdraw a small amount of CSF and replace the same amount with chemo. On a regular basis, they will test the CSF for cancer cells and adjust as necessary in terms of frequency and amount. I don't know how long this will go on, but the shorter period of suffering, the better. I'm told from start to finish, the entire chemo treatment would be about an hour or so??? I don't know what happens to me after that. Do I stay at CTCA? Do I stay at a local hotel? Do I go home?

They just came into the room and told me that I may be going over to Temple University Hospital this afternoon for surgery first thing tomorrow and then watching my healing there for a day or so. Then, possibly starting chemo at Temple.

From what I understand, this will probably be the hardest chemo I've ever had. I've been so lucky up til now -- very little nausea, living more or less vertical for most of the treatments, etc. They think that this one might knock me down for the count somewhat more. And I'll have a shunt in the top of my head.

I think what Steve and I will need is a lot more logistical help than we have in the past. I don't know what it will look like, but I know that there will be times when he'll have to be at work and caring for our home, doggie, his dear, dear self, his folks, his daughter, my mom, etc., etc. and I'm gonna need someone by my side to help advocate for me. I know that many of my family members are far away and very busy, but I am asking you to please try to see yourselves clear to maybe schedule time to come to NJ or PA (it's not that far) and help out.

To those who live in the Philly/South/Central NJ area, I'd love for you to visit. I don't know how I'll be, but having you around just helps me. I might not be a great conversationalist, but feeling your presence and energy will help me heal. And, it's a great thing to do for the soul... LOL.

I feel all your love and your prayers and surely if that is all it takes, this cancer thing will be beat. For now, however, there is lots of medical work to be done; lots of red tape and ridiculous BS to be surmounted to get a cure for cancer. And not enough is being done. We MUST do what we can to grease the treads. And maybe that starts with voting tomorrow in the US. I'll tell you that my choice is Barack Obama because I don't think that the republican plan will allow for the incredible increase in research that is necessary to move this forward.

Maybe I can be the first BRCA1+/triple negative stage 4 CURE.

Love,
Caryn

Well, I've had my chest exray, my acupuncture treatment, Reiki, and am now waiting for them to come get me and bring me to Temple University Hospital.

I feel like I've done all I can to prepare my body, mind, and spirit for this next step and so now I leave it in G-d's hands. I can feel all of your prayers and support.

I love you all.

Caryn

How cute is it that a Jewish woman goes to Temple (Univ Hosp) for surgery?

Please send all the prayers and love and blessings and good thoughts that you can muster in Caryn's direction (face towards Philadelphia).

You are all such a treasure to us both

Well, as the PREGO sauce commercial says, it's in there. When Steven (brother -in -law) and I left the hospital, Caryn was resting comfortably (well as comfortable as possible), taking small sips of apple juice. I believe they're going to be giving her some morphine to take the edge off and then tomorrow she'll be returned to CTCA where, hopefully, we can start the chemo by Friday.

It's been a truly hectic day or so, with changes in surgical times, the move and surgery, the excitement over the election, and as an extra bonus.....I popped a crown and post right out of my mouth (where else would it have been?) last night. I will have it replaced, hopefully with real good cement, in the morning, before driving down to Philly.

Our thanks to all of you for your prayers, thoughts, e-mails, phone calls, flowers, with a special mention to my folks for driving up from Maryland to support me today and my brother-in-law for coming down to spend the afternoon in the surgery waiting room.

Steve

This morning Dr. Willis came into my room and told me that we would start treatment today. He really feels like the task at hand is to physically put chemotherapy (methotrexate) onto the cancer cells in the lining of my central nervous system. He wants to be aggressive about this and so we'll be doing the treatments once a week for at least 4 sessions.

He had his nurse practitioner Deb come to my bedside, gown up, and sterilize the area at the top of my head. Then, she withdrew about 5cc of CSF and put it into vials for it to be analyzed by the lab and cytology to measure amount of cancer cells and just give us a general starting point. Then, she replaced the 5 ccs with 5ccs of methotrexate, which I call 'liquid sunshine' because of its bright yellow color. As she added it to the resevoir at my head, I imagined fresh, cleansing sunshine pouring down through the top of my head, swishing through all the nooks and crannies, washing out all the little corners and linings, causing any cancer cells to stop growing and stop multiplying and washing them away, while allowing healthy nerve cells to grow and function. Sort of like 'weed and feed.'

While Deb was doing this, Carol, my Reiki nurse, stood by my side and applied gentle Reiki, while the CareChannel played soothing music. Then, both before and after, we were visited by various chaplins/pastors. Sister William shared water from Lourdes with me and prayed for my complete restoration of health.

And then, I sat and let it start to work. Had a bit of a headache for about 10 minutes afterwards. Got really tired for most of the afternoon, but was relieved to be starting the process of healing.

Next, Dr. Willis wants me to look into tomotherapy radiation as well as using an oral chemo called something like Tiperal? It's shown promise for improving the effectiveness of breast cancer treatments like radiation and other chemos. And so, I'm up for it.

We also discussed that in my case, we are going to be really proactive, acting on any indication of recurrence because my body shows it up relatively early and so we can use chemo to 'keep me chronic.' WOW! Can you imagine trying to treat Stage 4 triple negative breast cancer as CHRONIC??!! Will it be hard? Sure. Because all we have at this point for triple negative is chemo, but if you treat early and often, maybe that is workable until their next step.

Nice to see that Dr. Willis is thinking out of the box. The other day, he even mentioned toying with some Avastin in my head.

Sue F -- I wonder if there is any interest in shoving some PARP inhibitor up there. Do any of your contacts have data on that? Would you also please remind our Advocacy panel gentleman (I think from Sloan) that we are working chronically here and any help he wants to provide to keep me on schedule to attend my nephew's bar mitzvah in 11 years.

And, so tonight, there are still neurological deficits that we don't know whether they will or won't go away. And so, I sort of have a 'new normal' for life -- a new face; less ability to hear; eyesight slightly askew; difficulty speaking; slight paralysis from the waist down. There are physical, speech, and occupational therapy options for me and a strong, strong spirit to keep me going. And that spirit is buoyed my your support, love, and prayers.

But, it's all LIFE and that is good.

Much, much love,
Caryn

After a relatively peaceful night, I woke this morning to my, what appears to be, regular AM headache. Waiting for the nurse to bring the percocet. It will help. My plans today are simple. I just want to get out of bed, clean myself, and perhaps dress in street clothes.

I notice that my mind is working slower. Logical actions take longer to form and be acted upon. Normal reactions to situations take a while to make themselves apparent to me. I don't remember to eat, take my meds, etc. I pray that this will subside as the cancer subsides.

I do remember that with previous chemo, there was a jump in tumor marker measurement that seemed somewhat scary until we were reminded that it was my body's way of sloughing off the dead cancer. Let's hope the muddled-ness is just an indication of that.

Certainly, the spirit is still in there.

Love,
Caryn

I just finished speaking with my discharge nurse and as soon as Steve can get here this afternoon, I'm sprung. I'm definitely NOT 100% or anywhere near it. I'll be glad when I get to 50%. I'm very nervous about being able to remain vertical when standing at home and negotiate my stairs. That's why I'm so appreciative to those who will be coming to sit with me. And, in a day or so, I'll also have a home care nurse come to evaluate me for the care I need in terms of bathing, self care, etc. UGH!

It's an adjustment, that is for sure, but I'm up to rolling with the punches and doing what needs to be done.

We're also setting up physical, occupational, and speech therapy in hopes that I can steady my head and balance, and maybe get some return motion to my face.

Next steps: chemo on Wednesday; setting up home for our future beyond that.

More to come.....

Love,
Caryn

Going to be short. Can barely see to type. This is kicking the sh*t out of me; so weak. Helps when I eat, but we sort of forgot to get me food in time today.

But, keeping in mind that if this is what I feel like, imagine what the cancer is feeling.

We're going to have to figure out a better way to manage the logistics of this as running to Philly and back on THE treatment day isn't really working.

Please send healing prayers and ask G-d to remind me (and Steve) to eat.

Love,
Caryn

Well, it's day two and with food (thank you LDK and MA), company (thank you M and D), I'm hanging in there.

Steve helped me downstairs this morning and made me a nice 3 egg omlette and toast (bagels are my favorite comfort bread). Then, after he went to work, M came by to just sit with me while I slept. When I woke up, he and D were exchanging greetings and D continued to sit with me. She is going shopping today to get basic staples so I have whatever I need, whenever I'm hungry, so we don't run into situations like yesterday.

I'm weak, tired, but at least 50% better than I was yesterday.

I'm now waiting for the home healthcare evaluator to arrive so we can get me approved for a home health aide to help with my bathing and care as well as approval for PT, OT, and ST.

I think I'll take a nap til he/she gets here.

Love,
Caryn

I was soooooo taken care of yesterday. The outpouring of pure lovingkindness and nurturing are surely inspiring. From 8am until 5pm, whenever I opened my eyes, there was a wonderful angel watching over me, making sure I had whatever I might need. And then came dear Tara with her chicken soup and unbelieveable cheesecake, not to mention, wonderful care and conversation. June and Ken stopped by and so our fridge is FULL. As a matter of fact, I'm in the process of trying to buy a second fridge online this weekend.

Physically, I feel a bit stronger. There are still deficits that I'm noticing. I do have weakness in my legs and so going up and downstairs is a once a day thing and I can't take a step at a time. I have to put both feet on each step. (OK, I try to do the last few steps the old way -- my mantra is "as long as I can, I will"). My eyes are having trouble focusing and so I can see the TV and the computer screen, but every once in a while, I can't read print. Oh that is frustrating!

Today, Julia from CTCA has come by and is staying with me until Steve comes home from work. Then I'll clean myself up and we're heading over to see my Mom. I'm so eager to see her and hope that I don't scare her. Last night when I called she was so excited to hear from me, but also sooooo worried. It is obvious to me that she knows something is wrong. I'll just take it as it comes. I Fwon't mentioned the cancer returning, just that we tweeked my suppressant therapy and that it's kicking my but. Hopefully, with some makeup (try to apply THAT with poorly focusing eyes -- thanks to my Mom's lessons years ago, I think I can do it by feel and lots of blending), I'll be able to even up my face so that it won't be too obvious.

For now, I'm going to rest.

Love,
Caryn

We were able to get me to Mom's by late afternoon (took a while to shower, put on make up, 'energize'). I walked in as Mom was sitting at the table eating her dinner. Immediately, she was so happy to see me, but looked at me VERY critically. She was definitely seeing something different. And so, I just said, "Mom, do I look different?" And she nodded. So, at that point, I needed to deal with my facial issue.

I told Mom that we think that due to some side effects from my suppressant therapy, we irritated the facial nerve. I told her how it happened, when I was brushing my teeth. How they tested me for stroke, etc, and that I DID NOT have a stroke. She got it and seemed relieved with the explanation.

I told her that the headaches that I had been having were gone (OK, they are still there, but not bad, and are going away). I also told her that the suppressant therapy that we're still doing now sort of knock the heck out of me now.

She sat, holding my hands, with her eyes closed, and even though I couldn't understand the sounds she was making, I knew that she was praying to G-d to protect and care for me. I reassured her the best I could do, rubbed her back, and let her 'glet' me.

Here's what I know. Though I didn't say it, my mother knows that the cancer is back. I won't mention it to her and I'll get past this 'flare up', but Mom and I are too connected for her not to know. How it will affect her is up to G-d. I pray that we are both OK. I think we will be. I know that it's out of my control.

I'm sort of lounging this morning. Looking forward to seeing Beth and Larry this morning and brother Steve and Riesha later on.

And as always, Steve is by my side. Steven -- I know how hard this is on you and know that this is definitely NOT something in our plan. You are my prince and have really shown up to be there for me, us, and our family. I love you beyond words, honey.

Love,
Caryn

Well, today is Monday and I've had a nice opportunity to just hang out at home and sort of take stock of my current status. I don't know if my symptoms are from the CNS mets, the chemo that I'm getting for that, the post surgical side effects, but there are certainly deficits.

Firstly, I get tired VERY quickly. A walk to the bathroom or into the kitchen will cause me to need a nap for about a half hour.

I also am not seeing very well. My eyes can focus on the TV and with my glasses, I can sometimes see the computer, but I can't read any print in magazines or books. I certainly can't see puzzles or things like that.

My legs are weak, but I do have ok balance. I can climb the stairs slowly and it really winds me.

My face is still paralyzed. I can feel the left side of my face, and I can move my tongue, but I can't move the cheek, lips, and forehead.

My mind is much, much slower and I always feel 'spacey'. If I had to judge, it's like I've lost about 30 to 40 IQ points (I was 138 to start).

Steve makes jokes and I don't get them and have to ask him if he's serious.

I have a dull ache in my lower back and lack certain feeling in my bum and other areas, so that the need for certain bodily functions isn't always apparent.

I can still type, just can't focus on what I'm typing. (Thank Heavens for all those years of working in offices and having to learn to type -- ah the days when a woman couldn't get the Account Exec job without going through the secretarial pool first).

OK, I'm rambling.

Just wanted to report in.

Thanks so much to AG for coming to visit today. I think I'm strong enough now where I'm OK in the house alone as long as the home health aide comes. That should be starting very soon.

Love,
Caryn

I'm exhausted as I write this, but pretty happy too. I just finished my first physical therapy session. We walked around the block with Rosie!! Took it very slowly; my therapist held Rosie's leash; but I did a walk around our block!!

Woo Hoo!!

Caryn

We're heading out to Philly today, first to Temple University Hospital to meet with the neurosurgeon to check out the hole in my head. He'll remove the staples (YAY, I can shampoo there!!) and, I suppose, release me. Then we head to CTCA for labs, chemo, FOOD (won't drop that out again), Reiki, and Acupuncture. After that, Steve will take me to the Radisson where I'll crash for the night. It will be good to have a soft place to land. My inlaws will meet us at the hotel and will stay over night as Steve comes home. Then, tomorrow, the three of us will drive home to Robbinsville. And then, I would imagine that I'll just chill Thursday.

Friday, OT comes and we'll work my balance, and maybe even retraining me in the kitchen. I really miss my cooking. It's such a nice creative outlet for me and I love tending and nurturing to Steve and Rosie and me.

Cheers,
Caryn

PS -- also wanted to report that I'm feeling a little less 'spacey' as of yesterday. Still looking at the world through the Phantom of the Opera Mask, but my thought processes seem to be less cloudy. Thank G-d!!

Ok, here I lie... on my Sleep Number bed at the Radisson, stiller than still. Man does this treatment take a lot out of me. I'm as meek as a tiny kitten, but that is the only bad news.

We got a clean bill of health from the neurosurgeon and guess what? There were no staples in my head; I could have been shampooing for a week. GRRRRRRRR. Oh well. The bottom line is that there is no need to see the neurosurgeon anymore.

We then headed to CTCA where after lunch (yes, I ate), I had my labs taken and vitals done. Then Deb, the nurse practitioner who does my infusion came to me to say that the first of the cytology reports were in and that comparing the first and the second samples show that the chemo IS WORKING!!! It's gone from 'cancer present' to 'rare cancer present'. In other words, we're making progress in getting rid of the cancer in my cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). There was less protein that showed up and things appear to be clearing. THANK G-D!!!!! Praise Him!!

Next onto Reiki, where Carol helped me prepare to open for cleansing, healing of the Methotrexate.

Then we had a little snafu. Somehow, Deb wasn't able to access the Ommaya Reservoir. However she tried, she couldn't get clear CSF to come out. So, we 'closed me up' and sent me for my acupuncture until she could contact the neurosurgeon at Temple for advice and assistance. In the meantime, Jeananne, infusion nurse extrordinaire became available and she joined Deb in our next attempt. Very interesting that several months ago, Jeananne was telling me how she was studying for a certification that brought her up to a higher level of being able to not only access ports, but do other infusion jobs. How perfect that her studying was making her ready to actually be able to do my Ommaya access. And she is GOOD. She went in at a different angle and as easily as anything, out came 6 cc of clear CSF. Then in went 3cc of methotrexate and 3cc of saline. And now, is the headache and the incredible weakness. I could barely walk into the hotel and sort of floated to my room and plopped on the bed.

Steve and my inlaws helped me get settled and then Steve left for home and my inlaws are just down the hall if I need them. I ordered room service and was very hungry. The room service guy came into the room and even opened my ketchup bottle and practically cut the food for me. I felt very taken care of.

And so, tonite, I rest and recover. Tomorrow, I'll go home and rest some more as a prepare for a week off from treatment. They are giving me off for Thanksgiving. Cousin Ellen, that means that Steve and I are planning on coming to you. I'll be slow, but I plan to be there!! YAY!!

Today was the first chemo for my FORCE sister and I was thinking of her while I was going through my treatment today, sending her healing waves of fresh cleansing chemo, swishing away any cancer and replacing it with healing normal cells. I hope that all went well today.

I'm pooped and will turn in for the night in a bit. I could feel all of your support and energy today. It really helped me stay open to healing and G-d's love. Thank you so much.

Love,
Caryn

Boy am I glad that I stayed at the hotel last night. It was very good to be cared for and also good just to crash. I got a good night's sleep, a good hearty breakfast (yummy pancakes), and then my wonderful inlaws drove me home where I plopped down on the sofa to rest and 'cook.'

I'm still very weak and tired, but hopeful that with the one week reprieve from treatment, I'll have more energy.

Tomorrow, my MIL and FIL will leave around mid-day and the occupational therapist is due around 1pm. I know that OT sometimes uses the kitchen for therapy. It would be great if we could practice on some cooking. I just have this yen to slice up some onions and garlic(without slicing my fingers) and making up a nice dinner. Too soon? Who knows? We'll find out tomorrow.

Love,
Caryn

I had my first meeting with the Occupational Therapist today. She didn't say anything that surprised me. My main issue is endurance along with a vision issue that prevents me from interacting with the world without feeling like I'm behind a prism of some sort.

We went through the kitchen and she gave me some tips to stay safe while manuevering around the room. First rule -- everything off of the countertops so I can hold on and get from one part of the room to the other. That will be a relief as the clutter in that room has been driving me crazy since I got home from the hospital, but I just didn't have the strength to do anything about it.

Next Wednesday, she's coming back and will help me make a veggie dish that we can bring to Ellen's house on Thanksgiving. Cool!

She also is recommending a doctor who is able to help with sort of prism type glasses to help me see straight. She said that my left eye is a little off. If I'd been an older woman who'd had a stroke, she wouldn't even think of making the correction, but with someone my age who is committed to an active life, she definitely believes this type of help is necessary.

She'll be back a few more times and we'll work from there.

She also definitely believes that I will benefit from the E-stim, which will help my face. It's an outpatient therapy and she believes that the local Robert Wood Johnson physical therapy facility at Quakerbridge will provide transportation there for me. This is a good thing as Martha would say.

Been noticing some grief bubbling up on occasion. That's a good thing too because it may be that my seige mentality may be pulling back and I can relax into healing and getting the emotion out. Frankly, I can use a good cry -- though it is really, really painful for my face.

I got a call from one of the women who came to sit with me last week. She wanted to check on me and see if I wanted her to come by again next week. Thankfully, I think I'm good on my own, but it was really nice to hear from her. I told her that we will get together more socially soon, now that I can be more vertical. We have a lot in common as our parents were Holocaust survivors and we both have that kind of strength that comes from that in our backgrounds.

Tomorrow, Steve actually took off from work and so we're spending the whole day together. I'm soooooo psyched! There is a lot to do around the house, but it will really be nice to share the day with my hubby. Just as long as he doesn't call me delirious....LOL.

Love,
Caryn

After some nasty insomnia last night, I finally fell asleep in our living room around 3am. Probably has something to do with the steroid they have me taking for the inflammation. Woke feeling ok and was happy to shower and shampoo.

Then my cousin Len and his wife Susan came to visit from NYC. What a lovely visit we had. Just chatted about travel and life in general. Very little about the cancer, which is such a nice relief. It is very nice to have family around.

Got a call from Agnes that she and Mom have been invited over to a neighbor's home for Thanksgiving. This is a woman whom we invited to Mom's house for Rosh Hashanah and she is now returning the favor. I'm so grateful that Mom has a place to go for the holiday. This woman has a piano and her caregiver plays and sings. Mom and Agnes will have a wonderful time.

Steve headed over to the Hamilton Marketplace and did some shopping, including at Linens and Things, which is going OOB. We replaced our toaster oven with a convection oven and stocked up on other necessities. He's pooped now, poor guy. Just settling in to watch some football. I'm going to try to help out tonight with dinner.

Love,
Caryn