No news is good news!!! I've been reminded that I promised to update the blog occassionally. You're all so sweet to follow the blog and Gary's progress. It's so cute to see how many people email comments.....either from shyness at posting on a public blog or from technical challenges. Regardless, your comments and prayers are healing to say the least.Gary's doing just fine. We have our day to day challenges, but none are noteworthy, just part of life's process. He's such a good sport and is the best pal I could ever have. His buddies have been so kind in sharing time with him to:

• putt, pitch, and finish with fish 'n chips at the Club
• hot dogs and fries and justify the indulgence with a walk by the river
• dining out when the gals have a very important Bunco Game
• sharing a meal & wisdom at Food For Thought with "THE GUYS"
• touching basis by telephone from all parts of the world
• inclusive invitations to share time together

After our trip to Alaska, Gary will have his follow up MRI. Your prayers for a reduction in the size of the tumor are greatly appreciated. He'll resume oral chemo for 5 days and then rest for 23 days. This schedule will continue until we return to La Quinta in November. Again, thank you for your kindness and love.

Cataract, Chemo and Countdown!!!!

Ahh, the blessings of modern medicine.

Quality of life is what prompted Gary's cataract surgery today. When he had his last eye done in October, it left scar tissue which was zapped off by a laser last month and he could read again. The doctor offered to do his left eye and we jumped at it. So, this morning, an uneventful 20 minute procedure was performed and his recovery will be a few days of lounging around. Gary remembers his father's cataract surgery years ago where he had to have sand bags on his shoulders to keep his head from moving.

Chemo #Round 2 of 6 starts tomorrow night for 5 nights. A dear friend, Mz L. C., wrote Gary a very touching card that he received yesterday where she said the way she got through her chemo was to think that "chemo is her friend". Tough sometimes, but it's killing off the bad guys in the tumor. Last round of chemo proved to be pretty benign, other than fatigue. We're following Senator Kennedy's progress closely, for sure. Because his tumor was accessible, they could get tissue that will be used to create a vaccine. This procedure is on the back burner for Gary until things change. The location of Gay's tumor is very difficult to get to and they prefer not to go in for surgery. (It's at the thalamus, near the brain stem.)

Countdown to Alaska. One month to go. The whole family is pretty darned excited.

Thanks for your prayers. They surely do help.

God Bless You All,

Virginia and Gary