And a cloudy cool good morning to all our friends and family from Houston, Texas. It's been a very busy last couple of days and now that we're settled and have had our first appointment at MD Anderson with an oncologist, it's time for an update.

The flight here was uneventful and we landed at Hobby Airport in rain. We got the car...it was raining harder...plugged in the GPS and off we went...as it rained even harder. Of course it was rush hour which is not a pretty thing in any metro area, but it's even harder in pouring rain when you're from the sunny desert and aren't used to the free water from the sky. 

We found the little house that we're staying at. It was a very very generous act of kindness from a woman we had met the last time we were here. There really are angels out there that are so very willing to offer a helping hand. God bless you. The house is just perfect and so very cute. It's been newly renovated because of that huge flood they had in Houston a few years back and is close to the medical complex and super comfortable. Thank you Brenda G-J from the bottom of our hearts. We also got to meet the home owners wonderful daughter and her pit bull Star. We had a great time last night loving on her dog and talking with Kate. She has been so very helpful and a delight.

So now lets get to the reason we're here...our first appointment with the oncologist in the Head and Neck Clinic. Since that was where Brenda's cancer started (in her sinus), that's where we had to begin our journey. It's truly amazing how efficient they are at MD Anderson...everything is like clockwork and you actually get the feeling that you are important. They truly listen and want to help. Amazing! This was NOT the case in Phoenix but let's not go there or I'll explode and that's not pretty!! 

We met with Dr. Charles Lu. He had read the notes from Brenda's first visit 10 years ago and we got him up to speed on all the latest so he had a complete picture of what we were facing. He said that from the oncologist/chemo perspective they still use the same type of chemo for neuro-endocrine cancer...the cancer type that Brenda has. But Brenda's cancer has been persistent and is slow growing...that's one good thing...the slow growing part not the persistent one. As with the first time, the chemo didn't really handle the tumors in reducing them and he didn't recommend putting Brenda through something that had minimal benefits...if even that. Plus that type of chemo has horrible side effects...some of which Brenda has had to deal with.

We talked about the alternatives and made sure he understood that we didn't want to leave MD Anderson until we had seen all the professionals to get their opinion on how we should kill this beast. He said in the treatment of cancer there are 3 common approaches...chemo, radiation, and surgery. So he is arranging for us to see a neurosurgeon, a neuro-radialogist, and a pain management/support doctor. We told him that we will be here all next week and they are going to try to arrange those appointments within that time frame. 

So one piece of the puzzle has been answered and we await the other answers. Your prayers and good moe-joe's are so appreciated. Please keep them coming. Thanks to all our angels out there that are helping us manage the things back home. It really takes a village and we are so very lucky to have ours.

The weekend is upon us and we are relaxing and will visit some of the fun spots we found that last time we were here. We just need some time to catch our breath and recharge. I've got the beginning of a cold which I'm desperately trying to nip in the bud. Wouldn't you know it!! Too much stress!! Of course tomorrow is the Super Bowl so we'll be in front of the TV for that one. 

God love you all.

Nurse Dee (I'll be so glad when I can hang that title up!)