I think I can...I think I can...

Mom is all done with her Taxol chemo! Yay! Thank you all so much for your prayers, support, visits, and letters :) She began her next segment of A/C chemo on Tuesday. She also met with her oncologist and they discussed an option that would speed along the chemo process. Mom elected to receive her A/C chemo once every two weeks, as opposed to once every three weeks. She was granted this option due to her great health thus far. Receiving the chemo every two weeks means that she will also have to get a shot 24 hours after her chemo to increase her white blood cell count. With this new round of chemo also comes a new round of possible side effects. She has been struggling with nausea, and fatigue, but is getting stronger each day. Even though she has only had one dose of this new chemo, the good news is that she is already a quarter of the way done with it!

Mom and Dad have had lots of activity the past few weeks. Between ending her first chemo and beginning her second, the doctors approved her to fly to Tampa for my brother's graduation and then to Raleigh for mine! In Tampa, Mom was able to visit with her parents and family. We also had a celebratory lunch for Russ with some of his friends before attending his graduation that evening. After the graduation we celebrated with pizza in the hotel room! Two days later we all headed up to NC. Mom and Dad both attended my poster session and enjoyed a lunch at a local deli with some of my friends. That night they threw me a surprise birthday party in their hotel room, complete with mini cupcakes and champagne :) The whirlwind mini vacation was just what the doctor ordered for the parentals!

After they returned to Houston, more visitors were already on the way! Aunt Nan and Aunt Fina flew into town for a few days to goof around, and Uncle Brandon also stopped by for a visit :)  Dad has prepared for the guests by adding yet another animal feeder to the property...this time it's a peanut butter feeder for the red-headed woodpeckers! What will he think of next??!?