The week has been a hard one. But before I say anymore I want to thank Christopher once again for being Joe's caregiver on Tuesday. Also I want to thanked Carrie Ann & Bobby too for being Joe's caregiver on Wednesday.

We could not have gone through the radiation treatment the past 5-6 weeks without each and every one of you who volunteered your time to be Joe's caregiver. This has helped Joe in so many ways but most of all he was able to spend the time with each of you. It also helped me in allowing me to work and maintain my job. Thank you!

So as far as how the week has gone.................it has been some long & emotional days & nights.

Joe's labs this week showed that his platelets have dropped some more. After discussing with Dr Voloschin yesterday we will get Joe's labs next week and if they are the same or lower, Joe will stop the clinical trial drug. If his platelets increase we will know that the trial drug was probably the cause of the lowering platelets. Then that will allow the platelets to increase and he will take the chemo drug with the maintenance plan of 5 days per month at a higher dosage. If the platelets do not increase then we will discuss another type of chemo therapy drug.

I told you that the MRI was scheduled for June 7th and we have now scheduled the results appointment for June 8th with both doctors.

As you all know last weekend resulted in Joe increasing his steroid dosage. The newest side effect has been behavioral such as irritability. Christopher & I got to experience it this
week:( The fatigue has increased alot due to the radiation. He has lost more weight.

Joe & I were at Emory from 9:30am to 2:30pm yesterday. Part of the reason for the long day was the radiation machine had a motor problem! By the end of the day, it was evident that Joe was the most fatigued I had seen so far.