Weekly update.

• Another week has flown by and it's been quite uneventful in a good way.

• Blood counts continue to do what they should, plunging last week with a turnaround point on Saturday, starting the upward climb.

• At the low point (Saturday) I did receive some platelets and a blood transfusion which is customary.

• I "kept calm and carried on" when the other shoe dropped last Friday. My hair literally "showered off". It was very strange and surreal. Although I had been waiting for the day, I hadn't visualized just how it would occur. Loren took the scissors to it and turned what looked like a wolf with mange, into a neat very, very close crew cut. I won't be posting any pictures of that, though I did send one to Vivian and Jonah so they wouldn't be suprised or scared (it is scary) when I return to Portland. Vivian wouldn't talk about it with me, though she told Gilda that I look like Grampy, and old, too! You know what they say, "if you want the truth, ask a kid". Needless to say, I'm making good use of some new hats.

• Tuesday is my next clinic appointment and I should hear then if I'm cleared to go home this week. I'm guessing that I'll have a second appointment on Thursday, and then maybe just one a week after that. We'll see. It would be nice to get back to Maine, Tom, Ivan and family, though my stay here with Loren and Joe has been fun.

• Still taking daily walks and loving the weather. It's held in the high 60's all along. Today is expected to hit 70 again.

Columbus day is a big holiday here in Massachusetts; parades, school out, lots of businesses closed. If you're lucky enough to be off - enjoy the end of the long weekend! Continued thanks for keeping in touch. jvm