Baring the bald ........

Well, I somehow came up with the courage to bare my bald head. I am wearing a little smirk because, I know that my hair will now start growing back, and how I miss it!

It better not come back totally gray!

Love, Nancy

Isolation again, but for the last time!

I almost didn't even post this latest blood count ( WBC is .8, neutrophils 200). I really have to be extra careful. I am extremly vulnerable right now. These counts are way below even my lowest of lows. However, this is the last time that I will have to deal with this. Yeah!!!
I'm back on antibiotics for a week, and off produce, etc.
I can only hope that my blood clot leaves, at the same time my blood counts rebound!
I can't even describe how ready I am to begin my life again!
Thank you to MaryVictoria, and the Clellands for dinner this week.
Sincerely,
Nancy McCracken

The fire

Wendy Klapp sent me this photo of the fires raging behind Lake Mission Viejo. Believe me, it was an incredible few days. We still have this fire buring in the hills, but it looks like they are battling it back. This morning I actually saw some blue sky, to the south of us. Haven't seen that since last weekend. I feel much more optimistic!

Sonny

This is Sonny in action! Notice his left arm, with MOM on the wrist! I asked him if anyone gave him a hard time about it,,he said, "I dare them!". But, his teammates are terrific.

Fires and smoke

We heard last night that the fires were moving in our direction. Colin went down the hill and spoke with the firefighters/sheriff's who were blocking the road to the canyon. We could actually see the fires from our home. Scary!
Colin in his "want to be a firefighter mode" decided it was best to be prepared, just in case. He made lists for each of us to be responsible for, in case of evacuation.
Having only one good arm, I was responsible for my purse, and my laptop.
Colin was in charge of the dogs, bird, firebox of documents, photos, video's, surfboards, snowboard, his laptop, and some clothes.
Mairin was assigned her laptop, and Jackie Chan-- the Siamese Fighting Fish, in a glass bowl, no less.
Colin explained Mairin's short list, with the typical older brother explanation, that she would be so riled up, that she wouldn't be of much use.
Although today was a little anxious, I was still able to take my nap!
School is cancelled for tomorrow.
I am thankful that our home is OK, as is our neighborhood. Thank you for all of the calls and emails, I think everyone now knows where Trabuco Canyon is!
Thanks for checking in on us,
Nancy
PS, for those of you following Sonny's football season, they won against Princeton last weekend. He played great and really enjoyed being back on the field, after 3 weeks off. The bad news is that he now has a sports hernia, and will require surgery after the season. He is still planning to play through the remainder of the season.

Clot update and fires nearby

Hi there. I had a new ultrasound today to track the "clot". It is a little larger, and further up my arm. She asked me if I was using it "normally". I said no, it hurt to move it. She gave me a prescription for a pain reliever/ mild blood thinner. She wants me to try and start using it to stop the clot from getting larger. Will do!
She also said that it may take a couple of months for this clot to go away. It is a slow process. While I was waiting for my ultrasound, I ran into my surgeon, Dr.Rand-Luby. We talked about my clot, and she felt it was def. related to my last chemo. and that I should try and move it more. She gave me some mental relief.
Many of you have asked about where the fires are in relation to our home. We are OK. I can actually look at the mountains, and see blue sky above us. However, Trabuco Canyon, down in the actual canyon, has been evacuated. It is a very hard place to get to, and only one way out. Many horse trailers and vehicles are lined up on our main street coming up to my house. Kind of spooky. A colleague from work, also runs an animal rescue in Modjeska Canyoon, which has been hit pretty hard with fires. He evacuated with all the animals, but I haven't heard about his home yet. I wish I could have helped him and his animals.

Harvard vs. Princeton game

Hi friends,
Sonny's game is on Direct TV, channell 623 Saturday, 9:30 west coast time. He is #49. He won't be starting, but they are working him back into the lineup after being out with injuries the last 3 games. He is eager!
Nothing new to report on me.
Thanks for your newsy emails,,,they really help pass the time.
Love,
Nancy