Looks can be deceiving because Cindy looked good today and she seems more alert and even energetic but when I asked if she looks forward to returning home, she replied, “Not when I’m feeling like this. Right now, I’m in the right place, a good place.”[...]

[Pictures: Australia coastline compliments of daughter Laura who is presently vacationing there.]

Although still weary, Cindy had more of her customary spark back today.  While the mouth sores persist, a couple treatments are being tried for those: 1) rinsing with bi-carbonate soda and 2) an oral, anti-viral med, Acyclovir.  At Glenn's request, the nurse will also look into using Nystatin, a proven treatment used as a rinse or a teeth/mouth brushing agent.[...]

This was a full day, the kind that Jesus injected himself into in John 10:10.[...]

While Cindy continues to feel more than a bit “tapped out” today, she welcomed premier hairdresser, “Neil Patrick” to give her a new, close-cropped hairdo as Mary and I looked on. The man has a gift. Cindy looked so relaxed as Neil lovingly worked his magic on her weary head.[...]

(I popped the picture in as an afterthought, to keep things in perspective. This is Cindy on a Lake Michigan beach in July, 2005. We stayed at the Rapson's Petosky (?) condo and visited the Rasche's at KBN and snapped some of our favorite all-time pictures during that trip. When we are experiencing a day like this, I sometimes pray, "Lord, bring this moment back to me when I'm in the midst of a dark day in the future so I can hold onto how much you've blessed our lives instead of dwelling on the Yuck that will want to claim me then." ) So this is me holding onto this great memory as I turn now to Cindy's "Yuck" day.
[...]

I've been replaced in Cindy's bed by Brock* Hedgehog, a gift from our daughter, Laura.  Brock* is quite a hit with the medical staff on Cindy's floor, especially Dr. Anderson who has undertaken actual hedgehog research since meeting Brock.*[...]

A pleasantly uneventful day for Cindy as she finished the last of her induction chemo just after midnight today. Colleague, Emily from Hillside Elementary visited this morning followed by the "dynamic duo" and twins, Rita and Rhea from our Grace Chapel family who accompanied Cindy for a couple laps around the floor.  At the end of the day, sister Judy and I visited, including another 2-lap walk.[...]

When induction concludes at 2 a.m. tonight (Technically 2/6/19), what's ahead varies from person to person but, more than likely, the medical team will have some kind of counterattack ready. So far, genetic abnormalities indicating higher risk such as CEBPA, FLT3 and NPM1 are all negative. Furthermore, that Cindy has tolerated treatment very well. So far, so good.[...]

Cindy is pretty fatigued as she receives her final, 25 hour round of induction chemo tonight. Dr. Anderson stopped in during rounds to say she was doing well going into the most difficult phase thus far. When this initial induction completes tomorrow (2/5), her counts will dive, transfusions will increase and infections will arise that require stronger antibiotics. Fatigue will continue, taste buds will be dulled and she'll be making use of the beautiful head coverings daughter Laura purchased for her.[...]

Not so good morning followed by feeling a bit unwell all day - weak, weary, napping on and off.  No appetite for either breakfast or lunch but she ordered a boost berry breeze slush in late afternoon to get some protein. Wants to get up and take a walk around the floor but the spirit is barely willing and the body is zapped (a medical term). Received her first platelets today.  Seeking stamina, resolve and increased well-being.[...]