Hello from Heather

With having many visits to Colorado under my belt, this one was very different. I came without David or Evan to see Sam, and get a feel for myself about what his treatment is like and how he is doing. I worked myself up this week about what I would find when I get here and was pleasantly surprised.

Sam, still looks like Sam..better then I expected given the circumstances. He has lost his hair and he is definitely feeling the fatigue of the treatment and the drugs. It was a strange reality to find the difference between the up-beat blog postings and what I have found. When Sam says's he had a different day and rested, that could actually mean that he did not have the energy or the strength to do anything, not that he was just taking it easy. In that regard the blog although it is the first thing I check when I turn on my computer in the morning and the last thing I check at the end of the day, may be tinged with a lighter version of how he is feeling. My interpretation of the last few posting's were that he was just "taking it easy,"not so much out of need as want and it is in fact the opposite.

I went with Sam to Chemo and was touched by the caring staff and how they banter with him as all of us do. After talking to Jen, I got a better picture of that too. In that, I mean that they are consist ant in their attitude and mood which leaves a lot of room for the patients to be..however they are that day, good, bad, grumpy or quiet. They do not take it personally. I can honestly say that after seeing this I am grateful to them for taking such great care of both Sam and Jen during this time.

I am also touched by both Sam and Jen strength. I am happy to know that Mom and Steve are so close and can help with the girls so much and that Jen also has such great support from her family during this challenging time when we are so far away and can do so little to help.

On a bright note, I am going to go spend the day with Mom, Addison and Briley ~ something I rarely get to do. I am sorry Evan and David are not here to be with them too as Evan gets so excited to see Briley and he has not got to spend much time with Addy, next time!

Thank you all for your constant support of Sam and Jen, it means the world to me too!

With much love,

Heather