Hello Family & Friends,

Friday, September 20th – Tom had labs this morning and continues with chemo. LAB APPT – the nurse changed the dressing that covers his PICC line. This dressing needs to be changed every 7 days to prevent infection. The PICC, catheter (thin, flexible tube) is inserted into a large vein that leads to the heart. This line is inserted in Tom’s upper arm. Tom receives his chemo, blood draws, other medicines or fluids from this line. CHEMO APPT – Tom’s blood work showed that his magnesium level was a little low. Tom received the additional magnesium through PICC line while also receiving chemo.

Saturday, September 3rd – This morning, Tom had to wait over an hour and half for chemo to begin. The infusion center at MD Anderson has their own pharmacy. However, most weekends the pharmacy is closed. Tom’s medicine for chemo then has to be ordered through Banner Gateway Hospital pharmacy. Fortunately, Banner Gateway is close to the cancer center. There is a nurse who drives a golf cart over to the hospital, picks up the medicine (s) and then brings the medicine back to the infusion center. Bless nurses! A 3 hr chemo session for Tom today. Tom was fatigued and ready to be home. Our daughter Emily will be with Tom while he has chemo tomorrow.

On Friday afternoon I was able to go to the St. Peregrine Cancer Shrine. St. Peregrine is the patron saint of persons suffering from cancer, AIDS, and other life-threatening illnesses. This shrine is located in Mesa at Christ the King Catholic Church. It is the only cancer shrine in the Southwestern United States. Located at the shrine, in a semi-private alcove is the Wailing Wall. It’s a quiet place to pray. Visitors are encouraged to write their thoughts and prayers on a paper and place them in the cracks of the wall. Here I placed my prayers for Tom and others we know battling with cancer in the arms of Mary and her son, Jesus.

The 2 healings words that Tom choose from the paper chain that his sister Laura made for him are PRAYER & CALM. THANK YOU for all your prayers! Your prayers calm our fears.

We love you! Praying for each of you!

S⬆️TC