October 12, 2010 - Tuesday Evening

We enjoyed the cool breeze and sitting by the pool this afternoon.  I lost my appetite, for the first time, this afternoon and evening.  We went to dinner but I ended up bringing mine back with us.  Fortunately, I was able to eat later on and even washed my hair.  I am overwhelmed with God's answers to so many prayers.  I have not experienced the symptoms that many have with this treatment.  Love and appreciate you!

Tuesday Evening - "So Close, Yet So Far Away!"

Well, it's me again!  The one who loves Starbucks Coffee - strong and hot.  Can you imagine the sheer torture seeing a Starbucks sign directly in front of our hotel, only to discover it is located on the other side of a "round-a-bout"?!  It is not just any round-a-bout (intersection of Perthshire and Benignus), but one with four lanes of traffic going around it all hours of the day and night.  To make things worse, we are discovering that the "ALTO" signs do not really mean "STOP".  One of the locals described that it really means, "be careful that you do not hit anyone as you proceed through"!

Take a look at two photos that illustrate.  First, the shot of the Starbucks sign in the distance.

Now the photo of the Mexican round-a-bout!

Not to worry, I'll not be coming home having gone through withdrawls from a week without Starbucks.  I came packed and ready with a hopefully ample supply of Starbucks "VIA" Readybrew!

October 12, 2010 - Tuesday Afternoon

We are back at the hotel.  We left the clinic around 2:00 this afternoon.  After two physical therapy sessions, I am a little more fatigued and sleepy today...but not feeling sick.  Antonio, the therapist, enjoys me counting the repetitions in Spanish.  Just want to make sure he is keeping up with how many I have completed, since he speaks limited English.  At 62, Antonio still plays serious soccer.

I also had two IVs and four shots today.

Every person working in the clinic has a true servant's heart.  It has been an amazing experience.  We have enjoyed being with the other MS patient and her husband.  They live outside of Nashville.  Chip and Larry have enjoyed computer conversations and working on the computers during the treatment sessions. 

We are going to sit by the pool and enjoy this incredible day.

Thanks for continuing to lift us up in prayer!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010 - Back at the Clinic

Second day is the same as the first, only without the chemo today!

Debbie received more physical theraphy today.  He was impressed with how her nerves were responding quickly.  Antonio will do physical therapy every day.

The clinic is just about three blocks from the Lucerna Hotel.  We were here in less than five minutes.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Ephesians 3:20-21 (New International Version)

 ²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

You prayed and God blessed!

I was not sick at all last night!  Great night of rest!

More later, but just wanted you to know this first thing today.  Thank you for your faithfulness to pray for us.

Monday Afternoon, 4:00 p.m., Oct. 11, Back at the Hotel Lucerna

(Update from Larry)  -  We were greeted with the following passage, "Your faith has healed you...", Matt. 9:22, imprinted on the glass wall as we entered the clinic this morning.  We saw it again as we were escorted back to the hotel by Christina.  This was a day involving many IVs and shots (from top to bottom, including the stomach).  Sorry folks, Deb would not let me get the camera out for this part.  That big red one in the glut took a while to go in.  Angelina (not Jolie) was very careful and gentle as each shot was administered. 
We are about to go out and sit by the pool before dinner.

Larry FINALLY gets to speak!

It is me, Larry, I finally took MY laptop away from Debbie.  I will try to get you caught up on a few things.

Deb just started working with a physical therapist, Antonio, who is working toward "retraining" the nerves and muscles to do what they were supposed to do all along.  I am ready to take my shoes off and ask for my turn.  He really knows what he is doing.  It is amazing to watch, since he does not speak hardly any English.  Everyone else's English around here is quite good - much better than my Spanish.

We will continue here at the clinic until around 4:00 pm.

There are three patients receiving treatment in the room.  All three of the "caregivers/spouses" are working on laptops.  Grateful for Wi-Fi.

The Hotel is nice and the food there is good.  We had grilled seabass for a very reasonable price last night.

The back door of our hotel room  goes out to a patio that overlooks one of three pools.
Here is one of the photos:

This is the front of Hotel Lucerna.  Notice the large fountain in front.  Debbie liked this.

OK, one more "melon art" from breakfast this morning.

Deb is now receiving an IV drip of vitamins.

Christina, from the clinic, just left to get our lunch orders.