The days fly by and I can't really keep them straight. Joshua is still dealing with some nausea and we've had to keep him on both of the anti-nausea meds. For the most part, his pain has been under control, although we haven't started on those pain patches yet. Still hoping to do away with the nausea before we try those again. He spends most of his time in bed, although he will take the occassional walk up and down the hallway outside the apartment. We just got a light weight wheelchair from hospice, so I would love to get him out for a short walk in the park. At the very least, it will make his visit to the doctor later this week doable. We have a volunteer massage therapist come once a week for a short massage and and home health aide comes twice a week to help him shower. Our nurse is here at least once a week and we talk 3-4 times during the week also. In short, hospice remains to be a godsend.

I've been overwhelmed and so very touched by all of the support we have had through this. Our neighbors in our building have been so, so kind and helpful. They've brought food, offer to get groceries, and come to sit with Joshua so I can get out. One neighbor read about my desire for a dogwalker and has offered to take Jackson three mornings a week on an outing to the beach. We've had friends calling regularly to check in, emailing, and visiting; always understanding if Joshua isn't up for talking. My sister came this past weekend so that I could enjoy some time with an old friend who was here on a long-planned trip.

Of course, what I miss right now is my mom, who had hoped to come for a visit around this time. She is on a protected ward for the month at MD Anderson in Houston, as she recovers from her first round of chemo. She is amazing the nurses and doctors who all thought she would spend much of the month completely wiped out from the intense drugs. Like Joshua, her passionate zest for life won't keep her down, and she says her days fly by as she emails her wide circle of friends and family, enjoys her vast library of music on her ipod, and I'm told, even offers advice to her nurses. I am especially grateful for her continued energy so that we can still enjoy our daily conversations.

Thank you everyone for all of your love and support.