Rip Van Winkle

We are between guests right now.  Jim and Charley left this morning and Tom and Kathy (Ernie's brother and sister-in-law) and Mom are arriving this evening. 

Our wonderful friends--Jim and Charley--brought us many things to cheer us up--zucchini and cucumbers from our garden in Fancy Gap and cooking utensils that evidently are not considered essential by the apartment management.

They nicked named Ernie "Rip Van Winkle" as he slept a good part of their visit.  Both Friday and Saturday, he napped between breakfast and lunch, and after lunch until about 4 PM.  Then he was up for the duration of the day.  He probably felt a bit like Rip Van Winkle because when he woke up from his first nap, Charley and I had rearranged all the furniture.  The place looks much better now. 

Ernie perked up a bit on Sunday so we took Jim and Charley out on the Water Taxi.  The heat was oppressive--the high was 107 on Friday and the other days not much better--so we were all fine to hang out in the apartment until dinner when we would venture out someplace interesting so that Ernie would feel like eating.   




Jim and Charley on the Water Taxi

 This morning Ernie woke up with a rash on his face.  We were warned that this was a possible side effect of the clinical trial drug.  According to the Oncologist, this is "good news" as it means the drug is working.  This cancer is a funny thing as it makes you wish for things you never thought you'd want like HPV and rashes. 

Tomorrow is chemo #2--seems like a long time since chemo #1.  It will be a couple hours shorter as he only gets two of the drugs this time.  We are anxious to see if fewer drugs means fewer side effects.