After eight months of wonderful and attentive care at City of Hope, Karen had her last appointment there today. She will now continue her treatment, with her doctor, at USC Medical Center, Norris Cancer Center.

Today’s clinic appointment went very well. She had an MRI on her lungs and they are as clear as can be! Her blood counts are good. Karen did have her Pik line removed from her arm! YEAH! She is having an issue with her mouth and taste. The inside of  her mouth is like raw. She explains it as sucking on a cough drop or hard candy for a long time. Everything is beginning to taste nasty again. Her doctor says it is GvH (graft vs host) and it may be chronic, meaning she will have to live with it. Because of this current issue, he did not lower her steroid medication at this time. Her next appointment is 01/05/11 at USC.

We all had a wonderful Christmas celebration together. Karen and family saw all of the Jolliffe side of the family on Christmas Day. Grandmother, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and cousins kids, were there. She hadn’t seen most of them, for over a year. It was a surprise and so beautiful! We saw my side of the family the week before Christmas.  

We wish you all a Safe, Happy and Healthy New Year!

 LOL