After yesterday, only two more chemotherapy treatments to go! Kathleen's 4th treatment took place yesterday morning and everything went ok. When we returned from the appointment, Kathleen chatted with her mom and her Aunt Linda for a bit and then slept for most of the day and night. The anti-nausea medicine, Emend, is working very well. Although Kathleen has had moments where she felt nauseated, she has held up very well and hasn't been sick. She is very tired, though. Here are some highlights since our last update: Kathleen has been exercising every morning, getting up between 5:30-6:00am going on an hour-long run with friends. She follows that with additional aerobics. She's healthier than her husband and she's going through chemotherapy! Last weekend, Kathleen made a trip to Kansas City, attending a Silpada conference with her sister Jeanie and a few friends. The conference rejuvenated Kathleen!! It's safe to say that she is ready to resume her sales career. She actually has a couple of parties scheduled over the next few weeks. From what I've been told, the new Silpada collection is out of this world.

On the not-so-bright side of things, some of the side effects from chemotherapy have been tough. In addition to losing her hair, Kathleen has three toenails that have been affected by chemo. Yesterday, Dr. Hermann removed one of the toenails and told us that he didn't think it would grow back. He wasn't certain, but there is a chance that some of these nails may not come back. Any fast-growing cell, like hair and nails, are affected by the chemotherapy drugs. Kathleen's hair is almost certainly going to come back, but the nail problem is disappointing. Kathleen loves wearing her open-toed shoes and is hoping that once chemo is complete, her nails, as well as all of her hair will come back.

Back to positive news�..Earlier this week, Kathleen was thrilled to have her high school friends visit her in DBQ. Anne Rouse, Karen Shimek, LuAnn Wiltgen, Marie Riesenberg and Joan Sheridan all made the trip from all over the country to spend some time with Kathleen. It was great timing, since the week of chemotherapy is uneasy for all of us.

More good news�.on August 4th, Kathleen and her friend Julie Lange will take flight to Boca Raton, Florida to join their husbands at the McGraw-Hill National Sales Meeting. Kathleen is looking forward to a couple of days on the beach in sunny Florida!

As always, thanks much for your thoughts, prayers, cards, meals, lawn care, house cleaning, watching the kids and so much more. Without your support, it would be a much rougher road for us. Thank you and God Bless all of you.

Our prayer request as always includes that you ask God for a complete and permanent cure from cancer for Kathleen. We ask that she will have the opportunity to see her kids grow up, get married and have grandchildren. We also ask you to pray that Kathleen does not experience permanent side effects from her treatment. We ask that she stays free from lymphedema and neuropathy. We pray that her hair and nails return as beautiful as they were prior to treatment. Finally, we ask you to pray for our children, that they will stay free from stress and anxiety caused by their mom's illness.