Friday, October 16, 2009 6:16 PM, EDT

Laraine is in the Cardiac Care Unit at Johns Hopkins. She has been diagnosed with large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive type of lymphoma. She is waiting to start chemotherapy tomorrow or the next day. She has a tumor in her small intestine and one worry is that her intestine will perforate as the chemo is started. This would be a very bad thing and she will be watched carefully over the next few days as the chemo starts working. Her heart is also not the greatest but her cardiologists think she will be able to handle the stress of chemo. They are keeping her in the cardiac unit instead of the cancer center because of the complications of her heart. One thing that has been very hard for all of us is that because of her cancer, Laraine is no longer eligible for a new heart.

Laraine is facing tremendous challenges but so far has shown a strong and positive attitude. She and I looked at cool wigs and hats for her because her hair will fall out when the chemo takes effect. She's very interested in a black wig with silver streaks...very fun and very Laraine. I'm pushing a nice reddish brown but we'll see. Laraine says she has to make it through this because she has too many tv shows that she needs to see how they end this season.

Thank you all for your prayers and good thoughts. Laraine needs all she can get.
Lisa