Randy’s bladder has us in the penalty box. We were suppose to be on a road trip this month but are back in Boise for Randy’s cancer treatments. Even though we enjoyed living in Boise for many years, we don’t really want to be here so it feels like we are in the penalty box.

Randy marked the half way point in his first treatment cycle today. His treatments are interesting. They insert tuberculosis in saline into his bladder with a catheter. He keeps the fluid in for 2 hours and then voids it in the normal way. Side effects are generally flu like symptoms with a very slight chance of getting tuberculosis. There are some minor precautions to take so that I don’t get tuberculosis.

Overall he has done well with no side effects except a slight headache. His cancer was found very early so he doesn’t feel sick. Life is pretty normal except we are in our penalty box.

As we needed to stay home this afternoon for Randy to flush out his system by drinking lots of water, we took advantage of the hot weather to shampoo our carpets. It was nice that everything dried out quickly and we could turn on both air-conditioners!

As always, we are very glad to spend time with our daughter, son-in-law and grandson while in Boise.

We have been able to take Archer to the zoo, Chuck-E-Cheese and the playground. No telling what else we’ll experience with him this summer so that is a benefit.

We are spending time with our friends and that is definitely a benefit.

I’ve been able to connect with several of my teacher friends who are usually challenging to schedule when we are here in the spring and fall so that is a benefit.

We are grateful for our church family and friends everywhere who have been supportive with prayers and good wishes as we go through this process. We feel that benefit.

So we are in the penalty box – but a penalty box with benefits.