Update On Regina And Ellen

Regina started high dose chemotherapy on Monday July 9 in an attempt to slow or stop the growth of the dozens of aggressive, fast-growing tumors in her little head.

The weekend before she was admitted to the hospital for chemo, she went to Disneyland and some friends threw her a princess party, complete with princess dresses, jewelry, makeup, and princesses Cinderella and Aurora.

It was almost a perfect party for all those 7-year old girls, except for one uninvited guest.

Regina finished her first cycle of chemotherapy, and had an MRI August 2nd. There seems to be agreement among the doctors there that the scan shows improvement and some shrinkage in Regina's many tumors and Regina tolerated the chemotherapy relatively well, so she is starting another cycle this week.

Our friend Ellen, whom we met in Winnipeg when we went to see the polar bears in Churchill in 2005, is not doing well.

A few months ago I got a few people together and we folded over 1000 origami cranes for Ellen, it was a show of love and support for Ellen, who is loved by so many. There are photos and more information about the cranes here.

Ellen was just moved to a hospice care facility yesterday, she is sleeping most of the time, her husband Curtis at her side.

We are very much saddened by Ellen's decline.

We returned from vacation Sunday night. I'll post photos from our trip soon.

- Kathleen