[PattiDean]

Hi Beth and Hannah,

Welcome to Florida Beth. I can certainly understand how you feel.

I am sorry that I wasn't able to be there for you when you called. It has just been me trying to take care of Dean and my mother, and I was feeling so overwhelmed. Last month my mother passed away, she was suffering for the last six months of her life. My mother was 88 years young, and was never really sick until the last year of her life.

I didn't realize how much I was doing for my mom and Dean until my mother was no longer here. I had been sick all winter, couldn't get better, my doctor told me I was rundown from trying to do so much. I thought I was doing fine, but now I know that I was close to exhaustion. I am finally getting back my strength and health.

Dean isn't doing real well, but he doesn't complain and makes the most of each day. We are in the cancer center or the hospital almost every day, for Dacogen, labs, Neupogen, or transfusions. I think the cancer center has become our second home.

Dean is always tired or weak, but we try to concentrate on the positive, he isn't in pain, and that is good.

Congratulations on your new home Beth! It was nice to hear from you! If you ever make it to Clearwater, please call.

Lots and lots of hugs, Patti and Dean