Dara's Progress

From Dara's Blog:

"Good News!! The lesions on my lungs & liver are shrinking!! After a 40 day chemo cocktail cycle, the CT scan brought good news. Dr. Margolis was pleased with the progress. Since this cocktail is working, we will continue with two weeks on and one week off, repeat. Then another CT scan to check on progress. Which whatever y'all were doing with prayers, energy, thoughts, and such keep up the great work because someone upstairs is listening and I am fortunate to be reaping some of the benefits of a powerful group of people, some of which I do not even know. I only hope someday I can personally thank you."

Pics of A Good Day

Roya at the playground.
and
Cyrus and Roya on the train.

A Good Day

Ana had the thought to go ride the same train that she n Cy rode a few weeks ago with his MacD Montessori classmates in Osceola, WI. on Sunday (http://www.obnet.com/polkcounty/tourism/railway.html)... It was a very good idea. Of course, Cyrus thought this was spendid and could barely contain his curly-q'd enthusiasm. I was also pretty psyched. I hadn't been on a train since the bullet-train in France.

Anywhoo... The ride and Saint Croix valley is very beautiful. Cy hardly sat down for the whole time we were on the train. Up to the front, go to the back, look through the tiny hole in the door to see the tiny bit of the engine, back to the back to see the engine attach to the rear to take us back... THEN I got to sit down with Roya while she finally took a nap. There's just something about the rocking of a train that's very soothing and sedating. I nearly nodded off myself.

Next?.. Why not drive through Stillwater and maybe find something to eat? The kids ate on the train, but Ana n I were hungry... But the kids fall asleep, so we keep driving. We get to Afton and decide to just quietly hit a Subway that we saw and let the children sleep... As soon as I get in the shop - BOOP! - they're both awake. So we go over to this awesome playground across the highway to eat and play. Cyrus is in his element - a playgound. We're there for at leaast 30 minutes... It rocked! - save for Cy getting bit by something RIGHT as we were going over to the car to go to Ammotts apple farm. It wasn't a bee, but it was definitely a sting/bite of some sort... Honestly, I'm waiting for his superhero powers to manifest themselves soon.

Now Cy's tired, AND stung, but excited about getting some apples. Mom n dad are actually going to get some wine for dinner, since mom hasn't had any since Roya came into being. (It was very tasty) We go pick our own apples - more than we'll ever need. Mom goes to feed Roya while Cy n I go into the farm's tennis court that's got dozens of little trikes n tractors to ride. Once again, much fun was had. We bribed Cy to the car with an apple oatmeal cookie and went home.

Dinner. Wine. Bath. Bed.

What a day!