HILLS!!!

I have a new respect for hills! I ran 15 miles of hill training this past Saturday. It was a 2.5 mile loop that we ran 6 times around Signal Hill. I would say this run was more challenging than the 18 miles of flat land I did the week prior. Anyhow, it was a great run and I felt good (considering the vertical climbs!) for the majority of my run. I even convinced my running partners to complete the final lap. We usually run straight out in one direction and then turn around at the half way point. There is never an option to quit. Running laps... it's much easier to give into the temptation.... but I convinced them not to cut themselves short. We came to run 15 miles and I was not going to leave with running anything less. Let's just hope I'm feeling as spirited on my 20 mile run this Saturday!

Here is the latest update from Alyssa's grandmother. She can have visitors now... so my running buddy and I are going to visit her within the next week. Again, please keep her and her family in your thought and prayers....

Alyssa's eating is great,
thanks to a great start with prednisone for 5 days,
8-29 Alyssa started back with her maintance chemo meds,
so mood changes, we are getting use to them again

she still has the feeding tube in, so she can still be given different meds,
as soon as she can tolerate all meds by mouth they will take out the feeding tube

Alyssa has been seeing "Monster" or some of sorts 'scary visions' for the past 4 days,
she has been given Haldol, to calm her, but we don't like the added meds for her
they are not sure what is causing them at this point
they will have a psychologist talk with her
and also see about ruling out some her meds as the problem
no answers as of yet

Juliette has Alyssa today, scaring them away "Monster" with a fork
like the Kung Fu Pandas and Hanna Montana
so far it seems to be working but the " Monsters" are still there

she has started with physical therapy doing well,
Alyssa has occupational, speech and physical
she is able to go to the different rehab rooms to work out
Alyssa is starting to trust them and she will work on moving as well

she tries to sit up and keep herself straight, she like to do a ballerina move
she does get tired but will try what she has learned later in the day

she put a popcorn in the right hand ( which doesn't move)
and with the left lift the hand to her mouth to eat the popcorn

the results from the one vision test showed some eye response but it will take several more to see if her vision will return and if it does it will be very little only with 1 eye

Alyssa has a wheelchair now which makes it easy to move her she is now 39 lbs, she enjoys being able to go out in the wheel chair

I can not even begin to let you know how difficult this has been, it's been a shock, and very devastating to us all,

the one constant, that is a big comfort, is to know that, you all praying for Alyssa and are there for us and their is only one that can heal her and that is the Great Physicianso we trust in Him, to carry her through all of this