Naked Mice?

Thanks to my family and friends for all your support. It means the world to me.

I have a new bottle of drugs with a label that reads “Caution Chemotherapy, Dispose of Properly.” I thought I was supposed to take this crap not throw it away. Hmm...maybe I misremembered.

So, I spent most of Monday at M.D. Anderson. They took fourteen tubes of blood. Dang, that’s a lot. The good news is I qualified for the clinical trial (hence, the disposable drugs). This experimental drug is supposed to shrink tumors. It worked in naked mice (we’ll get to that shortly). It probably won’t impact my planned treatment but if it has any affect it could help future patients. That makes it worth it. I won’t get in to the list of possible side affects. Suffice to say I’m feeling okay so far.

Now, about these naked mice. My first thought was who shaves a mouse…other than Hung. Then I had this really weird Mickey and Minnie visual. Then Mighty Mouse flashed into my head and it went downhill from there. Well, I was talking with my friend Dave Conklin today and Dave actually knows where naked mice are bred. Some place in Ohio! Dave isn’t even sure why he knows this but HE DOES. He even mentioned the difficulty of putting little sweaters on them when they are cold.

Back to M.D. Anderson! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the kind, respectful treatment I receive. You can feel the compassion they have for the patients. They take great steps to alleviate my concerns and fears by making sure I understand what I’m going through, what’s happening to me. However, I pray none of you ever have this experience.

Dave (on the right) is our Naked Mouse spokesperson...

Ginger & I Finishing Houston 2008
(one of my favorite pictures)