Hello to all Trisha's fans and friends out there from her sister, Mary --

We've been up-front that I sometimes help Trisha get her blog entry out, and sometimes I've in fact been the out-and-out ghost-writer with her as final editor! Well, here I am out in the open telling you I'm writing this one!

We want to keep you all informed about Trisha, and she just is not up to penning blog entries right now. So here's the latest on our dear Trishie.

She's been back from Hawaii for about 10 days or so, and did really have a good time. Our brother John reports that they all found it very relaxing to just sit and watch the beautiful ocean a lot of the time, since Trisha got more tired in the second half of the trip. But they did get out to the beach and the museum, too...

Now Trisha's back in Oakland and the current medical deal is to have Avastin infusions (new chemotherapy for her), on top of her high-dose steroids. We will see what the Avastin does.

The darn steroids have completely knocked out her leg muscles, so she can't get out of a chair by herself. Please come over and help her up!

Trisha's attitude has amazed us all the whole time, even now -- I can feel it all the way out here in New York where I live! But it's true she's kinda bummed by the weak legs, and also the challenge she has sometimes to finish long sentences. But she's still kind of ok with everything, too, it's amazing....

The whole family thanks all of you reading this for all your thoughts and prayers, cards and letters. They are good and Trisha benefits from them! Keep them coming!

Love, Mary

Dear Friends,

Hello from Trisha. I did have a great time in Hawaii with John and Nancy and my friend Leah Reitz! So nice to get away!

The darn steroids make my legs weak enough that I didn't get to go jogging on the beach every morning at sunrise or climb up Diamond Head on a hike, but they keep my head from exploding, so it's a pretty good trade-off!

I did get a good little bit of gentle walking in, supplemented by riding in the wheelchair, and enjoyed beaches, towns, restaurants and a museum... Also, it was really relaxing and a great change of pace to just sit on the lanai and watch the surfers, windsurfers and sailboats go by on the beautiful water in front of us.

I still have a pretty great attitude about this tumor, (my sister Mary reminds me of this...) and a good deal of acceptance, but lemme tell ya, it's no picnic! All your blog comments, cards, thoughts, prayers, visualizations and stuff are really sweet and they help!

Keep 'em coming!

Love, Trisha

Hello, friends! Trisha here! Listen, don't panic, I'm still with us! I will admit I'm not so up on answering my phone and emails these days.... The truth is that these mega-steroids I'm on are creating kind of a challenge... They make my legs weak, so it's been a little harder tearing around town on outings and such. It does bum me out, but I've still got a pretty darn positive attitude, I'd say!

My dear brother John and his wife Nancy are giving me a really wonderful cheer-up present! Tomorrow we leave for 8 days in Hawaii! Oh, boy! Fun in the sun! Well, with my big cover-up hat on... In other news, my platelet count is right where they want it, and I threw off a cold last week in just a few days, which can sometimes be a challenge for people who have been having the treatments I've been having... The picture is from right before the surgery, way back in late July.

Keep those cards and letters and coming!
Love, Trisha
p.s. if this sounds more like my sister Mary's writing style, ok, I admit, she wrote it! But I approved it!

Hello again!

Hi, all.

Well, I'm STILL done with radiation, just like in the last entry, so no news there, except of course, that I seem to be functioning better every day.

We're just starting some new MRI's and so on, so we (the md's) can decide what to do next. The tumor itself is smaller, and distorting my brain much less (as if it were possible to get me less distorted in general...)

In other news, I'm getting stronger all the time. I can walk all the way down Lakeshore Avenue AND back ALL by mySELF! I do like to have a rest after that, but still.

I had a birthday party at a picnic place in Tilden Park and a good time was had by all. It was really nice to see family and friends, and the outdoor picnic venue was perfect, and the weather made it more and more pleasing, and we all just got to catch up a bit.

Well, I look forward to hearing news from you blog-reading friends, and thanks for checking in! It means a lot to me!

Love, Trisha

Hello from Trisha!

"Hi, Everybody! Trisha here! Just wanted you all to know I'm fine!

Big news! I finished my six-week course of chemo and radiation treatments!!!! (for now at least!). My hair has definitely headed for the hills. Turns out I have a beautiful cranium!

The docs will soon do tests and see how they'd like to proceed with more possible treaments. Also, my steroid dose is down to a more manageable level so I'm feeling a bit more *normal*.

So all in all, I am feeling pretty capable and hardy, and my energy is very good! I even spent the whole weekend at a close friend's house in the South Bay Area! Fun was had by all. Thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and comments. I appreciate every one of them very much! Love, Trisha"

p.s. in case you want to read the fine print on my beautiful certificate, it reads, "Patricia Callahan has completed the prescribed course of Radiation Therapy with a high order of proficiency in the Art of being cheerful, outstanding in high courage, tolerant and determined in all orders given. It is recognized by our staff as an Honorable Achievement, and we would like to congratulate you, on a job well done."

Still here!

Dear Folks, My sister Mary is typing for me, because I'm too lazy to!
Now, don't think I wear this cute white chapeau all the time these days. This picture is from right after the surgery on July 23rd. Mary wanted to post it because she thinks I look so cute.
Nowadays, I walk around without a turban. Chemotherapy and radiation were just as fun this week as the week before, and finally, yes, my hair has started to fall out, just yesterday!
I often have great energy and sometimes I'm really tired. I just went to the movies tonight with Mary (Cairo Time. -- highly recommended.)
My spirits are great and we all know your healing is in your spirits!
Thank you so much, everybody, for supporting me with your prayers and thoughts and everything else! It's all helping!
Keep those cards and letters coming! It's great to hear from you whenever you want to email me or write or whatever.
Love, Trisha