Sue Charen

A Vein Attempt

Yesterday we traveled up to Johns Hopkins for the first blood donation appointment. Unfortunately, the nurses could not find a vein that would be usable for donation. Sue has been a "hard stick," but it seemed completely impossible yesterday. There are some options that we are hoping the doctor will tell us at the next appointment in October. Sue needs to greatly reduce the iron that she has accumulated from all the transfusions she had.

Well, we will be getting away for a couple of days to celebrate Sue's birthday this Sunday. Sue has not been well enough to celebrate the last two, but we are hoping for some rest and quiet this time around in an idyllic setting.

Good News Tempered the Stories of Others

First, the great news: Sue's bone marrow biopsy test came back negative. That was expected, but still very welcomed news. Sue has felt stronger and stronger, especially with the week at the beach. Today she started swimming (on top of a weekly gentle yoga session started a month ago).

Last week, Sue was deeply moved by Barack Obama's memory of his mother's cancer treatment.

"And -- and as someone who watched my mother argue with insurance companies while she lay in bed dying of cancer, I will make certain those companies stop discriminating against those who are sick and need care the most."

This reminded us of our own attempt at the Mayo Clinic Health Care Reform Symposium to argue that reform should include stop victimizing patients already coping with serious ailments. And Sue has been taking part in online discussions with other cancer patients, most of them young and trading tips on how to get the money to obtain life saving treatment.

As we count our own blessings, we feel for the others that struggle with cancer and then also have to struggle to get care in their weakened state. Thank you all who have helped Sue with her recovery and thanks to those who are helping other families.