It seems lately we have been having a party every afternoon for another family who is leaving. You just get to meet and know people and then they are gone. We are now becoming the family of seniority around here ... so many new patients coming in daily from all over the world. We have a couple of families from Canada here, one from Argentina, one from Mexico (who just left), quite a few from various parts of the United States. We are all here for different illnesses, but for the same treatment ... stem cells! Anyway, to meet all these people, learn of their hardships, follow their progress ... they become like extended family ... and then they leave. We are happy for them and yet very sad to say goodbye ... will we ever meet again? Who knows. Maybe we will return for more stem cells in the future and meet again.

OK ... enough of that. Gary and I went for a walk this morning. We walked down the narrow, rubble lane in search of peanut butter and bread. We didn't find either. The small markets within walking distance to the hospital seem to only carry junk food. We did find a fruit stand, so the walk wasn't a total waste. Usually we just send little Gary out to get whatever we need. He has become quite the little Chinaman. He knows how to hail a taxi, explain to the driver where he needs to go and is able to get back, too. Getting back to the hospital is a real task around here. Most of the taxi drivers do not know where it is, so you have to be very good at conveying to them how to get back. Little Gary is a pro! We have offered his services to the new patients coming in ... one new patient's father went out to Wal-Mart his first night here and found out rather quickly not to go out alone. After 6 hours missing, Isabelle finally found him and brought him back to the hospital.

Little Gary is going to watch Shawna tonight while Gary and I go out to a French restaurant with several other families. This will be our first time to leave the hospital together; I'm nervous, but know in my heart Gary will do a great job taking care of Shawna. He is very attentive towards her ... especially if he thinks I'm not watching.

Hope all is well in PA; we miss everyone terribly!