And From Cathy on August 8:

Yes, an interesting new adventure in unchartered territory to say the least, "The Big C"!

Well, leave it to Jo to start a blog for me, thank you my dear friend! And also thanks to everyone's kind well wishes and support!

Sorry I've been leaving you hanging...just been inundated with the business of life in pulling all this together to be here for three weeks, setting up an apt, getting daily infusion treatments, dr apts, dealing with irritating side effects, crash napping at the end of the day and nights of little sleep! And even working my day job when I can.

I just spent an hour composing my blog reply and trying to publish and then lost it all.. poof! Just like in the old days when you didn't save a word doc and lost everything. Dang! Some things don't change.

I'm going to stop here and see if it takes and will add to this weekend. This is a new thing for me too! More later! Cathy

And from Shelley Latimer Rinta

Shelley tried posting on this blog and couldn't do it.  So far, Jo is not doing very well with this blog.  Hope others will keep trying.  This was Shelley's message:

 

So I am thankful to know Cathy's Dr. choice and especially that Steve is helping with Evan. Big thoughts and prayers going Cathy's way.

Please keep us/me updated.

Do you know if Cathy can receive cards where she is or is it best to send to her home?

 

love and hugs,

Shelley Rinta

Post from Jo

Cathy Beth McGandy Loyd's Latest Adventure....

OK, so I don't have a picture of us together in the hospital. But,
these Cathy & Jo photos are 1956 & 2013....a long and dear friendship.
We all know that Cathy is a generous, positive, caring, and devoted
friend, daughter, sister, wife, partner, auntie, cousin, and mom. Our
Vander Stoep family has always said that Cathy deserves all rewards
that life can bring.

But, alas it hasn't always been that way for Cathy and now she faces a
new challenge. Not feeling "quite right," she's been going through
some testing and has recently been diagnosed with Stage 1 or 2 breast
cancer AND a recent colonoscopy shows an unrelated cancer as well.

Just as she has researched and learned about autism, Cathy researched
and learned about treatments for her cancer. She believes in combining
the best of traditional and alternative treatments and found just the
right oncologist/board-certified homeopath in Reno. His name is Dr.
James Forsythe and his clinic is New Century Wellness:
http://www.centurywellness.com/. Cathy flew to Reno Sunday, July 29
and will be there for 3 weeks of Integrative Oncology.

With Cathy's permission, I'm sending this email. I've tried creating
a blog and you are welcome to post, as will Cathy - keeping us updated
about her experience & learning - while we send our positive thoughts
and well-wishes.