This has been a pretty good week for mom. Sunday she was able to go to church. I was so happy she was there. She got to hold Haidyn almost the entire service and thankfully Haidyn was a very good girl for her.
After church Sunday we were even able to go to lunch at Picadilly. I could tell mom was getting tired so I'm sure she went home to sleep. Karen Shaw brought them dinner Saturday night. Mom said they sat in the living room and has such a good visit with her. The last time Karen came was early on and mom was still so weak. She is not only enjoying the food and the break it gives them but also she is enjoying the company now. Since her white count has been down her social interactions have been so limited. Having someone one on one, who is healthy, in their home has become such a treat for mom.
I can't tell you all enough how moved we are by the continued prayers, food, emails, phone calls, and visits- and she's still getting some super sweet cards too. God has blessed us with such an extended support to literally care us through this storm. God is so good.
Ken is battling a rough cough. He went to the doctor yesterday, mom demanded it. Hopefully he will start to feel better soon and mom will be able to stay healthy.
Thank you for your faithfulness.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February 17, 2010
What an amazing kickoff for our 40 day prayer campaign for 38134 at our church tonight. I'm so sorry that mom wasn't able to be with us but I know Ken will tell her about it. I feel like this family started our prayer campaign 4 months ago to the day when mom had her biopsy to determine why she couldn't seem to catch her breath. What an overwhelming 4 months we have not only endured but been blessed by.
Mom is doing so well responding positively to the treatments with very few negative side effects. She is working 20-30 hours a week. She is a beautiful, exciting grandmother to mŸ baby girl and she remains positive everyday. We haven't stopped praying for the miracle for Him to heal her and to proclaim cancer free but we have accepted the reality that living with cancer doesn't have to be negative either. I am so anxious for her to complete the chemo and for us to get results. We have no idea what the future holds or what the doctors will recommend for treatment after March but we have put our trust in God and His plan. Thank you all so much for the continued cards and prayers. It is unbelievable that 4 months later they are still receiving meals atleast a couple times a week. I can't tell you enough how helpful that is for them. That really allows mom to go be "normal" and be at work most if not all morning then come home and sleep without the stress of worrying about preparing a meal and all the cleaning up after cooking. When Ken gets home they are able to share their time together over a meal or catching up on the day so he isn't in the kitchen every night too. We have been overwhelmed with the love and support shown to us. God is good always! All of our prayers have been answered. God has his own timing and waiting on the end result seems so unbearable at times but God has supplied all our needs including friends and family to shoulder the burden and pray with and for us. Thank you! May God bless you as he is blessing us.
Mom is doing so well responding positively to the treatments with very few negative side effects. She is working 20-30 hours a week. She is a beautiful, exciting grandmother to mŸ baby girl and she remains positive everyday. We haven't stopped praying for the miracle for Him to heal her and to proclaim cancer free but we have accepted the reality that living with cancer doesn't have to be negative either. I am so anxious for her to complete the chemo and for us to get results. We have no idea what the future holds or what the doctors will recommend for treatment after March but we have put our trust in God and His plan. Thank you all so much for the continued cards and prayers. It is unbelievable that 4 months later they are still receiving meals atleast a couple times a week. I can't tell you enough how helpful that is for them. That really allows mom to go be "normal" and be at work most if not all morning then come home and sleep without the stress of worrying about preparing a meal and all the cleaning up after cooking. When Ken gets home they are able to share their time together over a meal or catching up on the day so he isn't in the kitchen every night too. We have been overwhelmed with the love and support shown to us. God is good always! All of our prayers have been answered. God has his own timing and waiting on the end result seems so unbearable at times but God has supplied all our needs including friends and family to shoulder the burden and pray with and for us. Thank you! May God bless you as he is blessing us.
Monday, February 15, 2010
february 15, 2010
The snow fell but not enough to stop mom from getting her Erbitux treatment this afternoon. She was feeling a little more achy towards the middle and end of last week but she got back to work today. I'm so glad she's feeling better.
We got to do some more sewing last weekend. Its so much fun to learn how to make stuff and see your baby wearing it. Now I know why mama really did enjoy sewing all the time for me and Erica. I even got some material to make missy her own peticoat so she doesn't have to wear mine. Mama said she has made several on those.
The Walkers came over Saturday night and brought them dinner. We were talking about the fact that with the exception of the holidays when we were cooking plenty there, meals have come atleast a couple nights a week. What a blessing! And we know for every meal there are countless prayers being raised. God is so good. Thank you for your continued prayers, love and support.
We got to do some more sewing last weekend. Its so much fun to learn how to make stuff and see your baby wearing it. Now I know why mama really did enjoy sewing all the time for me and Erica. I even got some material to make missy her own peticoat so she doesn't have to wear mine. Mama said she has made several on those.
The Walkers came over Saturday night and brought them dinner. We were talking about the fact that with the exception of the holidays when we were cooking plenty there, meals have come atleast a couple nights a week. What a blessing! And we know for every meal there are countless prayers being raised. God is so good. Thank you for your continued prayers, love and support.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
February 13, 2010
This has been a long week. After mom had her treatment Monday she went back Tuesday for the shot that helps her white count recover. Angela, the nurse, told mom she would most likely feel run down, achy and sore. She did. She didn't make it to work Wednesday or Thursday but she did get some much needed rest.
The sewing machine needed several repairs but its back in working order and at the house ready for today. Haidyn and I will go over in a few hours to finish our projects and possibly start some new ones. Sewing with mom is fun and great memories for later but seeing our baby in what we make her is even more fun.
Mom will have her next 2 treatments on Mondays. Then she will go almost 2 weeks to get her back to Friday treatment days. Only 5 more treatments left. I am anxious for this therapy to be over so we can see all the ways God is answering prayer and healing her body. We already can see how much better she is feeling. God is so good. Please continue to pray for the miracle- we want to be cancer free! Thank you so much to everyone for being so faithful on our journey.
The sewing machine needed several repairs but its back in working order and at the house ready for today. Haidyn and I will go over in a few hours to finish our projects and possibly start some new ones. Sewing with mom is fun and great memories for later but seeing our baby in what we make her is even more fun.
Mom will have her next 2 treatments on Mondays. Then she will go almost 2 weeks to get her back to Friday treatment days. Only 5 more treatments left. I am anxious for this therapy to be over so we can see all the ways God is answering prayer and healing her body. We already can see how much better she is feeling. God is so good. Please continue to pray for the miracle- we want to be cancer free! Thank you so much to everyone for being so faithful on our journey.
Monday, February 8, 2010
February 8, 2010
Well I thought the weekend couldn't get any better after sewing with mom and watching the Saints win the super bowl but it did. The only way possible too. We woke up to a suprising 5 inches of snow and no work or school. Another day home with my baby (my smile is enormus).
Ken got mom to the West Clinic before 8am. They gave her the shot Friday to help her bone marrow restore the white blood count, and it worked. YAY! Mom was up to 4.6 I think. That's the highest it has been since November and more than double what it was Friday. She got all 3 drugs and instead of keeping her at max dosage allowed by the FDA, which is common in clinical trial patients, they have brought her back to a regular dose. She will return tomorrow and they will give her another medication to continue to assist the bone marrow in production to keep her white blood count up. This will not only help her feel better and have more energy but also it will help her immune system so she will be less likely to be vulnerable to illnesses.
We are praising His name! He has been so good to us. He blanketed today with a beautiful snow. When I woke up and was suprised by it and I knew I could take my time today since I wasn't going any where.
My devotional this morning wasn't planned. As I jogged on my treadmill, looking out the window at the snow, I was just blown away that the snow was a total shock to me. I really needed the day too. It reminded me of the Isrealites wandering in the desert and God providing food. I don't know that it looked like snow falling as God provided the manna but I like to think it did. How shocked were they when they woke to a blanket of much needed bread? It was probably quite strange the first time it happened but God knew what they needed and supplied exactly that. I can honestly say that through the fear, anxiety and prayer God has suprised us with blanketing our daily lives in prayer and blessings. He has suprised us with information or material blessings frequently in the last 4 months that we didn't know we needed but turned the day around. What an awesome God.
Thank you all for the prayers. 5 more weeks of treatment to see all the ways God is bringing healing to mom's body!
Ken got mom to the West Clinic before 8am. They gave her the shot Friday to help her bone marrow restore the white blood count, and it worked. YAY! Mom was up to 4.6 I think. That's the highest it has been since November and more than double what it was Friday. She got all 3 drugs and instead of keeping her at max dosage allowed by the FDA, which is common in clinical trial patients, they have brought her back to a regular dose. She will return tomorrow and they will give her another medication to continue to assist the bone marrow in production to keep her white blood count up. This will not only help her feel better and have more energy but also it will help her immune system so she will be less likely to be vulnerable to illnesses.
We are praising His name! He has been so good to us. He blanketed today with a beautiful snow. When I woke up and was suprised by it and I knew I could take my time today since I wasn't going any where.
My devotional this morning wasn't planned. As I jogged on my treadmill, looking out the window at the snow, I was just blown away that the snow was a total shock to me. I really needed the day too. It reminded me of the Isrealites wandering in the desert and God providing food. I don't know that it looked like snow falling as God provided the manna but I like to think it did. How shocked were they when they woke to a blanket of much needed bread? It was probably quite strange the first time it happened but God knew what they needed and supplied exactly that. I can honestly say that through the fear, anxiety and prayer God has suprised us with blanketing our daily lives in prayer and blessings. He has suprised us with information or material blessings frequently in the last 4 months that we didn't know we needed but turned the day around. What an awesome God.
Thank you all for the prayers. 5 more weeks of treatment to see all the ways God is bringing healing to mom's body!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
February 7, 2010
We have had a very productive weekend. Mom and I sewed all day yesterday and some this afternoon. We have made 8 day gowns in two days and some burp cloths too. We have several more cut, ironed and pinned but the sewing machine has given out on us. Mom is going to take it to the shop so we can finish all our projects. We have had more fun though. I think mom thought she would never live to see the day that I would learn to sew. She and Erica have sewed together in the past but never me and mom. She told me she has never mass produced anything like we have made these day gowns. Haidyn is actually wearing one of hers now while GiGi rocks her by the snowman tree.
Mom's fingers have been numb from time to time while we sew but if that is the worst, we can live with it. We are praying that her white count is up tomorrow when she goes to the clinic. They gave her a shot on Friday so hopefully that will help the white count to rise. If it is high enough tomorrow they will go ahead and give her the full treatment. Please pray with us that she will remain healthy and that her white count will be high enough this week for treatment.
I have posted new pics. There is one of mom with her new do. Mom with "the team" at the West Clinic. One of our family, me and Todd with Haidyn. One of Haidyn dressed for Valentine's Day and one where she was snoozing on the way to GiGi's. I hope everyone enjoys. Oh, and I got one on there of mom with Haidyn- take note of the size of the smiles :) I need to do a better job of posting pics for everyone on here.
Thank you for the prayers. God is so good. We are kicking off the prayer campaign at church this week. I know this will have a whole new meaning for me after the last 4 months of prayer I have lived through. I thank God everyday for giving us such a direct and close means to speak to him and to allow him to speak to us. May God bless you all as he is blessing us.
Mom's fingers have been numb from time to time while we sew but if that is the worst, we can live with it. We are praying that her white count is up tomorrow when she goes to the clinic. They gave her a shot on Friday so hopefully that will help the white count to rise. If it is high enough tomorrow they will go ahead and give her the full treatment. Please pray with us that she will remain healthy and that her white count will be high enough this week for treatment.
I have posted new pics. There is one of mom with her new do. Mom with "the team" at the West Clinic. One of our family, me and Todd with Haidyn. One of Haidyn dressed for Valentine's Day and one where she was snoozing on the way to GiGi's. I hope everyone enjoys. Oh, and I got one on there of mom with Haidyn- take note of the size of the smiles :) I need to do a better job of posting pics for everyone on here.
Thank you for the prayers. God is so good. We are kicking off the prayer campaign at church this week. I know this will have a whole new meaning for me after the last 4 months of prayer I have lived through. I thank God everyday for giving us such a direct and close means to speak to him and to allow him to speak to us. May God bless you all as he is blessing us.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4, 2010
What a rainy day, but that didn't stop us. I met mom for lunch today at one of our favorite places, Owen Brennan's. Mom went yesterday to one of her favorite places and got Haidyn about 15 new items of clothing, like the child needed a thing. I take that back. She did actually need a new coat because she outgrew hers and GiGi went there to get that for her. The other items just somehow snuck in there:)
We had the best time eating and chatting. Most of our conversation was about our little diva. Haidyn and I are going over on Saturday and mom and I are going to sew some outfits for Haidyn. I will do my best to not only take some new pics but also to post some new pics. We get to having so much fun its hard to remember but their MAC is so fast it will not take me long.
Mom has felt so good these last two weeks and has really just been showing off. Ken is still sick but he seems to be making the turn. I asked for prayers that mom would not get sick from him but not that he would get better. Sorry Ken! Please pray that he will continue to improve as well. Mom will have the 3 drug treatment tomorrow. It will be a long day for her complete with a doctor's visit but we're ready. I have faith her white blood count is where it should be and everything will go as planned. I'm looking forward to being with her Saturday before the medicine gets her extremely fatigued again.
Please comtinue to pray that God will heal her body. We're still praying for the miracle to be cancer free but we're so happy that she is improving all the same. God is so good always. He is loving. He is faithful. And he is the great healer. We don't always get what God has planned for us but he does reveal his blessings in powerful, life changing ways. Having faith in his plan is unexplainable and the peace is beyond comprehension once you give it to God. I still want to take control and "fix" this out of my fears but I quickly remember that's its not possible and too big to "fix" on my own. Please continue to pray for our faith that God is and will continue to support us through all your love and prayers as we run the last few laps of mom's first means of therapy.
We had the best time eating and chatting. Most of our conversation was about our little diva. Haidyn and I are going over on Saturday and mom and I are going to sew some outfits for Haidyn. I will do my best to not only take some new pics but also to post some new pics. We get to having so much fun its hard to remember but their MAC is so fast it will not take me long.
Mom has felt so good these last two weeks and has really just been showing off. Ken is still sick but he seems to be making the turn. I asked for prayers that mom would not get sick from him but not that he would get better. Sorry Ken! Please pray that he will continue to improve as well. Mom will have the 3 drug treatment tomorrow. It will be a long day for her complete with a doctor's visit but we're ready. I have faith her white blood count is where it should be and everything will go as planned. I'm looking forward to being with her Saturday before the medicine gets her extremely fatigued again.
Please comtinue to pray that God will heal her body. We're still praying for the miracle to be cancer free but we're so happy that she is improving all the same. God is so good always. He is loving. He is faithful. And he is the great healer. We don't always get what God has planned for us but he does reveal his blessings in powerful, life changing ways. Having faith in his plan is unexplainable and the peace is beyond comprehension once you give it to God. I still want to take control and "fix" this out of my fears but I quickly remember that's its not possible and too big to "fix" on my own. Please continue to pray for our faith that God is and will continue to support us through all your love and prayers as we run the last few laps of mom's first means of therapy.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February 3, 2010
My dad came in town for a couple of nights so I have been out of touch somewhat the last two days. Mom told me she was able to work almost 8 hours yesterday. Monday night she even went to the grocery store for she and Ken.
Ken has been sick. I think it has just been more sinus infection stuff but still I am hoping that mom is able to stay healthy and on track for her treatment this Friday. Although it was disappointing that she wasn't able to receive her treatments as we expected last week, she has really benefited from having the additional time to recover. She has felt better and better every day. I have all the faith in the world that come Friday her white counts will be right where they need them to be in order for her to receive the full dosage of her 3 drugs.
God has been so good. In my devotional book today the thought was a reminder that God is with us always. I can honestly say, not for a single moment of our journey have I felt alone. There are several times in my life that looking back I can say that I felt alone, even in a room full of people. God has never allowed me the emptiness of being alone and I know that goes for our entire family. Few things are as scary as cancer but I think being afraid and alone has to come close to the fear that cancer brings. God has held us close and supported us through the prayer and lives of all that love us for the past 4 months. Thank you!
As we approach another Friday I ask that you all remember to thank God, most importantly, for all the healing he is providing through the West Clinic and the wonderful staff there. Secondly, please pray that mom will remain strong, healthy and her white count high to receive her full dosage of the drugs. And last, please pray that she will remain tolerable of the treatments and that although we know it will knock her down at first, she will recover quickly and get back to the days like last week and this week of feeling so good. I mean almost 8 hours at work yesterday! Can you believe it?!? God is so very good and is blessing us beyond our wildest imagination through the entire fight. Thank you so much for your love, support and prayers. We would not be where we are today with out you bringing us to the Lord on a regular basis.
Ken has been sick. I think it has just been more sinus infection stuff but still I am hoping that mom is able to stay healthy and on track for her treatment this Friday. Although it was disappointing that she wasn't able to receive her treatments as we expected last week, she has really benefited from having the additional time to recover. She has felt better and better every day. I have all the faith in the world that come Friday her white counts will be right where they need them to be in order for her to receive the full dosage of her 3 drugs.
God has been so good. In my devotional book today the thought was a reminder that God is with us always. I can honestly say, not for a single moment of our journey have I felt alone. There are several times in my life that looking back I can say that I felt alone, even in a room full of people. God has never allowed me the emptiness of being alone and I know that goes for our entire family. Few things are as scary as cancer but I think being afraid and alone has to come close to the fear that cancer brings. God has held us close and supported us through the prayer and lives of all that love us for the past 4 months. Thank you!
As we approach another Friday I ask that you all remember to thank God, most importantly, for all the healing he is providing through the West Clinic and the wonderful staff there. Secondly, please pray that mom will remain strong, healthy and her white count high to receive her full dosage of the drugs. And last, please pray that she will remain tolerable of the treatments and that although we know it will knock her down at first, she will recover quickly and get back to the days like last week and this week of feeling so good. I mean almost 8 hours at work yesterday! Can you believe it?!? God is so very good and is blessing us beyond our wildest imagination through the entire fight. Thank you so much for your love, support and prayers. We would not be where we are today with out you bringing us to the Lord on a regular basis.
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