During the night

James received...

blood work...check

antibiotics...check

fluids...check

transfusion...check

I am pretty sure I've got this figured out!  We are waiting for our favorite doc to drop by and let us know if we can go home with oral antibiotics.  James is getting an abdominal ultrasound now because he could not handle the contrast for the CT scan last night.  If that checks out, I am sure we won't be here much longer.

I will update again later!
Amy

ER Trip

Hello All,
We are downtown at MD for a high fever.  When I got home from work, James' temp was 102.8.  Then thirty minutes later, it was 103.4 so here we are! 
I am sure bloodwork and scans will determine what we need to do.  I am also sure his counts are low and this is neutropenic fever.  I am sure fluids, antibiotics, and possibly a blood transfusion are in the near future for my man!  We will soon see.
We are waiting to be called back now so I will update soon!
Please say a prayer for my sweet JamesE tonight!
Love you all!
Amy

~Way to Go Texans~

Yesterday, James looked and felt better than I have seen him all week.  He was abell to hang out at his buddy's house then watch the game!  He even stayed past 8:30!  So all in all, James and the Texans won!  Wahoo!!!
Now for a day of rest...Be blessed my dear readers!
Amy

Done with round one

James has completed this first round of chemo.  He has spent most of today in his recliner, eating light and sleeping.  He does not feel great but has yet to complain.  I must brag for a moment...JamesE is amazing.  He makes my heart smile.  He has spent the last year enduring pain and discomfort beyond my imagination.  He has complained far less than most of us do on a normal day.  I admire him and aspire to be more like him.  He is truly amazing. 
~Praise and Prayer Requests~

• Thank God for James' unbreakable spirit. 
• Give thanks for Justin and Jo for dinner and a great visit.
• Pray for a long time friend's mama.  She has recently been diagnosed and is hospitalized with severe pain tonight. 
• Pray James' nausea and discomfort subsides.

Much love and many thanks!
Amy

We must go through the valley...

to stand upon the mountain of God.

And we are in the valley.  We learned today James' AFP is high again.  We are not where we were when we first started this journey but we are much higher than we were after surgery.  The doc gave several possibilities for the spike so I will pass along more detail when we've narrowed it down.  James will have a scan week after next to find where the cancer is this time.  For now, he will finish this round of chemo with tomorrow being the last day.  He will have a shot after treatment to help keep his WBC from dropping as low.  Since James will be neutropenic next week I ask that everyone call or text but please do not visit.  It is cold/flu season and I am not willing to risk James getting sick while he is on chemo.

~Praise~

• My car is fixed.
• Our needs are met.
• James' nausea has been minimal.
• Thank God for James' medical team.  He is in great hands!

~Prayer Requests~

• We find the source of this AFP spike.
• James continues to tolerate this round of chemo.
• Pray for peace and strength for James and I to endure this again.

This verse was shared with me today and I am clinging tight to it tonight...
Psalms 34:17-18 
 ¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. ¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted  and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Goodnight my friends!
Amy

Let the treatment begin...

James is getting hooked up and starting chemo as I type.  Please say a prayer for him to have minimal side effects and maximum results!  The chemo will run for 6.5 hours/day for three days. 


Now for a little testimony...
The brakes went out on my car on Wednesday night.  So naturally on my way to work Thursday when I find out my mechanic is closed, I call my mom to fuss.  Nothing ever goes right.  I really don't need this.  I dont' have the money for car repairs right now.  Ugh!  That was the devil talking because by Friday I told mom that I couldn't worry with all that.  I couldn't stress over money.  I had faith that God would provide for us because that's what He said. 
Now for the awesome part...He did!  The Lord used my Dacus family to meet our needs.  He delivered our blessing in a blingy red box and we are so grateful.  The special messages in each card have encouraged us to be courageous as James starts chemo again and continues his battle.  We thank everyone who has helped us for the past year.  You have touch our lives and will always hold a special place in out hearts.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Happy New Year!  Make it the best year of your life!  Start now!   Put a smile on your face and thank God for this day!!!
Love, love, love you all!!!
Amy

Just want to let everyone know, James drain tube is out.  The next step is an appointment with our fav, Doc C and chemo next Wednesday.  We decided to delay to allow James to celebrate the holidays before starting chemo.  All is well for us.  James is soaking up plenty duck hunting for now because it will all come to a halt when chemo starts.
Please pray the chemo cleans up any microscopic cancer cell in James' body and we can return to life as "normal" soon!  
Be blessed my sweet blog followers!
Amy


Luke 1:30-31
³⁰ Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS.

Roller coaster continues...

This cancer roller coaster continues for us.  James' surgery was a success...that was an up.  The AFP is still high...that's a low.  He is going back on chemo...that's the round and round.  What's next?

We take the good with the bad so we are gearing up for James to start chemo again as soon as the drain tube is removed.  This year really has been a roller coaster ride...keep your hands and arms in side the cart at all times, fasten your belts...the ride continues...

Long overdue...

Forgive me, I am long overdue.  Here's a quick post:

• James has recovered well from surgery.  He still has the drain tube until at least Wednesday when we see Dr. Curley again.  Blood work, liver function and protein levels looked great at his last visit this past Wednesday.
• He had scans yesterday.  The surgeon will review to make sure the infection is gone and the liver is close to, if not fully, regenerated.
• We will see our favorite doc on Monday to determine what is next.  More chemo is possible.  The surgeon is confident he got everything but it is possible microscopic cells remain in James' body.  We will discuss everything with Dr. Coscio on Monday. 
• We are approaching one year since James' diagnoses.  It has been a long, hard road but we haven't gone through it alone. We are blessed beyond words. 

Put a little love in your heart and bless someone this Christmas!  Let a stranger see Christ in you! 
Love, love, love you all!
Amy