Day 4

Happy Monday, Friends!

It is day four here and we are getting a bit restless!  We are waiting to see his docs this morning.  He did get a second blood transfusion yesterday.  His counts are slowly trying to make it back up.  We had a great day yesterday visiting with Lauren most of the day and watching our spider friend.  

This guys lives outside out hospital window.  We've watched him keep house and catch his food.

I think he needs a name...what do you think?

I will update again 

Day 2 from our lake view room

Things are starting to look up today.  WBC and platelet counts are still low today but his hemoglobin has improved with the transfusion.  He's about to start his third dose of IV antibiotics so he should be up for well visitors tomorrow. He is still having waves of nausea and vomiting but we're trying to control it with meds. Praise the Lord the Doppler done on James' left leg is normal.  The swelling in his leg/foot is likely due to the long travel home on Thursday.  Dr. N, Dr. C's partner, says he'll likely keep him through the weekend then continue IV antibiotics at home with our home health nurse.  

Tonight, I am thankful for thirty minutes of smiles and laughter with my older sister.  I am thankful for a brother in-law willing to entertain two kiddos in the car so Carrie could visit us.  I am thankful for the innocent smiles and questions from Jefferson and Harper and the excitement when they got to wave to Uncle James at the window!  I am thankful the swelling has gone down in James' legs.  I am thankful we figured out how to change the input source on the hospital TV so he play games on his PS3 to pass the time.  I am thankful he is relaxing comfortably.  I am thankful we serve a mighty, mighty God!

A trip to KY...a trip to the hospital...

Dacus Baptist Transportation Ministry delivered James and I from Kentucky to our home Thursday evening.  A super huge thank you to Cory and Bro. Chris for making the long drive and an equally huge thanks to Uncle Paul and Aunt Cathy for taking in four crazy  Texans for the night.  We also appreciate Jon and Angie Young for offering up their     vehicle so James could be as comfortable as possible.  We enjoyed our time with James' family but we're thrilled tobe home after being gone for 13 days.  I thank you all for praying for us and helping us and loving us!  

James was admitted to St. Luke's yesterday.  We had blood work drawn and a visit with the nurse practitioner on    Friday afternoon.  Blood work revealed James to be critically anemic (low hemoglobin), neutropenic (low white blood cell count) and potassium/magnesium deficient.  We also think he has an infection in his port-o-cath.  We could        handle each of these situations individually but all at once is a challenge.  With the possibility of infection, the port   is off  limits so James is getting a blood transfusion through an IV in his arm.  I Vs in his arm usually last less than a day before blowing due to weak veins.  He was given to units of blood and a bag of magnesium and potassium           during the night.  His first round of antibiotic is dripping now.

We will likely be here all until Monday.  James is on neutropenic precaution.  He is allowed well visitors wearing      masks and gloves.    

Please prayer for comfort, rest, and strength.  

God is good all the time...

all the time, God is good!  I have to sing his praises today.  Today, I am thankful:

• for the encouragement of a church member.  Ms. Nancy said the most encouraging words I've heard anyone say to James.  I have no doubt the Lord gave her the words to speak to touch my heavy heart.  She simply said, "Thank you for trying.  Thank you for doing your very best."  So simple but so touching.
• for another church member, Ms. Delma, willing to take a moment to pray with James after the service yesterday.  He heard our cries and he has answered with a wonderful day.  James has not been sick today.  He's had some pain but overall, this has been one of the best days we've seen in a while.  The Lord knew what we needed and all we had to do was ask.
• for the sermon that filled my cup.  He met me right where I was and he touched my heart. Today, I feel a renewed strength.  My cup runneth over!
• for the two meals James has eaten today!!!  Bacon and fried bologna!!!  
• for God's promise to meet all our needs!  
• for every single person helping us along this journey
• for the time with family we have planned later on tonight.  I pray God will bless it and make it great!
• for the safe, healthy delivery of my dear friend Heidi's son, Case.

What are you thankful for today?  Have to you told Him?

Much love to all,

Amy

A picture is worth a thousand words...

This photo was taken at Light the Night Pink at Market Street.  

We celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month with our MD Anderson family.

Happy Sunday

It has been a rough go since my last post.  The radiation treatments are tough for James.  Currently, he has twelve done and eight to go.  The treatments make him tired and leave him with little to no energy.  He's been sick more on radiation than he's ever been on chemo.  

We stopped the oral chemo drug a week ago due to low counts.  It has taken some time but his counts are slowly making it back up.  

We had a big scare late Thursday night/Friday morning.  James woke me up with pain in his chest and difficulty breathing.  I got him some pain meds and he asked me to call for an ambulance.  It was scary but I think I managed my panic well.  The paramedics took him to the hospital and the ER doc did a full cardiac workup.  They sent us home saying it was just cancer causing the pain.  However, Dr. L believes differently. She is almost certain the sudden pain was caused by acid reflux.  Since this episode, I have heard of several other people saying it feels like a heart attack and it takes your breath away.  A couple of which have even gone to the hospital which makes me feel better to know I wasn't just panicking.

I am sure with all of this, you are wondering why I would title a post "Happy Sunday", but it is.  Church was great.  James was well enough to hunt.  We've spent the afternoon napping and will spend the evening with James' mom.  It is a happy day!  

James will continue radiation this week as well as visit Dr. C and Dr. L.  Pray his counts are up and he can resume chemo.  Pray that his eating habits improve and he does not lose anymore weight.  Pray for the lost souls reading this blog.  Praise God for this day!!!
Much love to all,
Amy

Overdue

Yeah, its been a while but here's the latest:

• Vacation was AWESOME! Glad we came home when we did...that storm is looking rough!
• James will start radiation to his abdomen on Thursday.
• He will have treatment 5 day/wk for 4 weeks.  Total of 20 treatments.
• Nausea and tiredness can be expected with radiation.
• While on radiation, he will take an oral chemo.
• If everything continues to as planned, I will return to work next week.  

Please pray for the following:

• Baby Wyatt - Now, almost 5 months, he is ill with fever, cough, runny nose etc.  His parents have had him at the doctor and ER twice in the past five days. =(
• A family that lost their home over the weekend.
• For everyone along the Gulf coast threatened by Issac.   

Praise the Lord:

• Papa's most recent scan showed his tumor to be shrinking.  He will continue his oral chemo and will scan again in two months. 

Much love!

Amy

All is well...

in our world today!  Last night found us lounging on a pontoon boat with our friends Kevin and Katie to watch the meteor shower.  It was relaxing, peaceful, and good for the soul.  For a moment, all was right.  The wonderful weekend continued with church this morning, grocery, nap time, and Sunday supper with the family.  To quote a favorite song of mine: "In the middle of my little mess, I forget how BIG I'm blessed!

James is doing well.  Tomorrow is the last radiation appointment until August 27.  After tomorrow's appointment, he will have completed ten chest treatments.  At the end of the month, he will resume daily radiation treatment to his abdomen.  He's had a couple bouts with nausea but far less than some.  We will see Dr. C tomorrow morning and James should start chemo on Tuesday.  

Tonight, I am thankful for:

• Time with our family  
• The love and support we have felt from so many for so long.  
• A great message from The Word...check out Ephesians 4:17-29
• James' good days
• Love and forgiveness
• The success of Pawpaw's cataract surgery
• Every day the Lord has given James and I together

I seek prayer for:

• The lost souls
• My Nanny suffering from bronchitis
• James' upcoming chemo treatment
• Healing for Carrie's (my sis) ankle injury (she fell while vacationing in Hawaii)

I hope everyone has a blessed week.  

Love to all,

Amy

Almost made it...

...through this week.  Its been a rough one but we're still trucking along.  James started chemo Tuesday and came off the pump today.  He had radiation Tues-Thurs and one more tomorrow will complete the week.  He's pretty sluggish and tired.  He will have radiation treatments to the chest everyday next week then he'll start treatments to the abdomen.  For now, I strive to keep him cool, comfortable, and hydrated!  
Please pray James will have limited nausea and side effects from radiation.  Thank God for the special time we were able to spend with my cousins and baby Wyatt, the celebration of Papa's birthday, and the family supper we had with his mom, step-dad, sister and our nephews!  
Have a happy Friday!  
Amy