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

...a picture is worth a thousand words...

James' recovery is back on track and going wonderfully. 

We believe in the power of prayer!

quick update

we are home!  james has some pain today but we are otherwise good.  still working hard to get the minimum daily protein for james.  it is a real challenge.  i am hoping to return to work this week if james continues to improve.
today, i ask you to pray for my friend, joanna.  she will be having surgery tomorrow.  please pray her disease be removed without removing her chance to become a mommy.  please keep justin and jo in your prayers this week.  i hope jo's surgery is the last for a while...aunt donna, pawpaw, james and jo all since september! 
happy day my dears!
amy

Day 9 and counting...

we are just waiting on the final report from the cultures pulled from the infection.  that is our ticket out of here.  everything else is fine.  swelling is gone.  appetite is slowly returning.  little to no pain.  once we have the report, they will use it to determine which oral antibiotic to use to fight the infection.   going home today would be nice but we are not getting our hopes up until we actually see some discharge papers!
enjoy the beautiful weekend my dears!
amy

Thursday - Day 7 in the hospital

Things are improving one day at a time.  The swelling in James legs has gone down some and his feet are slowly following suit.  He is sleeping much better than he has in the past two weeks.  He is slowly coming around with his appetite which is hard because he is supposed to intake 150 grams of protein  and 100 ounces of fluids per day.  Yikes! I know its a lot but its what has to be down to regenerate a healthy liver without causing harm to the kidneys! 
The specimen taken from the fluid collection showed a bacterial infection to which the doctors have responded by adding a second antibiotic twice a day.  They are waiting on the final report to determine which antibiotic to send home with James.  The fluid is still draining though not as rapidly as before, James has still lost 12 lbs in four days and that has made him feel much better!
Stan and Granny's trip is drawing to an end.  They will leave early Saturday morning.  They have been by yesterday and are here now to see James.  I really hate we were not home to make the most of their visit but I know the hospital has been the best place for James. 
Discharge tomorrow is not likely due to the pending report.  We are looking at getting out of here Saturday or possibly even Sunday.
Thanks for your continued support through prayer! 
Much love to all,
Amy

For my husband,

When you’re weak, I’ll be strong
When you let go, I’ll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear that I’ll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death,
Like you can’t take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

And when this road gets too long
I'll be the rock you lean on
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I’m gonna love you through it.

 

There really isn't much to report today.  All is well for now.  James is still struggling to get back his appetite but the nutritionist gave me some new ideas for getting some extra protein to him.  I took a break from the hospital this morning while Stan and Granny visited.  It was nice to spend some time with my sister and her babies.  There is still some swelling in James' legs and feet but he has lost 9lbs of fluid since Monday.  Please continue to pray his body heals and recovers as needed and we can be on the right track out of here!
Happy day to All!
Amy