Please remember no news is good news!  


James is doing well for the time being.  Because of the infected skin rash, he has been taken off chemo completely now.  Two antibiotics and oral steroids seem to have cleared the infection.  Once again, we are looking for a new treatment plan.  The heat is too much for him to bear the drugs he was on and I can't ask him to stay cooped up all summer. We will meet with the doc at the end of the month to decide what is next.


Papa, Meme, and Bethany are all doing just fine!


Please say a prayer for our friend, Joanna, as she faces her third surgery in eighteen months tomorrow.  Pray for God's will for her and Justin as they continue this journey to fertility.


I hope everyone is enjoying their summer!  
Love to all,
Amy

Time to catch up...

It has been a while and it is time to bring everyone up to speed!  Here we go:

• James had round three of this chemo treatment May 21-23.  He suffered through a lot of nausea this round. I am hoping we can stay ahead of tummy upset for round four.
• On May 22, we celebrated James' 29th birthday!  We enjoyed a great time at our house with family and friends!  

• On May 23, James had a scan.  We haven't met with the doc to discuss the final report but as of now, we know the cancer is "stable" and has NOT spread since the last scan in April.  Praise the Lord!!!  On the same day, we learned the results of Papa's biopsy were not so favorable.  A spot was found during a routine PET scan and he had a biopsy on May 21.  He has a GIST tumor near his colon.  Papa had a large GIST tumor removed in 2005.  He was then diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2010.  He underwent surgery in September 2010 then chemo in Januray 2011.  For now, he will take a chemo medication by mouth then have scans.
• On May 25, we left it all behind for a morning of fishin.  We didn't catch anything but I believe a bad day fishin' with your best friend beats a great day at work!!!  We headed to the hospital around lunch time for Meme's minor surgery.  She spent one night in the hospital and was home by Saturday.  Late Friday evening, I went to my little sister's house because she didn't feel good.  Some sister loving and a few meds and she should be fine, right?
• May 27 found us at church to celebrate Memorial Day.  James had serious nausea during church.  Of all the things in my large purse, I have no medicine.  Lesson learned...I bought small pill boxes and will not be caught unable to help him again.  I am a walking pharmacy! After lunch and a nap, he was feeling better. We accepted an invitation to a wine tasting at a local winery.  We enjoyed beautiful weather under a shade tree and heard an awesome jazz band.  

• Meanwhile, Bethany has spiked a 103.7 temp and is at the minor emergency clinic.  I put James to bed and head out around eleven to be with my sister.  
• May 28 - Memorial Day- 1:00 AM- It is decided Bethy should be admitted for pneumonia.  Breathing treatments, antibiotics, blood work, and meds are ordered to get her on the road to recovery.  I spent Tuesday night with her so her husband could head to work Wednesday.  She was discharged late Wednesday.

So between all my patients, surely you can understand my lack of time for posting?!?!?  

Me, you ask?  I am exhausted but its okay.  Exhausted has been my normal for eighteen months.   The beginning of the week was hectic running between Meme, Bethany and James but I managed and better yet, everyone is on the mend tonight.  I do my very best not to worry but I do keep the ones I love close to my heart and always on my mind.  I am the nurse that doesn't collect a paycheck but I am wealthier than any of the rest.  I wouldn't trade it for anything!    

James will have treatment again on Monday.  The skin rash is terrible.  He started a fifth medication today to, hopefully, clear it up.  It is very painful and worsens when he is in the sun/heat.  

Tonight, James is watching the Astros play with Pawpaw, Mr. Bob, and Aunt Vicki.  

I thank God for every opportunity James has to do the things he enjoys.  I thank God for every opportunity I have to be with James.

I thank God for everything. Most of all, I thank Him for sending His own Son to save me!  

 Its not for us...its all for Him!!!  

How's that for catching up?  There you have it, the last two weeks of our lives and a couple of pictures too!  So what's new with you? 

Much love to everyone!

Amy

It really is better to give...

So excited...After James' surgery last fall, we were stuck with lots of leftover medical supplies.  They were just in boxes taking up spaces in my bathroom and closet and I was just about ready to trash it all but God had others plans.  Thanks to Him, these supplies will be going to Nicaragua this summer!
"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Acts 20:34-36


In other news, James had treatment last week and is doing fine.  He is suffering from the skin rash we were warned about and will see an MDACC dermatologist tomorrow.  He will also have AFP checked tomorrow and we will determine if he will have another round of chemo or just continue on the antibody therapy.
In the meanwhile, I went to the doctor today and have bronchitis...yUcK!!!  I got two shots, two prescriptions, one cough syrup and three days off work to allow my voice/throat to rest.  The doc said to limit my talking...haha!  I'll let you know how that works out!  




What's going on in your world?  Thanks for love and prayers!!!
Love to all,
Amy

Relay for Life

Our team, Always Abell, dominated Relay for Life Conroe.  We walked away with awards for: #1 Fundraising Team, #1 Fundraising Individual awarded to James Abell, and 2nd place Most Spirited Team!  We started the night with many and ended this morning with few.  However, we had 15 all nighters on the track this morning at seven!  Our Always Abell team flag never left the track from 7PM until 7AM.  Great big thanks to everyone for supporting our team!!!  

Also, my sweet husband has set the bar high for next year.  As of now, we are scheduled to have 4 teams.  The event will take place the same weekend next year so mark your calendars!  We need everyone!

Kickin' off the week

...with inventory at work, treatment for James and a root canal for me.  It will surely be a Monday for us!  
James saw the doc last Friday and everything is set for his second of four treatments.  I saw the dentist on Thursday and everything is set for a root canal on a tooth causing me a great deal of pain.  
James is over his cold for the most part but I seem to have picked it up.  Yuck!  It is more annoying than anything.  
Here's to a great week, my loves!
Amy

on the mend...

james had an awful cold last week after treatment.  he was a sick, sick, fella!  he still has some congestion but overall, he is on the mend.  if all goes as planned, he will see the doc this friday and have his second treatment next monday.  
have a happy week, my darlings!
amy

New Stuff...

James started his new therapy regimen today.  He will be on antibody therapy and chemotherapy for the next eight weeks.  The chemo should drive down the AFP and the antibody will act as a switch to "turn-off" the cancer cells.  The antibody should prevent the cancer from growing and spreading.  His chemo cocktail consists of a new drug and one drug he's had previously.  Here's the thing...James' hair had started growing back and he's not that excited about losing it...AGAIN.  He will also have the pump bag with him for two days.  He doesn't complain much but he truly hates the bag.  Neither therapy should have severe side effects for us to contend with so that is good news.  


Don't forget...if you are on the Relay for Life team, we have a team meeting tomorrow night at 7PM.  If you need more info, call/text/email me!  


Please say a prayer for comfort and peace for my step mother's family.  Her father passed away on Friday.
Also remember Pops, James' step mom's father, in prayer as he is in ICU this evening.  
Thank God for a beautiful wedding for my little sister, Bethany, and ask God to keep her and her husband safe as they travel this week!


Hope everyone is well and had a nice Easter weekend!
Love to all,
Amy

The truth...

This is what we believe!  

He is Risen!!! 

Happy Easter, Friends!  

Love to All,

James and Amy

Relay for Life

Alright folks...we are closing in on the Relay for Life event happening on Friday, May 4!  We have set some pretty serious goals and we need your help...

1. Sign up today...Join Now
1. Click the third purple tab to join
2. Please honor a loved one with a luminaria..  Click here to donate a luminaria
1. This is a really neat ceremony.  The lights go out on the field and the entire track is lit by candles in honor or memory of a cancer patient.
2. Aunt Donna is determined to make our team shine the brightest and is hoping for 100+ bags.
3. For those that have already signed up, please continue to raise money and encourage people to donate luminarias.  Also, we have a team meeting scheduled for April 10 at 7 PM in Conroe.  Please be on the look out for an email with more info.

Thank you to everyone for your donations and participation!  It is my hope this event will show James just how much he is loved and supported through this battle.  It is also a great opportunity to celebrate Aunt Donna and Papa's victory over this dreadful disease!

May God bless you and yours!

Amy