There is so much to say but somehow, this photo just speaks for itself.

Thank you for joining us on this journey of illness, mercy, hurt, grace, love, forgiveness, healing and proof of a Savior!

"¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." 

Luke 2:10-14

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!  May God bless you!

With hearts filled with gratitude and love,

James and Amy Abell

My oh my...

where did a month go???  We've been busy since James was discharged from the hospital.  Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Christmas photos and decorating and a hunting trip have kept us busy this past month.  James still struggles with low blood counts.  He is weak and rests often but overall, he is doing well.  It is my prayer he will stay healthy and out of the hospital for the Christmas festivities.  Home health comes weekly for blood draws and PICC line dressing changes.  This has been a huge blessing as it keep us out of the doctor's office and hospital.  As it is scheduled now, James will see the doc and get his Avastin treatment next Tuesday.

I would like to remind you all to keep your focus on the importance of this season.  Trees, lights, Santa, Elves on shelves are so much fun but please, keep the true meaning of Christmas in your heart and share it with someone.  Christmas changed the world then the world changed Christmas.  The birth of Jesus Christ is why we celebrate Christmas.  Share the real Christmas story with a child!  

Slow down.  Relish the moment with your loved ones.  Cherish every moment.  Love.  Forgive.  Smile.  Give.  Let it go.  Let Him have control!  
  
This Friday, we celebrate the two year anniversary of James' cancer diagnosis.  I have been blessed to put the experiences of the past two years in writing.  I pray you've been blessed by reading it!  I love you all and hope you know it!

In and Out and In and Out and Back In again...

We were discharged Saturday morning.  We had a pretty good day.  Lots of rest and quality time with James' dad, sister, and our nephews.  For this, we are thankful.

Around nine thirty on Saturday night, I attempted to flush the line to the port to start his antibiotic.  As I pushed the saline into the line, James cried out in pain.  This is uncommon so I called Dr. C.  Due to the swelling around the line and the tenderness/pain, she sent us to the ER.  We were admitted at midnight, just fourteen hours after our discharge.

Blood cultures were drawn, lab work, and more antibiotics.  Today, we learned the cultures have come back positive.  The port needs to come out.  A new pic line will be placed.  This should be an uneventful procedure.  Our only hiccup would be James' low platelet count.  He will have a platelet transfusions pre-op, in the OR, and post-op.  

Prayer request - 

• Pray for an easy procedure without complication

• Pray for James' team of doctors

• Pray for those hurting and struggling to deal with James' health condition.  May the Lord become evident and real to them.  Ask Him to cover them with peace.

• Pray for patience for the patient's wife...they are trivial gripes but I am so tired.  Exhausted physically, mentally, emotionally.  This has been a long road.

• Pray for those along the east coast still struggling.

Praise God

• For sending His Son

• For unfailing, unconditional love

• For carrying James and I this far

• For every nurse, PCA, and doctor caring for James

• For our church family!  They brought Thanksgiving dinner to us since we were unable to attend yesterday afternoon.  So thoughtful, so kind.  It is a small church BIG on love.  We are so grateful for everyone there!!!

I will update again after the procedure!

Much love and appreciation to all!!!

James was discharged from the hospital yesterday morning around ten thirty.  We rested well during the afternoon but James grew increasingly uncomfortable as the day wore on.  His belly is distended and feels yuck.  He has been nauseous and vomiting since yesterday evening.  His port has still been sore and tender.

We went to MD for an Avastin treatment and Dr. C thought it best to treat his symptoms inpatient.  A blood transfusion is not needed at this time.  He had an abdominal xray to check for an obstruction of the bowel. 

For now, his nausea and vomiting are controlled with medicine and he's resting comfortably.  Dr. C and Dr. M (his inpatient doc) will continue to do all they can to keep him comfortable and pain free. 

On the upside, we were given our lake view room with our pet spider!  We appreciate your love and prayers.   I will update again tomorrow!

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.