Here we go again...

Well, the last round was not an easy one to say the least. I was sick pretty much the entire time and never really had a "great" day. I'm back in the hospital for my fourth round, which is half way done. I know I should be excited, but I'm really not. I'm so ready for this to be over. It's totally miserable. This round is worse while in the hospital, but not as bad when at home.

I'm sorry, I'm having a hard time writing this blog. Here are some specific prayer requests for right now: I have developed neuropathy in my hands which is a numbing sensation, so as you can probably guess, it is pretty hard to do a lot of things because I can't feel my finger tips or palm of my hands. Please pray this goes away. Also, I have had some bleeding which is very dangerous because it can cause my counts to drop too fast. Please pray for my abdominal pain. It has gotten better, but has not disappeared yet.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. I will try and update again tomorrow when I feel a little better. Just wanted to get an update to all of you!!

With God, WE WILL BEAT THIS!!!

ETMC in Tyler

Here is a picture of Emilee, Natalie and Walker (our nephew). After the 4th of July celebration/counsins party at the lake house mom and dad drove them up to Monroe to see Vanessa. They had to wear masks and gloves prior to entering Vanessa's room. Here is a picture that was taken after they came out of the room. You can tell Walker loves having his picture taken.



Another update from gold ole me because Vanessa is currently unable to do it. We arrived back in Tyler yesterday evening and went straight to the ER. There were about 50 people waiting to be seen. I informed the nurse that she was neutropenic and they took her straight back and started treating her. She was given some demoral and then shorlty taken away to get a CT Scan. About an hour or so later she was admitted in to the hospital for over night observation. We made our trip up to the 6th floor and we got to see all of our wonderful nursing staff. What a relief it was to see them after our experience in Monroe.


This morning, Vanessa had to eat some radioactive Frosted Flakes. They then put her into some type of machine and minitored her stomach for about an hour to see how it reacted to food. During the day, she remained in an intense amount of pain. They continued giving her demoral and phenegran. We are still awaiting all of the results from the tests and hopefully we will have them all in the morning. We need to find out why she is in so much pain in her abdominal area and back.

We believe and trust that God has his hand over her and guiding Dr. Lee and the treatment. Thank you all again for your thoughts, prayers, comments, gifts, food and so many other things that have definately not gone unnoticed. We love you all and God Bless

With God, We Will Beat This

St Francis Med Ctr in Monroe, La

Just a quick update for those that do not receive our emails. This weekend we attempted to go have a great relaxing time at the lake house with Vanessa's family. On Friday, Vanessa had a really tough time and couldn't get out of bed for a long period of time. She was able to watch fireworks for about 10-15 minutes and we had to take her back to the house.

When she woke up on Saturday, she was feeling worst. I took her to the closest hospital and we ended up here at St Francis in Monroe, La. The ER staff was wonderful. They quickly got to her and started treating her immediately. They informed us that she would need to stay in the hospital overnight for observation, fluids and antibiotics. We were then sent to the 6th floor. Things up on that floor weren't so inviting. We had numerous issues with the staff and their procedures. We spoke to the hospital reps and informed them of our concerns. She agreed that we had legit concerns and they needed to be addressed. We filed a formal grievance with the hospital. Since then, the staff has been immaculate. They have done things according to their policy and protocol.

This morning, Vanessa woke up with some enduring pain in her back, sides and stomach. The GI doctor came in and visited her and told us he would not be able to scope her due to her blood counts being so low. He stated he may be able to do a CT scan but it wouldn't take place until tomorrow (Monday). Meanwhile, we are currently waiting for a platelet transfusion because her platelets dropped from a 18 to an 8 overnight. So here we are sitting and waiting, and lots of praying.

It sounds like the kids had a blast tubing, jet skiing and playing in the lake the last 2 days. I want to thank Aunt Flora and Uncle Bobby for providing the kids a wonderful weekend and the hard work they put into the planning of all of the events they did with them. We love you guys. I also want to thank Vanessa's mom and dad for keeping the kids at the lake house with them while we took Vanessa to the hospital. Doug (dad) thanks for the jet ski tubing rides you took the kids on. I hope they didn't wear you out.

Please continue praying for Vanessa. She will make it through this and

With God, We Will Beat This!!

Yuckiness!

I first need to apologize for not updating when I got the results from my bone marrow biopsy. This week has been seriously yucky to put it lightly. Anyways, my bone marrow came back 100% clear!!! This is such an awesome answer to prayers. I will have to do a minimum of one more biopsy at the end just to make sure, but just to know now that God has cleared my bone marrow is so great. My week started yucky in the hospital just being stuck in that little room. Also, my bed didn't work properly. They are supposed to air up and down to help with pain and bed sores. Mine never worked and they didn't change it out until Thursday night. Needless to say, I was in pain a lot. I tried to get up and walk around, but between the chemo, blood transfusions, and lumbar puncture, we had to time it just right.

Anyways, I was released on Friday around noon. They had to speed up my last bag of chemo to get me out of there, but by that point, I didn't care what they had to do...just get me out of there. I've been very weak, but determined to get up and try because we are wanting to go out of town this weekend for the Fourth of July so I can get out of these walls and I can see some of my extended family which I haven't seen since our wedding. Well, it hasn't been easy. I felt very weak and kind of icky most of the weekend and it has been VERY emotional for me...and depressing. There just really isn't any other word for it. I have had a very hard time expressing why I am depressed other than the fact that I truly feel that God has healed me completely and I feel as though I am doing my body more harm by pumping all these drugs in it. This is just me and I am not going to refuse treatment. Please don't get me wrong. I am trying to get through this. I spoke to my doctor about it and apparently, this depression is normal and she even made the statement that she was wondering when I was going to hit it. Hopefully this weekend will help.

Saturday night, or early Sunday morning, I woke up and was having difficulty breathing. It took about an hour for me to catch my breath. This also happened in the hospital and I believe it is just extra fluid built up in my body. I was finally able to relax again, but Sunday and Monday night, the insomnia hit again. It is amazing all the things you can learn from infomercials in the middle of the night. I now know how to have the perfect skin, if that doesn't work, I know what make-up will make it look like I have perfect skin, the perfect hair, I can get the perfect body by learning and doing the newest and greatest dance moves and in my spare time, I can order the perfect cookware, and can become a master chef. Aren't you all jealous?!?! I'm so glad we pay for satellite tv where there are 600 channels so I can always have something to watch. Well, not sleeping did not help much with my weakness and pain, so my legs and back were cramping like crazy again. Even hydrocodone did nothing for me.

On Tuesday, I had to go in for my lumbar puncture. They doped me up pretty good and she went to work. Unfortunately, after having 5 of these, scar tissue has built up on my spinal column, so it is difficult for her to get through. After a few tries, she decided to send me to the hospital so the radiologist could do it with his magic machine that shows him exactly where to go. I didn't think this would be a big deal until we hit admissions. The admit clerk kept calling around telling everyone I was there for a shot. She wouldn't read the orders and wouldn't listen to us. Finally, about an hour later, they figured out where I was supposed to go and I was all slumped over in a wheelchair (remember, I was drugged!). A nurse found me and let me lay down. I pretty much slept all that medicine off. I layed there for so long before they finally took me back. Before they did, they gave me vicodine. The procedure itself wasn't too bad because of his little magic machine. I slept for about 2 1/2 hours afterwards. I'm supposed to be flat on my back for 4 hours afterwards, but they were ready to get out of there. They made me drink a coke and go to the bathroom and off I went. I hadn't eaten anything all day except two crackers. I got home and we had dinner delivered from our Sunday School class and it was delicious (the first thing that tasted good all week!). I layed on the couch for a little while and then it hit. The ICKY feeling. I made it to the bedroom and needless to say, I got to taste my wonderful dinner again. I threw up all night long. I am pretty sure this is from not laying flat for 4 hours. My doctor said it was one of the side effects, so I promise it had nothing to do with the great dinner!! My dear sweet mother-in-law to the rescue. She was there at first...well, you know. She had a wet washcloth on my neck and face the entire time and she checked on me all night. Thank you so much for being there. Whenever you are sick, you always want your momma, I'm glad I have two wonderful ones to be there for me!

Wednesday (today), I went in to the doctor for a little chemo. It was about 30 minutes long. She gave me some nausea medicine to help with the after effects of last night and it kind of helped. Rob got up first thing this morning and got me a coke icee to help too. For lunch today, we went to Catfish King since I have been craving fish for quite some time. I've been scared to eat it because I didn't know what it would taste like, but it was delicious. I was so excited I think I over ate. The rest of the day has been good, just weak. I get worn out very easily.

Thank you for all the prayers and patience in reading my long blog. I just want everyone to know what I am going through. For a specific prayer for me, please pray that my platelet count stays up so I won't have to travel 2 hours while on vacation to get a platelet transfusion. I have a few more prayer requests for all of my prayer warriors. As bad as I feel it is for me, I'm not the only one going through rough times:

Laura- a sweet friend of mine had an ectopic pregnancy and lost the baby. Laura, I love you and am praying for you and your family!!

Jessica- a daughter of a prayer warrior and friend of the family miscarried her twins. I can not imagine losing a child. You and your family are in our prayers.

Ashley- my little "sister"- she is in the hospital on bed rest in preterm labor. Please pray her contractions stop as it is too early for little Eli to come and join us. I also want her to be able to go home and not have to spend the rest of her pregnancy in the hospital. I love you Ashley and your whole family. Please pray for her mom & dad as they help take care of her, her sweet husband Tim and her other son Evan as I am sure he is trying to figure out where mommy is spending all her time.

Grandma- (see last blog). This is actually Ashley's grandma, so this is added to her family. She is in rehab and from what I understand, doing well. She still has a ways to go. If I got that wrong, I am sorry, but God knows what Grandma needs so please lift her up!

Sully Farrar- a little boy with Leukemia that I have grown to love. He is back in St. Jude's and needs our prayers. http://www.sullivanfarrar.com/

Angie- my former Sunday School teacher. She had her procedure and is in the laying still mode. She has said she has felt some relief, but she still has a ways to go. Please continue to lift her up.

I know this is a lot, but I have been blessed with so many friends and family as my prayer warriors, that I can not just sit by with these prayer requests here and so many of you out there willing to pray. Again, Rob and I are so excited to see where God uses this obstacle in our lives. We have already been blessed by all of you and others who happen upon our blog or hear about us through friends of friends. Each one of you are so special!!! Always remember...

With God, WE WILL BEAT THIS!!!

Stuck in these four walls...

Well, here I am stuck in these four little walls. They had a suite open up, but to move me, it would cost us a minimum of $1000 to move me down there even though my insurance will pay for that room. We opted to be claustrophobic for the week.

Yesterday was a great day considering I am in the hospital getting chemo. It started off with my brother and sister-in-law coming to visit and then the visitors kept piling in. Each one of you lifted my spirits more than you could possibly know! It was really surprising how many people came by because we haven't told anyone other than family what room I was in since I was supposed to be moving, so you know I was surprised to see Angie (my former Sunday School teacher) pop through the door. She is so sweet. I also had my friend Julie and one of the attorney's I work for, Jill come by. We had great conversations. Even mom commented on how my entire spirit changed, so if you are in the neighborhood and want to stop by, please email, call or text me or Rob and we'll let you know what room I'm in. If you aren't in the neighborhood, email and texting me are also spirit boosters.

While in town, my brother and sister-in-law went to the blood center to give blood in my name. It was so sweet of them! We have had several people ask about giving blood in my name, so if you would like to, you can give in the Dallas area, Tyler area and Shreveport Bossier for sure. Please just email us at wewillbeatthis@gmail.com and we will send you the personal info you need on me to give. If you aren't in any of these areas, just contact your local blood center and find out what info you need and we will be glad to do that for you. Please make sure they know you are just making a donation in my name and not a direct donation into my account. There is too much testing that has to be done and we would have to have direct orders for that from the Doctor. If you don't feel like giving in my name, I would just like to encourage you to give. All the blood banks are low and you never know who's life you are going to save. Rob got a call the other day that his pint he gave went to save a 5 year old boy's life who had been in a go-kart accident and had severed his liver. You just never know who needs a little help.

My beautiful sister-in-law, Kay

My awesome big brother (they had to stick him 3 times!!) Love ya bunches!!!

Both of them filling up the bags...

Giving blood is so important, especially since I have learned about so much more about cancer and chemo. When you hear about someone going through chemo, you don't hear much about the blood transfusions and platelet transfusions very often. I thought this would be a rare thing, but in my case, the week after my first round, I had to have a blood transfusion and had 2 pints put in, the second round, I had a platelet transfusion, and as I type this, I am having another blood transfusion of 3 pints of blood. They did one bag, had to start my 3rd round of chemo, and then I will get my other 2 pints. Thank you so much to each of you who have already donated in my name!!!

I didn't sleep too well last night. It seemed every time I would doze off my IV pump would go off or a helicopter would take off. Hopefully tonight will be better. It couldn't be as bad as my mom though. Since we are in this lovely little room all they have to sleep in was one of those fold out chairs instead of the fold out couch like in the suites. She made it through the night, but she MIGHT end up in one of the girl's beds tonight and I wouldn't blame her one bit!! I also had another lumbar puncture this morning. I had a headache around 3:30am this morning and so they gave me some hydrocodone to tame it before the LP. They also gave me Phenergran to help with it along with my normal meds. So needless to say, I slept for quite awhile after the procedure. The spinal fluid came out clear...good news!! After that, she went ahead and stitched back in my PICC line. It wasn't too bad, just the numbing shots and a few seconds later it was done.

That's really all that is happening here in my four walls. Thank you again to each of you who have been praying for me and supporting me and my family. I want to thank those of you who lifted up our friend James. As of right now, everything in benign which is wonderful. They will recheck him again in 90 days. BUT, I have another prayer request. My good friend's grandmother had brain surgery a couple of weeks ago and has been in ICU and is now in rehab. There are only 7 documented cases of her brain condition. Please pray for her. I just call her grandma, so if you pray for grandma, God will know who you are talking about. Also, pray for her family as they help take care of her and make decisions in her care. Her husband is also concerned, so pray for him too. Also, our sweet friend Angie is having a procedure tomorrow for her 3 leaking disc in her back. She is a lot of pain and needs all our prayers. This is a new procedure and she will need all the prayers she can get. And last but not least, no news on the bone marrow biopsy. Keep praying!! Each and everyone of you are awesome! We love you!

With God, WE WILL BEAT THIS!!!

Bring on the Suite!

Well, I am back in the hospital. We had to get up very early this morning and get the kids sent off to church camp, so we made it to the hospital bright and early. Rob and I are both dragging, but it was worth it to see the girls excited about camp. Well, we got here a little after 7 am and they didn't have a room ready for me. When they finally had one open up, it isn't a suite like I've had for all my treatments and transfusions. They don't have any available today. I don't want to sound spoiled, but I AM!! I think the nurse said it properly when she said coming from down there to a regular room is a shock to the system. I think if they were to paint the room bright colors and maybe let some kids put their handprints on the wall or something cute like that, it would lift the spirits of the people who have to stay here. Who says a hospital HAS TO BE white?? BUT....if a suite opens up, I am supposed to be moving. Let's hope it does soon.

So now for the treatment. This one will be just like my first treatment. Please pray that it goes smoothly and I don't get as sick as I did the first go round. They have taken my blood to the lab to make sure I am good to go, hooked me up to the IV pump with fluids and brought me 21 pills to take. Yes, you read that right...21!! By the end of the day, I think it comes to around 35 pills I have to take. Unfortunately, both of the stitches holding my PICC line in popped and so they can't start the chemo until they get the okay from the doctor or the orders to restitch it. So...we wait.

On Thursday, I had another bone marrow biopsy. They totally knocked me out for that one. It was a different type "knock out" than for surgery or something. I was only out for about 30 minutes (if that) and I didn't feel all groggy afterwards. I just felt like I had taken a nap. I thought surely this was the way to go. I later found out that it wasn't a walk in the park like I thought. The soreness was about 10 times worse than when they did the biopsy when I was awake. It hurt to roll over, sit up, stand up, walk, sit down, lay down...etc. I don't know why it was worse though. I don't know if the numbing medicine they put in when I am awake helps with the soreness or if they had to dig or go in multiple times when they knocked me out. The doctor was gone when I woke up so I haven't had a chance to ask her. I don't have the results yet, but hopefully in the next day or two I will.

Again, we cannot thank each of you enough for all your prayers and support. Every thought, prayer, e-mail and comment mean so much to us! We are still very excited to see what God has in store for us! For specific prayers right now, pray that I will get through this round smoothly, that next week won't be so bad so I can enjoy the 4th of July with my family, and that the girls have a great week at camp learning more about Jesus. PLEASE PLEASE also remember our friend James. He had his lymph node removed on Thursday and should be finding out the results of the biopsy this week. Please pray it is nothing!!

With God, WE WILL BEAT THIS!!!

Bone Marrow and Blood Counts

Well, I went to the doctor yesterday for a check-up. My blood counts shot up from last time. My white blood count went from 0.1 on Friday to 24 on Tuesday. That is actually about double normal amount, but considering everything, my doctor was very excited with this. My platelet count went from 18 to 118. This is good because I am on track to start chemo on Monday which means I can stay on schedule which is so important to me. My hemoglobin actually went down 2 points, but my doctor said that was okay.

Now for the bone marrow, it was time for them to do another bone marrow aspirate. I was so nervous. The first time they did one, I took a Xanax before we went, so I was nervous but not like I was yesterday. My doctor promised to HEAVILY medicate me when I got there so I didn't bother with the Xanax. Well, the nurse came in and had Ativan and Demerol, which is the same medication they give me for the lumbar punctures. I told him that the doctor promised me "HEAVILY" medication. He went and talked to her and came back with some phenegran. I was pretty loopy after that. Well, they started the procedure and it still hurt like crazy. They couldn't get any marrow to come out, so they had to try again and do another puncture. This was fun! Well, they still couldn't get any marrow out. Apparently, my bone marrow clotted when my white blood count went up. I'm not a "medical" person, so this may be wrong, but from what I understand, that could cause it. Well, they decided not to hurt me anymore, so tomorrow (Thursday), I go in at 7:00am and they will completely knock me out and do the procedure until they get some bone marrow. Please pray they get it pretty early in the procedure because it does leave me sore. Also, please pray that there is no problem with the anesthesia. I have never had any issues with it, but just in case.

Thank you all for all the emails we have received recently and for all the prayers. We appreciate each and everyone of you!

With God, WE WILL BEAT THIS!!!