Chemo today

Tim is talking to his mom as I write this post. She was admitted yesterday, as planned, and received the big room that she had requested (it is a long month if you have a small room!) but is bummed at the boring/bland walls. So, we are sending her some artwork Jeremiah & Logan style. I am sure that soon she won't even be able to see those walls for all the cards and well wishes she will get.

She weathered her first chemo treatment well, with only a slight headache. Praise God for that. Dad is staying with her tonight (thanks to the big room this is possible). Her treatment will change tomorrow and then will remain the same for four days. Some of the family in Chicago are going crazy because they are sick, and so can not visit. Pray, Pray, Pray that Tim and I will be healthy for our scheduled trips to see her: March 12-13 & March 26-27.

Mom's Treatment

Mom goes into the hospital in two days. We are thankful for the time that she has had at home, feeling well. She has been able to do many of her favorite things: attending grandkid's ball games, going out for breakfast with Dad, grocery shopping (yeah, who ever thought that would be a favorite once your activities were limited?). We are so grateful that God is blessing her with these opportunities, in the 'eye of the storm' so to say.

Keep praying for her, and the rest of the family. As she embarks on this last leg of her fight, we just pray that we all have the emotional stamina and the endurance to run this race...that we continue to put all of our fears and doubts into the Lord's capable hands.

If you want to check out her progress journal, check out the Caring Bridge website just to the left of this post.

On a lighter note...

We are nearly 18 weeks along. I can feel the baby wriggling inside me. I get excited and just a little freaked out--can we handle three kids?? Too late to worry too much... We go in to the OB on March 11 for an ultrasound. Jeremiah wants to go along so that he can see his little brother or sister. And guess what? We are NOT going to find out the gender of this little one. Saving up the surprise for the big day.

Stem-cell update

So far, Tim's mom has been handling the stem cell transplant process well. She went through nearly a week of chemo with little side effects. Seemed upbeat the whole time. We have so much to be thankful for, that the process has been for the most part smooth. This past week she drove in to UIC four days in a row so that the DR.s could harvest her cells. We originally thought this would be extremely painful (remember the needle in the hip bone process people used to do). But, in fact, the cells were collected through a port already placed in her chest (just below the shoulder bone). So, although she had to lay in bed for hours at a time, she experienced little pain. She is recovering at home now, feeling tired. But, we are thankful that this stage wasn't more painful.

So, up next is a week "off", and then (on Feb 28) she will return to UIC, undergo chemo for 5 days and then have the stem-cells reintroduced to her body. This will be the most critical and most dangerous stage of the whole process. We are trying to prepare for the difficult weeks ahead. Tim plans to visit Mom three times during this last phase, driving down for the day twice, once staying over night. I will go with him on the overnight. It is hard for Tim to feel so far away during this time.

Continue to pray for her strength, both physical and emotional. Pray that her spirit is uplifted. Pray that the family will know when to surround her and when to give her space. Pray that we continue to find peace, and gratitude for the success thus far.