Happy New Year!

Mom and Dad are back in Sugar Land, welcoming the New Year with Dana and Sheila. Aunt Ruby is stable and will continue under hospice care at the nursing home. She has lots of dear friends checking on her and making daily visits, and her hospice nurses are great, so we know she is being well-cared-for. Mom ended her 3-week break from chemo and went for a treatment this past Wednesday. She is scheduled to have her tests and scans repeated on January 12th, so we ask for prayers for positive results.

We want to continue to thank everyone for all the love and kindness that was shown to Mom and Dad during 2010. It was a year of great challenge, but with everyone's support and the grace of God, it has also been a year of great blessings. We wish everyone a blessed and happy 2011...we pray your year is filled with good health, dear friends, loving family, and God's unwaivering love.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Mom and Dad will be spending Christmas in Marshall, Texas, surrounded by loving friends. Ruby is slowly declining each day. Her kidneys have stopped working, she has a staph infection, and she also has pneumonia. Days are long and labored for her, but we know and trust that God has her in His loving care.

A good friend (Kennie Beth Smith, actually) recently said that "Christians are never far away from family when other Christians are near". The road my parents have traveled this past year with Mom's cancer diagnosis, and the illnesses of Aunt Ruby, have proven that point over and over again. How can we ever thank all the people who have reached out and supported and loved Jim and Trudie the past year? From Waxahachie, to Sugar Land, to Marshall, all the way to Connecticut, and points in-between....prayers, cards, food, love and support have been boundless. God bless everyone this Christmas season. Thank you for being our family.

Merry Christmas!!!

Trudie and Jim have been counting days until tomorrow because they were supposed to leave early tomorrow morning for a two week Christmas trip to Connecticut. Chemo was on a 3 week break, airline tickets were purchased, and bags were packed. However, around 2:00 this afternoon Mom got the call that Aunt Ruby (her only surviving sibling) is in grave condition and not expected to live much longer. Being a woman who truly possesses a heart of Jesus, Mom does not want Ruby to be alone, and has made the unselfish decision to spend the next few days by Ruby's side instead of making the trip to Connecticut. While the last minute change of plans is disappointing, isn't this truly what Christmas is about. The ultimate gift at Christmas is the gift of love...through good times, bad times, beginnings and endings. Mom and Dad continue to amaze everyone with their strength of spirit and faith, and their unselfish love for others.

Mom and Dad will leave Houston early tomorrow morning and will be in Marshall by early afternoon. Dana is driving them there (he will then fly back to Houston). Please keep Mom, Dad and Dana in prayer as they make the trip to East Texas to spend this time with Ruby. Please keep Ruby in prayer that she feels peace and comfort during her remaining time on earth. God bless everyone.

Mom and Dad are back in Waxahachie...but only until this weekend. Aunt Ruby is doing much better and the doctors predict she will make a good recovery and be able to return to the nursing home soon. These Langley women come from tough stock!!! God is so good in answering our prayers. Mom and Dad will be heading back to Sugar Land so Mom can have her chemo treatment next Wednesday.

Mom and Dad weren't home from Houston even 24 hours....they got in the car Sunday morning and drove to Marshall, Texas to be with Mom's sister, Ruby Langley. Ruby had emergency surgery last week and was not expected to live through the weekend. Mom and Dad arrived there Sunday afternoon and have been at her bedside ever since. The doctors are now reporting that Ruby is doing better and are more encouraging about her recovery. Mom and Dad hope to return to Waxahachie in the next day or two. Please keep them all in yours prayers...for recovery, strong health, and safe travel.

Blessings...

During this time of Thanksgiving, we know we have so incredibly much to be thankful for. Trudie is doing well, Jim is staying well, and they are surrounded by so many people who love and care for them. It was a great Thanksgiving Day at Dana and Sheila's...surrounded by grandkids and great-grandkids. Jim and Trudie are headed to Waxahachie today to spend a few days. Actually, they are going home to get warmer clothes because, if all goes well, they will be spending Christmas in Connecticut with Marsha, Kevin, Clancey and Brogan!!!!

Please continue to hold them in prayer. Also, please keep in prayer Trudie's sister, Ruby. Ruby is in ICU at the hospital in Marshall, Texas. Things are difficult for her right now, and the doctors are working hard to figure out how to care for her and alleviate her immense abdominal pain and distress.

God is so good, and His blessings continue to dominate our lives.

An Early Thanksgiving Blessing!

Trudie had her scans and tests repeated yesterday....it was a long day (night) at MD Anderson. Today she went back for her doctor's visit and we consider it to be a good report. The scans show no growth, no new growth, and no activity in the pancreatic and lung tumors. The doctors are very pleased with how Mom is responding to this round of chemo. She will continue to receive chemo treatment every two weeks. Mom and Dad have decided to stay in Sugar Land until after Thanksgiving so Mom can continue to receive her treatments here, and so they can enjoy the holiday hospitality at Dana and Sheila's house. God is so good and we thank Him daily for blessing Mom with family, good friends, and outstanding doctors.

Mom and Dad have loved being home...even though Mom has been suffering some pretty bad bouts of vertigo. She just about has it conquered...in fact she, Dad, Pat and Jimmy Cox drove to Sugar Land today so that Mom can get her next chemo treatment tomorrow. They will spend the night at Dana and Sheila's house, then head back to Waxahachie tomorrow after her treatment. When God decided to create "friends", He must have used Pat and Jimmy as a template....they are the best!!!

Headed Home!!!

Even as this is being written, Jim and Trudie are rolling down the highway toward home. They should be there later tonight. Mom just finished her third round of chemo since resuming treatment in September. She is continuing to suffer NO ill side-effects from the chemo, and for that we are richly blessed and thankful. Mom and Dad are anxious to be back home for a short stay, and look forward to hugs and hellos.

10-10-10....what a fun date to write! It's been a good week for Mom and Dad. Mom had a bone scan this past Monday and the doctor gave the "all clear" report the following day. Whew! Mom has been feeling pretty good this past week, even after undergoing two rounds of chemo. She is scheduled for her next round this coming Wednesday. Please pray that the chemo is working on containing the tumors and bringing down the tumor marker number.

Dad is feeling much better. He and Mom have had a really fun weekend. Dana and Sheila were in New Mexico for the weekend, so Brittnie and Brandon came over for a weekend of sleepovers and shenanigans....you just never know what kind of trouble Brandon will bring with him.

A continued "thank you" to everyone for their prayers, calls, cards, and loving thoughts. And to the church "family" at First Colony...thank you for all the love and encouragement you have brought into our lives.

Trudie just finished her second chemo treatment since returning to Sugar Land. So far, all is going well. She went for a bone scan today and will get results at a doctor's visit tomorrow.

Jim is recovering from a bout of bronchitis/pneumonia. It's never a dull moment with these two! Just kinda shows how things fall apart when Sheila leaves town. She was in Paris for 10 days, but is back now and has everything under control.

Got Time to Drop a Line?

Trudie and Jim are back in Sugar Land, and Mom started chemo yesterday. Mom has not been feeling well, and her spirits are a little low. If you have time to drop her a card, we know it would really help her feel better. Her address is 3507 Riviera Court, Sugar Land, Texas 77479.

And, on we go....

Today has been a pretty good day. After a long day of testing yesterday, we met with Mom's doctor to find out test results. The news was fairly positive. Tests showed some minimal growth in the lung lesions and the pancreatic tumor. Her tumor marker was elevated from a previous 216 up to 594. While both things sounded worrisome, the doctor assured us that this was to be expected after being off chemo for two months. The doctor is not concerned with these changes, and expressed that we have lost NO ground. Actually, she said it was good for Mom to be off chemo for a while to give her body (and spirit) time to rest and rejuvenate. All other test results were good, and the doctor was very pleased with how well Mom is doing. She will resume chemotherapy on an every-other-week basis, and her progress will be reassessed after a month. In the meantime, Mom and Dad will be living with Dana and Sheila and enjoying all the comforts of Sugar Land.

To God be the glory...great things He has done. He continues to bless Trudie, and we will continue to lean on Him as we follow the doctor's advice and suggestions. Thank you to everyone for all the love, prayers and support.

Back in the Land of Sweetness

Mom and Dad are back safely in Sugar Land, and enjoying all the comforts of Dana and Sheila's home. Today was a long day of testing at M.D. Anderson for Mom, and now she is snoozing on the couch. She meets with her doctor tomorrow at 10:30 for results. Keep praying please, and updates will be posted tomorrow. Love to everyone!

One More Week...

One more week...that's how much time Mom and Dad have left at home before they return to Houston. It has been a great summer at home, and they are grateful for all the time spent with family and friends. Mom is scheduled back at MD Anderson for a full day of testing on Wednesday, September 8th. She will meet with her doctor on September 9th for results. We boldly ask and covet all prayers for positive results. God has had His loving, healing hands on her for 8 months since her initial diagnosis, and we pray that He continues to bless her with strength and healing.

Here we are the first week of August and the weather is hot, hot, hot!!! Trudie's chicken pox are all gone and she is doing great. She is still running circles around all of us. Jim is still suffering from shingles, but every day seems to get a little better. Please continue to keep both of them in your prayers. Trudie goes back to MD Anderson on September 8th for repeat scans and testing. Her hope and prayer is that everything is still stable and she can continue her "chemo-free" vacation at home! We will keep you posted.

It's Not a Country Western Song ....

So, my phone rings in Connecticut on Monday night and I hear my beautiful mother's voice say ... "Your father has shingles, your mother has chicken pox, and this is not the title of a country western song." Yup, on Monday dad was diagnosed with shingles. No sooner did the words "I have never had chicken pox" come out of my mom's mouth that she found spots on her abdomen. The doctor took a look and confirmed she had chicken pox!!!! Luckily, it has been a very mild case, but she's 80 years old, for goodness sakes, and is just now getting chicken pox!!!

Mom and Dad have loved, loved, loved being back home for the summer. They have loved seeing all their friends, and being active again in church work, but now some of that comes to a halt while they recuperate. So, give them a call, honk your horn as you drive by ... but give them a few days to get better before stopping by to see them.

Please also continue to keep them in prayer, cause it's always something .....

Great News!!!

Mom had her scans and tests repeated this past Monday and met with the doctor on Tuesday. The first words out of the doctor's mouth were, "It's all good news!" Her tumor marker was down slightly again, the lung tumors showed measurable shrinkage, and the pancreatic tumor is stable. Mom had chemo on Wednesday, and will now take a two month break! That means......she and dad are home for the summer!!!!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow....Mom is doing so well and has gotten a lot of her energy back.

A continued thank you to everyone for their cards, thoughts, calls, and prayers. God has His healing hand on Mom's shoulder and is blessing her daily. She continues to amaze us, and repays God's blessings daily by serving Him in whatever capacity she can.

Trudie and Jim are doing well. Mom is starting to suffer some of the chemo side-effects that we all hoped she could avoid....mainly fatigue and weakness. It makes her very unhappy that she doesn't have the "get-up-and-go" that she's is so famous for. Her mornings especially are slow-going, but her energy level picks up by mid-afternoon...then she and Sheila are out-and-about getting into all kinds of trouble.

Mom goes for chemo this Thursday (June 17th), then will have all her tests and scans repeated on June 28th. Please continue to pray fervently for healing and a good report.

Mom still continues to cherish all the cards and calls she receives, so thank you for taking the time to stay in touch with her and letting her know she is loved.

Mom resumed chemo last Thursday. She has been experiencing quite a fit of fatigue and weakness, so prayers of healing and messages of encouragement are greatly desired. Mom met with her MD Anderson doctor this past Tuesday and the doctors are still very pleased with how well mom is doing. They say the fatigue and weakness are normal....she has been pumped full of poisonous chemo for five months now, so side-effects are the nature of the beast. She is now back on an every-other-week schedule for chemo, and hopefully that will alleviate some of her problems.

Mom and Dad will be staying in Sugar Land for the month of June. Mom will have all her scans and tests repeated at the end of June and the doctors expect continued good news.

Please keep mom and dad in prayer. Things have been going so incredibly well, but mom is hitting a bit of a "low" spot in her treatment. While she is still so strong in faith and spirit, her body is weary and she needs as much love and encouragement as we can give her.

The Bionic Woman Returns...

Mom took a two week break from chemo, and was able to have a great stay at home in Waxahachie. She went to the doctor yesterday to have her platelet count checked and it had rocketed from 51 up to 314!!! That means she can resume chemo on Thursday...so Dana picked up her and Dad for the return trip to Sugar Land today.

Mom had a great time while she was home....seeing dear friends, having ice cream with Lawson, working the estate sale with Pat, and sleeping in her very own bed. Mom sees her doctor next Tuesday, and if the doctor decides to schedule her chemo treatments for every-other-week, then hopefully she and Dad will be back home again soon. Please pray for continued blessings of health and strength for Mom. She continues to amaze us and make us so proud. To God be the glory.....

Home Again, Home Again....

Jim and Trudie are home!!! And, the good news is, they should be able to be in Waxahachie for almost two weeks!

It was touch-and-go whether they would get to make the trip or not. Mom's platelet count has dropped significantly over the past week and we weren't sure if she could receive her chemo treatment on Thursday. Blood work revealed that the platelet level was too low. So, instead of chemo, Mom, Dad and Sheila hit the road for Waxahachie this morning. The doctors have decided she should take an extra week off to let her body rebuild and recuperate....so no chemo until May 20th. Mom has done remarkably well throughout her four months of heavy-duty chemo. Shows just how tough she is that she hasn't had to take a break from it before now. The doctors are still very pleased with how she is doing, and blame the chemo for the low platelet count.

Please continue to pray for Mom's health and healing. If you are in the Waxahachie area, please just give Mom and Dad a call before stopping by to visit. And, don't be asking Trudie to juggle swords or carving knives......with a low platelet count, it could get ugly!!!!

Mom completed another round of chemo this past Thursday. She now receives chemo once a week for three weeks straight, and this was the second week. Mom will receive chemo again this Thursday, then she and Dad hope to make a trip home to Waxahachie since she will have a two week break before she starts the three week process all over again. Mom continues to do well, and is still tolerating the chemo without bad side-effects. Her white blood cell count had dropped this past week, but the doctor said that is to be expected when you start receiving chemo every week.

Jim's birthday is this Thursday....he will be 84 years young. If you wish to send Dad a card you can either mail it to 3507 Riviera Court, Sugar Land, Texas 77479, or mail it to their house in Waxahachie. Their hope and prayer is that they will be back home by Friday.

Blessings to everyone, and thanks for keeping Trudie in your prayers.

It's Been a Good Day!!!

Today has been a good day. Mom spent over 6 hours at MD Anderson yesterday having her scans, xrays and blood work repeated. Today we met with the doctors to find out the results and we are all pleased with what we heard. Mom's tumor marker is down to 227 from 336 (it started at 1207 in December). Her liver is clear of lesions. The lesions in her lungs show slight shrinkage and signs of "cavitation" (black centers indicating dead cancer cells). Her pancreatic tumor is stable.

Mom's chemo treatment will be slightly altered. She has been receiving two IV chemo drugs every other week for the past 8 treatments. Beginning Thursday, she will be receiving only one chemo IV drug, but will receive it weekly for the next three weeks, take one week off, then repeat the process. She will have her tumor marker and all tests and scans repeated in 2 1/2 months.

The doctors are very pleased with Mom's progress and how well she is tolerating chemotherapy treatment. Please continue to lift her up in prayer. The prayers, cards, calls, and visits from her friends are a continued source of great joy, and for that....we thank you.

What A Wonderful Birthday!

Trudie said that her 80th birthday and all its surprises were "fantastic", "overwhelming", and "she's looking forward to the next one"!!!! Thank you to everyone for all the birthday cards, wishes, emails, and special memories that you took the time to share. It made the day so incredibly special for her...and for all of us to witness, once again, how much she is loved.

Mom goes back to MD Anderson tomorrow for 6 hours of testing. They are repeating all her x-rays, scans, and blood work to see where she's at after completing 8 rounds of chemo. We are placing all our trust in the good Lord as we approach tomorrow's testing, and the follow-up visit with the doctor for results on Tuesday afternoon. We will post all news to the blog as soon as possible. Once again, we thank everyone for their outpouring of love and prayers on her behalf.

The Latest.....

Mom completed round 8 of chemo yesterday....and continues to amaze us with her strength and energy. She and Dad are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their Connecticut girls on Tuesday. Marsha, Clancey and Brogan will arrive in time to help celebrate Mom's 80th birthday on Wednesday, April 14th. Lord willing, we will leave the next day for a quick trip to Waxahachie, then back to Sugar Land on Monday the 19th. Mom is scheduled to have all her tests, scans, and xrays repeated that day, then meet with the doctors the next day to find out the latest results. God is the great physician, and our prayer is that He will continue to bless mom with improved health and strength of body and spirit. Please keep her in your prayers.

Happy 80th Birthday, Mom!!! We all love you!!!!!!

Mom's Birthday Surprise!!!

Mom's 80th birthday is coming up on April 14th. We would like to surprise her with a scrapbook filled with birthday wishes. If you would like to send a card, note of hope and encouragement, or share a special memory, please send it to Marsha. You can email it to mdadams72@comcast.net, or you can mail something to Marsha Adams, 9 Saddle Ridge Dr., West Simsburty, CT 06092. We would like to have cards and notes by April 9th so we can get them "scrapbooked" before her birthday. Pictures are welcome, too. It's a surprise so.....sssshhhhhhhh!!!!!!!

Surprise! We're Home Again!!!

Our precious Susan was in Sugar Land visiting this past week, and offered her grandparents a ride home early this morning. She was headed back to Celina and was happy to have them along for the ride. They jumped at the chance, and were delivered home safely after a fun ride with Susan and her little 2 year old, Aiden. Mom and Dad will be home for about a week.

Mom had chemo round 7 on Thursday, and is feeling pretty good. God continues to bless them both with improved health and energy. You will probably see Mom and Dad zipping around town in the red truck....so keep your eyes open!

More Encouraging News...

Late today we received the results of yesterday's blood work. Mom's tumor marker has dropped to 339! That's down from 586 a month ago, and 1208 almost three months ago. We are thrilled and encouraged. To God be the glory, great things He has done!!!!

Back in Sugar Land

Dana drove Mom and Dad safely back to Sugar Land on Saturday night. They were lucky to miss all the unexpected snow and sleet that hit the Dallas area Saturday night and Sunday. Crazy Texas weather....snow and sleet in March!!!

Dad is feeling better, and is recovering from his pneumonia. Mom went to the doctor on Tuesday for blood work. Her red cell count and hemoglobin count are both low, so they plan on giving her a shot before chemo tomorrow to boost those counts. Tomorrow is chemo round 7. While Mom is running a little low on energy, she still possesses a fighting spirit and she's ready to go for round 7 and deliver another one-two punch to cancer.

While Mom and Dad didn't get to do everything they planned, nor see everyone they had hoped to see...they still had a nice time being home in Waxahachie. One person they did get to see was their little friend, Lawson, who lives next door. Lawson is 5 years old, and Trudie's biggest fan. When he found out Trudie was home, he ran down the sidewalk, up Trudie's porch and almost knocked her over with hugs. He then asked if they could have ice cream together. When Mom was dishing up the ice cream, Lawson said, "Trudie, you know we have the same ice cream at our house, but it tastes better here. Do you know why?" When Trudie asked him why, Lawson replied, "Because you're here, Trudie!" Even a precious 5 year old knows how blessed and wonderful this world is because Trudie is in it. Please continue to pray for Mom that chemo destroys this cancer, and she will continue to respond positively to treatment.

A Quiet Week

Mom and Dad have had a nice, quiet week at home. We so appreciate everyone postponing plans to "ring their doorbell" this week. Mom has had a low energy level and has spent a great deal of time resting. Dad found out Tuesday that he has pneumonia in his left lung and was ordered to stay indoors and not be around people. So, the two of them have been keeping each other company, and have spent quality time at home recuperating.

Thank you to everyone who brought in meals and goodies this week. Every night mom would let us know what they had to eat that day, and it all sounded sooo good. Prayers nurture the soul, but good Texas gourmet nurtures the body. Thank you to everyone!!!

Dana will be driving Mom and Dad back to Sugar Land on Sunday. Mom has some blood work and a doctor's visit scheduled for Tuesday. We boldly pray that Mom's cancer marker continues to decrease and that she continues to show positive results from the chemo. Thursday she will go for round 7!!!!

It is a special time of year....while nature is blessing us with beautiful colors and smells, we know that Christ bestows the greatest blessings. We also know that Christ did not come to remove suffering, but to fill it with His presence. Happy Spring to everyone!!!!

There's No Place Like Home....

Mom and Dad got back to Waxahachie on Friday afternoon. Sheila drove them and made sure they got home safe and sound. While it's great to have them home, mom is running a little low on energy right now, so we are asking that folks not ring their doorbell quite yet. After her 6th round of chemo, mom's immune system is compromised and her resistance to viruses is low. So, even though the love of her friends is her greatest gift......hugs and handshakes may not be the best medicine until she is feeling a little stronger. Mom is in great spirits, and still loves any opportunity to visit and laugh with her friends. Phone calls are always great. If she doesn't answer the phone it means she is probably resting, so please just leave her a message.

We continue to be amazed at how much mom is loved and cared for, and the number of prayers that are being said on her behalf. Please continue to pray for mom, and everyone who is fighting cancer. God is stronger than anything!!!!

With 6 You DON'T Get Eggrolls....

Does anyone else know that movie besides me and Mom? Oh well...Mom had her 6th chemo treatment today....and, as always, she jumped out of bed afterwards and speed-walked out the door. God is just so incredibly good!!!! He continues to bless her and keep her strong. It was tag-team day at chemo today. Her favorite (and only) son-in-law, Kevin, was in Houston for a few days on business, and spent the morning with Mom. When he had to leave for the airport, Dad came in and took over chemo duty. Mom continues to not suffer any awful side-effects from the chemo...just a little tired, and rosy red cheeks (Mom says it's her "glow"). Another example of God's blessings.

Mom and Dad are planning on leaving tomorrow morning for Waxahachie!!! They are so excited to be going home for a little while and look forward to seeing everyone. Hey Lawson, Trudie still has ice cream in her freezer and can't wait to share a bowl with you!!!

We want to thank everyone for the continued outpouring of love, support and prayers. Mom has been overwhelmed with cards, letters, phone calls, and dinners.....all these things are what keeps her strong. Please continue to keep her in prayer, that God will continue blessing her with good health and positive test results. Thank you everyone, and our love to all of you!!!

Did they use "duct" tape on that bile "duct"???

Noooo...they didn't use "duct" tape on that bile "duct", but Mom did have to have the bile duct stint replaced yesterday. Before Christmas, a blockage in the bile duct was the thing that alerted mom and the doctors that something wasn't quite right with Trudie. A temporary plastic stint was inserted and was doing its job, but needed to be replaced with a permanent metal one. That's what the doctor did yesterday. It was all routine....nothing amiss or concerning. Everything went fine, but mom's not feeling too well today. The procedure is done with a small scope that they run down her throat....but mom says it feels like they used a vacuum cleaner hose attached to a pair of salad tongs. She hurts and is sore and generally feels lousy....but hopefully, with rest and tender-loving-care, tomorrow will be a better day. Wait! I just heard from her....she already is feeling much better tonight. Dana and Sheila took her and dad to a catfish fry tonight and she said the food was delicious!!! See...all better! Trudie is amazing!!!

Dad also went back to the skin cancer doctor at M.D. Anderson last week for follow-up and everything looks great. He does have a little stitch that hasn't dissolved and is sticking out of the skin right next to his nose. If you pull it, his eyes cross!!! Just kidding....you can't even see it. He spends his time trying to convince Sheila to take him to "Five Guys Burgers & Fries"....but she's not budging.....she just smiles, and fixes him a nice, beautiful salad. I think he's actually met his match!!!!

Encouraging News...

Yesterday, Trudie and her "entourage" (Jim, Dana, Sheila & Marsha) went to MD Anderson to find out the results of her repeat bloodwork and cat-scans that she had done on Sunday. The news was all so encouraging and positive. Mom's liver is clear! The spots on her lungs show improvement...three of the larger ones have shrunk and the others show "gray" centers which means they contain dead cancer cells. The pancreatic tumor is stable, showing no signs of growth or spreading. The most encouraging news came from the tumor protein marker test, which shows how much protein the tumor is throwing off into the body. At the end of December the marker was 1208. Now it is down to 500!!!! This means that the tumor has diminished in it's ability to grow and spread. The doctors said it could also mean that the pancreatic tumor now contains dead cancer cells. Mom's is maintaining good weight, and hasn't lost any weight in the past two weeks. The doctors are very pleased with how things are going and how "exceptionally well" she is tolerating the chemo. Mom will continue with her chemo treatments as usual and she goes tomorrow for her 5th round.

Mom looks wonderful and beautiful, and her energy level is as amazing as always. How can we do anything but praise God for all of this? Everyone has been so faithful, strong and bold in their prayers for mom, and God is listening....He is answering....He is so good! Please continue to lift her up. She is such a woman of strong spirit and faith, and we are so proud of her!

Fourth Down

It's been a busy week in Sugar Land. Jim had surgery to remove his skin cancer at Mohs Clinic of MD Anderson on Monday. He's clean! Just a little banged up.....but you should see the other guy. :) Where else is a guy with two black eyes going to fit in but a hockey game?? Grandpa, Dana, James, and Brandon are all out tonight watching the Aeros. Grandpa is in heaven.
Grandma had her fourth chemo treatment yesterday and is continuing to do well. With a minor flushed face and puffy cheeks, she's still cuter than ever! She visited her PT this morning. This helps her with chemo and all around good physical health. We spent the rest of the day visiting a friend at the hospital.
Wow! We hear it has snowed just a little bit in the Dallas area. Hope you have power and everybody stays warm. Make a snowman for us! Love to everyone! God has been good to us.

Back in Sugar Land

Mom and Dad sure enjoyed their time at home in Waxahachie. They got to spend time with neighbors, friends, and family. Glenn, Jess and Garna came down, brought a delicious dinner, and pampered Mom and Dad while they were home. Garna even taught Mom a few tricks on Mom's new cell phone....oh the young, they can so easily figure these things out.

Mom and Dad have been back in Sugar Land for a week. Sheila picked them up in Waxahachie for the drive back, and took them on lots of little "field trips" along the way. Mom and Dad both said that "veering off the beaten path" and seeing places they had never seen before was a fun way to make the drive.

Mom went for her third IV chemo treatment last Thursday. Once again, we praise and thank God for helping her continue to receive treatments with no ill side-effects. She gets a little tired afterwards, but she still has more energy than all of us put together.

Dad also made a trip to M.D. Anderson today to have some skin cancers looked at and biopsied. The doctors and nurses at M.D. Anderson are so gifted and talented. The doctor today made Dad feel like he was the only patient she had. She "got" Dad's sense of humor, too...so the two of them were quite a pair, apparently. A stressful and long day was filled with teasing, laughing, and healing. What a blessing!!!

We continue to thank everyone for all the cards, calls, visits and outpourings of love. Your friendship and devotion strengthens and bolsters us all. God's love and blessings to everyone! God is so good. He proves it every day!!!!

What a great week....

What a great week Mom and Dad have had back at home. Thank you so much to everyone for your love and generous outpouring of calls, cards, food and visits. Mom said that when she got home last Saturday, there were over 150 cards waiting for her that were filled with encouragement, support, and love. It's a true testament to how much mom and dad are loved and cared for, and their children and grandchildren can't thank all of you enough.

Mom and Dad even joined the "Senior Center" in Waxahachie this week and have taken advantage of their work-out facilities. They said they needed to after all the incredible and delicious food that has been brought to them this week. Texas food, and the sweet Texans who prepare it, just can't be beat.

Mom and Dad will return to Sugar Land on Monday. Look out Dana and Ashley....Mom is "Waxahachie rested" and ready to take on any contest, card game or competition you place in front of her.

Back in Waxahachie!!!!

Marsha reporting again, and will be reporting for a while because......Mom and Dad got to go home to Waxahachie today!!! Yup, they packed up Dad's new hearing aides, jumped in the car with their granddaughter, Ashley, and headed home! They will be returning to Houston, and the comforts of Dana and Sheila's house, on Monday the 25th. Mom and Dad don't have a computer at their house, so I promised Mom I would update the blog while she was away from modern technology. I will also be reading her "comments" to her daily, so please feel free to continue leaving her messages....especially you, Tommy Medford, because they're hysterical.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, love and support. Whether you are a long-time friend or a new one, someone who knows my folks, or someone who just knows "about" them....so many of you have been praying, and we see God's answer in how well Mom is doing right now. Little buddy Lawson....run next door and give Trudie a big hug from all of us!!!!!

Trudie's daughter, Marsha, reporting on the blog today because it gives me great pleasure to report that, even after undergoing her second 7 hour round of chemo, Mom was able to sit and beat BOTH Dana AND Dad in the card game canasta. As my daughters and their high school friends would say.....TRUDIE IS A BEAST!!!! That's the ultimate teenage compliment. She continues to prove that she is one of the strongest women - physically, mentally and spiritually - that we know!!!! Way to go Mom......we love you!!!

Guess what Jim got yesterday? Hearing aids!!! He loves being able to hear everything. We went to see the movie "Blind Side" last night and he was able to hear every word. He could even talk to Marsha on the cell phone without using the speaker phone. Guess I'm going to have to start watching what I say, cause now he'll hear me.

I'm going for my second round of chemo tomorrow. While your loving thoughts and prayers make me feel so loved and strong, please also take a moment to pray for all the poor people in Haiti who are suffering so much right now. God continues to love and care for all of us, and we are all in His hands.

Update to yesterday's Phase 10 episode....today I beat my granddaughter AND my daughter-in-law. I'm on a roll. They said it's not going to be much fun to play with me if I keep beating them. But, they can still tease me about the fact that Dana got me a new cell phone about two weeks ago and I still can't figure it out! Ashley finally wrote out a "how-to" list for some of the functions because she got tired from telling me over and over how to do things. Maybe I should take it easy on her during the next round of Phase 10 to show my appreciation....

A Weekend of Blessings...

It has been a good weekend. Well actually, it started Thursday when my doctor told me I DIDN"T have to watch my diet....I should be eating anything and everything that I wanted. I'm still making some diet changes though, and with Sheila's help they will be healthy ones, too. Saturday, Jim and I got to spend the afternoon and evening with my granddaughter, Brittnie and her crazy husband, Brandon. We had a nice, long visit and Brandon cooked up a wonderful vegetable chili for dinner. He also made home-made yeast rolls. They were delicious.

One of the fun things about staying in Sugar Land is that my granddaughter, Ashley loves to play games....board games, card games, Wii games, just any kind of game. And, she's very good at them, too. She's so smart that she almost always beats anyone she plays with. Now, I love to play games, too, so today Ashley taught me the card game "Phase 10". And ... don't tell ... but I actually beat her two or three times. I'm not bragging because I would never do that, but it's nice to know that my mind is still as quick and sharp as my precious granddaughter's. Thanks Ashley....that was fun!!!!

Jim is doing fine. Dana keeps him supplied with daily newspapers, so if you need any current news, just ask Jim. You will find him in the media room, in the recliner, in front of the big-screen TV, watching any sports he can find on TV. Life is good!

We went to church today, then out to lunch at Luby's. This afternoon was spent being lazy and napping....but also remembering all our dear friends and how much you all mean to us. We miss you all, and love all the cards, phone calls, and postings on the blog. I go for my next chemo this Thursday, so please keep me in your prayers. You are all in mine daily.

Time to Change the Diet.....

So, yesterday Jim, Sheila and I decided that it was time for Jim and me to make some diet changes.....so off to Whole Foods Market we went for the afternoon. What a great and interesting place! They need one of these in Waxahachie. Anyway, we spent the whole afternoon reading labels looking for foods that were low in carbs and sugar. Do you know how much sugar and carbs there are in food???? Well, food that actually tastes good, anyway. But, after looking and looking, we found some really fun and tasty things.....honestly, they really taste good. My beautiful and precious granddaughter, Ashley, has been making me some delicious dinners that are healthier for me, too. Who knew you could make meatloaf with no tomato sauce??? These diets changes are going to turn out to be alright. Not too sure how Jim feels about them though. He still loves his Blue Bell Ice Cream. My kids and grandkids are taking great care of me and Jim. We are so blessed. I love hearing from everyone on this blog. Please keep writing....

Our prayers are being answered....so far Mom hasn't had any significant side-effects from her first round of chemo. Yesterday, she helped Sheila take down and store all her Christmas decorations. Today, she felt good enough to go to church. Our good friend, James Beam, has nicknamed her "Trooper Trudie", and he's right. She's going strong. Mom sends her love to everyone, and is enjoying reading the blog "posts".

The New Year Begins Like This...

We arrived at MD Anderson around 1:00 today for blood work and Mom's first 7-hour round of chemo. After the blood work, we were told to take Trudie to the May Clinic for her chemo, which is probably about 3 blocks away from the Main Building, but can be reached by a very long skywalk. Because it is Saturday, no shuttles were running, so we made the long walk, stopping a few times to let Dad rest. We finally reached the May Clinic, and were promptly told we were in the wrong place and needed to return to the Main Building. Dana and Marsha put Mom and Dad in wheelchairs for the return trip, and promptly started having wheelchair races all the way back. Dana and Dad won...but they always cheat! Mom finally started chemo around 5:00 and by 9:00 she was saying she was tired of just lying around and was ready to get up and go home. Unfortunately, that won't happen until around 11:30p.m. Everything has gone well, with only minor discomforts during the chemo treatment. Marsha accused her of making-up the fact that her feet were tingling and going numb just so Marsha would stand at the end of her bed and massage her feet and legs for an hour. Please pray that Trudie has a peaceful and restful night, and that tomorrow brings no discomforts or miserable side-effects. Thank you to everyone for all your loving thoughts and prayers. That, and God's love, sustains us. A happy and blessed 2010 to everyone!!!