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!!!!