Mom had all her scans and tests repeated last Wednesday and met with Dr. V the following day. Results are still fairly positive, even though her tumor marker had increased by a slight 36 points and there might have been a little change in the lung lesions. The doctor felt this could be resulting from (1) the stress Trudie has been under due to the ongoing decline of Aunt Ruby; and/or (2) the cancer becoming resistant to the current chemo treatment. At Mom's chemo treatment on Friday, she began receiving two chemo drugs ....the same treatment that she originally started with over a year ago. It makes for a longer stay at chemo each session (about 8 hours), but we are pleased that Dr.V is being pro-active. Trudie's faith never falters and her attitude continues to be outgoing and optimistic. Dr. V said Mom "is a super-star".

Mom and Dad loaded up the car this morning and headed to Waxahachie for a few days. Mom said the house was c-o-l-d when they got there, but it sure was good to be home!

Mom and Dad braved the winter conditions and made it safely back to Sugar Land today. Aunt Ruby is still under hospice care. Mom is scheduled to be at MD Anderson tomorrow around 4:30 for a long evening of tests and scans. She meets with her doctor on Thursday afternoon to find out the latest results, and to determine how her treatment will proceed. Please continue to keep her in prayer...as we ask God for positive and encouraging results this week.

Mom and Dad have returned to Marshall, Texas. Aunt Ruby continues to decline, and has stopped eating and drinking. She blessedly seems to be in no pain, and she seems more at rest when her sister, Trudie, is there. Please continue to pray for Ruby. Her struggles here on earth will soon be rewarded by our loving Father in Heaven.

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.