Struggling Days

"God is my refuge and strength an ever present help in times of trouble'.
Psalm 46:1

I'm sorry I haven't been more faithful at writing, and I know many of you receive updates about my condition here - I've asked a couple family members to fill in and keep you updated if I'm not able to in the upcoming weeks.

I've been wanting to write about alot of 'happenings'... from an awesome TX deer hunt, a great Thanksgiving, and how touched I've been with all the benefit support, cards, letters. and especially the prayers throughout this past month. I'm sorry I just haven't been up to it.

So in summary.....
I continue going to Venderbilt in TN and am hopeful scans on the 29th reveal some regression of the disease. I am very weak, and receiving IV fluids a couple times a week.

In the mean time.... thank you for every prayer, positive thought, and the many kind deeds. Words can't express their importance.

Please keep praying

Top of the Roller Coaster

God is good all the time...all the time, God is good!!!

Today is answer to prayer.....I officialy got into the study...... tears of joy and relief flowed!! I will have to go back to Nashville next Tues/Wed to 'finish' getting in and getting my first dose of treatment. Then I will be going back every 3 weeks.

All of this happened today as Eddie and I started our trip to Texas that was so generously given to us by our group of hunters back home. Can't wait.....I get to get my mountable buck...if I'm lucky in this endevour, I will be posting pix on facebook!

Tough Days Continue.....

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." ~ Hebrews 11:6

Just a short note to tell all of you that yesterday was tough. I was told on the phone on the way down that I may not get into the study because my white counts were so low again. We immediately started a prayer chain to storm Heaven with many pleas for a better result on the bloodwork I had to get when I got to Nashville. This morning we'll find out the results and learn for sure if this is the way the Lord wants us to go.

Update!!!!

We got the news we have been waiting for....we're in Nashville and have started testing (again) to make 100% sure I can get in the clinical trial we've been hoping for. Please pardon any confusion you may feel...just don't feel alone. It's been one thing after another, but, it's always IF. Well, if all of the if's and if the stars align just so, I'll take my first dose on next Tues. and we'll get this going.

And She Waits.....

Couldn't let my blog friends sit and wonder what's going on...again. I heard from Vanderbilt and they will get in touch with me NEXT week....the BRAF test isn't done yet....and so I wait....some more. I have to be honest, I haven't felt the greatest the last couple of days and I just want to get this going!!

"Exquisite Timing"

If you have enough time, you have enough everything. ~ Unknown

For the first time in my life, I was told I have "exquisite timing" and I don't know if it could've been said for anything more important! I'm pretty sure the incredible news from Tennessee has reached a lot of you, but, for those of you who don't know....I was able to sign up for another clinical trial.

Dr. Sosman (my new doctor in TN) is the one who said the 'exquisite timing' thing...he said it because the trial I'm in opened on Tues.; my appointment was on Thurs.; and it closes on next Tues. There was only a one week window of opportunity for me to get in it. He is very optimistic that I may buy some more time with this trial. It is a pill I will take every 12 hours and I'll be able to do it from home. I need to go back within 2 wks for scans, blood work, etc. IF I 'pass' I will recieve the pills. I will then be going back every 2-3 wks. for quite a while and then once a month.

There are only 93 people who have ever taken it so they don't know a lot about the side effects, but he feels confident I'll still have some quality of life. The med is from GlaxoSmithKline and it only has a number: 8436. Here's praying it's my lucky number (to go along with the 'exquisite timing' I have!)

Company

Oh, yeayeayeayea.................

Thanks, Denise for coming to spend time with me in Nashville. I had a great time (and that pizza...yeayeayea!!!)

We enjoyed spending time with you and Mark, too. Thanks so much for dinner and the grand tour of Nashville. It really IS a pretty skyline....yeayeayeayea!!!!!

Going back in a couple of weeks....we'll see what Mark's job lets us do....love you.....yeayeayea