New Request

"Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand" ~ Emily Kimbrough

I'm beginning to get some good responses from Vanderbilt in Tennessee. They are really trying to 'fit' me into a good clinical trial. There is a major stumbling block, though. Because of the ipi treatments my blood counts have pretty much bottomed out. I won't get in any trial - anywhere until they go up. They should do this natually as the ipi gets out of my system or there are drugs available that can help. I am going back to Columbia to Ellis Fischell Cancer Center on Monday...maybe they can help me with this.

I want to ask all of my family and friends to please pray for my blood counts to go up so I can be considered for one of these trials I'm hoping for! Thank You!

Bump in the Road

God's will. Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. --- Jean Finley

It is so frustrating to be in limbo....please pray with us that God will open a door and Eddie & I will be smart enough to go through it.

Down But Not Out

In all things give thanks

Today did not go as we had hoped. The Ipilumumab has not worked for me. It's difficult and disheartning to get that news and see scans showing progression of the cancer, but it was only a moment until we were asking..."what next"??

It seems that I DO have the BRAF cell mutation that will allow me to get into the clinical trial with the special med designed to halt the cells ability to divide so rapidly. (More of this as I learn more!!)

Suffice it to say.....We are down but we are NOT out!! Hanging in there mentally as best as we can.

Waiting Some More

"Cast your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

I am really struggling with all of this waiting. I feel like I've been waiting since June when I found out about the cancer coming back. I will finally know on Mon. whether the infusions of ipi are working for me. The scans will also show the extent of the cancer at this point.

I'm imagining Monday will either be joyous or a struggle. I have been getting some preliminary testing done to have other options if it's not working, so it won't be as long between treatments since I'm getting it done now...that's a good thing.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers through all of this.

4th Infusion

"In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid....Psalms 56:11

So relieved...my bloodwork looks much better this time than it did 3 wks. ago. Dr. Linette seems pleased. I'm pretty sure I've never had that many vials of blood taken for that many different tests, though! Kid you not...they drew so much that my port quit giving! It was actually pretty funny...the nurse tried everything she could think of but ended up having to access the inside one to finish (I have what they call a 'double port'). Anyway, a new experience for me.....those don't happen very often to me anymore in Cancerland!

Mom and I sure had another long day at Siteman again. We were there from 9:45-7:00. We left my house at 8:30.....that is a looong time doing all that (probably would seem a lot shorter if it was something fun)!

Well, that was the last infusion for this round. I go in again on Sept. 27th to find out how well it's worked. I pray it has done great things (or at least SOMEthing!) and I pray for God's will to be done...not just mine. (Can't help but pray they're the same!)

I've lost some weight (finally!) just wouldn't recommend this particular diet to anyone...

Take care all of my blog buddies!

The Simple Pleasures of Each Day

What matters, is not the length of the wand, but the magic in the stick -- Anonymous



Life has been good to us these last few weeks. We have been able to do so many things...after our little anniversary trip (which was wonderful!) we attended Eddie's class reunion. We were able to go with our friends, John and Ruth Farris, and we had a great time staying with them! Of course, it didn't hurt that John's got a cool new AR and we got to go shooting the next day!



On Sunday, the most incredible thing happened....our friends (and fellow hunters) and our kids went together and gave me a trip to 'scratch something off my bucket list'. Eddie and I will be heading to Texas this fall where I will be able to shoot a "mountable buck"...they have it ALL planned out and we will always remember this trip, I know. How generous everyone is.



This Labor Day weekend was packed full of family.... my brother & sis-n-law, Don & Angie and my niece, Lauren came to mom's and we all had such a good, laid-back weekend! It's always good to see them, but this trip was really important to me...I needed to see my big brother! I have not seen him since I was diagnosed with this last recurrence. I don't know all of the special connotations connected with birth order...but I love being the baby of my family! I have been so blessed with my parents, brother and sister. I also enjoyed spending time with my nieces and nephew and their kids who live here in MO.

Finally, Eddie and I were able to spend Monday with most of our kids and grandkids...and my college roommate, "Motz" and her son at Nick and Amy's pool!! It was a great way to relax and end a full and special weekend.

I have been doing ok on the ipi. I don't seem to have side effects directly related to it according to my doctor, but have new symptoms that leave me uncomfortable a lot of the time. I try hard not to focus on that..I want to focus on other things more important!

Hope you are all well and reminding yourself each day to prioritize the special people in your life.