Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all. Thanks for checking in with us. Erin is doing fine! She feels good. Her stamina is low as you would expect, but she is doing well. During her low count days she used to always take a nap, but now she tries not to nap so she can sleep better at night. However, last night she didn't get much sleep. Bill was in the basement practicing his guitar for Sunday morning as usual but Laura didn't know it and locked him in. Well, to give her the benefit of the doubt, she has been away at school a while, and Bill stayed up longer than the girls, which is unusual. Anyway, on her way to bed, she locked the basement door. Yes, I have them well trained. So, around 12:30am, Bill couldn't get in and he had to go outside and come around in the front door. Apparently, he made a little noise and scared the girls to death. They both thought someone was breaking in and locked themselves into their rooms. Did they call me? No, let the burglar get Mom, she's asleep! Thanks a lot. So they both lost a little sleep. I guess we are going to have to get a key lock for the basement and remember to give him a key - this isn't the first time this has happened. Oh well, long story. Have blessed day and kiss your Mom! Blessings, janet

Sat 5/10

So sorry to be late blogging. We moved Laura home from UGA today. Erin is so glad to have her home. Erin is feeling fine today. We praise God for each day and all the many blessings that come with it. We heard Relay was fun! Have a great Mother's Day! Love to all, janet

Relay For Life Day

Hello all, Erin is o.k. but not up to going to Relay today. She just has that all over yucky feeling. She is really sad to miss it though! Before she decided she didn't feel well, we had already decided it would be safest to stay home anyway because her white count is still so low. Thank you to all you relay folks out there walking for cancer! May God bless your fundraising with a CURE!

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;" Isaiah 43:1-3

That verse never ceases to move me. Praise God for His living word! blessings, janet

Thurs 5/8

Well, we just got back from the clinic and her numbers are not up. I think they are on the way up, they just have a way to go. Her WBCs are 1.0, Plts 219, ANC 30. This is pretty much what we expected, but we were hoping for higher numbers. So, the decision is hard regarding Relay for Life. She would have to wear the big hot uncomfortable blue mask to go and I am not sure she is willing to do that, plus there is a risk of infection. Bottom line is her health of course, so, we will see how she feels tomorrow. Her bone pain is gone which is a HUGE praise. Her itching and stomach ache are pretty constant though.

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." Proverbs 30:5

Scientific Atlanta/Cisco is having a blood drive next wednesday. Thanks to our friend Melissa, they just added a free bone marrow drive also. So those of you that work with Bill can give at work and get tested for the bone marrow registry. Thanks in advance for your faithfulness.

Blessings from the Blonshines! janet

Wed 5/7

Hello dear friends, Erin is feeling fine today. Minor bone pain, a little itching but all in all fine. She thinks her numbers are at the bottom because of the bone pain. We will find out tomorrow. Please pray for good numbers so she can go to Relay. We got posters today for the blood drive and we are very excited for the response, especially for the bone marrow drive portion. I know since God put this together for us that He has special plans for great results.

"I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." Psalm 22:22-24

Thank you Lord for listening to our cries for help! hugs, janet

Tues 5/6

Happy Tuesday! Erin is doing fine, the same. She is still itchy and has a stomach ache, but the Dr says she will just have to wait until her WBCs climb before she will feel better. Hope it is soon.

We are excited about the blood drive coming up on May 18th. God has worked another small miracle and we are going to be able to offer a bone marrow donor drive for free that day. So if you are able to come support Erin in giving blood or getting registered to be a bone marrow donor, come to First United Methodist church in Lawrenceville on Sunday May 18th from 8-12:30. If you need more details, call us or the church at 770-963-0386.

I was thinking about the parable of the talents as it relates to being a blood donor. In the parable, the master gives his servants talents (money) to take care of while he is away. He is pleased by those who are able to increase the amount by the time he comes back. God has given us this precious gift (talent) called life. Sharing your blood or marrow seems like a way to multiply that gift to the Glory of God. If we use it this way to save others, I feel sure God will be pleased to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness." Matthew 25:21. Maybe that is a stretch for an interpretation, but it works for me.

Thank you all for being good stewards of the talents you have been given. love, janet

Cinco de Mayo

Buenos Dias Amigos, Feliz Cinco De Mayo! O.K. I'm out of spanish. Erin says I was out a long time ago. Sorry. We just got back from the lab. Her while count is 0.5, Platelets 29 and Hemoglobin 29 also. So she didn't need any blood products but she is definitely bottomed out on her numbers. Please pray for a big jump before Thurs which is when we get labs next. If her numbers jump dramatically, she can go to Relay. If not, she would have to wear a big mask and she doesn't want to do that. Also, if we jump up quick, we can hopefully stay on schedule for round 4 coming up soon. We really want to stay on schedule so we can all get back to our normal lives. Not that normal is normal anymore but you know what I mean. We praise God for all of you and your continued faith and prayers that have seen us through all of this.

"Make sure to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverence; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter1:5-8

We are blessed by all of you and your kindness and love! They have helped us perservere and grow in the knowledge of our Lord! Congrats to the graduating seniors! You are the best! Love, janet and erin