Tues 5/13

Hello, Erin had a clinic appt today and she got good numbers, Praise God! Her white count is 4.2 and her ANC is 1200! WooHoo. So she can go out and about for a couple of days before round 4 starts. They have scheduled a bone marrow biopsy for Fri. This would give them the info they need by Mon to admit her. If the schedule opens up on Thurs, they may squeeze her in then and she would have the info needed to be admitted on Fri. or Sat. We really hope this happens so we can stay on schedule. Either way, God is in control and we know His timing is perfect! This also gives her a couple of days to get some of her antibiotics etc. out of her system. When her counts are low, she has to take 4 different anti-whatevers to keep her from getting an infection. Ooooh she hates taking pills, so it is a real gift to get a couple of days off from that chore. :-) So all in all, a great day. Yes, she went straight to the mall. It does a girl good! Please remember our blood drive on Sunday at Lawrenceville 1st United Methodist church from 8-12:30 and the bone marrow donor drive. It only involves a cheek swab! Join us and be a life saver!

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

love to all, janet

Mon 5/12

Hey! Thanks for checking in. Erin is doing well today. She feels like her numbers are up which makes her feel better all over. We go to the clinic tomorrow to get labs. They should schedule a bone marrow biopsy later this week. If she is able to stay on schedule, she may start round 4 at the end of the week. Of course it all depends on her lab values. Round 4 will be 6 days of chemo and 3 weeks of recovery. Again she will receive drugs she hasn't gotten before so we won't know how she will respond as far as side effects. Please pray she can stay on schedule, because the sooner she starts, the sooner she is done. We are so thankful for all of you and your continued support. God is evident in the details of Erin's experience and the friendships He has provided us in you.

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:31-33

Yeah for strength in God! love, janet

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