Tues 6/24

Dear Prayer Warriors, An early post for early concerns. Erin's central line is looped inside. They said they don't know how these things happen, but they need to fix it. So she will be going to radiology soon to get it adjusted. We don't know if they will have to sedate her to fix it. We have been so thankful not to have any "issues" with her line so far. The PA told us most people have multiple lines over the course of their treatment due to infection or other issues. Please pray this will be an easy fix. Hopefully they can run a wire into it to redirect it without anesthesia. Also, we got further word on the CT of her lung. The Dr said there is a little infection in the lower left lobe, so small they could barely see it. So another round of 2 antibiotics should take care of it. They actually weren't sure that it was related to her pain. They finally got her chemo running at 11 p.m. last night. She gets 4 doses of this drug and then the shot(s) of the new drug on Wed afternoon. We are still hoping she can go home Wed after the shot. But since they got started so late, it may mean another night in the hospital. Then we will do this all over again next Mon-Wed and we will be done. Erin is battling nausea as usual but otherwise seems to be doing fine. She walked her mile yesterday after the Dr told her that it would help the pneumonia. At this point I think she would do anything to be better and out of here! Thanks for the love and prayers. Please see us through to the finish line. And Vicki, I thnk Gatorade sounds like a splendid idea - on Bill of course! hugs, janet

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Phil 1:3-6

Mon round 5

Dear Prayer Warriors, Round five is finally going to get started. They called us this morning to come in for a CT for the rib pain she has had all weekend. Then they called 15 minutes later and said they had a room for us also. Erin had her CT and now we are in room 601 and are all settled in and waiting for the chemo. She is also going to need blood because her H&H dropped since Fri. Please pray for decreased nausea and protection for her organs. Erin is feeling o.k. but scared as usual for the chemo. This round is 2 days now and 2 days next week and then we are done and can concentrate on recovery and regaining strength for the fall semester to start. Thank you all for your support and prayers. We depend on you all so much and are grateful for a loving God who surrounds us with friends like you. Blessings, janet

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

Thanks for helping us hold on!

Sun 6/22

Sunday, at home. Sorry to say we are still here on pins and needles, waiting for a bed at Emory. We know God's timing is best, so we are trying to wait patiently. It's very hard. Erin's rib pain is still there but has decreased a bit in intensity, thank you Lord. Erin was able to go to church and see everyone which was a great boost to her spirits. Two weeks in a row is some kind of record I think. Thanks for the prayers. We will let you know when we get started with round 5.
love, janet

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5

Sat Still at home

Sorry to say we are still home. No call yet from Emory. Erin has some pain under her ribs which we can't figure out. I called about it and they said to wait until admission to get it checked out unless she runs a fever. It's always something. They say if you're gonna worry about it, don't pray but if you're gonna pray about it, then don't worry. "They" obviously are not mothers. I can do both, pray and worry, multitasking is an artform! Thanks as always for the prayers. You all are marvelous to us. God is listening and definitely teaching us every step of the way. Please continue to pray for a room and rapid recovery following this last round. Unfortunately I have to go back to work on Wed. and will not be able to stare at Erin 24/7. I may have some serious withdrawl problems. So, if you catch me talking to myself, step back, I might just blow up. Seriously, giving up my caretaker roll may be harder than I expect. I could use prayers for that as well. love to all, janet

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:5-8

Fri 6/20

Hello all, thanks for the prayers. Unfortunately we just got back from Emory. Erin's numbers were great but they didn't have a bed. She is on a waiting list for a bed. It might be this weekend or monday before something opens up. We are bummed. It is so hard to get geared up and then disappointed over and over. Erin is doing fine though, some pain in her ribs but I think she just kinked it somehow. We are going to try to see "Get Smart" tonight to put some laughter in our day. We need it. Please keep praying so we can get in soon. Thanks, janet

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Thurs 6/19

Hello again, Thanks for the prayers. Erin is doing o.k. today. She has some bone pain and nausea but she is doing o.k. Yesterday afternoon and evening she was feeling rotten and I don't think it was just upset over not getting admitted. She had severe stomach pain. I woke up in the early morning with the thought that she might be experiencing motion sickness from the car ride. Now you all know I am a great driver but... it could still happen. Also she doesn't eat or drink when we are at the clinic because the smell of the clinic makes her sick. She has also been saying that everything tastes awful, even water tastes spicy. I don't know, it's such a challenge trying to figure out each thing that she experiences. Please keep the prayers coming for tomorrow, she gets labs and then we will see if she can get admitted. We want to get this chemo done!

God has been amazing in every detail of this! I was watching Beth Moore's video series "Believing God" and one of the things she said that made me chuckle was "God, BE BIG!" That has been on my mind ever since. He is always BIG, our eyes are just too small to see him. Frankly, I don't think we can handle BIG. That's why He reveals Himself to us in small increments. We have certainly been treated to a series of small revelations and are in awe of all the ways He choses to do so. Thanks again for all your prayers. love, janet

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:17-18

Wed 6/18

Here we are back home. Emory actually had a room available but Erin's numbers were not high enough to get in. They even went down a little since Monday. Her ANC was 684, and they want it over 1000. I can't tell you how disappointed we are. They wanted us to come back Monday to repeat the labs and we asked for Friday instead just in case we can get in then. We know God is in charge and that is the only thing keeping us going. His way is not our way, but He knows best! So, we'll unpack our toothbrushes and kick back for 2 more days. Thanks for the prayers, our little prayer pager is going nuts! We couldn't do all this without you. On a positive side, we will be excellent rollercoaster riders when we are done. We are experts at ups and downs. Please pray for her numbers to go up and another available room for Friday. Blessings on you and yours, janet

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

SING ON LORD!!