Wed 4/30

Thank you bloggers for your support. I need to correct a mistake on the time for the Blood Drive. It starts at 8 a.m., I had written 8:30. Everything is about the same with Erin, itchy and stomach ache 24/7. We go to the clinic tomorrow for labs. Erin had an opportunity to write a letter about her experience for the Relay for Life folks in Panama City. Our friend is the anchorwoman on the local news and was the MC for Relay. If you would like to read it, you can access it on their website at: http://www.northwestfloridaonline.com/index.php/blog_jchapin.

"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our sheild. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33: 18, 20-22

We rejoice in the friends God has sent us to help us in this time of need. Thanks for the prayers, love, janet

Tues 4/29

Good day Prayer Warriors. Erin is doing fine, still itchy but her stomach is feeling a little better.

We have an opportunity for everyone to get involved in donating life saving blood and an opportunity to get on the bone marrow registry for FREE. Once a year the Red Cross offers free testing (it is usually $52). It is just a cheek swab, so NO PAIN involved. Isn't that cool? You do NOT have to give blood at the drive to register to be on the bone marrow registry. It is open for folks from 18-60 yrs old. You would then be on the National Registry and if someone needs your specific marrow, you would be contacted with more information. We have been told that Erin does not need a transplant at this time, but of course, things can change down the road, but we pray not. Since Amanda and Laura do not match, we would have to go out to this registry to look for a match. Anyway, I think it is a very giving thing to do and a chance for you to be a life saver. Of course giving blood is also an awesome gift of life. Erin has been transfused at least 14 times and desperately needed each unit. Thank you to all of you regular donors out there! This drive will be on Sunday, May 18th from 8:30a.m.-12:30p.m. at Lawrenceville First United Methodist church. You can call if you are going to give blood (I think they prefer reservations) and just show up if you just want to be put on the marrow registry. 770-963-0386. They will be putting up posters and I will try to get one for L&D, PRHS, and Scientific Atlanta. I hope you will all turn out for this and support the Red Cross and cancer patients like Erin all over the Atlanta area and the U.S. Thank you!

Blessings on you, janet

Mon 4/28

Just back from the Dr, labs were down as expected. WBC 1.4 and Platelets 65. So, normal for this time in the chemo round. Erin's stomach is giving her real trouble so they added another medicine to help her with that. She is not feeling so great so she will probably just veg the rest of the day. We go back on Thurs for more blood work. Thanks for the prayers!

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. The Lord will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness." Psalm 41:1-3

Thanks to all of you for your love, janet

Sun 4/27

Good Day Bloggers, Thanks for your prayers and concern. We are blessed to have you on the team. Erin is doing fine except for a nagging stomach ache and lingering itches. We go tomorrow morning for labs, so we will see what they say. I figure her numbers will be down and she might need blood products by her Thurs appt. if at all. Erin had a nice visit from her mentor teacher today and got all excited again about getting back to teaching in the fall. It is nice to have something to look forward to beyond all the chemo. Her PRHS friends have been so supportive! Our thanks to all of you as well as our to church family and friends for your love and prayers. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it also takes a village to support a cancer victim and God has blessed us with an awesome village! To God be the glory!

In the book of Acts, Jesus tells Peter 3 times how to show his love for Christ. He says to "feed his lambs," "take care of his sheep," and "feed his sheep." I am not a Bible scholar, but it seems to me that when God says something 3 times, it must be pretty important! You all have gone above and beyond in helping us take care of this particular lamb and I know God is saying, "Well done, good and faithful servants!"

Love you all, janet

Sat 4/26

Happy Saturday, Erin is doing fine. Happy to have Laura home for a quick visit. Erin is still battling nausea but in general she is doing pretty good. She is blessed to be home. Both of our hives seem to have calmed down, although she is still begging for back scratches. Who doesn't? Now we just ask for patience to endure the rest of this time of seclusion before she can get out and about again before round 4. Thanks for your unending prayers!!

"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." Col 9-12

Love, janet

Fri 4/25

Good Friday everyone, All is status quo here in the world of recovery. Erin is feeling pretty blah but her hives are beginning to settle down. Maybe because they jumped to me! Erin is resting as much as possible. We still have her bed in the middle of the family room so she can stretch out 24/7. Bill is quite envious because he always stretches out on the floor to watch TV. He wishes I would let him have a mattress too. Now when the dogs come home after their 6 month sabbatical at my sister's house, they will also want mattresses to sleep on. You see, she has quite spoiled our dogs and they will require some remedial training! Thank you for your continued prayers! Erin is blessed so much by them. She is trying to be brave in the ongoing treatment and really needs the encouragement!

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."Romans 15:5-6

Love, janet

Thurs 4/24

Good afternoon prayer warriors, Erin is still itchy and uncomfortable. She had a 2 Benadryl night and is longingly looking at another little pink pill. How miserable to be sick and itchy all over. She doesn't have much of an appetite either. I am just trying to push the water to keep her flushing out all the chemicals. Oh, but being at home is wonderful. No one waking us up every few minutes for something, vitals, labs, chemo etc. That gets old fast! You gotta know that if I am over it, Erin is WAY over it. So this morning I woke up with hives on my arms. Yes, you who went thru the hive weeks with me last summer know the drill. I figure someone somewhere is getting married, or I have developed an allergy to raspberries, or I just have sympathetic itching for Erin. Go figure. You Moms out there know how we empathize with our kids in every situation. Well I truly have felt nauseous, tired, and achy with Erin all along. Wish I could do all of it for her! Well, God is certainly by her side carrying her through all these side effects and for that we are thankful. We are also grateful to you who daily lift our burdens to God!

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Ps 68:19

" Carry each others burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Gal 6:2

Thanks for everything. love, janet