Today was an amazing show of strength by Kendall as she continued that good feeling towards the journey's end. Kendall went from not having strength enough to walk or hold her head up to defying to get in the wheelchair and proudly displaying her smile no matter where we went today.
We started off by a doctors visit for blood work. Her levels were better with the help of all the blood she received the day before. And being the Monday after the holiday, it was very crowded. We spent 4 hours there today. After that, Kendall wanted to go to Hobby Lobby to look around. So off we went. She looked at scrap booking stuff while I shopped for a Christmas tree. I told her we might as well put a tree up to enjoy while we're here. It's only a 3 foot table top tree but it has lights and Kendall found us some ornaments to paint and put together for it. It should make for a nice little addition to the apartment. Tammy and I put up our Christmas tree at the house after Thanksgiving and her and Dylan put on the ornaments last night.
We went back to the apartment after our Hobby Lobby trip and decided to take a nap. Kendall did anyway. She was beginning to look a little tired and besides, I don't want her to use all that blood at once. She needs to save a little to spread out over the next couple of days. Other than that, we spent the rest of the night inside watching tv or movies.
We have to go back to the doctor again in the morning to check her blood. Then we should get a break until Thursday. She sure was ready to start the day today after she got up.
Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Holiday Blues
Kendall and I arrived back in Houston on Saturday night. It was after 9pm before we got back to the apartment. Kendall was tired and went straight to bed. I stayed up a little while to try and familiarize myself with the apartment again. I know I haven't been gone too long but still, I wanted to make sure everything was where I had left it. I knew I wouldn't have much of a chance for the next day or so. Kendall had to be at the doctor first thing Saturday morning.
Saturday morning, around 7:30am, I pulled into the parking lot of MD Anderson hospital. I was hoping that we never had to see it again. But Kendall's almost through with only two more treatments to go. We went to the lab for them to draw Kendall's blood. I felt like the results were going to be low and that she was assured to get a blood transfusion. After 2 long hours and the lab having to run the blood twice, I was right. The lab said they ran the blood work again to make sure the numbers were not an error because they were so low. Her platelets were at a 3. Normal range according to the lab are in the 150's. So they whisked us to the transfusion room where we began the long day of Kendall receiving blood. She received 6 units of platelets and 3 units of whole blood. I then watched Kendall slowly rejuvenate as the blood went into her body. Her color began to show, her conversation become longer than yeah or whatever and her appetite increased. I knew she was better when she began asking me to go get her something to eat.
While all of these improvements were being made, her temperature also started to increase. It came very close to that magic number of 101. It actually got to 100.8 for a couple of hours. I started making sure she was drinking more water and it also began to drop. An ER trip was all she needed now. Well, for now we have avoided that. As we were leaving the hospital, she asked if we could go to Burger King to get something to eat. Appetite is good! Very Good! She always does real good when she has an appetite.
So another 14 hour day at the hospital in the books. Kendall sure did break me in quick. No time to settle in or anything. The only thing I need to do is straighten out the stuff at the apartment that Tammy moved on me. I'll have it straight by tomorrow. Not sure of a coming home time yet. Surely over the next week it will lay itself out so we can plan on her next trip home.
I have said it before and I will say it again, patience is a constant struggle with me. I am continually working to improve it. Sometimes God shows us the time table he is working with and it doesn't always have the same time as my watch shows. I continue to go through the bible, looking for ways to deal with somebody else's time table. It's always there, I always find something......it's just up to me to look.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Saturday morning, around 7:30am, I pulled into the parking lot of MD Anderson hospital. I was hoping that we never had to see it again. But Kendall's almost through with only two more treatments to go. We went to the lab for them to draw Kendall's blood. I felt like the results were going to be low and that she was assured to get a blood transfusion. After 2 long hours and the lab having to run the blood twice, I was right. The lab said they ran the blood work again to make sure the numbers were not an error because they were so low. Her platelets were at a 3. Normal range according to the lab are in the 150's. So they whisked us to the transfusion room where we began the long day of Kendall receiving blood. She received 6 units of platelets and 3 units of whole blood. I then watched Kendall slowly rejuvenate as the blood went into her body. Her color began to show, her conversation become longer than yeah or whatever and her appetite increased. I knew she was better when she began asking me to go get her something to eat.
While all of these improvements were being made, her temperature also started to increase. It came very close to that magic number of 101. It actually got to 100.8 for a couple of hours. I started making sure she was drinking more water and it also began to drop. An ER trip was all she needed now. Well, for now we have avoided that. As we were leaving the hospital, she asked if we could go to Burger King to get something to eat. Appetite is good! Very Good! She always does real good when she has an appetite.
So another 14 hour day at the hospital in the books. Kendall sure did break me in quick. No time to settle in or anything. The only thing I need to do is straighten out the stuff at the apartment that Tammy moved on me. I'll have it straight by tomorrow. Not sure of a coming home time yet. Surely over the next week it will lay itself out so we can plan on her next trip home.
I have said it before and I will say it again, patience is a constant struggle with me. I am continually working to improve it. Sometimes God shows us the time table he is working with and it doesn't always have the same time as my watch shows. I continue to go through the bible, looking for ways to deal with somebody else's time table. It's always there, I always find something......it's just up to me to look.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Internet Down!
What did we ever do without the Internet? How lifestyles have changed over the years. I have felt so helpless with the internet down, I have had to find things to do. Anyway.....
Kendall has finished her next round of chemo and so far, things have been well for her. No fevers and mild sickness. Tammy has been doing really well out there, except for missing me. I'm proud of both of them, they have done really good.
As Kendall continues her journey, she must again endure another hurdle. Her father, Keith passed away this week. She will be flying home on Thursday so that she can attend his funeral. Unfortunately, she will have to fly back on Saturday after the funeral. She is right in the middle of her lowest point during treatment and will need a blood transfusion by the end of the week. I will be going back with her this time for the remainder of her treatment. If all goes well, we should be back before Christmas.
As this week has began to unfold, I can't imagine how Kendall begins to find the strength to finish the treatments. Yet, she does. Not only Kendall, but Whitney and Bragan and the rest of Keith's family. All of this has been so hard to deal with for everyone. I know that God is out there and that he loves us. No one said that life was going to be easy, and if they did, they were wrong. But we all continue to move in a direction that will give us grace...that will give us peace...and that will give us mercy.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Kendall has finished her next round of chemo and so far, things have been well for her. No fevers and mild sickness. Tammy has been doing really well out there, except for missing me. I'm proud of both of them, they have done really good.
As Kendall continues her journey, she must again endure another hurdle. Her father, Keith passed away this week. She will be flying home on Thursday so that she can attend his funeral. Unfortunately, she will have to fly back on Saturday after the funeral. She is right in the middle of her lowest point during treatment and will need a blood transfusion by the end of the week. I will be going back with her this time for the remainder of her treatment. If all goes well, we should be back before Christmas.
As this week has began to unfold, I can't imagine how Kendall begins to find the strength to finish the treatments. Yet, she does. Not only Kendall, but Whitney and Bragan and the rest of Keith's family. All of this has been so hard to deal with for everyone. I know that God is out there and that he loves us. No one said that life was going to be easy, and if they did, they were wrong. But we all continue to move in a direction that will give us grace...that will give us peace...and that will give us mercy.
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Here We Go Again
I took Kendall and Tammy to the airport on Monday and had to watch them leave again. I was going to post on Monday but I figured I would wait until tonight to let you know how her blood tests went. Kendall is ready to get started with her next round of chemo. The doctors said that Kendall can start so they're going to start Wednesday. Kendall's liver enzymes are still are little high and they're going to have to watch them alot closer but they feel like they can control them. As far as Kendall, she is feeling alright. A little tired but doing rather well and ready to continue her journey. I hope that this round goes smoother than the last one. With Tammy being there it will probably go without any setbacks. I'm gonna keep it short tonight but will try and keep you updated a little better now that I have settled in to work. I didn't know that you could pile up so much on a desk. Anyway....thank you for continuing to think about Kendall during her journey and as always...you are in our thoughts and prayers as well.....
1 Corinthians 3:16
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
1 Corinthians 3:16
"Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?"
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Is Normal Back?
What a week! And it's only Tuesday. Kendall and Tammy came home today from MD Anderson. I couldn't wait to pick them up from the airport. It's like I haven't seen them in months, when in reality it's only been a little over a week. Kendall came home because her body is not ready to handle another treatment yet. The doctors feel like some extended rest at home for a week will allow her to rebuild her blood cells.
This past week has been more difficult for me than I thought it would be. I went back to work and did I have so much to catch up on. It was good to see everybody at work. But I do admit, my mind wasn't there for the first couple of days. I would often find myself wondering what Kendall and Tammy were doing. How was she feeling, was anything wrong, is there something I need to be doing. As the week passed and this week began, I found myself falling back into my routine, Me and Dylan were bonding. Hasso began to remember me. But I still had an empty feeling and became sad every time I talked to Kendall or Tammy. Of course I couldn't let them know how bad I felt, but now that they're at home, I guess it's ok. I'm tired of changing life styles and want normal again. Knowing that it won't be normal for a long time.
In many of my conversations with Kendall, I did begin to notice a stronger Kendall emerging from the bad month we had with the last treatment. Kendall began to want to do the treatment and was ready to go. Much like she was at the beginning of her journey. Her positive attitude helped me get through some tough nights without them. And Dylan was very "mature" with me as I noticed how much he has grown over the last few months. I hate to think that I have missed the last few months of his young childlike demeanor. He's a teenager now and I seemed to have missed the transition. We have spent a lot of time together though this week and it has been nice. He still does love me. My little boy is so grown up.
I don't know what the next few days will have in store for Kendall or us, but I will enjoy every minute that I have to spend with my family. If it's one thing I've learned, it's to really enjoy the time you spend with loved ones. The week will go by fast and I once again will be without Kendall and Tammy as they make their way back to Houston to finish Kendall's treatment.
During this past week since Kendall and Tammy has left, I find myself somewhat lost and confused. The emotions I feel have been turning over so fast and I get that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. I need some guidance and direction and I feel my heart race. So...I listen.....
Job 37:1-2
At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
This past week has been more difficult for me than I thought it would be. I went back to work and did I have so much to catch up on. It was good to see everybody at work. But I do admit, my mind wasn't there for the first couple of days. I would often find myself wondering what Kendall and Tammy were doing. How was she feeling, was anything wrong, is there something I need to be doing. As the week passed and this week began, I found myself falling back into my routine, Me and Dylan were bonding. Hasso began to remember me. But I still had an empty feeling and became sad every time I talked to Kendall or Tammy. Of course I couldn't let them know how bad I felt, but now that they're at home, I guess it's ok. I'm tired of changing life styles and want normal again. Knowing that it won't be normal for a long time.
In many of my conversations with Kendall, I did begin to notice a stronger Kendall emerging from the bad month we had with the last treatment. Kendall began to want to do the treatment and was ready to go. Much like she was at the beginning of her journey. Her positive attitude helped me get through some tough nights without them. And Dylan was very "mature" with me as I noticed how much he has grown over the last few months. I hate to think that I have missed the last few months of his young childlike demeanor. He's a teenager now and I seemed to have missed the transition. We have spent a lot of time together though this week and it has been nice. He still does love me. My little boy is so grown up.
I don't know what the next few days will have in store for Kendall or us, but I will enjoy every minute that I have to spend with my family. If it's one thing I've learned, it's to really enjoy the time you spend with loved ones. The week will go by fast and I once again will be without Kendall and Tammy as they make their way back to Houston to finish Kendall's treatment.
During this past week since Kendall and Tammy has left, I find myself somewhat lost and confused. The emotions I feel have been turning over so fast and I get that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. I need some guidance and direction and I feel my heart race. So...I listen.....
Job 37:1-2
At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
There Will Be Rain Delays
Writing tonight doesn't seem the same because I can only tell you what Tammy tells me. I know she probably tells me everything but it's not the same. Well, here goes. Kendall won't be getting her next round of chemotherapy right now. Her blood levels are still too low and her body is not ready to handle it yet. She's having a few other minor problems but the doctors feel like she needs a little longer break. She has a few more tests to go through on Monday and we are looking for her to come back home on Tuesday. We will know more next week but as of now, thats the plan. But we all know how plans can change.
Tammy assured me that this is not a bad thing. Kendall will get a chance to get some more rest and we will get a chance to bring our family closer together by being together. Even the doctors said it would be good for Kendall to get some more rest. I still can't help but think about how this may knock us around a little bit more. It makes me dig even deeper into the words, wisdom and comfort of God. I myself feel as if I was knocked around this last time and need to do more to trust...to follow..to guide..to lead...and to love.
Matthew 7:24-25
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
Tammy assured me that this is not a bad thing. Kendall will get a chance to get some more rest and we will get a chance to bring our family closer together by being together. Even the doctors said it would be good for Kendall to get some more rest. I still can't help but think about how this may knock us around a little bit more. It makes me dig even deeper into the words, wisdom and comfort of God. I myself feel as if I was knocked around this last time and need to do more to trust...to follow..to guide..to lead...and to love.
Matthew 7:24-25
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A Lot to Catch Up On
I begin to think about what I was going to tell you tonight and realized that it has been several days since my last post. To start with, we did make the trip to Gardendale and have had a wonderful time visiting with all of our family and friends. Kendall was really energized about the visit. I hope it will last her enough to make it until the next trip home.
As you know, this past month was a really hard month for Kendall. She struggled more this last treatment than most of all the treatments. She fought through it and is now back in Houston ready for another round. I am staying in Gardendale this treatment to catch up on things as Tammy will continue with Kendall in Houston
Kendall and Tammy flew back into Houston today. I took them to the airport this morning to catch an early flight. Kendall has several appointments today before she meets with the doctor on Thursday. As we got out of the car today at the airport..it really hit me that I wasn't going with her. I have not left her side since the beginning, so today has been very hard for me. I know Tammy will do a wonderful job taking care of her...but still...it was a hard day for me. I hugged and kissed them both by..and then had to get in the car to leave so they wouldn't see me cry. I know, I know...I cry alot...alot! I kept looking at my phone all day thinking that I missed a call from them. Wondering what they were doing. Then Tammy called to tell me they landed in Houston. TWO HOURS...two hours is all they have been gone. I can't stand it.
I went to work and tried to stay bust to keep my mind off of what they were doing next. Tammy then called to tell me that the blood results were in. They were low. Not at all what we thought they were going to be. Her platelets had actually dropped from what they were on Friday. Still, they were ok enough for Kendall to have her Bone Marrow Aspiration. Don't know the results of that until Thursday. Now will be just waiting... where to go and what to do next.
I took an online bible quiz tonight to help me find a suitable verse for the day. You'll never guess which one they recommended.
Only our favorite:
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
This next treatment cycle is going to be hard for Kendall. Probably going to get harder from here on out. But I know that God gives us the strength and I know that Kendall has God on her side. I really do like that verse!
As you know, this past month was a really hard month for Kendall. She struggled more this last treatment than most of all the treatments. She fought through it and is now back in Houston ready for another round. I am staying in Gardendale this treatment to catch up on things as Tammy will continue with Kendall in Houston
Kendall and Tammy flew back into Houston today. I took them to the airport this morning to catch an early flight. Kendall has several appointments today before she meets with the doctor on Thursday. As we got out of the car today at the airport..it really hit me that I wasn't going with her. I have not left her side since the beginning, so today has been very hard for me. I know Tammy will do a wonderful job taking care of her...but still...it was a hard day for me. I hugged and kissed them both by..and then had to get in the car to leave so they wouldn't see me cry. I know, I know...I cry alot...alot! I kept looking at my phone all day thinking that I missed a call from them. Wondering what they were doing. Then Tammy called to tell me they landed in Houston. TWO HOURS...two hours is all they have been gone. I can't stand it.
I went to work and tried to stay bust to keep my mind off of what they were doing next. Tammy then called to tell me that the blood results were in. They were low. Not at all what we thought they were going to be. Her platelets had actually dropped from what they were on Friday. Still, they were ok enough for Kendall to have her Bone Marrow Aspiration. Don't know the results of that until Thursday. Now will be just waiting... where to go and what to do next.
I took an online bible quiz tonight to help me find a suitable verse for the day. You'll never guess which one they recommended.
Only our favorite:
Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
This next treatment cycle is going to be hard for Kendall. Probably going to get harder from here on out. But I know that God gives us the strength and I know that Kendall has God on her side. I really do like that verse!
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