Gods Miracle Opportunity

How many mornings do you wake up and realize that each day is a miracle. That every day you have an opportunity to shine in Gods eyes. I was reminded of that this morning when Dylan called me at 6:45am. I was laying in the bed thinking about all the reasons why I shouldn't get out of it. Dylan's voice was so full of life, excitement....opportunity! He was walking out to catch the school bus and wanted to call me not only to see what I was doing but also to specifically ask how was Kendall doing. His voice reminded me of some of the reasons why I should get out of bed.....

....so how is Kendall doing? She has had a rough weekend. Filled with not eating or drinking anything and not having the energy to move around. She didn't run a fever or anything but was just.....tired. I was worried because she wasn't eating or drinking and I would constantly be trying to give her something. She would politely smile at me and say...no thank you. I didn't find any new hobbies or interests, I just calmly sat in the living room listening out for her to call me. I started reading a couple of different books, but Tammy knows I never finish them, I just start them. Kendall did start to stir around a little bit on Sunday and began to eat a little....and it was very little.

Kendall had a doctors appointment this morning for labwork. Her energy level was better than Sunday and she was eating more and even drinking more. She is at day 6 of treatment and I didn't think she would need blood by the way she was feeling, but she is at day 6 which is usually time for a blood transfusion. But I was right, she didn't need any. Her white blood count was at 0.1, which is really low this early but Kendall was in good spirits. She even started wearing her mask without me even having to remind her. I'm beginning to think that she don't need me anymore because she's been through so much it's almost like routine to her. Kendall doesn't have to go back until Wednesday and I'm sure she will have to have blood and/or platelets by then.

I know some mornings when I get up it's like routine to me. I go through the motions day after day without taking time to do what's really important. To take the time to thank God for the opportunity. The opportunity to care....to laugh....to cry...and to love. I've often talked about things that refer to Gods plan for the future and how it will turn out...His way. But tonight I want to take the time....the opportunity to thank him for the things in my life today. For the opportunity to live each day pleasing God. I know that some days I probably don't please God as much as other days. But I thank him for the opportunity.


Colossians 4:5-6
Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Round and Round We Go.....

Days 1 and 2 are in the books. Kendall has finished two or her three days of chemo this week and we are fixing to tackle day three. This treatment had the extra drug in in and Kendall has been so worried that it was going to make her sick. She was right.....it did. She went through the chills, the fever, the nausea and the pain the whole night. And she wasn't through. Chemo ran until 3am that morning. Most of all the symptoms happened while we were still at the hospital and the nurse took very good care of her. Every time Kendall moved, the nurse was there to help. When we got to the apartment, Kendall went straight to bed. She slept until the next day of chemo. So back to the hospital we go. By now she was feeling a little better and the hospital wasn't crowded at all. We went right in and she started chemo. It was now time for Grey's Anatomy. That's all she likes to watch on tv so it felt like we watched all of one season. Back to the apartment and Kendall went to sleep. I feel like we are either at the hospital or trying to catch up on sleep. One would think that after 6 months of this it would surely ease up. Sometimes I think it's getting harder for Kendall. Her body falls down quicker and it takes longer for her to recover. While she's having chemo, she stays so tired. But somehow, she presses on and wants to keep going. Some days I feel like I have to drag her to the hospital but she is so looking forward to the end of the tunnel.....

....So now we're back from day 3 and wait on the blood transfusions. By day 6 she will be needing blood and platelets. It's scary sometimes to think that I know all of this. Six months ago seems like an eternity. How much in the dark I was about this. Well, not going to go through all of that now. I'll wait until next month to do that.


2 Corinthians 5:7
We live by faith, not by sight

Rounding Third

Well, back at it. Kendall and me flew back in to Houston on Sunday night to start the next round. Two more. I told her it was like rounding third and heading home. She didn't think that was funny. Kendall was able to spend another week at home trying to be normal. For the most part she did really good. She hasn't had much of an appetite this past month but started to eat better this past week. Her energy level was really good. She was able to get out and do a lot this week. I still worry about her being out by herself. She tells me I'm paranoid but I can't help it.

We had a visit with the doctor today and got the green light to start. Her white blood count was down a little and was in discussion about whether or not to wait a few more days to start. Kendall didn't say anything but I could tell that a decision to delay would not make for very pleasant conversation around the apartment. But the doctor said she was good to go so we dropped that discussion as quick as it came up. So we left the hospital knowing that the next few days of chemo are going to be tough because the doctor said her bone marrow is not recovering as well as it has been. We'll just take it one day at a time and everything should be fine.

ALMOST THROUGH

Kendall and Tammy are getting to come home tonight. Kendall has a doctor's appointment this morning and should be able to catch their flight home tonight. Kendall has done really well this past week. A few times where she was not feeling good, but mostly was very upbeat. I called her one night and she sounded like she was having way too much fun. Her blood levels have recovered nicely and are higher than they have been the last couple of treatments. Maybe her body is working harder knowing that she is almost through. This had been a hard month for me. Working long hours and little time with the family. So I'm really looking forward to the mini reunion tonight. I'm sure Kendall will be non stop, full of things to do while she is here. She has to be back at the end of the month to start her next round of chemo. Wow! cant believe it's already down to just two left. Tammy did say that I wouldn't recognize Kendall because her hair has began to grow in really thick. I know Kendall is looking forward to family and friends and can't wait to see everyone.


Proverbs 2:11
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.

Waiting...Listening...Hearing!

Have you ever stopped and looked back at how fast time REALLY moves. It's already been a week since my last post. Since then the road to recovery has been really hard for Kendall. She continues to struggle through this round of chemotherapy. I talk to her every day and even though I can't see her facial expressions, I can tell that she doesn't feel well. The chemo has really taken it out of her this time. They seem to be getting harder for her every time. She has not been eating very well and doesn't have the energy to do a whole lot. Tammy said she had a hard time going to the doctor today. Her levels were very low today. She had to get 2 units of blood and 2 units of platelets. Tammy said that her color came back a little today after the blood transfusion. As with every treatment, she has always fought back and continues to do so this time. Her schedule is starting to run behind though as her body slowly heals back. Kendall said she is determined to get through the next couple of rounds so she can come home for good. One day at a time seems to be running into weeks. It's all going by so fast, yet sometimes during the day I don't think I will ever get to see the day come to an end.

It's been so cold in Gardendale lately, we don't get out but to go to work or school. Plus, with Tammy and Kendall in Houston, it makes for long nights. Dylan and me have been good. The house isn't a disaster and we are managing to do homework, wash clothes and make dinner. What more can you ask for.

We still aren't sure when Kendall will try and make a trip home after this treatment. With the schedule running behind, it's harder to try and plan anything. Over the next week, we should be able to firm things up. Although we know that everything can change on a moments notice. We have at least adapted to that.

Tammy is holding up alright. She does tell me though that it's hard out there when Kendall is sick. But Tammy has plenty of puzzles that occupy her time. Well, now I'm just rambling so I'll just say thank you for thinking of Kendall and we appreciate all of you more than you know.


Job 32:11
I waited while you spoke, I listened to your reasoning; while you were searching for words,

I do that alot...waiting...listening...and understanding...trying to understand what has happened in the past 5 months. I could name a ton of important stuff that has happened in the past 5 months, but probably everyone would forget in the next 5 months. The things that I choose to mention are the love for my family, the warmth from our friends and the faith from God above.

Just a Post, No Title

Is it not normal to assume that the more you do something the easier it becomes to do? That as you develop a routine or a pattern in your life, that you get better at it. Well....this was not the case this past Sunday as Dylan and I came back home from Houston. Kendall was at the hospital starting her chemo. As the time drew near for us to go I could tell by Kendall's facial expression that this was not going to be an easy goodbye. I went to hug her and felt her tears fall on my arm. It was almost more than I could handle. I told her that it's almost over and that she will be home soon. I didn't want to let go because now, I once again felt like I was helpless. She told me she would be ok and to go. I did manage to leave the room before my tears began to fall. I quickly wiped my eyes before I met Tammy and Dylan in the lobby.

Dylan and me caught a cab to take us to the airport and as we pulled away I saw Tammy standing on the second floor lobby waving goodbye. This is that part of not getting any easier. It gets harder. But Dylan was excited, this was his first cab ride. And was he ever excited. He watched in amazement as we winded through Houston to the airport. Not only was this his first cab ride but his first airplane ride. We went through check in ok and then boarded the plane. He sat in the window seat and could not have made his smile any wider. He was bouncing around and I had to tell him to be still. The trip was smooth, no bumps and Dylan said from now on that's how he wants to travel...is by plane.

Kendall finished up her treatments and is now settling in for the recovery part. She was not feeling good the first couple of days but started feeling a little better last night. I hope this part of it is easier for Tammy and Kendall this time. I still can't help but worry about both of them, though.

Dylan and I will have a chance to bond some more with his new Christmas present that Santa brought him.....so Chase...all I can say is "game on". We also will get a chance to enjoy this cold weather for a change...maybe it will snow in Gardendale this time.


1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear ... "

Happy New Year!!!

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas. As I try and catch you up with Kendall, I also want to thank you for everything you have done for Kendall and our family during this time. The holidays was even more of an opportunity to spend time with family, friends and loved ones.

Kendall, Tammy, Dyan and myself made the long drive back out to Houston on December 30th. Kendall was able to spend Christmas and her birthday at home. Which is what she wanted. She was constantly on the go. But her blood counts and energy level were good so she was able to do a lot. None of us were looking forward to the long drive. But Kendall was a little anxious to get started so she can be through. Dlyan is still out of school so what better way than to bring in the new year than in Houston. Ok, so I can think of several things that would be better than having to be in Houston,but we were all together.

Kendall did her blood lab workup on New Years Eve and everything is fine. Everything has about returned to normal. We were able to clear up some confusion about the remainder of Kendall's stay. Is it 6 treatments or 7 treatments......well it's both. It's 6 consolidation treatments with 1 induction treatment for a total of 7. So Kendall will have to be out here for another month or so taking it to late March for her treatments to be through.

Tammy is going to stay out here with Kendall for the next round so I can be home with Dylan for a while. Besides, I told Kendall that she could no longer be in the bald club unless she cuts her hair. Her hair has started growing in really thick now and I was feeling lonely because she could now brush her hair and I still could not. I guess I really noticed it on her birthday. I had went to work that day and when I got home, I went in her room to see how her day had went. I looked at her and noticed that she had "fixed" her hair. It was brushed down. It was beautiful. Those eyes were so big and bold and she was glowing with her smile. I could tell she was really excited that she was able to "fix" her hair.

Numbers 6:24-26
"The LORD bless you and keep you;the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."