Thursday, July 31, 2008

Prayer Answered

God answered prayer regarding Christen taking the test yesterday, though not in the way we expected. How often does that happen? :-) The NP called from UVA and wanted Christen to come in Wednesday afternoon to get a blood transfusion since her hemoglobin was so low, and then spend the night to start chemo the next morning. So Christen and Debbie drove down to the hospital yesterday afternoon rather than taking a placement test.

Christen will likely be starting chemo this morning, and will hopefully be able to leave the hospital some time this weekend.

Steve & Debbie for the family

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Prayer Needed Today

Today Christen has to go in for a placement test at the local community college so she can take a class there this fall. I can't imagine how hard it would be for her to do her best on the test in midst of all she is going through. The chemo does make it hard to concentrate and think clearly. She is such a trooper though. She isn't complaining.

She goes back for her next chemo treatment tomorrow (Thursday) and will be in the hospital until at least Sunday.

Thank for the prayers!
Steve & Debbie for the family

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Home Early!

God answered prayer and let Christen come home Sunday afternoon! This was the first time that her methetrexate level had dropped so quickly. Christen was very glad to get home. It made it even nicer that Louie, Laura, and Patricia were all there at UVA to receive the news and drive home with us. We had a very nice visit. Additionally, our dear friends at Mt. Zion gave Christen a really nice poster that they had made for her since she couldn't be at the VBS this year. That provided us a nice reminder of the LIGHT in the tunnel (thanks Sue).

Christen has 4 more treatments. She goes back in this coming Thursday and would love company. In some ways it gets harder every time.

She will be a week or two behind when school starts because the chemo treatments will (hopefully) be complete by the 1st or 2nd week of September. She is really looking forward to returning to "normal" life this fall, including school. Pray that she will be able to catch up quickly and have clarity of thought since the chemo effects the ability to concentrate.

Again, many thanks for your prayers. God truly answers them!

Steve & Debbie for the family

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Back for chemo Thursday

It has been a while since we posted last. Needless to say things have been very busy for us. Christen goes in today for her next round of chemo therapy. She is doing well though she had some trouble with low blood counts this past week which delayed the start of this round of chemo.

After this chemo treatment she has 4 more treatments scheduled. We are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Yay!!

Please continue to pray for all of us to keep our eyes on Jesus who is our only hope.

Steve & Debbie for the family

Friday, July 11, 2008

Christen Home

Christen came home Wednesday evening just in time to celebrate Louie's birthday and we all had a nice time together. She doesn't have to go back for more chemotherapy until July 21st. She could use prayer however since her headache and nausea have returned. We are expecting them to last a couple more days and then subside. Pray that will be the case.

Steve & Debbie for the family

Monday, July 7, 2008

Next Chemo Treatment Today

Christen and Debbie are back at UVA this morning for the next dose of chemotherapy. Christen did come home late Thursday evening last week and we all had a nice holiday weekend together. Christen was able to spend some time with her friends yesterday which was a nice change of pace for her.

We are hopeful that she will be able to come home from UVA Wednesday evening.

Thank you so much for the continued prayers and support!

Steve & Debbie

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Better Today

Christen is doing much better today. Thank you for the prayers. She was actually hungry this morning which was a very nice change compared to recent days. Debbie is staying with her now and I'm back at work. The kids (except for Louie, who can take care of himself) are farmed out to their respective families. Having regular homes for each of the children has been such a tremendous gift to us. We are hoping that Christen will come home on Thursday this week since they have increased the hydration rate in order to get the chemo out of her system a little bit faster. Pray that will be the case.

Thanks!
Steve & Debbie