New adventure today

Today is a new adventure- outpatient chemo. We are all happy to know we will be sleeping in our own beds tonight but not knowing how today will go, is a bit nerve wracking. Please say a prayer for a quick, smooth, no surprises kind of day. Pray the chemo does it's job and that Madeline is strong. We appreciate all the good thoughts and prayers so much!!

** 11:20am and already on the way home! Best day of chemo ever. Thank you for all the prayers. 

Round 12

Six months have passed since August 17th, the day we first heard the words cancer and osteosarcoma. We were busy finishing up summer break, celebrating Madeline's 12th birthday, unpacking from a beach trip, putting my classroom back together, buying new cleats for the upcoming sports seasons, enjoying the last summer swim, the last Sonic shake, and the last late night. In a second it all changed. I pray none of you ever have to hear those words that literally make your life STOP. 

We are incredibly blessed to have our family and friends surround us these last six months, caring for us in ways I can't even begin to describe. We have some wonderful friends who have done and KEEP doing so much for our family. Thank you so much! Please just stay awhile longer. The end is in sight!

We are back in the hospital this week for another round of Methotrexate, round 12 of chemo. We will be here until she clears (usually Friday).  Then, next week she will have outpatient chemo (something new) on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a week off. We are getting there - just four more in-patient weeks to go after this week. 

Madeline is doing well. Keep praying that the chemo does it's job, that we are home on Friday, and for no side effects. 

Heading home soon!

I didn't sleep very well last night and I woke up way too early this morning. Maddie was at 0.19 at 6:30pm last night, and I really wasn't looking forward to the LONG wait today to get to 0.10 to go home. The test takes forever to process (think 4-5 hours) and we are all just ready to go home!  Madeline is not feeling very friendly and the revolving door of people is taking her to new lows of unfriendliness. It's such a challenge because I want them to think of her as being the sweet, amazing, smart girl that she is but she is so stoic when they try to talk to her. The more they try to connect the farther back she pushes. 

But then here's the God moment...

When her doctor came in this morning he said he didn't need to test her again, and that we could go after her noon meds because she is so consistent every time, and he was totally confident by noon she would be clear!  Praise the LORD!!!  Perfect timing.

Round 11

We enjoyed every second of our twenty days off from hospital life. The weather was super warm last weekend and we heated up the pool. It felt like summer (almost). 

This past weekend we went to our town's "Mardi Gras Dog Parade." It's one of our favorite traditions and I'm so thankful the weather was so beautiful. We even stopped for sno-cones on the way home. 

We are back at Medical City this week for round 11.  This is methotrexate so she has to clear it to go home, but we are hoping to be home for a fun Valentine's Day weekend. Then same thing next week. We are definitely counting down! Just five more in-patient weeks and two out-patient weeks to go after we check off this round. 

Please pray that Madeline continues to handle the chemo so well, that any remaining cancer cells are killed, and that the side effects are minimal. Pray for her doctors and nurses, and all of the other children here. The oncology floor should not be so full! Pray that we continue to find the strength to get through these long, boring days. We appreciate every one of these prayers!!  The scripture blessing I posted first is from a sweet friend who brought us a delicious meal on Sunday! We are so thankful for our friends who continue to pray for us, check in with us, bring us meals, give us hugs, and wear their #madelinestrong bracelets proudly!! Love our people so much!!