December 14th Update

Good Afternoon Everyone!

After three weeks of rest and recovery, Elena has jumped back into treatment with both feet! Maybe if I said her whole body it would be more appropriate. This morning she received shots in both legs, her spine, her right arm and had her port accessed. She would have felt like a pin cushion with those five needle sticks had she not been sedated for all of them, and she said she still hurts all over! Praise God that they were able to get everything done during sedation and prayers for the affected areas to heal quickly.

Elena feels good otherwise and was back at school in time for lunch. She is amazing! Her doctors say that it is good for her to stay active after treatment to get the chemo flowing throughout her body, so it is a good thing that she is a social butterfly!

She is scheduled for her next appointment on the morning of Dec.23rd. We are hopeful to be leaving after this appointment to travel to Louisiana for the holidays. It will be nice to visit with family and friends, some of whom we haven't seen since before Elena was diagnosed. She is so excited to see everyone in person and to show them how well she is doing. We are all excited for the chance to take a "mini" vacation and get away for a while. We love the people at the Aflac Cancer Center and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, but a change of scenery, and a trip back home, will be a welcomed reprieve. Please pray that all goes well next week and in the weeks to come as we travel. We can't say thanks enough for all of the love and support we continue to receive from all of you. Thank you for taking the time to spend with us.

In Him,
The Tates

"...I am the bread that gives life! No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who has faith in me will ever be thirsty." John 6:35