Summer Fun

Good Morning and Happy Summer!

School is out for the summer and it has been busy around the Tate house! Elena and Olivia both finished the school year with all A's and B's and are enjoying this nice break from all of their hard work. We are so proud of them for overcoming their individual trials and for stretching the bounds of their limitations to achieve this success. While this has been a very challenging year for all of us, it has also brought many rewards. Praise God!

Elena has finished her first month of maintenance and went for her second monthly visit this past Thursday. She made a comment on the way that she had forgotten what it was like at the clinic and was asking what they were going to do since it had been so long since her last visit. Another big praise for such a small pleasure! Being this was Elena's first time back to the clinic since she started maintenance, it was also the first check of her blood counts to see how the doses of her chemo were effecting her body. Everything looked good except for her platelets, which were a little low. The doctors have stopped all chemo pills for this week and we will check counts next Thursday to see if they recover. At this point, Dr. Lew will decide whether or not to adjust Elena's dose of chemo. We were told that they usually start patients back at 100% after the first drop and adjust down after the second. Apparently one of the chemo pills that Elena takes every day has the same effect as one that she received during Delayed Intensification and they want to make sure that it doesn't adversely effect her liver. We definitely don't want a repeat of that episode. Please pray for Elena's platelets to rebound and for all of her other levels to remain strong. Pray for her body to continue to heal and for her to find that peace that comes from God alone!

We hope that you all take some time to get out and enjoy yourselves this summer with family and friends and we also hope to be able to share some of these times with you!

In Him,
The Tates

"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy yours needs..." Isaiah 58:11