Good Evening Faithful Prayer Warriors!
Praise God your prayers worked! Elena did not feel nauseous when her port was flushed today!! Nurse Mary suggested Elena try wearing a mask to help with the smell and to chew gum to combat the taste of the solution. It wasn't perfect, but it was definitely a better experience! Thank you Lord! Overall, Elena's visit was a good one, smooth, but long. We didn't leave the clinic until 3:30. Elena ended up getting two types of chemo instead of just the one we originally thought that she would get.
Tonight, Elena began another week of steroids and other meds. She will be taking seven pills each morning and night during the week and eleven pills each morning and night on the weekends. Please pray that Elena will be able to take her medication without any trouble. Please also pray boldly with us that she will not have any negative side effects from the chemo today or from the steroids. A week ago, the chemo caused Elena much back and leg pain. The steroids have caused Elena to have a lot of trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. After a yummy dinner of cereal and mac-n-cheese, we are already tucking the girls in for the night. Elena is battling nausea, please pray that it will quickly subside.
As always, thank you for your faithfulness and strength to see us through this battle.
In Him,
The Tates
We received this scripture from a dear, dear friend tonight......perfect timing, God does speak to you through others, you just have to listen.
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tomorrow
Good Evening!
Tomorrow is week three of this round of chemo. Elena has a 1:00 appointment to receive one type of chemo in her port. So, it should be a quick and easy visit.
These past two weeks have been pretty good. Elena has battled headaches, stomachaches, and leg and back pain, on top of the daily numbness in her hands and feet and fatigue. However, while dealing with all of this, she wakes up each morning happy and ready to go. And, I mean ready to go. She is usually up and dressed by 5:30am. Then she comes in to wake Christy up!! She says, "The early bird catches the worm!" You gotta love that girl! She is remarkable!
Please continue to pray for Elena's positive attitude and spirit, for her to not feel nauseous when they flush her port line, and for sustained energy and good health for us all. We are so very grateful for your prayer support.
In Him,
The Tates
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13
Tomorrow is week three of this round of chemo. Elena has a 1:00 appointment to receive one type of chemo in her port. So, it should be a quick and easy visit.
These past two weeks have been pretty good. Elena has battled headaches, stomachaches, and leg and back pain, on top of the daily numbness in her hands and feet and fatigue. However, while dealing with all of this, she wakes up each morning happy and ready to go. And, I mean ready to go. She is usually up and dressed by 5:30am. Then she comes in to wake Christy up!! She says, "The early bird catches the worm!" You gotta love that girl! She is remarkable!
Please continue to pray for Elena's positive attitude and spirit, for her to not feel nauseous when they flush her port line, and for sustained energy and good health for us all. We are so very grateful for your prayer support.
In Him,
The Tates
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Here are some snow pictures from February 12th and 13th. We received about 3 inches of snow. We had great fun playing in it, Friday night and Saturday morning!!
Down the hill in the backyard!
Saturday morning - we need our sunglasses!
Here we are in the snow together Friday night!
A big blob of snow, falling of the trees, caught Elena's eye!
A big blob of snow, falling of the trees, caught Elena's eye!
You might be a redneck if.....your sled is a trash recycle bin!
Down the hill in the backyard!
Saturday morning - we need our sunglasses!
Snow angel time!
Yes, they are beach snow people!
Happy all the time!
Clinic Visit Pictures
Elena's port accessed and the line being flushed.
Elena hates this part. Once this part is over, she's good.
Labs being drawn and Elena all smiles!
Elena resting after being sedated for a lumbar puncture.
She brought her doll, Audrey, with her to this visit.
Audrey was sedated too.
She brought her doll, Audrey, with her to this visit.
Audrey was sedated too.
After a long and tiring clinic visit, Liv tucked Elena in bed for the night.
Who Dat Girls
The girls ready to head to a Super Bowl party to cheer for the Saints!
What's a party without Mardi Gras masks?
Yes! The Saints are the Super Bowl Champions!!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Another Round
Good Evening!
Elena had a clinic visit this morning and has started the last 56 day cycle of chemo before going into maintenance for the last 15 months of her treatment. This was actually the first visit of four during this 28 day cycle followed by a second 28 day cycle that will begin when her counts allow. She was sedated and received a Lumbar puncture for treatment of her spine and brain fluid and also received two other chemo meds through her port. Elena has again started taking an oral steroid at home twice a day for seven days on and seven days off during this first phase. Please pray for peace as Elena's anxiety level has increased over what lies ahead. She said tonight that she can't look ahead to being closer to the end, she can only focus on what is right now, and it is hard! :-( We all know how hard it is to face the unknown, and how much harder it is to face what we know to be unpleasant. That is where Elena is right now. She has been through this phase once and knows how difficult it is. We claim God's mercy and grace for Elena's comfort and peace as we walk with Him along the path He has laid out for us.
Please pray for Elena's red cell counts to improve as she is borderline for a blood transfusion. Pray for energy and stamina this week and for continued good health. We go next Wednesday for another round of chemo and the PEG shots in both legs. Pray for peace and patience for all of us and compassion for the medical staff that will be administering Elena's treatment. We ask all of these things in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
In Him,
The Tates
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
Elena had a clinic visit this morning and has started the last 56 day cycle of chemo before going into maintenance for the last 15 months of her treatment. This was actually the first visit of four during this 28 day cycle followed by a second 28 day cycle that will begin when her counts allow. She was sedated and received a Lumbar puncture for treatment of her spine and brain fluid and also received two other chemo meds through her port. Elena has again started taking an oral steroid at home twice a day for seven days on and seven days off during this first phase. Please pray for peace as Elena's anxiety level has increased over what lies ahead. She said tonight that she can't look ahead to being closer to the end, she can only focus on what is right now, and it is hard! :-( We all know how hard it is to face the unknown, and how much harder it is to face what we know to be unpleasant. That is where Elena is right now. She has been through this phase once and knows how difficult it is. We claim God's mercy and grace for Elena's comfort and peace as we walk with Him along the path He has laid out for us.
Please pray for Elena's red cell counts to improve as she is borderline for a blood transfusion. Pray for energy and stamina this week and for continued good health. We go next Wednesday for another round of chemo and the PEG shots in both legs. Pray for peace and patience for all of us and compassion for the medical staff that will be administering Elena's treatment. We ask all of these things in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
In Him,
The Tates
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
A Really Quick Update
We heard this morning that Elena's counts are good and that she will continue with her treatment tomorrow. She is scheduled to be sedated in the morning. She will receive methotrexate in her spine and two other types of drugs via her port.
Our two weeks off treatment have certainly flown by!! Last night Elena said that she had kind of forgotten that she had cancer. What a wonderful blessing - to forget!
More to come tomorrow.
In Him,
The Tates
"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
Our two weeks off treatment have certainly flown by!! Last night Elena said that she had kind of forgotten that she had cancer. What a wonderful blessing - to forget!
More to come tomorrow.
In Him,
The Tates
"For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
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