Good Morning!
Summer is in full swing and we hope that everyone has made plans to enjoy a little bit of rest and relaxation at some point in the near future. We are doing just that in the North Georgia Mountains and the community of Big Canoe. So far we have been boat riding on the lake, fishing, swimming, sliding down a big rock slide and hiking to see waterfalls and pick blackberries. We have also seen lots of wildlife during our stay including deer, turkey, and lots of fish and turtles. Although we have done a lot already this week, we have had a chance to relax and enjoy each others' company. It is so nice to get away from our daily routine for a little while even if the details of life are not that far away.
We had to deal with one of these "little details" yesterday as we drove back to Atlanta with Elena to have her counts checked at CHOA. Her platelets were at 52,000 last week when she developed a 2 1/2 hour nose bleed and received a platelet transfusion. The visit yesterday was to recheck all of her counts to see if they were where they need to be to continue with the maintenance phase of her treatment. The good news is that her platelets were up above 75,000 to 94,000. The bad news is that her ANC has dropped below 750 to 600. Elena has not received chemo since June 3rd and we found out yesterday that she will be delayed at least another week when she is scheduled to have her counts checked again. Please pray for Elena's body to recover and for her to remain strong and healthy as her immune system is compromised and her risk of infection has increased.
Please also pray for our family as we struggle with the effects of this dreadful disease. We thought that things would be closer to normal as Elena entered the maintenance phase, but are constantly being reminded of the fact that we are not in control. Pray for patience, wisdom and guidance as we learn to wait on the Lord and to listen to what we hear. Pray specifically for right decisions regarding future vacation plans and Elena's continuing treatment. We are constantly amazed by the blessings we receive when we take the time to seek God first and follow His plan for our lives. We are thankful for His steadfast love and for the support we receive from the body of christ that He has placed in our lives.
Thank you for taking the time to check in on us and for keeping us in your prayers!
In Him,
The Tates
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
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
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
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Update on Liv's Clinic Visit
Tuesday's clinic visit went really well. We saw all three specialists and they are all really happy with Liv's progress.
We do not have to go back until next June : ) Alleluia!!
It seems Liv's only issues right now are in reading and spelling. The neuropsychologist wants to make sure that accommodations are put into place for next year to support her in those two areas, as well as in writing (because of the spelling). He said that there was very little we could "do" to improve her fluency in reading because it was related to her brain injury/surgery. She spells phonetically, which he said is good and that hopefully she will be able to "see" how the word is spelled correctly in her head and get it on paper as time goes on. He wants to do formal testing again this time next year.
We are so thankful that Liv is our girl. She is an amazingly beautiful, compassionate, kind-hearted girl. Just this week at the clinic, I met two families I hadn't met before. Both of their daughters have the exact same kind of tumor Liv had. Notice the have and had......these two girls still have their tumors because their tumors are wrapped around the brain stem making that part of their tumors inoperable. Throughout these ups and downs, our lives have been blessed in so many ways, some I'm sure we will never fully realize until we are in heaven.
Before you go to bed tonight, remember to thank God for your blessings!
In Him,
The Tates
"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
Psalm 121:8
We do not have to go back until next June : ) Alleluia!!
It seems Liv's only issues right now are in reading and spelling. The neuropsychologist wants to make sure that accommodations are put into place for next year to support her in those two areas, as well as in writing (because of the spelling). He said that there was very little we could "do" to improve her fluency in reading because it was related to her brain injury/surgery. She spells phonetically, which he said is good and that hopefully she will be able to "see" how the word is spelled correctly in her head and get it on paper as time goes on. He wants to do formal testing again this time next year.
We are so thankful that Liv is our girl. She is an amazingly beautiful, compassionate, kind-hearted girl. Just this week at the clinic, I met two families I hadn't met before. Both of their daughters have the exact same kind of tumor Liv had. Notice the have and had......these two girls still have their tumors because their tumors are wrapped around the brain stem making that part of their tumors inoperable. Throughout these ups and downs, our lives have been blessed in so many ways, some I'm sure we will never fully realize until we are in heaven.
Before you go to bed tonight, remember to thank God for your blessings!
In Him,
The Tates
"The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore."
Psalm 121:8
Monday, May 17, 2010
Praise the Lord!
We just heard a preliminary report from Liv's MRI this morning.
The report said there is no change from her last scan in September and that there are no signs of residual or recurrent tumor! Praise the Lord!!
Thank you for your continued prayers!!
We'll let you know how the clinic visit goes tomorrow.
With much love and gratitude,
The Tates
"Great is the Lord and the most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3
The report said there is no change from her last scan in September and that there are no signs of residual or recurrent tumor! Praise the Lord!!
Thank you for your continued prayers!!
We'll let you know how the clinic visit goes tomorrow.
With much love and gratitude,
The Tates
"Great is the Lord and the most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom." Psalm 145:3
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Good Evening!
It's been busy, but fun, around the Tate house the past few weekends...Lauren's Run for CURE, Relay for Life, the girls' dance recital, Elena's birthday on Mother's Day : ), a visit and conference at the middle school Elena will attend next year (YES,Elena will be in middle school!), a great Friday night pizza party with friends and Elena's putt-putt birthday party with friends yesterday. It has all been great fun!!
Tomorrow we have another big event...Liv's MRI. It's that time again. It's been eight months since her last scan. She is doing really well at home and in school. We are not seeing any major problems. Her scan is at 10 am. We have to be there at 9am for her IV to be put in. She is always anxious. She asks that you pray for her to not be scared. Please pray for a clear scan and no recurent tumor. We will go to the Aflac Cancer Center on Tuesday for the Brain Tumor Clinic. There we will see the results from the scan and Liv will be seen by a team of doctors. She likes this day because the doctors are fun and they have games and snacks.
Thank you for your prayers!
We will let you know any results as soon as we hear something.
In Him,
The Tates
" He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge." Psalm 144:2
It's been busy, but fun, around the Tate house the past few weekends...Lauren's Run for CURE, Relay for Life, the girls' dance recital, Elena's birthday on Mother's Day : ), a visit and conference at the middle school Elena will attend next year (YES,Elena will be in middle school!), a great Friday night pizza party with friends and Elena's putt-putt birthday party with friends yesterday. It has all been great fun!!
Tomorrow we have another big event...Liv's MRI. It's that time again. It's been eight months since her last scan. She is doing really well at home and in school. We are not seeing any major problems. Her scan is at 10 am. We have to be there at 9am for her IV to be put in. She is always anxious. She asks that you pray for her to not be scared. Please pray for a clear scan and no recurent tumor. We will go to the Aflac Cancer Center on Tuesday for the Brain Tumor Clinic. There we will see the results from the scan and Liv will be seen by a team of doctors. She likes this day because the doctors are fun and they have games and snacks.
Thank you for your prayers!
We will let you know any results as soon as we hear something.
In Him,
The Tates
" He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge." Psalm 144:2
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Moving Into Maintenance!
It's official...Elena began the maintenance phase of her treatment today!
Praise the Lord!
It's hard to believe it is finally here! We are thankful to have the long, difficult part of Elena's treatment behind us and look forward to each new day that gets us closer to her final day of treatment.
Thank you for your prayers, love, and encouragement.
We will be at Gwinnett County's Relay for Life event tomorrow night. Hope to see some of you there. It will be the end of a long, busy, but fun week at our house.
While we are rejoicing tonight, cancer is cruel. Another child needs your prayers. After two years cancer free, Hannah has recently been diagnosed with a relapse of ALL. After suffering a stroke last night, she is currently in ICU with a blood clot on the brain and a brain bleed. Please join us in prayer for Hannah and her family.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahlayfield
In Him,
The Tates
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
Praise the Lord!
It's hard to believe it is finally here! We are thankful to have the long, difficult part of Elena's treatment behind us and look forward to each new day that gets us closer to her final day of treatment.
Thank you for your prayers, love, and encouragement.
We will be at Gwinnett County's Relay for Life event tomorrow night. Hope to see some of you there. It will be the end of a long, busy, but fun week at our house.
While we are rejoicing tonight, cancer is cruel. Another child needs your prayers. After two years cancer free, Hannah has recently been diagnosed with a relapse of ALL. After suffering a stroke last night, she is currently in ICU with a blood clot on the brain and a brain bleed. Please join us in prayer for Hannah and her family.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/hannahlayfield
In Him,
The Tates
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Zephaniah 3:17
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Quick Update
Just wanted you to know that Elena will NOT be going on Thursday to have her counts checked. She will be going a week from today. Tuesday, May 4th, after school. If her counts are good, then she will start maintenance on Thursday, May 6th.
Elena's big fifth grade field trip in on Monday, May 3rd. She can't miss that! That's the reason for the change.
So, we will all enjoy the blessing of another week with no appointments, no chemo, and no pills to take!
In Him,
The Tates
Elena's big fifth grade field trip in on Monday, May 3rd. She can't miss that! That's the reason for the change.
So, we will all enjoy the blessing of another week with no appointments, no chemo, and no pills to take!
In Him,
The Tates
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