9/29/09 - 3/15/10

I can't believe today has arrived. Well that is not entirely true. Today has arrived because of all the love and support from each of you reading this blog and all those who have supported us that are not reading the blog.

Today is Liz's LAST chemo appointment.


We are really excited but will need to curb our excitement for a week or so while she recovers from the treatment, but we will not be coming back for a 7th treatment.

I admittedly have not written as often as I had planned but I also recognize that after the initial shock and call out for support, Liz and I got into a good rhythm and the only real change in news was the date on the calender.


Liz and I were talking the other day about a discussion that she had supported at church for the youth group. The topic was "why bad things happen to good people". Liz and I share the same belief on this topic - The question is not why bad things happen to good people but instead "Where is God in what you are going through"? We both know that God was apart of the last 6 months through all of our friends and family who supported us and will continue to be in our lives after this last chemo appt. Several people have asked what we do after the last treatment. My answer is simple: We live the "new normal" whatever that is but Liz and I know that whatever it is, it will include God and all of you.


Mark





Thank you again for this

Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure

We have decided to form a team and walk in the Susan G. Komen 3 Day Walk for the Cure on October 8-10. 60 miles in 3 days - time to start training!! We are looking forward to Liz getting back to full health and participating in this great event.

If you would like to make a contribution, please donate here:

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Woah we're half way there!

Sorry for the Bon Jovi lyrics as the post but hey, it was appropriate.

January 11, 2010 marks the 1/2 point of the chemo treatments! Things are going well and the family is getting settled into the 3 week rhythm. As a matter of practice at each chemo treatment we leave with the schedule for the following month but with the way the 3 week treatments are scheduled we have #4 and #5 scheduled! Really great to know that our last treatment is going to be March 15!

January 7, 2010

Good visit with the oncologist's RN, blood counts were great followed by the monthly expansion treatment. Things are good to go for Monday's chemo treatment which will be the 1/2 point!

Next Treatment

As we start this new year, I wanted everyone to know that the next treatment is January 11th. Liz had a much improved 2nd treatment and we are hoping that the effects of the remaining treatments will follow the same way. Thank you again for your thoughts, prayers, phone calls, food and visits.

21 inches of snow...

Hey everyone, a different type of post for those who have been following. Enjoy the pictures as much as they did.


Carter and Mom sleding on the hill out back


Buddy trying to navigate the snow




The snow brought them together with no barking

1/3 of the way done after today!

It is December 21st and as I sit in the chemo room with Liz it is great to think that when we leave she will be 1/3 of the way through this stuff. Liz had a great week last week that ended with 21 inches of snow and an oven baking wonderful baked goods. Believe it or not we got all the Christmas shopping done (blitzed it all in 1 night) and Liz wrapped everything over the weekend.


The end of the week also brought on the hair loss side effect, and to show my support and affirm that WE are in this together, I gave myself a hair cut.



We are not sure how the rest of the week will go but with positive attitudes, awesome doctors, a box full of meds and all the friends and family praying for us... we will get through it

Keep up the prayers - they are working

After four really tough days, Liz is doing is doing much better. While the nausea has subsided and she's eating again, she's still exhausted and moving slowly.

Please keep the prayers coming. In Liz's words, "Thank you so much to everyone for the outpouring of prayers, love, and support - it really really helps!!! I feel so blessed to have such an amazing support network surrounding me. :) I'm hanging in there!!"

Please enjoy this picture of Liz and Harrison at Carter's first basketball game of the season earlier today.

Chemo sucks

Today is the first day after the chemo treatment and the effects are starting to kick in. It is brutal to watch someone get sick from the medicine that is in her body to make her better. It is even more difficult to know that she has to go through this 5 more times.

Chemo sucks

One chemo treatmant down! Liz is a superhero

We made it through our first chemo treatment today. Liz did awesome with an attitude like no other. The nurses at the practice are amazing and definitely helped to make the 4 hour appointment as good as it could be. Liz felt good leaving the appointment and through the rest of the day, she is sleeping comfortably now. While we don't know for sure what the next several days will present, we are prepared for a difficult Wednesday. Thank you to everyone who posted messages on our Facebook pages, at last count Liz had 40 on just one status update. The prayers and positive thoughts continue to help us through this process.