Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to all. Katelyn and Jadyn both had their valentine parties today; Bryn's was yesterday. They all came home with lots of candy, cards, and trinkets. Most of the candy is, not surprisingly, gone!

Katelyn's party was a bingo party. They played bingo with prizes parents donated. Katelyn was one of the winners, so she thought the party was a success!

I had a hard day today physically. I was in quite a bit of back pain, too much to bear until I got the right medicine. I will ask the doctor tomorrow if this is okay. I know that the chemo is doing its job. Hopefully, soon, I will not have too many more days like today.

I am going to post some Valentine pictures soon, but for today I will post some more fairly recent pictures from my iSight computer camera now that I have figured out how easy it is to do.









Love,
Jess

2nd round is going fine

Hi all. We have had a fun/busy weekend. I have felt good the last few days after my 2nd chemo round. I have to even remind myself I am in treatment. I found out that I do not need the red/white blood cell boosting shot at this point in my regimen. My counts have been good, and they (doctors) seem pleased. I am having some back/bone pain, but have been able to do most of my normal routine. Round three is Thursday and then I am off for a week. In between that time, I will go me another doctor, my surgeon Dr. Euhus, to get his opinion of how things are going and just get this amazing man's input. He is so wise, and yet can explain things so simply that I love going to see him!

I and another mom took Katelyn and several of her friends to see "The High School Musical" Friday night at a local high school. Katelyn's 6th grade class is performing the same musical in just a few weeks. It was fun to see the whole play and not the bits and pieces we see in rehearsal. We are all looking forward to the big show.



Saturday, my wonderful family spread out the three girls so that Jake and I could go to a marriage event at our church. It was an all day conference put on by Gary Chapman who wrote the book, The Five Love Languages. Jake and I both learned a lot of strategies, and it was also nice to spend the day with him. We did not know if we would be able to go out for Valentine's Day, so we took the opportunity to go to lunch at a fun restaurant called the Candlelight Inn. It has booths that kind of close up, with dark lighting and candles. It also had a small jukebox at each booth and I took a chance and tried it, and it worked! It was a fun date. I realized that I do not post many pictures of the two of us, so with the help f my new camera's iSight, here we go...



Jadyn and Bryn have been in rare form lately. Tonight, Jadyn obviously wanted some time alone and Bryn wanted to be attached at her hip. Bryn came running to us crying. She told us that Jadyn was making something and wouldn't let her see. I asked Jadyn what she was doing and she explained after some hesitation that she was making a picture for Bryn...for Christmas! ...and did not want Bryn to see! Here at the Kaylor house, we plan out our gifts months in advance. For example, I am sure Jake had my Valentine gift planned back in August.

A good appointment

Hi all. I had an uneventful trip to the chemo clinic today, which is a very good thing. I took an infusion of Abraxane and the second round seemed to go much like the first, only a bit shorter. We'll see how it goes. I think side effects are supposed to cumulate, but I am hopeful they will not in my case. My sister, Hope went with me and we had a great time laughing and catching up. It is always good to be with her.

Hope got to witness Bryn being extremely strong willed with me this morning as we were getting ready to go. Bryn wanted to wear a new pair of jeans someone had passed down to her and Jadyn. The moment I read that the size was 5 "Slim", I knew I should have put them up. However, she saw them too fast and fell in love with the glittery pink belt and flower appliques. She laid them out last night to wear today and anxiously got them out this morning. When we put them on, they snapped, but were very tight. I did not think she could sit up in them. I asked her to sit down "criss cross applesauce" like her teacher asks her to sit all throughout the day. She sat down, but leaned way back so her belly was straight, and not over in a sitting position. I told her to sit up, knowing they were too tight, but wanted her to realize this on her own. She refused, saying she was just fine. Well, needless to say, I had to pry them off of her and thus began a 15 minute battle of the clothes (and wills). Finally, new clothes were on, tears were wiped, and we were off to school/chemo... I try to pick my battles with Bryn. Unfortunately, this one was one I had to pick. My next parenting step will be to learn to better anticipate problems like this and hide things, OFTEN!

Three..four

Hi there! Well, you might have thought that because I failed to post yesterday, I had a bad day, but...I did NOT! I was just fine. I had a busy day at the Wood Talent Show ALL day long. But I was feeling tired only from doing hair, adjusting costumes, standing in line for a good seat, sitting for hours in a cramped cafeteria (times two performances) and then meeting 20 6th graders and their moms in an already crowded restaurant! No, I was not feeling tired from treatment. Both Saturday and Sunday mornings I woke up with dreaded anticipation that I would feel sick to my stomach, but once I woke up to daily activities, I realized this might not be so bad after all!

I have a normal week coming up and then chemo again on Thursday. I know the treatments are supposed to cumulate for three weeks, until I get a week off. However, this has been so manageable. That, and I know I have so many people praying boldy for no side-effects and I serve an awesome God!

Thanks for thinking of me these past few days. I have been so encouraged by your coming up to me, your emails and phone calls checking in seeing how I am doing. I have felt lifted up by my precious friends and family.

I so wish I could show you a blooper reel of my sweet aunt Sandy as she provided hours of fun and laughter during the talent show in between acts. From the best of my memory, she was Marilyn Monroe, a basketball coach, a grouchy administrator, a robber, a TV dance show host, a cheerleader, and on and on...Her costumes alone exhausted me just looking at them hanging up in her dressing room. She, and so many others, made this weekend so much fun for all of us. It was Katelyn's last talent show at Wood, and she had a blast.

Here are two pictures I have so far: one is Katelyn acting goofy with one of her friends. The other is Katelyn with PoPo (my mom's dad). My Grandpa has sat through I am sure hundreds of performances for his 7 children through the years, yet he and my Grandma come out each year, and wait in line for over an hour (for each act!) and come see their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Day two

Hi there!
Well, day two is here, and I feel great. (I always think of day one being the chemo day itself) No pains, no nausea, and no tiredness! This is my kind of chemo. My lovely friends and family have reminded me that it was usually day three that was hard, but I think day three will be fine too. Besides, I am too busy this weekend to be sick. On second thought, if I were sick, Jake would have to...

Katelyn is the her school's talent show which is, as are all things at Wood Elementary, BIG. Also, she is in 6th grade, and 6th graders do a lot for the talent show as they are the top dogs at school. We have been filling out dozens of papers for next year's trek into Junior High. And I think each of those papers comes with a check! Whoever says public school is much cheaper than private has not had to go through talent show costumes, musical costumes, athletic uniforms, and fees, fees, fees...(It's really not that bad, just this time of year I guess:)

Jadyn will be at Wood in kindergarten next year and I am hoping by that time I will be getting her to school on time (since I want to be a good example for my lovely principal Aunt Sandy, and because Jadyn hates being late to school). Before writing this blog, I was rushing to drop Jadyn off to school for her right-in-the-middle-of-the-day start time of 12:15. The Kaylor start time is typically 12:25. Yikes!!

I guess school is on the brain now as we are racking our brains trying to pick a school for Bryn. I wonder if I should be feeling lucky right now that I have so many choices. But, often that is the hardest thing! There are two distinctly different restaurants in town that I think exemplify my point: The Cheesecake Factory and Jo T. Garcia's. The Cheesecake Factory has a book for menu. Literally, it is a glossy spiral bound magazine. Page after page are selections and descriptions of various food and drink options. Without too much exaggeration, I would say the page totals around 25. Jo. T's is a Mexican restaurant that has no menu and two choices: enchiladas or fajitas. Here, the selection for pre-k is about like The Cheesecake Factory, and I need someone to tell me, here are your two options, no menu available! We'll make it, it will just take some time. Unfortunately, that time is coming up quickly! We'll keep you posted.

I will be sure to post pictures of the talent show tomorrow.
Take care,
Jess

New treatment today

This is a picture of the sculpture that awaits me every time I go to treatment. It is beautiful and reaches to the tall ceiling. It is a nice beginning to my day. However, my official beginning is when I am greeted my the valet service. The greeters there are so friendly and welcome me like a friend of the family. They remember me and treat me so nicely. I thought I would take pictures of my chemo experience for you. Since I forgot (and I can't really claim chemo-brain as I was forgetful before) I will post a picture from the website for now. I will try to remember to take pictures next week.

Chemo today was fine. I so enjoyed time with my mom who accompanied me this time. It was the first time for me to take this particular chemo (Abraxane) so we were met with a slew of different people explaining the drug and its potential side effects. Dr.Haley really downplayed the side effects, so I got a lot more information today. I am actually fine (and better off mentally) to know the side effects up front. I am, of course, praying that I do not get any of them. But, at least I won't be shocked one day with "My hair is falling out!!!"

Today took about 3 hours from start to finish. I think next week should be even shorter. I do not have to go back for a white or red blood cell booster for now at least. I thought that was the original plan from Dr. Haley last week, however the chemo nurses' did not have an order. I asked a few times with no great results, so I guess I will wait until I see her again to clarify. My counts were fine today and I am in no hurry to rush out to Dallas two days in a row.

My grandma was able to watch Jadyn and take her to school, which she loved. Bryn had school today and it was western day.



A few days ago it snowed and I have not been able to figure out how to post on my new computer. So here is our pathetic, but fabulous snow.



Jadyn and Bryn made a snowman. The snow was so powder-y that it was hard for the girls to gather the snow. I had to have Jadyn point at the snowman so I could see it in my camera's viewfinder! Bryn, upon seeing the snow in the morning, proclaimed "It's Christmas!" Yes, in her mind, Christmas had finally arrived at the Kaylor house! Thank goodness. Now, we can put up all the decorations!

I will try to be better at posting in the coming days. Thank you all for your prayers during this new (successful!) treatment.

We love you all,
Jess

Good News about Jadyn!

There have been quite a few nights when I have peeked in on the Yikes and they have been on their knees praying together. Jadyn has been asking a lot of questions about heaven, sadly because our Uncle James recently passed away. Well last week after the girls were in bed, Jadyn told me she wanted to ask me something, but then said never mind. A few minutes later she said she wanted to ask me again. She asked me how she could let Jesus in her heart. Of course I immediately asked if it was okay with her if mommy came too. She very shyly said "yes." She prayed a very simple prayer and afterwards Bryn was so excited she was jumping up and down and couldn't go to sleep.

Here's the latest Bryn story. Bryn frequently leaves off the final "r" in long words. Like she'll say "sista" or "foreva." Being the linguistic geek that I am when I was talking to Jess about this I told her that leaving the "r" off is non-rhotic which is how they talk in New York. Bryn just happened to walk in right as I was talking about it and she wanted to know what we were saying. She asked us, "New Yawk?" She would fit right in with our wonderful family in the big city!

Jessa's new treatment is Thursday. We'll let you know how it goes. Thank you for your prayers.

Switching Medicines

We got the scan results today from Dr. Haley. Over time, cancer cells build up resistance to chemo medicines, and we found out that is now the case with the chemo medicine Jess has been taking (Xeloda). There is a very small one (so small it can't be felt) under her arm in the nodes and another spot of more concern in her left hip. Fortunately, there are many chemo medicines that are still effective, and Jess is going to start a new one next week. This one is called Abraxane and its in the same family as the chemo medicine Jess was first on called Taxoteer. She'll have to go in every week (with every fourth week off) to get it through her port, but although its a stronger medicine Dr. Haley said Jess won't get nauseous this time and there is only a small chance of her losing her hair again. It definitely wasn't the news we were hoping for, but we remain hopeful of positive results from the new medicine of the course of the next three months (at the end of which Jess will get another scan).

Prayer Calendar for Us and the Curtis Family

Terre has been really sweet and has faithfully made a prayer calendar for us each week. She does a really nice job of getting it out to our Sunday class, but as you know I don't do such a good job of getting on here. Here is this week.

Monday - Pray that the Lord will instruct the Kaylors and Curtis' and they will not be shaken and rest secure. - Psm 16:7-9

Tuesday - Pray that they will come to the Lord when they are weary and burdened - Matt 11:28-29

Wednesday - Pray that both families know that nothing can separate them from the love of God - Rom 8:39

Thursday - Pray that Jess's cancer will be completely irradicated - John 5:8

Friday - Pray for hope - Heb 6:18-19

Saturday - Pray that the Lord's grace is sufficient for them, for when they are weak, He is strong - 2 Corin 12:9

Sunday - Pray that as a body of believers we will continue to lift these families up consistently - Ephes 6:18

Scan update

Hi there!

Well, today has been a lazy day. I love those. It helps that it is dreary and we are having a winter storm watch. For those of you in cold weather states, in Texas, that means we watch the sky for bits of ice and sleet to potentially fall, which never do but still send us all scampering to the store for essentials we might need over the "watch". Just wait, because I am downplaying the weather, we will get 5 inches of ice and I will be asking my neighbor for milk.

I went to my scan on Thursday. It was fairly uneventful. The only small glitch was I could not give a proper urine sample when asked. My scan was first and they have you eat or drink nothing as to not interfere with the results. When I arrive, they pump you full of contrast (I chose yummy banana). Then they have you empty your bladder before the hour-long test. No problem. Then, I went to my infusion, where I forgot they always ask for a specimen for a urinalysis. One of my drugs causes high protein levels and must be checked every time. Well, usually I prepare for this by drinking water on the way into Dallas. I cannot give freely like my husband and others in my family. I think my aunt (to remain nameless) could give a sample at any given moment. I however, cannot. In fact the mere thought of this brought back memories of my childhood crying in the doctors office, while my mother patiently ran water, wet my hands, and pushed fluids until I could perform correctly. Well, after 3 glasses of tea, 2 waters and 45 minutes, I was able to get on with my infusion. I think my grandmother was about to go give my sample for me.

As I am writing this, I am realizing that this might be awkward and you might not want to know (TMI). But, you have to admit that you would have been more disappointed if I would have said, "The scan was fine, no big news to report."


I will find out the results at my next appointment on the 23rd of this month. I am expecting good news!!

Happy New Year

We quickly discovered that DSL is only fast after you get it set up. First the equipment never made it to our house. Then they sent the equipment. Then Jess and I have felt the complete opposite of high tech savy as we tried to set it up: would that be low tech savy? Anyway, we're up and running now. Although, I think Jess has definitely missed the Internet the two weeks she has been without I think she will love cruising down the Electronic Highway on her new MAC laptop.

One more change on Jessa's big scan. It's now going to be on the 11th. Her infusion was already scheduled for that day, so Jess is getting it all done in one day now.

We were watching Kaylee and Zander yesterday and decided to take them out afterwords to get ice cream. Thirty minutes later they they and the Kaylor kids we're all playing on the outside playground there. Jadyn came up to me very distressed and said Zander said, that he was going to suck her butt. I went to find Zander. I hadn't gone but about five steps when I saw Zander with his hand up in the air like Dracula saying, "I want to suck your blood." I guess there a lot of things you never hear when you have all sisters , but I think this is probably the sort of thing that boys say all the time. Five minutes later after Jess explained the confusion to Jadyn, they were all back to happily playing.

Merry Christmas!

OK, so I'm little late. We have dial-up, what can I say. More about that at the end of this post.

Let me add to my last post that not only did we have an ice storm on the day of our wedding, but one of my groomsman came down with a sudden case of diarhea-- right before the guys were supposed to enter the sanctuary. Thankfully we had a good pianist who covered for us while he ran to the bathroom.

My Christmas present is that my mom came down from Maryland for Christmas and my brother is coming tomorrow. Jadyn and Bryn were the perfect age for Christmas this year-- they were just as excited about putting presents under the tree from packages as they were about opening them Christmas day. Jess did a wonderful job assisting Santa via Ebay as she found a stuffed kitten for Bryn. The thing is Bryn had made a stuffed kitten at Build-a-Bear but it went away during one of the girls' Give-Away/Throw-Away days. Well, Bryn asked Santa to bring the kitten back, and we were in a quandry as #1 it was the only thing she asked for and #2 Build-a-Bear no longer makes this particular stuffed animal. Jess did a marvelous job of finding one and having it shipped just in time for Christmas. We almost a scare though when Bryn looked sadly at the kitten and said unlike her last kitten "It doesn't meow." However, after I frantically squezed, punched, prodded, and trampled the kitten that it does indeed meow--just for some reason-- the noise maker is in the kitten's thigh. I have a new favorite Bryn line-- courtesy of Christmas day. She was very excited about getting a Dora scooter from Santa-- she hadn't asked Santa for it. With a big smile on her face she turned to me and said, "Daddy... I didn't even order it!"

Jess has a treatment this week on Thursday-- no Christmas break for her. I think the new laptop she bought last week with her birthday money (back in September) and the DSL we are getting (for cheaper than our current phone bill) will cheer her up. Oh yeah, and there is the fact that hundreds (if not thousands of people) pray for her-- that's a pretty good Christams present. Merry Christmas!

Joyful Days

Today is Jess and my 8 year anniversary. Tonight we are going to dine in high style at Three Forks restaraunt. Even the gift card we got to there is classy-- it's a huge gold-colored coin. I think of our wedding as one that almost didn't happen. First of all our minister, Barbara, found out she had breast cancer and started undergoing chemo therapy. It seemed to me that she wouldn't have the strength to perform our wedding, but she did complete with wig and a smile on her face. Then, Jess rear-ended someone on the way to the wedding, crumpling the front end of her now barely driveable car. Amazingly, when the other car found out she was going to her wedding they started appologizing to her. There's further proof I have a charming wife. As for me, my alternator went out in my car and my best friend and I were stranded on I-35 in Dallas. We wouldn't have made it except Aunt Sandy spotted us and gave us a lift. I guess you could say that we have been dealing with adversity from the beginning.

The thing about adversity though is that God raises people to support you. Last year at our faculty Christmas party, Pat Cooper announced that the YJH staff had raised money for a new mattress (Jessa wasn't sleeping well because of back pain). However, when went to go buy one, Matress Giant decided to give a great matress to us so that we could use the money raised for other things. I'm getting tears in my eyes just thinking about all those caring people. Would you believe the YJH faculty did it again this year? The staff and teachers are very good at keeping secrets-- I had no idea they would do it again last year. The hard thing for me is that I will never be able to outgive those loving people there.

Jess is having her next scan for January 18th. We were trying to get in before the end of the year, so that it wouldn't cost having already met the maximum amount on our insurance. However, when they scheduled it for next year Jess quickly pointed out that each infusion which she gets every two weeks are $5,000.

The neatest thing happened to the Curtis family. A teacher at Wood submitted Aunt Jaque's name to KLTY's (a local radio station) Christmas Wish. If you don't know we lost a fabulous uncle, but Jaque lost a husband when James passed away recently. Well, Jacque's roof has been leaking and her fence is in need of repair. KLTY matched her wish with a local, generous family. The donor lost both parents when she was a child. Now she is donating a new roof and a new fence to the Curtis family. What a blessing.

Busy Bees

I don't know if it's the same thing in your family or not but for us as Christmas approaches we are in "hurry up and rest" mode. I think every activity/school/organization our kids are in has scheduled an end of the year program. I didn't realize how long it had been since we had last posted until both my principal and a fellow teacher told me they were tired of seeing the fall picture and could pretty much recite the last post. Oops, I guess I need to post more. Jess had an appointment today but as she and I have been moving in opposite directions today I only know two things about it. First she forgot her Emla (sp?) Cream. This is the stuff she puts on her skin before they inject the mega-needle for her infusions. For Jess, it is the difference between Wild Natives of Australia running at her and thrusting a spear into her flesh and getting a normal shot. She prefers for it to feel like a normal shot, so she was really, really sad that she didn't have it. Second, her appointment took long enough that she had to endure Dallas bumper-to-bumper traffic. Today could have been a really stressful today except that some precious people did things like pick up our kids, drop them off, fix our car's headlights, and bring us a meal (plus bannana bread). What an awesome church family we have. I think that our Yikes (younger Kaylor kids-- I decided today that when they get to be teenagers I'm going to start calling them Yaks) are getting more hilarious with each today. Today, they started talking about their grandparents and how much they like them. Only their grandparents have temporarily lost their names; today they were referred to as the grandma with a dog (Grandma Cindy), the grandma with Jadyn's color of eyes (Grandma Satterlee), etc. However, my favorite one was the grandpa with hair that looks ALMOST blond... hmmmm... would that be white? I'm not going to say which one that was. Also, I think the girls have noticed the way Jess and I handle things when they get stressed out because somethings wrong-- we usually let them know will try to fix it by saying, "I'll handle it." Well today, the Yikes we're supposed to have cleaned up and the living room looked like it might have been, but then I looked behind the couch. Without missing a beat, Bryn looked right at me and said, "I'll handle it." Then she asked, "What does that mean?"

Fall Days

Well, we have had quite a hard, busy, long, enduring couple of weeks. We have had a visitation and funeral that we all sat through tearfully and yet still in disbelief. I can still speak for most of our family in saying that it all does not seem possible, much like living in a very bad dream. Reality hit a little over Thanksgiving. We tried to do something vastly different, going out to eat and then to a family movie, but Uncle James was still greatly missing.

We have had several great family days, however. The weather here is beautiful and in the mid 70's. I took pictures of the girls outside and they turned out so precious. This one is one of my favorites. Tonight we will all goes to Six Flags Holiday in the Park, and we have another family meal planned tomorrow after church. We have all enjoyed being together.

Next week, I will go to have a normal treatment of my two drugs, one that will stop blood flow to the tumors in my bone cutting off their supply to grow. The other to strengthen by bones in general. I have not noticed any super human strength in the gym though! It must not help with muscle strength. I see the doctor again in December, where she will order more tests and scans to see how we are doing with this course of treatment. I am feeling well; I just finished my round of chemo pills, which will give me a welcome ten day reprieve of remembering to take them!

I hope you all had nice family time this Thanksgiving. I, for one, have been holding all my family a little closer. I know you have too.

Take care,
Jess
 

James Lowell Curtis

I am sorry I have not updated sooner. The blog site was down and our family has been quite busy.

My Uncle James passed away from this earthly world and went home to be with his Jesus late Thursday night.

It was, in these last days, what we were expecting. However, expected is not any way to describe the last few weeks. We expected to plan Thanksgiving with James bringing the chocolate cream pies he always makes himself. We expected to have the rubber snake for our annual white elephant gift exchange from Uncle James. We expected to play cards on New Years Eve with his family and take pictures of most of us all falling asleep way too early. No, we did not expect this at all.

But we know that our All-Knowing God did expect this. He knew it all along. He knew the days of James life before one of them came to be. And, we are grateful for the memories and the days that we were able to spend with him. He will be greatly missed here. James’ sweet son Zander said it best when he said he bet his daddy was up playing cards with his Grandma Gamel. I bet he is.

Moved to hospice care

My aunt Jacque moved uncle James to a lovely hospice facility in Ft. Worth last night. The transport went smoothly and he is very comfortable in his new room. The nurse there last night was wonderful and I know he will be well cared for during these last days.

James will get a bath today, a whirlpool one at that, and I can imagine how good that will feel after being only in a hospital bed for 12 days.

There is a nice area for the family, including a full kitchen to cook meals, a dinning room to eat at, and even a children's area.

Jacque took Zander and Kaylee up to the hospital yesterday to see their daddy for the first time during this hospital stay. I think it went better than they thought it would. Lots of tears, but a good visit.

It is a little final knowing this is the last place James will be. I am confident, however, that it is the right place for him now. James has touched so many lives, even while in the hospital. Every nurse that cares for him is affected by his story. So many nurses and doctors have said that they will go home to their family and hold them tighter, and treasure their time with them more. And, here is another place for him to do just that.

My aunt Diane told a story yesterday of what her husband Mike said. They were in with James and holding his hand, talking to him. Diane turned to Mike and and said, he just is not there is he? Mike said, no, he is not, can't you see...he is holding up Jacque right now.

That is such a clear picture of my aunt Jacque. She is definitely being held up by her heavenly father, and her loving husband. She is so strong. Now I can picture where that strength is coming from. Thank you uncle Mike.

Thank you for holding our family up as well.

Update on James

We've got to stop meeting like this. Me, crying on the computer. You, reading about a difficult time with our family.

My precious uncle James was taken off life support Saturday. We thought and prayed he would go quickly, but he is still holding on. He is stable and breathing heavily, but he is still with us. They have him on heavy morphine, so he is out. He does not open his eyes like he was before. He just snores :) Jacque said now we all believe her that he does. His brain is so damaged that he will never be James again. And soon, his brain will not remind him to breathe and he will drift off to be with Jesus.

I have come to the place in my heart today to be content with our circumstances. There is nothing more that I want from him than to go to heaven and be free from tubes, hospitals, and get his new healthy body. But I know that in a few days, or weeks, or however long it takes...I will miss not being able to see him every day. I used to want to talk with him and tell him we are here, and praying for him and willing him to fight. Now, I am happy to just sit and be in the same room as him.

However much we will miss him, please pray with our family that his time would come quickly.

I am feeling fine. Tired, physically and emotionally worn out, but fine nonetheless. Jadyn had her birthday party scheduled for Saturday, and we went ahead and had it. It was a fun time. It is good to be five and happy, and Jadyn is both. I am thankful for our close family.

Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support,
Jess

Emotional is not a big enough word

It has been quite an emotional week, and we are just on Wednesday. It feels like it has been (at least) a month.

Every time I let my mind sit too still for a while I start crying. This must count as still, because I am crying right now. It has been hard. Our family is so close, and we are such a part of each other's lives. Our grief is definitely shared among many. But, unfortunately, that does not make it any easier.

I knew my aunt Jacque was strong, but I have never seen such a brave woman. She is amazing. When she looks at my uncle James, she is looking straight into him. I don't know how you can have both sorrow and joy, but when she looks at James, she has both so clearly. She says often that she is so grateful for her time right now, able to look right into his eyes. Able to touch his warm hands, and talk all she wants to him. I am grateful too.

I went to the doctor Monday. It was an all-day affair. It shouldn't have been, it was just a routine visit. They were just backed up. I feel fine, and Dr. Hayley was pleased with my progress. I will see her again in December, when I will have my next round of scans.

Thank you for your prayers, your calls, your offers to help...it is greatly appreciated.
Jess

Zander

I love this picture of Zander (Curtis). He is looking out onto a sea of 3 Day walkers at the closing ceremonies looking for his aunt Judy. It is hard to see, but he is holding a sign. It says, "I LOVE YOU ANT JUDY". He does love his family so much. He is such a brave little boy. I think he gets that from his Dad.
Jess  

3 Day

I am so proud of my mom and sister, Jennifer for walking for a cure. It will happen. It will be exciting if it happens in my lifetime!
Jess 

3 Day

3 Day walkers finished 60 miles on Sunday!
Jess 

Happy birthday

Jadyn turned 5 Sunday!
Jess 

Go cowboys

Katelyn and Corbin on the star at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium for a field trip Friday.
Jess 

Katelyn's (belated) birthday

Katelyn had her 12th birthday party on Friday night. It was an indoor swim party and she had a great time, albiet a month and a half late! (She is in the middle on the top row.) 

Halloween Fun...with updates

The cousins had so much fun trick-or-treating together. They took turns (fought!) to push the door bell, sqeezed each other for a better candy position at the door, and ran from house to house, but when the door opened, they were all in one accord: "Trick or treat...thank you" they would yell to each neighbor. I love that our family is so close. They are growing up together...my biggest wish for them.

Please continue to lift up our family in prayer. James's EEG yesterday was not what he were wanting or expecting. He has damage to both front and rear lobes of the breain. His is on life support now and we are praying hard for him to wake up and be our miracle. But, really he already is. For he has lived each moment well, he is the hero of his wife and kids, he is a fighter, and he is a HUGE part of our family. Thank you for praying.

My grandpa was admitted into the hospital last night for low blood pressure. We just need our family to come home.

Jess 

Halloween Fun!

Halloween Cousins: Zander, Bryn, Jadyn, Kaylee, and Austin...or Power Ranger, Sheep, Little Bo Peep, Minnie Mouse, and Karate Kid!
Jess
 

This is an urgent prayer request. These are the precious children of my Aunt Jacque and Uncle James. Their names are Zander and Kaylee. I need you to pray for their daddy. He has been in ICU since Friday due to a severe allergic reaction to a dye used in a routine test. Because of that reaction, he was in cardiac arrest and is now unconscious. He is making progress each day! Tomorrow, he will have an EEG (brain function test) as he might have been without oxygen for up to 15 minutes. We know that James will be waking up and coming home. Please pray this with us. Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." and Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Thank you for praying for my family. You are awesome prayer warriors. I believe in miracles. I see them happen every day. I also witnessed miracles watching the Breast Cancer 3 Day closing ceremonies. I will post pictures and their story tomorrow. But, right now, please pray for James... 

Go Young!

I just got back from watching my school win the city football championship. Go Young Eagles!

This weekend is the Three Day. I know there are many people walking for Jessica including our family's team. I think it has been incredible experience for them: training and raising money together. Young's football coach, Keith Sherril, has a motto for his team, "Do it right and do it together." That's just what they've done. My mother-in-love told me that she has loved getting ready for this weekend and the only bad thing is it has to end.

Jess has been having good days and bad days-- mostly good ones. She has kept up her exercise regiment (five days a week at five o'clock) for nearly 12 weeks now. Some nights her stomach bothers her a lot and she gets really tired.

Bryn is dressing up as a sheep for Halloween and Jadyn is going to be Little Bo Peep. They look absolutely adorable. I'll post a picture soon of the two of them in all their cuteness.

You Shedn't Do It Alone

I have been working on putting together a shed in our backyard for quite awhile now (I got it for my birthday back in July). Several people have come over and we have put it together a little at a time. So far the foundation and walls are up and now I am slowly putting together the roof. It's not something that can be put together quickly because everything has to line up just right. I think God will do that with our lives if we let him-- if we slow down and do what we're supposed to everything lines up. Jessa's health hasn't gotten any easier (it is always going up and down)-- right now she is dealing with acid reflux-- which has been wiping her out some nights, yet I can see how her life is "lining up" just perfectly.

As has been my habit of late I bring you another funny Yike moment. Jess was in the van with the Yikes when Bryn asked for "Standy." Now, the kids adore Jessa's Aunt Sandy so Jess naturally assumed she was talking about her. Nope. Bryn began to get hysterical when Jess repeatedly didn't understand what in the world she was talking about. Finally the "Standy" mystery was solved. She wanted to hear a song from a VBS CD, "Standy on the promises of God." I don't think I'll hear the line "Standing on the promises of God my savior..." the same way again.

Bryn asleep during "breakfast for dinner" 

A sore throat has made the rounds at our house. Jessa's voice sounds the worst of all of us though. If anyone owes you money I will get Jess to call them because she sounds a bit like an Italian mobster.

Katelyn had a soccer game in Weatherford which is about an hour from here. Since I took four other members of her team they got to bond on the way up and back. The soccer fields in Weatherford were the worst I've ever seen. They had a look that despite the lack of cows said, "Cow pasture." Every time one of our girls fell down they came up with a lot of stickers. Even the ball had stickers. On throw-ins it was a little like throwing in a porcupine. On one particular bad spill one of her girls fell flat on her butt in a patchful of briars. There were so many she had to come out of the game. One of the brave moms on our team pulled them out one by without the aid of tweezers. I might be the coach but as far as I'm concerned that mom had more dedication than I will ever have to the team.

Jess decided not to make the trip and stay home with the Yikes. She was a bit worn out and decided to have breakfast for dinner. Bryn was even more worn out though:)

Facing the Giants

While Katelyn went over to a friend's house Jess and I took Jadyn and Bryn to see the movie Facing the Giants. It wasn't really a kids movie but defintely a movie you can take your whole family to see. This sounds really weird but although the acting wasn't great it's the best movie I've seen this year. The main character is a coach of a high school team that plays the Giants for the championship, but the movie is just as much about him facing his own "giants." We as a family have definetly had giant challenges, but like the main character discovers how we face them is more important than the outcomes of those challenges. If you want to see it done right, look at my wife!

Jess left out an important detail in her posting of the group that came in saw us-- they came over in the pouring rain!

This last week Bryn tried to tell Jess something but Jess didn't hear what she said. When Jess asked her to repeat what she said, Bryn said, "If you're not going to listen the first time than I'm not going to tell you the second time." I wonder where she could have heard that before...

Thanks again! 

A group of wonderful 3-Day walkers (one of whom works with my dad, Mike at Southwest Airlines) came by Saturday. In their fundraising efforts, they did a basket give-away. The man who won the Mary Kay gift basket offered to give it to me!! So, these precious women (and one very nice young man) walked over as part of their training for the October walk, and delivered this basket. I have started enjoying it already. Thank you! Check out their website at:http://www.the3day.org/dallas06/boobies 

Good News

Jess got a wonderful b-day present today. It was personally delivered by Dr. Haley today. We were hoping that the full body scan would show that the tumors had not gotten worse, but the news was better than that. Some of the spots are getting better-- they show signs of healing! Yes! Sometimes everyone will chip in a few dollars to get someone a bigger, nicer present. In this case you and lots of others chipped in your prayers for a big, perfect present!

I'm still feeling the lingering effects of a migraine I had this weekend so I am going to bed, but let me leave you with a funny story. Jadyn was sitting with me watching Bryn try to write jer alphabet letters. They have mostly been looking like scribble scrabble, but she did really well on her P's. Jadyn gushed to her little sister, "Bryn you're a great 'P'er." You might have to say this one out loud to get it.

Results from the MRI

The MRI on Jessa's back showed that she had been treated with radiation and that she has a bulging disk (whatever that is) and a Schmorl's node (I had an even less of a clue what this was so I looked it up but I still don't know-- I wasn't able to translate the medical jargon). However, the scan revealed no pinched nerve so we're still not sure what is causing the painfullness in Jessa's skin.

I'm not keeping the results from the bone scan from you-- we haven't gotten them back yet-- Jess or I will post when we get them.

I don't have a funny story to share with you about Bryn, but I do about Jadyn. Tonight she announced at bedtime that she was the "middlest"-- Bryn and Katelyn have no hope of ever claiming that distinction.

Happy Birthday Katelyn

We have a string of birthdays in September: my dad turned 49 on the 9th (yes, he's a young'n), Katelyn turned 12 today, Jessa's brother Garett turns 23 tomorrow, and Jess turns 31 one week from today. I think Katelyn must be the most popular girl on the planet because there was a constant stream of phone calls today for her wishing her a happy birthday.

Speaking of popularity, you faithful readers make our family feel like the most loved family in the whole world. It's pretty neat to think that there will be 50,000 hits soon from the year and a half we've had this blog. That translates into a ton of prayers as I know many of you pray specifically for our family based on what you read here.

Jess has been feeling a band of pain from her stomach all the way around to her back. In her words it feels like a bad sun burn, but her skin looks perfectly normal. Dr. Haley is out of the country vactioning in Italy (yes oncologists need a break too), so Jess went to see her regular physician. She hasn't seen Dr. Kobet since 2002 because before the cancer she was one of the healthiest people I know. He thinks it may be a pinched nerve; Jess is having an MRI Wednesday night to get it checked out. Incidentally, that will be the day after her big scan tomorrow. Tomorrow she is getting a bone scan that will tell us the status of her tumors.

Although Bryn hasn't done anything hysterical this week I do have one small story that happened tonight when the girls were supposed to be in bed. I heard voices coming from the Yikes' (younger Kaylor Kids for you new to the blog) room. Jadyn was yelling, "Bryn's out of bed! Bryn's out of bed!" Bryn flung open the door to her room and ran into the living room yelling, "She's lying! She's lying!"

Almost Labor Day

My sister Sarah gave birth on the 31st to Vannessa Chloe Maxted. I think it would have been funny if Sarah had given birth to Vanessa a week later on labor day, but I'm pretty sure Sarah wouldn't have found being preganant a week longer as funny.

Jessa's hair has come in very curly-- as it is getting longer it the curls are starting to turn into perfect ringlets. Jess met with her student teachers last week. She found out that one of the schools is further than she thought about an hour from her house, but the school is about twenty-five minutes from where Jess gets her cancer treatments so she will head to that school after her treatments. Jess is scheduled for a scan this month. I appreciate you praying for us as a family. God knows what we will need better than we do and loves providing for us, so keep it up!

Last night Bryn's foot touched Jadyn's face while they were laying down next to each other. Jadyn turned to her in disgust and said, "Your foot's gross!" Bryn turned to me and said "Look at my foot, it growed!"

Another baby Kaylor is on the way

Actually it's a baby Maxted, but since it is my sister giving birth: baby Vanessa Chloe will be a flesh and blood Kaylor. I think Sarah finally realized I was getting way ahead in the daughter race (3-0) and realized she better jump on the band wagon before my kids were old enough to be her kids' aunts. She is going to be induced next week. You can read about her (and see her pictures dubbed by her as "the incredible expanding Sarah") at http://vanessa-chloe.blogspot.com/

Just a small clarification on Jess she has cancer in her clavicle, but the pain and discomfort she is experiencing in her shoulder is from hurting muscles.

I started playing indoor soccer last month when I turned 30, and got my first injury this last week that wasn't fitness related (that is wasn't related to my sorry self being out of shape). It isn't serious, but I tweaked my knee enough to make it uncomfortable to do any sort of physical activity. This weekend, injured knee and all, I completed an 18 hour soccer coaching clinic ("E" level) in the 90-100 degree weather. I think I got a pretty good taste of what Jess has been experiencing: I could still do what I needed to do, but I experienced a bit of discomfort doing it. The course itself was wonderful: we had a great group of coaches and I think I learned a lot that will help me coach the U-14 girls team I am coaching. I really appreciate the group of guys and gals who came over to our house while I was getting my certification this weekend and helped out a ton with house inside and out.

All three of our kids are loving school. Katelyn adores her teachers and does her homework without having to beg, bribe, or threaten her. Since Jadyn doesn't get to go to school until after lunch, Jess says Jadyn will ask her if they can eat lunch in the morning. Bryn has been learning a little bit of Spanish at Fielder Road and would suffer insanely from jealousy if she didn't get to go to school like Jadyn does. I myself am really liking school as well. I have a great group of kids this year who are both fun and funny.

A fairly calm week

Greetings!

We have had a good week of school activities, meetings, soccer, and yes, doctor's appointments. Everyone has had their first day of school. Katelyn is enjoying all the privileges of being the oldest at her elementary school. She seems to really like her school, and loves her teachers and friends. Jadyn is the youngest at her school, in Pre-K. Jadyn asks every day when we can eat lunch as she knows that each day after lunch, she gets to go to school. Bryn comes home very tired from her school Tuesdays and Thursdays. I ask her what she learns at school and she says...nothing. Then I hear her the very next moment reciting, "uno, dos, tres...uno, dos, tres..." Her teacher used to teach the Spanish program for the school, so I know she is learning this there! It is a great 3 year old program and I am grateful she is able to attend. She has made several friends and comes home wanting to know if she can go to their birthday party or if they can go to hers.

As we were teaching Bryn her teacher’s names, I was repeating them over and over..."Mrs. Neelson and Mrs. Woodson..." When I prompted Bryn to say the names on her own, I said, "Okay, Bryn, it's Mrs..." She yelled "Sippi!" Being a little slow, I repeated, "No, Mrs..." She again said, "Sippi!" I guess I had no idea our three year old knew the state Mississippi, but she does! She has now gotten her teacher's correct names down.

My doctor's appointment today was just an infusion of my two drugs. I did fine and still have no side effects from this treatment. I see the doctor again in mid-September and go for more scans the first part of September as well. It seems like I just had scans done, but Dr. Haley said it has been 3 months. I take her at her word, all the while wondering where our summer went that I think 3 months ago was 3 weeks!

I still have minor shoulder pain, but am dealing with it through rest and medicine. The continued reminder that it is not cancerous is so beneficial mentally. I know the pain will subside and have started light weight training to strengthen the muscles around my shoulder. Just call me Dr. Kaylor, but I thought it might help.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Jadyn on her first day of Pre-K; Bryn is along to send her off. They both did fine, but missed being with each other. 

Katelyn and her new teacher, Mrs. Gunn on the first day of school (all her 6th grade teachers dressed up like they were at the Oscars, and the students were the stars!) 

Katelyn enjoying her Grandpa Bob and Grandma Cindy in Oregon. 

Relaxing in Portland,OR on vacation this summer 

School Starts Tomorrow

Jess and I have agreed for one of us to post at least once a week now that school is starting back up again. Katelyn and I are a little excited about school starting. I would be more excited except that it usually takes me about a week to get back into the swing of things. For those of you who are not teachers it is kind of like having a week to prepare for waking up one morning and finding out that your darling child has been cloned and you now have 120+ kids which take turns (30 or more at a time) rotating through your house.

Jadyn on the other hand is very excited and very ready to start school. She will be going to afternoon Pre-K at Corey. I think the two things she is most excited is her backpack and the outfit she has picked out to wear the first day of school. Her eyes have been shining with excitement followed by extensive giggling whenever the subject of school is brought up.

The other big news in our lives is that Jess got a job with Texas A&M. The job is perfect for her. She is going to be observing four student teachers throughout the metroplex (each one is in a different school district) who all go to A&M. The two great things about this job is Jess will be able to use her degree and classroom experience and get to work with college students (which she loves doing).

A happy doctor, and a happy patient

Hi there!
I just went to see Dr. Hayley yesterday. I did not even know I had an appointment, but when I went in for an infusion treatment of Avastin, they said I did. I must have scheduled it a month ago and it just happen to fall on a time I was already scheduled to be there! How convenient. It was great to talk to her because she really helped me resolve some things with my shoulder. She looked over my scans again and did a hard (ouch!) physical exam of my shoulder and does not think it is cancer related at all! Yea!! She had some ideas for the swelling related to activity or my port. Both of which are not going to be treated. She did say massage might help (hint for Jake, Sheltons or Daired's:) Unfortunately, I think she just meant me massaging and icing it myself. I might have to get clarification! I do have a tumor spot on my clavicle causing some swelling, but she said the scans showed that to be so slight, she is not concerned about that either. She gave me some pain meds and I will have new scans in September. I am going to tell myself to get over it! Everyone has some aches and pains associated with....living, not just cancer.

So, my attitude is better, I am feeling good, and we are all going to be okay. (I am adding this line in there, because some people cannot tell how things really are and assume the worst. You can't tell how someone is saying something via a typed message. I am thinking about adding a pod cast, so you can see my smile!)

We are school shopping and trying to get used to a school schedule. I say trying because I am writing this at 7:30 Texas time and I am in a quiet dark house as all the girls are sound asleep. It is that tug of convictions...one, I love a quiet house; two, I know that starting Monday, we will have to be out the door by this hour. My mom took Katelyn out clothes shopping Sunday and I picked Jadyn up some school clothes yesterday, and little Bryn just put her dramatic hand over her eyes, buried her head in the pillow and cried, "What do I get to try on?" Not to worry, a guilty mom will be looking for a cute play outfit today while we are out!

Ahoy Matey

The tumor at the base of Jessa's collar bone has really started to bug her. It hasn't had much effect on limiting her activities-- it would have to be pretty severe to stop her, but it has had a noticeable effect. She and I have switched sides on the bed because it hurt to roll on her side and snuggle. Please pray that the pain abates.

Katelyn is starting 6th grade the week after next for her last year at Wood. We were also able to financially qualify for Jadyn to got to Pre-K at Corey Elementary (Wood doesn't have Pre-K). Jadyn going to Pre-K is absolutely wonderful because she loves learning. Just about every day we do "homework." We work on letter sounds and do math. Right now we're working on simple addition and the letter "x." I think she is going to do absolutely fabulous in Pre-K. Since Jadyn will be doing Pre-K in the afternoons, Jess is really looking forward to spending some extra time with Bryn. With three girls it's not often she gets one-on-one time with any of them.

Jadyn and Bryn got in a theological discussion a few weeks ago. I don't remember if I've already posted it or not. Jadyn thought that God was able to be everywhere at once (sound doctrine), but she also thought he had two eyes with which he could see everything. Bryn on the other hand thought he could only be in heaven and had only one eye. She covered one eye to demonstrate and said he was a captain. In other words a PIRATE captain. Jess and I of course that this hilariously funny from the funniest person I know, but today Jess found a passage in the bible that talks about God being a captain. I'll have to get her to tell you which one because I don't remember which one. I'm pretty sure however that it doesn't talk about him being a pirate.

3-0

We had a wonderful trip family get-away to Portland where we experienced three things foregin to us in Texas this time of year: snow covered mountains, low humidity, and pleasant temperatures. Jessa's dad and stepmom were wonderful hosts and made us feel like family (which is good because we are). Katelyn's favorite thing was a horseback ride, Jadyn's favorite thing was bike riding (she rode on an "alley cat" bike extension that attached to mine), and Bryn's favorite was eating ice cream.
I turned thirty last Friday which is pretty exciting-- I have a whole another decade of things to experience. One of those things was starting soccer Tuesday-- from which my legs are still sore from.
Jess started a brand new medicine on Monday-- one that has just been approved for her type of cancer. This one fights the blood vessels that the cancer cells have created to feed themselves. Pray strong for her as Jess is a strong fighter who needs you to fight alongside her.

The girls together.

All smiles in AZ! 

Happy Slurpee Day!

It's hard to have a bad day when you can enjoy a 7.11 oz free Slurpee from 7-11 all day long on today 7-11! Jess just spent the last 5 days with her aunts, mom, and grandmother in Scottsdale, Arizona. What an awesome time it is when treatment means facials and spas and not radiation and chemo. The trip I think was really good for Jess. UT-Southwest has goofed a little bit lately: they gave her a wrong scan (she didn't need a bone density scan) and gave her two weeks of radiation on her spine instead of two days on her rib. She also has two unwelcome tumors: one a little bit further up on her spine and one on her left rib. Dr. Haley was not very happy about the goof-ups she has always been adamant that Jess get the best treatment available. Jessica's medicines are going to be switched around a bit: there is a new medicine that has passed the clinical stages and it about to be released in the next few weeks.

We leave tonight for Portland, Oregon for ten days to see family. We are really looking forward to rest and renewal: both Jess and I have been exhausted. I appreciate so much your prayers: there has been a renewed movement of people praying for us the last two weeks. The really cool thing is that it hasn't been orchestrated by us, but rather God has been impressing on several people that now is the time to pray. Nothing is impossible with God, so ask BIG.

All done!

I received a certificate as I left the radiation office yesterday. It was for completing my radiation therapy treatments!!

I already feel better. I do not know if it is psychological or not, but my stomach feels better too. Jake asked me if it felt good to be done. I said it did, but I do have to make the trek to Dallas two more times next week. One for a muga test on my heart to make sure it is back to post-chemo/radiation condition. And one to meet with Dr. Hayley to hopefully go over all the tests I have been having and follow up with her on my continued treatment. Then, I cannot possibly go to any more appointments as I will be out of town until late July!! Yea :) I will love the break, and the kids are so excited.

During my last week of radiation, my mom would come get the kids and take them for dinner. It was a big help so I could rest after treatment. The girls, however, think it now happens every night. Last night Jake made dinner and Bryn said, "I want to go with grandma. I'll wait."

A cousin of a friend has been on my heart lately, her name is Jennifer. Her cancer is pretty serious; please pray for her, her doctor's and her family.