Doctor's appointments, a stuffed bear, and a real doll all wrapped into one interesting blog update!

I wanted to update you on this past week; it has been a good one! Monday I met with my surgeon, Dr. Euhus. He thought he felt a lump during his routine exam. He thought it was a cyst and sent me for a sonogram. It all came back clear! I tell you this not to worry you, but to tell you what confidence I have in my cautious doctor! I went ahead and asked him if I would ever be on the new drug I heard him talking about on television. He said that it was a drug for people who are at a high risk for getting breast cancer, not for people who already have it. Therefore, I will never have this particular drug.

I had a normal treatment of Herceptin and Xeloda Thursday. The girls went to work with Jake for Take Your Daughter (and Son) to Work Day. They had a great time with their daddy.

Bryn keeps us all laughing all day long. We had one of Jake’s old friends from college and his children visit us over the weekend. We took them to Bass Pro Shop (a huge outdoor store in town). Jadyn and Bryn had never seen so many animals that were stuffed before, so needless to say, their eyes were huge over every bear, deer, and duck that we passed. Two animals were in a pose that showed a bear about to bite a deer. Bryn started yelling “We do not bite! If you bite, you get vinegar!” (We give the girls about a 1/8^th of a teaspoon of vinegar if they bite. It goes without saying that they do not bite very much!)

Bryn had her 3^rd birthday Wednesday. The time has just flown by. She had a fun day filled with presents, cake and family. Her party is this Sunday. It is a dress up party. My Aunt Diane is coming and is bringing a friend’s daughter to the party. When I told Bryn that her Aunt Diane is bringing a little girl for her to play with, Bryn got a huge smile on her face. She exclaimed, “What do you want to name her?” Not able to withhold my laughter, I said she already had a name, and was not hers to keep. I explained that she was coming to play with her and then go home with her mommy. I guess Bryn thought her Aunt was buying her a real girl! Good luck family trying to top that present!

Jadyn and Katelyn are enjoying their soccer seasons. Katelyn is involved in three choirs and has three end-of-the year concerts within the next three days. We will be kept quite entertained and busy this weekend!

Happy Easter!

We had a lovely Easter weekend with family and friends. Friday, Jake and Katelyn were off school, so the five of us went to an egg hunt and picnic at a park. The kids hunted for eggs, pet animals, and ate a ton of food and candy. Saturday, we attended another fun hunt and party at a friend's house. It was a beautiful day. However, we have had to stay in the shade lately (the weather in Texas had toppled over 100 in the past few days!) On Easter Sunday, we all attended church and listened to my aunt Sandy and mom (Judy) sing in the choir. Then, we headed over to my grandparent's house. We ate and hunted eggs once again. It has been a wonderful, busy weekend. It is so fun to watch little kids when they find an egg (even one that is right in front of them on the lawn--no "hunting" required!)

I am feeling good. My feet are still an issue, but it is fairly minor. I have two appointments next week. One is a three-month follow up with my surgeon and then my normal infusions for the month. I was watching the news about a new drug (a replacement for tamoxifin) that has come out when I saw my very own doctor explaining the drug and results to a study! I love to see my doctor's on the cutting edge of medical findings. I feel so confident in the doctor's I have at UT Southwestern. It makes the drive bearable...although I might be singing a different tune as our gas is so close to $3.00 a gallon that I cringe when filling up!

I am learing in my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) class about Joseph and his incredible perserverance through such difficult problems. In Genesis 50:20, it says that what man intended for harm, God intended for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. I look back at the year to see such big trials, but God intended them for good. Another thing that impresses my about Joseph is he sees God's blessings in the midst of his hardships. So often, we have to look back at a difficult life event to see God's hand in it, well after the problem is over. I am thankful that during the trials of this year, it has been easy to see his blessings every day.

The Kaylor family enjoying an Easter hunt and party.  

Nice Picture

There are two things I have learned from my wife's recent postings. First if I make a silly face she will post it and second is that after she posts the picture of me making a silly face I will have numerous people coming up to me and saying two simple words: "Nice picture."

Yesterday was my nephew's (Austin) birthday party. Hope, his mom, told my girls to bring their apetites as there was going to be pizza and cake. We didn't think much of it when Jadyn started rummaging through drawers, but then she asked Jess, "Mommy, what's an apple tight? I need to bring one." After explaining what an apetite was she still didn't understand what it was or how she was supposed to bring it, so we finally told her to bring her hungry stomach.

We were trying to take a serious picture, but Jake, as usual, would not cooperate. He is my fourth child. 

Doctor Haley...

I had an appointment with Dr. Haley this morning. It was a great appointment. She went over my PET scan results and reinterated that it was a good scan. She said that I might always have "evidence" of cancer in the bone, even though it is healing. She said that cancer in the bone that remains stagnant is what they work towards. That seemed good to me.

Currently I go to get an infusion of a drug called Xeloda which is specifically for the bone disease every 4 weeks and a treatment of Herceptin which is an antibody every 3 weeks. It was getting a little hard to arrange childcare so often as well as make the trek to Dallas. So I asked Dr. Haley if we could combine the treatments, and she agreed. Now, I will only have to go once every 3 weeks. This might not sound like much, but this really halves my appoinments each month, so it means a lot to me. She also gave me an antibiotic for an infection in my big toe (no, I am not joking). Now I can say that Dr. Haley treats me all the way to the tip of my toes.

I have had a great night this evening. Jeremy, Kathryn and Jessica from our old college group came over to visit. It was good to visit and spend time with friends. It is one of my favorite things to do.

I am planning Bryn's birthday party at the end of April and we were going over who to invite. It is basically all family and a few friends, but for some reason Bryn thought she had to choose between Jake or I coming. I did not know what she was thinking about for so long, when she finally said, "I think I'll pick daddy to come to my party." I said that both her daddy and I would be able to come. She said, "Well, okay." I guess it is sweet to have a daddy's girl, but I will be attending the party!

Pin-Free

Jess is planning another post on Thursday after her visit with Dr. Haley, but I thought you might like to know now how Jadyn's outpatient surgery went. Jadyn is so sweet because this morning before she left for the hospital she told me with a huge smile that she was going to get to eat breakfast after her surgery. Like Jessica she amazes me because she didn't see the bad thing (not getting to eat breakfast in the morning); she only saw the postitive. Once they put Jadyn under they cut two small slits and took out the plastic pins (I was wondering why she hadn't been setting off any metal detectors). The doctor put in stitches on the inside of the cuts-- the kind of stitches that disolve over time and then put a big bandage over the top. The hardest thing on Jadyn (and for that matter Jess) is that the anesthesia made Jadyn's stomach sick and she threw up on the way home. Jadyn would have had her 2nd soccer practice of the season today, but obviously she stayed home. However, she was walking again this afternoon and running by the time it was time to go to bed.

Here I am!

Hi there! I know it has been a while since my last post. I have not had much news lately, but like my aunt said, no news is good news.

I have been feeling okay. My stomach issues are pretty stagnant. Sometimes I feel a little sick to my stomach and I take an acid reducer. My nurse suggested it due to the meds and it does seem to help. My feet continue to be just a minor issue. I am in the midst of my oral chemo treatment, so my feet tend to be sore. It is as if I have been on my feet all day, and it is only 9:00 AM! I have heard of some people on this medicine can barely walk, so my discomfort is definitely minor.

I go see Dr. Haley Thursday. I will ask her more specifics on my last body scan. So, it will be good to just hear the news from her in person. I do not recommend ever reading a radiologist's first impressions before hearing it from your own physician. All the medical jargon looked much worse than reality. She will be able to show me pictures of the scan, which will be helpful. I suspect I will continue on the same plan.

Jadyn has her pins from her hip surgery taken out Tuesday morning. It is just a day surgery, but I am still a little concerned for her comfort and nervousness. She keeps saying to me, "It won't hurt, right mama?" She still loves her scar and will show it to most anyone who asks!

I am so excited for my aunts, sister, mother and cousin that are walking in the Breast Cancer 3Day this October! I am very proud of them all! However, I am a little jealous because I want to be walking with them. If my feet are feeling better, I will try. At the least, I will be able to cheer them on at the pit stops. Maybe I can be the one waving from the massage chair as they pass mile 20! I love you all so much. I will post on here their website so you can donate to their group and watch their progress. And/or maybe one of you can leave the site in a comment to this blog. There are some other dear friends of mine walking also, so when I find out their info I will post that as well. It is such an awesome organization. I don't want any of our daughters to have to live through cancer, and the Susan G. Komen organization funnels millions of dollars into the research that will find a cure. I think it will be within our lifetime too.

Beyond that, he big news in my life is potty training Bryn and not cancer, so that is a good thing. It has been just over a year since my diagnoses, and though I wish I never had to think of cancer again, it is still something I will probably always have to deal with. That said, I am so grateful for the place I am in now....Annie hair and all! It is the peace that passes all understanding where I still stand.

Soccer Season

Note: I originally posted this on 3/28, but it didn't show up on the web page.

Bryn, our youngest is finally acting like herself. She woke up Saturday afternoon from her nap with a 103 fever. It left just as suddenly Sunday morning, but she has been acting like a different girl that the one we know. Bryn is nearly always joyful and is the comedian in our family. She loves to make me and our family laugh. The last two days she has been very "eeyorish" and a little mean. I think of all of us Jess has been the most sympathetic she knows what is like to be feeling not yourself.


Having gotten the all-clear from Jadyn's doctor a few weeks ago, Jadyn is going to get to go to the first soccer practice 0f the season today. Even though Jadyn is moving around wonderfully I am still a little nervous for her. Jadyn on the other hand is very excited. We tried on her size 11 soccer cleats last night only to find out that her foot had outgrown them. I was in disbelief because 1. she had just worn them last season and 2. she still wears a size 11 shoe for her other shoes. With soccer practice coming today Jadyn and I went out shopping for them. Jadyn thought the twelves and thirteens were also too tight so we got a 13.5 soccer cleat. Jadyn was already excited about soccer coming and with the new cleats she is bouncing off walls.


Jess says her stomach is doing OK. Which means, I think, that it is a little bit upset but not a lot (the Tagament helps).

Yesterday, Jadyn and Jess both had doctors appointment and Jess and I had a speaking engagement. Jadyn's appointment went great-- Jess said it went really quick. Jadyn got an x-ray that looked great according to the doctor: she is healing fabulously. The doctor said that from the x-ray that you could barely tell that she had surgery (of course I think the huge pins would give it away). She got cleared to play soccer just in time for soccer season. Jess had a relatively quick infusion one that the Yikes even went on. She said the girls did great. The best thing is that the doctor was able to give her some help as far as the stomach problems she has been experiencing. She said that she was experiencing acid reflex, yet another side effect of the medicines Jess is taking. The good news is that after Jess took a Tagament last night, immediately she began to feel better.

Jess and I spoke to about 80 or so high schoolers last night at our church. It was pretty neat because I had a lot of them in EFC or in one of my classes. We spoke on what to do in a crisis. Kind of like we do on here we tried to give them the open book version of what we have gone through the past year. I know many of the high schoolers are indeed going through a crisis of their own right now: divorce of their parents, struggling to get along with friends, etc. I hope that God was able to speak through us to them. It certainly felt good after we were done. I think the coolest thing Jess said is something she keeps saying lately: the biggest trial brings the biggest testimony.

Weekly Prayer Calendar

Thank you Terre for putting this together!

Monday - Pray for continued effective treatment for Jess - Psm 41:3

Tuesday - Pray for no anxiousness but instead peace - Phil 4:6-7

Wednesday - Pray for unity between Jake and Jess - Col 3:13-14

Thursday - Pray that Jake and Jess will be strong and courageous - Joshua 1:9

Friday - Pray that God will be their refuge - Psalm 34:8

Saturday - Pray that the entire family will be still in the Lord - Psm 46:10

Sunday - Pray that Kaylors will continue to put their hope in God - Psm 42:5

A Nice Break

We had a wonderful break. Bryn and Jadyn didn't seem to mind waiting in lines for rides and once they were on the rides they laughed almost non-stop with glee. Jadyn said her favorite things in San Antonio were 6 Flags and getting a snow-cone. Katelyn seemed to have an OK time but she was too scared to ride the big rides and we had to constantly tell her she was too tall to ride most of the little kid rides. Thankfully her cousin Corbin was also in San Antonio and she rode a few bigger rides with him when he came the second day. We got the girls matching t-shirts with green Shamrocks for St. Patrick's Day. My biggest dissapointment was that they don't dye the river green on Saint Patrick's day until after it gets dark and we left before we got to see it. Thankfully the river is pretty much green anyway, so we got to see the algae-induced version. Jessa's feet hurt from all the walking but it wasn't unbearable. We were able to take advantage of the trolly system when we parked downtown on Friday and that helped a lot too.

A Nice Break

Normally a nice break in the Kaylor house means Bryn has been too adventerous again and is about to get another cast. However this week not only is it Spring Break, but it is also Jessa's week off for chemo treatment. Tomorrow mornig we are leaving, kids and all, for San Antonio. We got the hotel stay cheap on Priceline and our Six Flag (the amusement park in Arlington) passes are also good for Fiesta Texas (the amusement park there), so the only expensive thing will be the gas it takes to get down there.

After I took Jess out last Friday night, she told me what happened on that date a year ago. The doctor had just told her that he thought the lump she had found in her breast was cyst, but that she should get a mamogram just in case. Jess got that mamogram on March 10th. Needless to say she was glad that she had better memories of March 10th this year.

Jadyn is doing great-- she starts soccer next month :)

Why it's a Good Idea to Trick Your Wife

The biggest news at our house the last part of this week has not come from Jessica or even Jadyn, but little Bryn. Out of the blue on Wednesday she used the potty. Now she's using it every day. It's amazing because she went from never using it to always using it. Our whole family is thrilled. Well almost thrilled. She hasn't quite figured out when she needs to go, so she tries to go all the time. This is not a problem at home, but when Jess took her and Jadyn out of the house yesterday, Jess felt like she spent all of the time in the restroom with Bryn.

Yesterday I tricked my beautiful wife. About two weeks ago, the group of teachers I eat lunch with decided to give Jess and I two gift cards one for a movie and one for dinner. It took awhile to pull it off, but yesterday morning everything was finally in place. That morning I told Jess that I was going to take Jadyn and Bryn to the playground when I took Katelyn to soccer practice. I also told her that I would be bringing home dinner. Jess remarked as she was reading the movie listings in that paper that she would really like to see a particular movie, Failure to Launch, sometime. I acted like I had no interest in it. In reality I was going to drop off Jadyn and Bryn at a friend's house, had already arranged for Katelyn to get picked up from soccer practice and was going to take her to that very movie.

A few glitches happened when I got home however. Jadyn fell and scraped her knee. They were minor scratches, but Jess said "She can stay home with me." Fortunately I talked her out of it. Then good friends of ours called and invited us to dinner with them at 6:30. Katelyn's soccer practice ends at 6:30, so Jess thought we could get there about 6:45 and still have plenty of time to enjoy dinner at Central Market (something we rarely do, but enjoy). I told her no because I didn't think the timing would work. She looked very, very dissapointed but dejectedly said OK. The plan flimsily still intact, I loaded up the kids, dropped off Katelyn at soccer practice, dropped off Jadyn and Bryn, and stopped by the restaraunt to put our name down on the watiting list. I called Jess on the way and asked her if she would be ready to leave if she had to go right then. She said yes, but I didn't answer any of her questions why. I pulled up to the house and a very confused Jessica Lynn comes out. The first thing she does is look in the back of the van and ask, "Where are the kids?" When I told her what was going on she was very delighted. We ended up having a great time at dinner and although it had too much cussing in it we laughed the whole way through the movie.

Good News

This week an amazing amount of people have been praying whole-heartedly for us. Every day Jess and I ran into people that have emotionally supported us and encouraged us. It has been a hard week for both of us, so this has been much appreciated and needed. We are blessed to have you all online, rejoicing with us in good news and praying for change when we have bad.

I have news today of bad news changing to good. Finally, Jess was able to speak with Dr. Barbara Haley (her oncologist) over the phone. It is her opinion that the scan that showed what may have been a significant increase in tumor growth actually shows signs of healing. In other words the tumors are getting better not worse.

Scan Results

For the first time, Jadyn walked almost normally yesterday. Before yesterday, she was walking like she still had a cast on.

The scan Jess had last week measures the amount of sugar the tumors consume. The more sugar it consumes the bigger the tumor. There are three tumors (I didn't realize she also has one on her rib cage in addition to the one on her lower spine and collar-bone). All three tumors have more than doubled their amount of sugar consumption. There is however a chance that the tumors "flared" as a result of the treatment, but if that's not the case they have grown considerably. Neither Jess or I know how a tumor "flares" but she is planning on asking Dr. Haley soon. We hoping and praying for a clean scan: Jess and I both are very shaken by the news.

A proud girl for doing her pt exercises
 

Jadyn making a "bridge" so Jess can roll a car under
 

Jadyn is squeezing a ball with her leg. She makes this pt exercise look like no sweat. 

Scan Results this Thursday

We have been waiting three months for Jess to have a scan and now that she has had one comes a week of waiting. I think this week has been longer than those three months. I am very much like a little kid waiting for Christmas-- but I only want the present if it's a good one. It's almost been year since we found out Jess had cancer: we found out last year over Spring Break (March 10th). What a nice present it would be have a clear scan a week and a half before Spring Break this year.

Home from PET Scan

Today I went for my PET/CT scan. I had a lovely banana shake and spent 2 hours trying to sleep. I will have the results in about a week and, of course, we will post the results. They always judge a lot by your symptoms and I have none at this point. So, we are all anticipating a good scan that shows diminishing (or disappearing) tumors! I had an infusion of Herceptin and Zometa today as well. Jadyn is doing her best to walk. Lately she's been jumping. But after about three jumps, she says "My legs hurt when I jump." Like the joke about the man telling the doctor his arm hurts when he raises it, I told Jadyn, "Well...don't jump!" She is determined to do it all though. It must run in the family. (stubbornness, that is)

Jadyn is home :)

As might be expected from our go get 'em girl, Jadyn got to come home early today. I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves today, but I have to say something about Jadyn's scar first . Jadyn just told Jess that likes the purple line on her leg. She said, "Purple's my favorite!" However, Jess would rather her five inch scar disappear like her cast did . In fact, and I doubt I am making this up, Jess will probably go online right after this post and start looking for beauty tips to make it go away.

It was a long time coming for this bath. Jessica's camera battery died right after this picture, so you'll just have to imagine the HUGE grin Jadyn had on. 

Jadyn smiling because her cast is off and she is on her way to take a bath 

Be gone cast! 

Today is the Day!

Bryn stayed with friends, but Katelyn went with Jadyn, Jess, and me to get Jadyn's cast off. After we checked in, we went right away to get her cast off. One of the nurses was really good about explaining how the cast would be taken off to a very scared Jadyn. Actually, once Jadyn saw that sawing off a cast doesn't hurt, she did really good. This time they put a layer of Gortex underneath the cast to help keep it clean, and that helped, but it had a 7-week build-up of grossness.

From there we went to x-rays. After that we got the best news of the day-- her hip socket was just the way they wanted it. I was about to say normal, but a hip can't be normal with (what looked like) 4 inch pins and all new bone formed around where they brought the hip together at. Next stop-- a bath. For me this was my favorite part because it was like Jadyn was discovering she had legs again. It may have been Jessica's favorite part too because she got to scrub Jadyn's "alligator" legs until they got to look more like little girl legs. After she got dried off, Jadyn ate lunch via room service (this was one of the things Katelyn told Jadyn about to get her excited about going to the hospital).

Then it was off to p.t. better known as physical therapy or as the therapists told Jadyn: play time. It was really neat how they turned increased her range of motion and muscle strength by playing games with her. She had to move her legs to pop bubbles, drive her "car" (really a walker), and sit down and stand up while playing in the play kitchen. Jadyn smiled the whole time until her legs buckled-- then she cried and play time was over. Jadyn's therapists said she accomplished more in an hour then what is normally done in a week. She said that Jadyn's "I'm going to do it" attitude is going to take her far in life. I see the same thing in Jessica.

Tonight, Jess is staying with Jadyn in the hospital and Katelyn, Bryn, and I are spending the night at Jessa's grandparents. Right now the camera is at the hospital with Jadyn and Jess, but I promise I will post pictures of a certain two-legged girl soon.

What a Day

For the first time in about four years Jess and I both worked on a Saturday. Both us proctor a teacher-certification test every few months, but in recent years we have been taking turns. However, one of my brave students watched our girls from 6:00 AM to 6 PM today. I asked her if it was hard and she said not really. I asked her if it was a long day and she said not really. I want to know her secret because when I watch the kids all day by myself I'm as wiped out as a straw hut near an errupting volcano. Then we went to church-- late. Jess was still working, so I took the kids myself. On the way there I dropped off Bryn's shoes that I had absent-mindedly set on the car roof. She wore another pair of shoes she had in the car-- a pair of summer slip-ons on a wintery day. After church was over I took the kids home and went out to get Jessica's medicine. I found Bryn's shoes on the way there. They were on opposite sides of the road. One was in the median. The other was in the grass in front of Children's University. Remarkably they hadn't been run-over. At the pharmacy I had a conversation that I've had before with the pharmacist. Me: I'm picking up medicine for my wife, Jessica Kaylor. (The pharmacist retrieves the medicine. The pharmacist looks down, then looks shocked). Me: I know it's going to be a lot. Pharmacist: How much are you expecting it to be? Me: Hundreds of dollars. Pharmacist: We didn't have enough pills for a full refill. The partial refill is $1200. Me: OK. Pharmacist: (says nothing, but shakes her head) I think next time I am going to act completely shocked and start throwing things. Maybe I can even foam at the mouth. I think that is what the pharmacist is expecting. The truth is it doesn't matter if $120 or $1200 we're still going to get the medicine. After I got home, Jess was watching the end of Cast-Away. That is an amazing coincidence because Monday we're all going to watch Cast-Away. Yeah!

Genuflection

First let me confess that I only know what genuflection is because I read it one of the stories in the 8th grade literature book. I didn't even have to look it up to tell my students because it gave the definition at the bottom of the page. Genuflection means getting down on your knees to pray or worship. Jessica's next scan is a week from today, so please go and genuflect!

If you don't already know this next scan is huge for us because it will tell us if her tumors have increased or decreased in size and number, and insurance will not pay for another scan for another 3 months. Speaking of insurance-- Jessica's insurance now views UT-Southwestern as in network (sometimes answers to prayers are oh-so quick).

Jadyn gets her cast off Monday. It's a school holiday too, so the whole family can go :) Today Jadyn went by herself down the slide at Chick-fil-A (we went there for ice cream). That kid is a nut-- doesn't she know she's in a body cast?

6 Days and Counting...

Our whole family is very excited about Jadyn getting her cast off in less than a week. She has increasingly been more comfortable in it, but she will be even more comfortable without it!

Two neat things have happened with Jessica. First of all Jess got a new pair of shoes yesterday. Jess narrowed what she wanted to two shoes. When she asked the sales clerk if there were any other comfortble shoes, she told Jessica that she had already picked out the two most comfortable pairs. Her final choice was a pair of brown Clark's sandals. They also meet Jessica's criterion of being very cute. The sales clerk told her that the pair she got is commonly purchased by people who have had foot surgeries: perfect!

The second neat thing started out as a huge negative. While we didn't switch insurance, Jessica's insurance company switched their network of providers. At first, Jess was pleased because all of her doctors were on the new network. However, imagine her shock when she discovered that the facilities for UT-Southwestern were not covered. Simply put she couldn't recieve treatment. When she called they told her that she would have to go to Moncrief, which is just ridiculous because Moncrief is a radiation-only treatment facility. However, the insurance nurse (yes, she even has an insurance nurse) was able to get a temporary extention of sixty days in which Jess will be able to get treatment at UT-Southwestern. While this is great, please pray for a permanent solution.

Happy Valentines Day!

This Week's Prayer Calendar

Terre Coble has been very sweet in making us a weekly prayer calendar. I haven't posted it on here before because I usually read the email she sends our Sunday school class too late to be of much use. However, she just sent this one today.

Wednesday - Pray for wisdom for Drs. - Proverbs 28:26

Thursday - Pray for peace - Philippians 4:7

Friday - Pray for healing for Jess and Jadyn - Malachi 4:2

Saturday - Pray for rest - Matthew 11:28-30

Sunday - Pray that Jake, Jess and Kaitlyn will take their cares to the Lord - Philippians 4:6

We have been trying to discourage Jadyn to walk, but that is a little like trying to get Winnie the Pooh not to like honey. Yesterday she found out that she could kick a soccer ball hard. She pivoted on her fully casted leg and then smacked the ball with the leg that lets her knee swing free.

Jess and Katelyn both got a haircut yesterday. Katelyn got six inches cut off and looks very cute. Jessa felt like she had "grandma-hair" (which looks great on grandmothers but not as cute on thirty year olds) so she got her hair trimmed and styled. She looks both cute and hip.

Big Time Fun in Texarkana

We had a fantastic weekend at my friend Robert's house and Jess had a relaxing weekend without her four kids (yes, I know we only have three daughters).

Normally, Katelyn will watch as much t.v./movies/video games as we'll let her, but she barely did any of that the whole weekend. And Robert has cable! She and her two sisters spent most of the time outside on his twenty something acres that he and his parents share. We hooked up a trailer to Robert's four-wheeler. Katelyn rode in front with Robert and Bryn, Jadyn and I rode in the trailer. All three of them loved it. Robert's two kids went too. We also went fishing. Nobody got even a nibble except for Jadyn. Her fish got away, but it came out of the water while she was reeling it in. Jadyn was happier this weekend then I have seen her since she got her cast on. Speaking of which there is only two weeks left! As for forgetting something I forgot my jeans and Katelyn didn't bring any church clothes for Sunday.

Jessa's feet have already started to hurt. We are looking at different shoe options for her. I don't know if it will help, since they hurt because of her nerves, but we're going to try. At first I thought of getting her a pair of Nike Shocks, but Jess pointed out that unless she is going to the gym she prefers sandals. I've asked practically everyone I talked to and gotten some good ideas on comfortable sandals and both Jess and I are also looking online. Would it be too corny if I said that I am trying to save Jessa's sole?

The bad news to go with the good news

I think it's pretty cool that my wife puts a positive spin on everything. Sometimes she acts like she has an annoying hang nail instead of cancer. The bad news she left out was that her surgeon, Dr. Euhus felt that the two tumors that are in bone, although treatable so they will be manageable, will never go away. This hasn't shaken us too much though-- the prognosis that Jess will not be completely cancer free has been given to us before-- and we still feel that in this case God has a different idea. Her next full body scan is coming up this month.

As for Jadyn, she got dressed herself this morning! Somehow she took off her pajimas and put on a long sleeve shirt and denim dress. Jess was so excited she called me during class. We have just a little over two weeks left in the cast-- we are eagerly awaiting the day when the cast goes away.

Jess is getting a much needed weekend by herself. I am taking the kids to a friend of mine's place in Texarkana (for you non-Texans that's a town on the Texas-Arkansas border). The kids are so excited you would think we were going to Disney Land. I'm just as excited as they are except I know I will remember I forgot something about half way there. It may end up the kids have to do something like brush their teeth with their fingers.

All clear!

Today I had my first mammogram in almost a year. I had the first one in February of '05 which was the start of my whirlwind diagnosis and treatment. Since then, I have had many a test, but no mammogram. Now that I am on a maintenance program, I have had my first maintenance mammogram! It was clear as a bell. My surgeon told me I was a "miracle girl!" He was very pleased with the results, of course, and had no new course of treatment for me. I will see him again in 3 months.

My dad got to go with me to my appointments this morning. He came down for a wonderful visit this weekend and extended it to make this appointment. The rest of my family would be quite proud of his presence because each time a doctor or nurse would ask how I was doing, I would say "just fine!" and dad would say, "now, Jess, your feet have been hurting..." Which did prompt some good advice: lots of fluids, good shoes, and checking my feet often for cuts, etc... Dr. Euhus said that taking Taxotere (a chemo drug I once took) affects your nervous system for years to come and thought there was a connection to my feet tingling and numbing a bit with the Xeloda... so, it could be the chemo drug's long term affects.

My feet have benefited from a week off the Xeloda. I started up again today. I will have some more tests next month that might mean an adjustment of the medicines. For now, I will deal with the minimal side effects of this one. I'll take hurt feet over nausea any day of the week!

My hair is growing back, albeit very curly. I have to be thankful for any hair at all, but I do wish it would relax a little. It is quite soft and thicker too. Jadyn told me the other day during one of her nicer moments, " Mom, your hair is so pretty!" ...Then, she screamed at her sister, "Stop touching me!"

Life goes on... :)

Our Little Ballerina

It's been almost a week since my last post. The long wait is courtesy of a four-day long migraine that is just starting to dissipate tonight. Thankfully I was able to make it through Thursday and Friday at school-- I really need to save my days for when Jessica and Jadyn have medical appointments. In fact, Jessa has several things going on tomorrow and I am taking the day off because of it. She is having a mamogram, two medicines in an infusion, and meeting with Dr. Euhus. I'll be watching the kids because it will be basically an all-day event for her.

Jadyn has been moving around really well. This is pretty amazing because she has no mobility in her legs or hips except for being able to bend one knee (the other one is casted). Imagine my surprise when I came home from work last week and I see Jadyn fully clad in dress up (a cheerleader outfit and a garland in her hair) twirl once and then walk toward me. She is now walking around completely unaided. While delighted that she has found a way to do the near impossible we are going to call the doctor tomorrow to see if she can continue to walk like this and not damage her hip.

We stopped co-leading a college bible study in December, but didn't start up anything new until tonight. I am really surprised that we are doing what we are doing. Back in December I told Jess that God gave me an idea but she would really hate it. She began to be really excited (a very unusual reaction I thought) and told me that she had an even worse idea that God had given her and I would hate even more than she hated mine. The thing is we both really like doing college group, but here's the thing: God gave us exactly the same idea and it involved stopping leading our college group. Our church has been doing more and more adult life groups (Sunday school groups that don't meet on Sunday mornings), but no one has done anything for kids. Tonight Jess and I did our first life group for our kids and two other sets of kids. It went very smooth and I am very thankful Katelyn was able to be a part: she was a HUGE help. As usual God has proven again in our lives that "He has an even better idea."

Injured but not d'feeted

Last night while playing outside Bryn badly bruised her foot. Katelyn was playing soccer while I was playing tag with Bryn. Katelyn kicked the ball at Bryn wanting to play with her and Bryn tripped over it and injured her foot. We're very thankful that it's not broken but Bryn will have to wear an aircast for a couple of days.

There's good news on Jessica's feet however. Today was the first day in a week off of chemo, and her feet immediately stopped hurting.

Double Casted 

When I grow up

Jadyn's cast off appointment has been made for Feb. 20th. We found out today that she will stay in the hospital for at least 2-3 days for rehab to get full range of motion back on her hip and legs. We recieved no rehab for her last cast, so I have no idea what to expect. However, we are now counting down the days until the 20th ( 38). Jadyn is doing great during the day. She is still having some issues at night; but they, too, seem to be getting a little better.

Last night, Jadyn and I were laying in her bed talking. I asked her what she wanted to do most when she got her cast off. She asked me, "now or when I grow up?" I started with now. She said she wanted to do gymnastics. I asked her what she wanted to do when she grows up. She said she wants to be a teacher. (No surpise there, she's surrounded by us!) I asked her what kind. She said she wanted to teach about insects. I told her that would be a science teacher like her Aunt Sarah (Jake's sister). She said, "Yes, just like her." I love to hear all the girls talk about what they want to be when they grow up. If you ask Jake, he will tell you that I still talk about what I want to do when I grow up too!

On a sad note, my feet were hurting a lot today. I will be thankful to have a week off the medicine as of Saturday. Thanks for your prayers.

Four to go, make it five

We've been counting down the weeks until Jadyn gets her cast off, but hadn't officially got her appointment. Turns out it will be a week later then we thought it would be. We've made it two weeks, so we have five more to go. Every day gets easier though. This week Jadyn and Bryn have learned to play together again. While the three of us put together a puzzle on the floor, Jadyn was on her tummy so she could reach the pieces. Bryn could have reached the pieces just fine sitting up, but she wanted to get on her tummy just like Jadyn. They do still fight more than they did before the cast, but last night as they were going to sleep I overheard Jadyn tell Bryn you're my best friend.

Jess heard from the doctor about her feet. Since her feet hurting is a side effect of the oral chemo, Dr. Haley told her she could stop taking the medicine. However, since she would stop taking the medicine anyway on Friday (for her week off), Jess is going to tough it out until then.

Thank you MarDock family! 

Build a Bear Fun!

Today was a great day. We have been attending Saturday evening services now at our church, so our Sunday turned into wonderful (and much needed) family time. We took our time getting up, watched a movie and then headed to the mall. You might think that there is not much relaxing about going to the mall with three girls (one in a big wheelchair!) but we had a purpose. A precious Wood family gave the girls Build A Bear gift cards as a Valentine present. We headed straight for the store and had a blast. Each of the girls picked out an animal: Katelyn a boxer dog, Jadyn a Valentine heart bear, and Bryn a cuddly bunny. They got to put a heart in their animal, stuff it, give it a bath, pick out a fun outfit with accessories, and give it a name. They loved helping each other pick out just the right things for their new pet. We had a great time. Jake only got claustrophobic during the last few minutes and had to step outside as a birthday party was forming and it got quite crowded! We ended the afternoon with lunch at Johnny Rockets. It will be a good memory for us all.

I might be having a new side effect from the medicine I am having to take. Every once in a while, my feet will be very sore and it is painful to walk. It has happened just a few times, but it has made me remember to pray for that side effect to minimize and also to be thankful for the majority of times I am walking pain free! I will ask the doctor about it soon.

No Nightmares

The night before last Jadyn woke up in the middle of the night again. She was dreaming that a dog was biting her. Sherry (Dr. Johnston's wonderful nurse) told Jess over the phone that nighttime is often the most uncomfortable time for those in a spica cast. She said that most kids have a favorite sleeping position as they sleep and obviously that can't be done with Jadyn's type of cast. However, last night Jadyn had not trouble sleeping-- no nightmares!

Right now Jadyn is getting her toenails done again (good idea Aunt Janette). We have discovered lots of things she can do: tv, tv, and tv. Just kidding. Yesterday, when they were getting out of the car, Jadyn figured out how to unbuckle her multi-buckle car harness and "sat up" (as much as possible on her own). She also discovered legos-- which a kind person dropped off for her. She, Jadyn, and Katelyn all had fun making things. The neatest thing was when it was time to clean up. Jadyn scooted herself around picking up all the pieces. She went to the indoor playground at the Parks Mall and had fun playing with the kids. I guess there's not much a smart and determined child won't overcome.

Mommy I'm Stuck

Jadyn manages to scoot and wiggle herself off the couch and land on her feet. She was so happy with herself she started giggling. Then she yelled, "Mommy, I'm stuck!" She also has like being on her stomach better now. I don't know if it counts as crawling, but she raised herself up on her hands and flopped forward a couple of inches. Tonight when I put the girls to bed, Bryn wanted to sleep with "Mary." Mary is a doll that has the same cast as Jadyn. A nurse made it for her, and Jadyn colored it pink when the plaster dried. Anyway, when Bryn asked to sleep with her Jadyn told her that it wasn't a good doll to sleep with since the cast part was hard. Bryn our two year old comedian pressed it closs to her as she pretend yelped, "Ouch!"

Jadyn still gets angry fits when she gets frustrated with being in the cast, but they are less often. The worse thing has been nightmares. I got up three times last night and Jess one to tend to her as she screamed and flailed her arms. Katelyn used to have nightmares a lot, so I brought her in to pray along with me over Jadyn, but Jadyn didn't want us to. I'm going to be sneaky and pray over her after she goes to sleep.

With all the commotion over Jadyn, I haven't talked about Jess in a while. Her hair is coming back thick and curly. Normally, a person loses hair in the process of brushing or shampooing but her hair just doesn't come out. Jess asked me to pull out one of her hairs to see how long it was and I couldn't do it. It's like their superglued to her scalp. She started back on chemo this week and it has been easier remembering to take her pills at night because we have been staying home. Every three weeks she takes Hereceptin through her port (which is infection-free) and every two weeks she takes Zometa (which helps with her bones) through her port. Her next scan probably won't be until next month, but she will have a mamogram the next time she goes to the doctor (Jan 30th). The thing she needs most right now is prayer.

Jadyn playing with her Leapster (thanks Aunt Janette)

5 more weeks to go

Since we made it throught the first week, Jadyn has five weeks left to go in her cast.

I put another picture of Jadyn so you could see that she does indeed have two legs-- several you pointed out that you couldn't see the other leg in the other pictures.

Jess has been hesitant about taking Jadyn taking places, but it has worked out pretty well before. Jess took her to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) where Jadyn was able to into the baby room instead of kids her age. This worked great for Jadyn who does not like getting bumped in her cast which would have happened if she was with kids her own age. Jadyn liked being in there and Jess said the babies crawled up to her wheelchair to see her. The neatest thing that happened though was when Jess took her with a playgroup to a park playground. Jadyn giggled as she enjoyed watching the other kids play on the playground. Then she asked Jess to push her over to the playground, so she could be closer to the other kids. The ground was the spongy, rubbery stuff (not wood chips), so she was able to get there with ease. The other kids went right to her. Then the kids decided to play red light, green light with Jadyn. Jadyn got to be the one to say red light and green light. She loved it. After that she still found a way to be involved by doing things like giving kids high fives as they went down the slide. There are two things that touch my heart about this: one that Jadyn could play could be a part of the other kids playtime and the second is that they welcomed her.

Jadyn going for a ride before we got her wheel chair 

A sleeping Jadyn getting covered up after getting her cast on (it goes all the way up a few inches past her belly button) 

Jadyn on her way to surgery 

Home from the Hospital

Well, the last twenty-four hours have not been what I planned, but on the other hand a lot has gotten done. I was planning on taking Jadyn home from the hospital last night. We got the OK from Dr. Johnston, but one thing kept us from leaving. After the nurse took Jadyn's catheter out, she said the only thing left was for Jadyn to go pee. After a few hours of not being able to go pee impatience turned into worry. Jadyn started crying because she couldn't go home yet. Then Jess started crying when she realized Jadyn wasn't going to be able to home that night. Jess ended leaving late that night to go spend the night with Katelyn and Bryn (two nights on a fold-out chair hadn't been good for her back). A very unhappy Jadyn fell asleep about an hour after Jess left. I stayed up watching the UT-USC game, but Jadyn still hadn't gone pee when I fell asleep right after the Longhorns won about 11:30. The nurse woke me up about midnight saying that there is a 10 hour time window from the time they take the catheter out until a patient uses the restroom. If it doesn't happen the catheter has to go back in. The first time it was put in while Jadyn was under, but it would not be the case this time. We had two hours to go. I tried to get her to drink more and ran the water in the sink. Jadyn was awake again and very unhappy again. At two the nurse came back and said she would have to put the catheter in. I asked her for some chocolate milk (which Jadyn said she would drink) and when she brought it to me she said she would give us a little more time. At three the nurse came back along with another nurse to help her put the catheter in. Jadyn had gone a teensy bit, but not enough. Jadyn requested white milk (another stall tactic and one I was thankful for). Finally, just before the absolutely had to put the catheter in Jadyn went pee. The trick that did it? I read Jadyn a story and before I turned each page she had to try and go pee. Jadyn didn't go to bed again until after the nurse gave her medicine at four, but when she went to sleep I was a very happy daddy. Jess called about eight and told me she couldn't hear me very well because my voice sounded funny. I guess a lack of sleep will do that to you. Jess had a treatment in Dallas (a herceptin treatment) the following morning, so picked us up on the way home. We found a minivan (thank you Uncle Mike), so as soon as we got home I put Jadyn on the couch and Jess stayed with her while went with Mike and picked it up. It took about two and half hours (maybe three) to get to Temple. By the time we signed papers and other stuff it was 6:30 when I got home. From there Jess and I went to Car Max to sell our car. It took a little longer than I thought we were done about 9:00. I've very much rambled, so here are some things I have left out. Thank you very much for praying for the right car, I believe we very much got that. It's a green 2000 Oldsmobile Silhoutte with 50,000 miles. Jadyn will be able to very comfortably fit in the middle row with her parachute-like-harness lying down and Bryn and Katelyn will have plenty of room in the back seat. It also enough room in the back for Jadyn's reclined wheel chair. The wheel chair was a huge blessing-- they didn't have one in her size until someone brought one back the day we needed it :)

Jadyn's surgery

Jadyn's surgery went really well today with no complications. Her cast is a pink one. It starts a few inches above her belly button and goes down to her legs. On the left side it streches all the way to her ankle and on the right down to her knee. Her legs are spread apart with a bar joining them. Her permanent position is practically laying down; it's very similar to lying down in a recliner. She was pretty sleepy for several hours after surgery, but after that she wanted to watch some movies, play cards, etc. Her attitude was an answer to prayer. The first time she had her hips worked on two and half years ago she was furious and very, very upset after she woke up from the anesthesia.Jess is spending the night again there while I stay home with Katelyn and Bryn tonight. I've taken off work the rest of the week, so I should be able to help out quite a bit with Jadyn. We took some pictures of Jadyn which I am hoping to post on the blog tomorrow night. If you're in a praying mood, please pray that Jess and I buy the right minivan soon.

Surgery Tomorrow

Without using words, Jadyn told us she is scared of having surgery tomorrow. She didn't eat breakfast (which she always does). She didn't want to do "homework" (doing reading or math in a workbook) which she always wants to do in fact I have to tell her "that's enough now" or she'll want to do it forever. Last, she didn't want her hugs tonight before bed. That's when she asks for three different types of hugs like a bubble hug or a butterfly hug. In fact she wasn't herself all day. On the up side she was very excited about her room at the hospital. It's not often that she gets her own room complete with phone and bathroom. Jess and Jadyn are spending the night there tonight and I and my mother-in-love will drive to Scottish Rite Hospital tomorrow morning in plenty of time for the surgery at 12:00. Jadyn's room is 307.

Happy New Year

We have a busy week in store for us. We have been looking for a minivan for the last two weeks, but haven't found the great deal we're looking for yet. Time is running out so we plan on getting one tomorrow or the day after. Jadyn's surgery is Tuesday at noon. In order to fix her hip socket they are doing some darn right crazy things this time. The surgeon will cut the lower portion of her socket in half vertically and wrap around the leg bone. Then he will take off the top half of the hip socket and use it as a wedge in the middle to keep it in place. Amazingly, Dr. Johnston said it will be fine after 6 weeks in her spika cast. We are checking in at the hospital tomorrow night. Her surgery starts at 12:00 and will be finished about 3 (the surgery itself will be an hour and a half).

Even though 2005 was the hardest year of our lives, it has also been the most amazing. I'm excited about this coming year. Right now I'm thinking how in the world is God going to get us through 2006 and the coolest thing is that even though I don't know how-- I know he will. God bless all of you.

Goofy girls 

Matching girls 

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Chiristmas!

Merry Christmas! Jake and I got to spend the last two nights in complete comfort on our new matress. The matress is so thick that our old headboead is barely visible! I love it. And, the last two evenings, I have woken up at a normal time (not 12, 2, 4 AM...) The yikes, who come onto our bed often throughout the day had to be lifted up as it was too tall for them. I might even need a stepstool! We are so grateful for this Christmas blessing.

We had my Mom's entire family home for the holidays at my grandmother's house. My mom is one of 7, so there were over 30 of us. It was a great time of eating, visiting...did I mention eating! I love having my whole family together. When everyone comes home, it is like they never left. It was also a beautiful day (about 70') so they were outside most of Christmas day.

Physically, I am feeling fine. I had my second infusion of Zometa last Thursday and it was even easier on me this time around. I get a little more tired, but I am getting used to that and knowing what to do to help prevent it...umm, that was a no brainer...rest more. I have another treatment and a doctor's appoinment on the 5th of January. Jadyn will have her surgery right down the block from my hospital on the 3rd. We are looking for a van this week so it will be possible to transport our family in the coming weeks with Jadyn taking up a whole row to herself. Send your thoughts and prayers our way and shopping for a used car is so stressful for a perfectionist like me.

Jess Ran Off to Mexico

Actually the title is quite true. Jess did indeed run off to Mexico. This year she headed up an Angle Tree drive at our church for an orphanage in Matamaros, Mexico. I am very glad she is able to make the trip-- the great thing about being on the oral chemo now is that she was able to go because she can take her pills with her. The director of the orphange's wife is battling breast cancer as well, so I am hoping Jess can find a kindred spirit. My guess is they will both encourage each other with the faith they walk with. She comes home tomorrow night. Her mattress arrives Saturday. Mattress Giant was just going to have us pay the delivery fee, but now they've decided to take of care of that as well. It's a $1500 pillow top mattress with both latex and memory foam. Most importantly when Katelyn and I tried it out it passed the get out of bed test. What I mean by that is one of us hopped out of bed and the other one didn't move. I think we spent less than $200 on our old one and the only get out of bed test it ever passed is that neither Jess nor I have ever fallen off the bed while the other one was getting up. I don't know what the beds have been like in Mexico, but I'll be glad when she can sleep peacefully through the night in her new bed.

Blessed

I think the week really started for Jess and I on Tuesday. Of course I know the week starts on Sunday, but since this week has been remarkable it must have started on Tuesday. Tuesday for Jess meant that a friend of hers (actually a friend of mine too) paid to have the house cleaned and decorated for Christmas. If you've been keeping up with us you know how little time Jess has had and she also been a little tired and worn out. Therefore, having her house cleaned and decorated was a huge blessing-- I think it stole the stress directly from her. For me Tuesday started with a stool. I have the world's rickitiest stool that puts whoever sits in it (that would be me) somewhere between near death and very real simulation of a bucking bronco. No longer though because a student bought me a brand new stool. During class I mentioned that Jadyn would be having surgery January 3rd because I wanted them to know why I wasn't there the first week they get back in January. The next morning the same student brought me a card with a Walmart gift card. Then a teacher offered to bring a meal on Thursday. It was perfect timing because today Jess had a treatment (non-chemo). Then today, the faculty at my school surprised me at our Christmas party after school. Word had gotten out that Jessa's back has been bothering her since the tumor came back in her back and that our bed (which alhough I don't think was the cheepest bed available was probably the second cheapest) despite my efforts to make it more comfortable is still like sleeping on a pile of moving rocks to my wife. Anyway, the faculty took up a collection to buy us a new mattress. Then they asked the Matress Giant on South Cooper (next to Applebee's) if they would match the contributions. The district manager just happened to be there (yeah right-- thank you again God). After hearing our story, he said that instead of matching the gifts, he would just give us a new mattress. Wow! I get to pick it out on Saturday. The first night that Jess sleeps on it I'm going to put a pea under it and even if she doesn't notice it (she probably won't with a pillowtop), I am still convince that she is my princess. Thanks you God for blessing us.

Our family at Thanksgiving...much to be thankfukl for! 

Infection update

Hi there! Jake always asks me to write, and I say, "I have nothing to say!" So, before he asks me, I am going to write to tell you of my doctor's appointment concerning my port infection. I saw the doctor this morning. He said that it was indeed an infection around the port line, but he was content to treat it with the anitbiotics I've been on for the last few days. If it does not get worse, he will leave well enough alone. If it gets worse, he will take it out. This is my second port already, so I am praying for this infection to clear up on its own.

I still have no side effects from the chemo pills I take daily. I have even stopped watching my hands for signs of peeling or tingling. I put lotion on them still about 3 times a day, but thankfully no signs yet!

I am trying to get motivated to put up something that resembles Christmas in my house. Right now, I still have a fall wreath on the door and a pumpkin on my table. I'll get something together, but it might be the week before Christmas at the rate we are headed! Can anyone relate?! Decorating requires cleaning, which also requires time! The girls are so excited about Chirstmas and Santa and baby Jesus. Bryn said the other day while eating breakfast, "I think baby Jesus is hungry too!"

Take care,

Port infection

Even though Jess is not taking her chemo intravaneously, she is taking two other medicines through her port. Consequently, she developed another infection along her port line again this week. She is already taking medicine for it and will see her surgeon soon. Last time she had an infection she had to get her port taken out and changed to a new location, so we're hoping that the antibiotics will take care of it this time. Jess's back is still bothering her some around the tumor sight. It feels better than it was feeling the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but worse than it was feeling earlier this week. This weekend Jess and I are both doing prison ministry through Bill Glass ministries. I'm pretty excited because they give a cross made out of prison bars the fifth time you go, and its my fifth time. Jess is going for her first time, and is probably more nervous about making sure our kids are taken care of for the weekend than sharing the gospel with inmates. There are a ton of people helping us out with our kids--we are rellying on a lot of family and friends. Thank you for your continued prayers.

The Pre-Dr. E Show

Tonight Jess and I were on the Pre-Dr. E Show. Tonight, at Saturday night service at church Eric Herrstrom (the pastor for Saturday night) did a mock late night tv show. Eric is getting a doctorate in theology so he was "Pre-Dr. E." Friends of ours went first. The husband found Jesus in prison and then married his second wife when he got out. Actually she's his first wife too, but remarried him when his life turned dramatically around. She speaks the truth when she says the man she remarried is not the same man she married the first time. Then Jess and I gave a short interview on how God has blessed us and gotten us through this year. A big part of that has been people that have done so much for us. The best part of the service was people praying over us. Jess and I are so grateful for the prayer warriors that "fight" on our behalf.

Thanksgiving

Jessa took her chemo pills yesterday for the first time. As the day wore on she became more and more tired and a little bit sick. I and the twenty-some people that had gathered at Jess's grandparents house thought that the chemo pill was going to have more effect on her than we thought. However, this morning (even after another dose) she was feeling just fine. Jess was the first to point out that her feeling badly was the result of the side-effects yesterday of the new medicine she took with her infusion yesterday and not the chemo pills. Despite not feeling completely herself Jess had a great time yesterday. The happiest I ever see her is when she is with her family and yesterday was no exception. I got to say the meal-time prayer yesterday and I think I echoed our family's feeling that this doesn't alter our faith in God to heal her and we our thankful that God will take us along this part of a very bumpy road just like we He has thankfully taken us through the last part.

This morning Jess is going shopping with two of her very good friends. I think she'll be fine, but I suggested she rent one of the motorized schooters I always see advertised for older folks. Only one of us thought that was funny and it wasn't her. It's amazing to me how strong she is even when she is weak. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday.

Xeloda

It took awhile for our insurance approving the oral chemo medicine, Xeloda, yesterday. Jess was at the pharmacy for about two hours, but she got the approval. Since we made the deductible and the out-of-pocket expenses for the year a few months ago-- we pay for the medicine up front, but then get reimbersed. Back when I first started getting Jessa medicines I was shocked to be paying 3 or 4 hundred dollars for a prescription. Yesterday, we paid $1800. That's how much my '98 Mirage is worth! The pills are 500 mg (they are definitely horse pills) that are taken 5 at a time in the morning and 5 at a time at night. It is a good thing that Jess has now problem swallowing big pills. There are also the added benefit of not traveling to Dallas for a multi-hour treatment as there would be if they were administered as a liquid through her port. Happy Thanksgiving!

PET Scan results

The scan results revealed bone metastasis: tumor growth on her spine and clavicle. Jessica will be taking a chemotherapy pill on a cycle of two weeks on it one week off. She will get to keep her hair, but will experience sensitivity in her hands and feet. One of the things this means is that Jess will not be able to do any scrubbing which means Jess won't have to do the dishes. Right now as I write this Jess is getting the Herceptin infusion she was supposed to get plus another non-chemo medicine. Dr. Barbara Haley was very optimistic and Jess and I are too. The road Jess and I are travelling is a bumpy one, but we remain blessed beyond measure. With Thanksgiving tomorrow we are very, very thankful. Who is more prayed over than my wife? Who is braver than she is? Who has a god bigger than our God? I am thankful also for you dear reader, pray strong for us nad count your blessings.

Results from Scan Next Wednesday

This week has been a real whirlwind for our family. It is a wonder we have not yet been blown away yet from all our family's activities. However, I wanted to let you know (even as I am rushing out the door) that Jessa meets with her doctors on Wednesday so they can tell her the results of the scan. Speaking of the scan Jess said it went fine, but the stuff she had to drink for it tasted nasty (the bannana flavoring they added didn't help).

Scan tomorrow

Jess has her first scan tomorrow since we found out she was in remission. Before we believed that Jess would be healed; now that she's better-- it's weird but-- it's just as hard to have faith that she will stay in remission. In many ways cancer is never gone for anyone that has ever dealt with cancer. Every time we hear of someone with cancer it touches our family very deeply. It is particularly painful to hear of those dealing with terminal cancer. For those it must be even harder to hold onto their faith. For me faith is trusting in God when you don't understand why your world is having an eathquake.

We went to a Jeremy Camp concert last night. His music has very much ministered to our family. Since he lost his wife to cancer many of his songs deal with issues our family has faced, and so it was very powerful for Katelyn, Jessica, and I to be singing together knowing how it has touched each of us. The one song I sung with tears in my eyes is this one, entitled I Still Believe: I still believe in your faithfulness/I still believe in your truth/I still believe in your holy word/Even when I do not see/I'll still believe.

The Yikes on Halloween

Bryn (Belle from Beauty and the Beast) and Jadyn (Minnie Mouse)

Alive!

When Jess was first diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, a ton of people knew someone who had stage four breast cancer. Sometimes they knew someone else who had a different type of cancer, but also stage four. Jessica's conversation would always be very similar-- it would go something like this: O.P (Other Person): I know someone who had stage four breast cancer. Jess: Oh really, who? O.P: My (insert relative/friend/etc. here) Jess: How are they doing now? [long, uncomfortable pause] O.P. Well actually they've passed away, but I'm sure that won't be the case for you. Jess: Ummm...

In every one of these conversations and there were again a ton of them-- they always said the person they knew was now dead (Jess would like to interject here as I am reading this posting out loud to her so she can give it the OK that perhaps there were exceptions-- although she can't recall any of them right now-- Now she doesn't like my adendum and now she doesn't like me continuing to comment on this so I'm going to stop now)

Anyway, I don't think they were intentionally bringing up a dead person to discourage Jess, but I am very glad you now have a very different response when you meet someone who is diagnosed with stage four cancer. Future conversation: You: I know someone who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. O.P: Oh really who ? You: Jessica Kaylor O.P: How is she doing? You: She's alive and doing great!

Kaylor update

Jess had an appointment with her surgeon last week. I think it's a little strange that she meets with him every three months because she has never and will never have surgery because of the cancer. However, in normal cases the surgeon is kind of like the quarterback of medical treatment determining who the patient sees next. In Jessica's case though Dr. Haley has made most of the medical decisions and rightly so because it has been Dr. Haley that Jess has needed treament from.

Jess is having an infusion today. I love the sound of that word. It sounds so much better than chemo. The word"infusion" just rolls off the tongue. It makes it sound like Jess is going to something wildly fun and exotic instead of get a dose of Herceptin into her port. Jess told me this morning it would take about three hours from the time she checks in to the time she checks out. A lot nicer than then the all-day procedures she used to have to go through. Three hours will give Jess plenty of time to get caught up on her bible study and get some much needed alone time.

Jadyn turned four on Saturday. She and her friends went to a salon where they got to dress-up like princesses and get their hair, nails, and face done up. She looked absolutely gorgeous. We still don't have a digital camera, but I'll be able to put a picture soon because several people are going to email some to us.

Jadyn is getting surgery on her hip to correct the hip displasia she has battled for most of her life on January 3rd. Please pray that it is succesful this time.

Last night for Halloween Jadyn and Bryn went to a festival at our church and Katelyn went with a friend to go trick-or treating. It was appropriate that Katelyn went with a friend because Katelyn was Thing 1 and her friend Chandler was Thing 2 (from Dr. Seus). Bryn was Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Jadyn was Minnnie Mouse. They all looked fantastic.

Twins 

Twins

It's been awhile since our last posting mostly because of a cookie problem. Our computer caught a virus and we had to wipe the hard drive. We put pretty much everything back on, but I didn't adjust the internet setting correctly and we weren't able to log onto the blogger for awhile. It was a simple fix, but I tried lots of complicated things first.

Jessa's hair is coming back, and it's as soft as baby hair. There wasn't much point in shaving my head before since she always wore a wig or a bandana. However, she is wearing her "buzz" cut out in public now, so I decided to buzz my hair too. Actually Jess buzzed it since I have as much small hand cordination as a horse ("yes" I know they don't have hands) so if I had done it I would have looked like I and Bruce Willis had the same hair dresser. Having the same hair cut is the closest Jess and I will ever come to looking like twins. Our digital camera had a digital breakdown, but when we get it fixed/get another one-- I'll post a picture.

Jess has her first scan to check to see if the cancer has come back, since her remission, in about two weeks. She is more excited than worried-- can't wait to hear them say "still no sign of cancer."

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Two wonderful things were given to me this past week. As this month is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the MOPS (Mothers of Pre Schoolers) group I just joined put together a basket for me and another woman undergoing treatment. So many women brought items to be placed in this beautiful, bountiful basket! When I saw it, I was in disbelief, and so very touched. It was filled and overflowing with lotions, bubble bath, books, CD’s, candy, candles, bags, earrings, bracelets…Each item was so carefully selected, and I will treasure them all. It felt like Christmas looking through each item! The girls had fun looking through it all too.

Then, the directors of Jake and my Sunday school class, Kim and Aaron Vann and their two children, found a bracelet while out shopping and felt led to buy it for me. Brighton is a jewelry/accessory store that makes a unique bracelet each year for Breast Cancer Awareness month. They only sell them in October. It is stunning. I have had it on since they gave it to me. It is covered with fun charms, my favorite of which says “You are a miracle!” I feel like that every day.

Go buy something pink! My family teases me that I wear it 24/7!

A Courageous Kaylor

Jess did two things this last week that were very courageous. The first one seems silly, but I assure you it is not. She shaved her legs. She has not had to do this for some time because the only advantage to losing hair because of the chemo is that it also included the hair on her legs. The sitatuation was made even more hairy (pardon the pun) because her blood counts have been low. These include red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The counts will of course eventually go up but for now the lack of platelets means that the little nicks caused by shaving don't stop bleeding easily. When I saw her blood-covered legs I thought, "That wasn't easy and I'm proud of her for being brave."

The second brave moment came today when Jess didn't wear her hair to Sunday school for the first time. I think it's weird how we sometimes "dress to impress" in church when we really just want people to accept us for who we are. I think our Sunday school did just that this morning-- accepted her for a beautiful woman who has fought a hard battle.

Infusion

Jess had her first non-chemo infusion today. That sounds a little weird I know, but before she would have herceptin plus three chemo drugs, but today she just had herceptin. The infusion took about an hour and a half so Jess had plenty of time to finish her bible study lesson. She is really excited about being in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) especially because there were over sixty woman who tried to get in and they took only half of that. The Yikes have started up Mother's Day Out again, so Jess didn't even need to get a baby sitter. Today was a great day for me today too because I am coaching Jadyn's team and our first practice went great today. I was a little nervous because we watched three year-olds Sunday morning and it was absolutely nuts trying to get them to stay focuse on one thing more than a few minutes. For example Duck-Duck-Goose turned into Duck-Duck-Disaster. One child would go duck, duck, goose and then the person who had been tagged would give chase, along with all the other children. Practice, thank goodness, was nothing like that. By the way this the 100th post to the blog-- that's a lot of writing!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Perhaps we should call today Jessica's life day because we are not celebrating her birth as much as we are celebrating the fact that she is alive. Right now Jess is in the other room balling her eyes out looking at one of her special birthday gifts. It is a scrapbook with pictures of her many family members who have written personal messages to Jess. Again it's not so much a birth celebration as much as a life one-- the title of it is "Survivor" and underneath of it is the wonderful picture of Jessa on the beach.

I feel like God special picked Jess out of the world to be my wife. We both came to faith in Christ as adults and met each other two years later. It is true that Christ has redeemed me but he has used Jess to do it. She has inspired me to be the man I should be and taught what it means to really love someone. She has loved me when I have been unlovable and she has grown into a woman I am very proud of. I am amazed at how many people know what I know: that she is an incredible woman. Happy 30th Jess!

Sick Trio

Jess, Katelyn, and Bryn are all sick right now. It started with a sore throat and has progressed into stomach ache/nasal congestion. When Jess told Jadyn she was sick, Jadyn told her "No, you're not mommy. You're all better."

The Last Week

I got my bike fixed last week and intend to ride my bike Friday again. I also intend to tape record myself and use it the next time I tell Jadyn and Bryn the story of the Three Little Pigs. I just hope the huffing and puffing isn't too scary for them.

Jadyn's swollen lymph node is going down now which is a big relief. We look at and go "it looks so much better" but first time viewers look at it and go "oh my gosh, what happened."

Katelyn's birthday was Sunday and she turned 11. For some reason eleven sounds so much older than ten. Ten sounds like "My daughter is in double digits now," but eleven sounds like "My daughter is rapidly approaching becoming a teenager." Jessica took Katelyn and a few friends (Katelyn would have taken a bus load if she could have) on the train to spend the night in a hotel in Dallas. They apparently (I say apparently because I know better than to spend an entire night with four rapidly approaching becoming a teenage girls) had a ball. There was an ice skating rink right outside the hotel and they skated until the rink closed for the night. Katelyn was exstatic at being able to eat at McDonald's-- a place that Katelyn normally only eats at when someone other than her parents takes her (usually that person is named "grandma").

Jadyn seeing all the excitement around Katelyn's birthday has been asking every day when her birthday is (it's at the end of next month).

Jess is getting her Herceptin infusion next week. The infusion is given like chemo through her port, but without the throwing up, hair loss, and certain persons walking around the house in a daze because mommy isn't here right now. There are no side effects to Herceptin! It's an antibody booster that she'll recieve every three weeks.

A diagnosis for Jadyn

We got the word back from the doctor-- Jadyn does indeed have Cat Scratch Disease. The good thing is that is treatablel with antibiotics which she is already on. I think yesterday was the first day that her lump was visibly shrinking-- it was looking pretty good today. The doctor said that it usually lasts for up to two weeks but it sometimes lasts several months, so we are very thankful that it is already clearing up.

Jess went out with a group of friends tonight to celebrate her remision-- I think its wonderful that she is connected to so many people that care about her. The group tonight was pretty special because they are made up of a group of young ladies who met every week to specifically pray for Jessica (how cool is that!!!).

Jadyn is able to buckle her own seat belt, but Bryn is not. Jadyn could let this matter go unnoticed but today in the car she very loudly announced it to Bryn. Bryn got upset in a few mili-seconds and screamed that she was "big too." I stepped in and told Bryn some of things that she can do that a baby cannot do: walk, talk, sing, etc. When I got to the sing part, Jadyn and Bryn both forgot that they were upset with each other and began to sing an artist's rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Jadyn creatively made up new lyrics to the song (for example not only was her star "up so high in the sky" but it was also "down low") and Bryn sort-of sang along with her. I say sort-of because when Jadyn would sing a new line-- Bryn would try to sing that same line as best as she remembered Jadyn doing it. I know they didn't realize it, but I guess there "big enough" to forget to fight and enjoy each other.

She's Got Hair

Very soon after Jess found out she was cancer-free, she began asking me if I thought her hair was growing back. For awhile now she her hair has been rather like baby fuzz. I of course played it safe by answering her "maybe." However, some time this weekend her hair decided it was about time to start looking glamarous again, so I am pleased to announce that it has started growing back.

Jadyn is still not feeling well; Jess stayed home with her yesterday.

Update on Jadyn

After almost a week, Jadyn's lymph node hasn't gotten smaller. In fact it's a little bit bigger: 10 cm by 5 cm. Jess took her to the doctor again today. This time Jess and Jadyn spent all day going through tests; seeing an ENT, etc. The ENT said she doesn't see lymph nodes this large unless they have Cat Scratch Fever. Jadyn hasn't been around any cats lately, but we should get the results in a few days. As for me, I am a little worried about Jadyn. She has been very pale and has difficulty turning her head now.

I rode my bike to school today. There is a teacher at my school who is going to start riding her bike ten miles to work from Mansfield, so I thought surely I can ride my bike three mile to work this Friday. I think I learned three important things: it's hot in Texas, I had more difficulty catching my breath than I thought I would, and it's good idea to check to see if your gears are working properly on a trial run before you decide to go on a three mile trek.

The "R" Word

Jess sawDr. Haley her medical oncologist yesterday. She finally heard the "R" word that we have been waiting to hear, "remision." There were no surprises as to the medicines that Jess will be taking which for us was very comforting. She will be on femara, lupron, and herceptin (the last of which will be through her port every three weeks). She'll also get a diagnostic scan every three months.

On Sunday Jadyn's lymph node swelled up to the size of a golf ball. She's on antibiotics and has been sleeping in our room so we can keep an eye on her. We are also going to call soon to schedule her surgery for her hip.

Tonight was Open House for me. Since the parents are taking time out of their schedules to come up to the school I try to make it fun for them. Tonight we played trashketball which is a combination of trash and basketball. I asked them questions about my class, English related questions, and questions about YJH and if they got it right they got to shoot a paper wad into a wastebasket. If they made the basket, they earned their child points on a future assignment. I had a great time with them too: this year's group of parents is very, very likeable.

God's All About the Details

I don't have a lot of to say (I have been speechless lately), but I just wanted to say a quick something about last night's meal. Every Wednesday night, our church serves a meal. Our God is all about the details because this Wednesday the church served enchilladas!

Follow Up

Yesterday, my surgeon called to give me the general consensus on the meeting about my ongoing treatment. As usual, it brought more questions that I will have an opportunity to ask at my next appointment Monday.

They saw no advantage to surgery at this time. They also want to save radiation to use later if needed. (Evidently you can only radiate a certain amount). I love what my friend Alyson said after I told her this: "We won't need it... We won't need radiation ever." She is so positive! I love that, and it's true, I won't need that radiation anyway!

I will keep taking a Lupron shot which shuts down my ovaries, a aromatose inhibitor once a day (a pill form like Tamoxifin or Femera) and a Herceptin infusion every three weeks. All very do-able, and easy to handle. I will ask Monday how long I am to do this regimen. But, I like what a close watch they are going to have on me.

I think I'll follow Alyson's advise to this step too, I'm glad we're doing all we can to prevent this recurrence, but it's not going to happen!

Still floating on a cloud,
Jess

Celebrate

The last few days have been a celebration; a celebration of God's provision and goodness.

Friday, Jake celebrated in the halls at Young, our whole family called and emailed all we could, and my Dad took our immediate family out to dinner. Yesterday, we celebrated at my Aunt Diane and Uncle Mike's house. It was my grandmother's birthday so we had already planned a get-together. It was a good thing too because I could not go another day without hugging my family! They gave me a beautiful gold necklace with a gold cancer "ribbon". I had already recieved from them a silver one, but the new one symbolized a new chapter, one of victory and assurance. Today, we celebrated at church when our pastor called us up to the stage to give praise for this healing and pray for our family as we continue this journey. I was so glad when he also prayed for (as we are too) the others inside and outside of our church that are battling cancer right now.

I know there is more to come. But, I am so confident of this healing and completion that I can't wait to get started. Tuesday, I will know more about the coming stages. But count on me asking the doctors on my appointment Thursday, "Have you ever see this happen?!?"

Celebrate!

** Thank you for your wonderful comments from Friday's post. I was visiting with my friend Sharon tonight when she said something I said have so often these last months: sometimes I didn't know what to pray, or how to do it. Sometimes I was so tired and ill, and weak, and drugged I didn't know what to say or do. And you intercede. You lift me up when I can't find the words for myself. For that, and so much more, I am so very grateful. I love you **

Shocked!

Okay, Jake beat me to it! But, I can't wait to share my excitement with you all too! And, I get to fill you in on the details!

I had my MRI today. That was a unique experience that I can spare you the details of (just imagine how they might do a breast MRI, and then imagine 10 times more awkward!) Then, I want for my appoinntment with my surgeon, Dr. Euhus. Sine they are on the same floor, and all computerized, the doctor just walked down the hall to get my results.

He came back to say that the MRI was completely clear! Now, when I told my Aunt Sandy this she said she was overjoyed, extatic, jumping up and down, but not shocked. She knew God could and would heal me. Well, I was shocked. I am humbled and grateful, but still in shock. Shocked at God's amazing provision and the way my body accepted these chemo drugs. I know God is teaching me that I do not have to be shocked any more by his complete protcection and provision over me. He has proven this to me over and over. I get it now!

Dr. Euhus also told me the results of my scans on Wednesday, a CAT scan of my abdomen, chest, pelvis, and a nuculear bone scan. All these also came back completely clear!

They cannot feel any lumps or masses, and they cannot see any on any scan or test they have run so far!

Amazing!

The next step: Dr. Euhus will be there to present his results at the meeting this Tuesday with Dr. Haley, and anyone else who has worked with me and has input to offer. It is Dr. Euhus' opinion that surgery is not the only way to prevent a recurrance in my case. I would not have a lumpectomy (since there is no "lump" to get!) so the option is a masectomy to remove all chance of recurrance. Dr. Euhus is not necessarily for this, since my cancer had metastisized, it has a chance of recurrance in all those other places, not just the breast. Radiation is an option, but also one that is unlikely according to Dr. Euhus' for similar reasons. He leans toward carefully watching the entire body for recurrance, and using a hormone reducing drug to keep cancer growth down.

That said, at Southwestern, they work as a team. So after everyone weighs in on my case, I will get an opinion from them Tuesday afternoon. Then, we'll go forward from there.

I am so excited about this news!!! I want to ask my doctors, IS THIS NORMAL?? But, I know the answer...no, it is not. It is a wonderful, amazing GOD thing, and I can't wait for the next step.

I love you all!!

The Whole Enchilada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm teaching class right now, but this can't wait. ALL OF THE SCANS REVEALED NO TUMORS!!!!!!!!!!! That means no surgery and no radiation.

What this most likely means as far as treatment is hormone therapy to help prevent further tumors and regular check-ups.

Praise God! If you hear a loud noise right now it's just me shouting for joy.

Yesterday's tests

Yesterday's tests took a lot longer than Jess thought they would. They injected her with some stuff and made her drink some really nasty stuff (she said it looked milky but tasted fruity) and had to wait a long time for the stuff to enter her system. She went in about ten and got home about 3:30. The last time Jess got a similair injection the dye (or whatever it is) leaked out of her veins and into her arm causing it swell up. This time Jess said the nurse was very careful and the dye stayed where it was supposed to.

Jess also had a bone scan. One cause for concern is the technician ordered an x-ray on Jessa's lower back after he did the scan. Jess said he didn't talk to her about why did the x-ray, but our hope is that he saw a treated area and not an active tumor.

Jess goes to the dentist today (why not get all the prodding and poking done in one week) along with Jadyn and Bryn who are going for the first time. As we were leaving the house Katelyn (our drama queen) let out a piercing scream followed by a yell "Jadyn and Bryn are going to the dentist?!?!?" Katelyn was just being overdramatic, but I am hoping that the Yikes will go into the car now without kicking and screaming.

Jess has at least one more test tomorrow (MRI) followed by a visit with her surgeon. I am more than a little bit nervous, but also hopeful.

Cast-away

Today Bryn got her cast off. It was nice to have it off, but she kept falling today. Our little Bryn is not a crier (at least not when it comes to getting hurt), but cried a lot today and kept saying "My boo-boo hurts." The doctor said it will be sore for the next couple of weeks, but every time she falls I keep thinking she's broken her arm again.

Jess has two scans tomorrow. She has a bone scan at ten and a CAT scan at eleven.