In NY

We are here in New York having a fabulous time. It is wonderful to visit my aunt Janette and her great family.

In some ways, it feels just like home with ball games, church, family dinners...and then I look outside to see a winter, snowy mountainous wonderland that feels like a picture!! We visited a winery up north yesterday and had a great time together. I will post more when we return.






Much love,
Jess

Also...we just received word that my cousin Mandy delivered a healthy baby boy, Jace Michael, this morning!!!! 7 lbs. 11 oz. and 20 in. Mom, Dad and Baby Jace are all doing fine. I will post pictures when I get back :)

Ready for NY

Hi there!

We have had a good week. Last night was open house at the kid’s schools (Jadyn and Katelyn). They were both excited to show us the things they had been working on lately.

I am going to New York today with my mom to visit my aunt Janette (the one who always leaves a comment on this blog...see, leave comments...get a visit!) Actually, I have not been up to NY since her wedding!! (Her oldest child is 12!!) She and her family have come down to Texas often, and I am SO looking forward to seeing her. I have dug out some cooler clothes and my big coat I thought that I had put away for a while...the weather is in the 20's, with a warm front blowing in this weekend (40's!). I actually prefer a little cooler weather; I just don't much care for the wind that typically comes with it.

My hip has been acting up again, making me walk funny, and slow. I have started back on my pain medicine and that has helped. I am anxious to start back on chemo after my surgery as I think that is what was helping. Could just be in my head. Usually, when I take any medicine, I feel the effects right away, which I know, is not likely!

I will have my surgery to remove lymph nodes on Wednesday the 14th. I am glad I have spoken with some people who have had it. When they told me I would have a drain, I was picturing a huge, protruding object hanging from my arm. Then someone said it looked like a little grenade and I was imagining a huge potato on my arm. Finally, someone told me the grenade was very small, just a few inches long. Okay, now I am a little calmer!! I will let you know the actual dimensions soon, which I am sure you are now dying to know.

Take care,
Those who have spring break next week as we do...enjoy!
Jess

Update

Well, hello there!

I have been super busy with my Dad in town last weekend and then the first part of the week racing like a mad woman trying to put together the program for Katelyn's 6th grade musical at school. You might think, it is just a program, what is the big deal. However, this is Wood Elementary. And, everything is bigger at Wood. For example a normal program might consist of a list of the cast and an order of acts and scenes. This was the Wood program five years ago. That said, each year has gotten bigger and more elaborate. This year, we have 18 pages of ads from local businesses or parents wishing their kids to "Break a Leg!" along with photos, and the normal order of events... This year, as to keep the bigger and more elaborate tradition, I added a full color cover page! I bet when Jadyn and Bryn are in 6th grade, the program will consist of a full color spiral bound keepsake journal and program guide!

That said, it is fun to be a part of something so special for the kids. They are all making memories to last a lifetime. The kids did another dress rehearsal today and will again tomorrow for the school kiddos. The real performances are Friday and Saturday nights.






Well, as I was saying ealier, my Dad was in from Portland Oregon. He left on Monday. We all had a great time. When he comes down, it is like he has always been here. I love seeing Dad and Cindy more often. We went to all the kids events. He got to see Jadyn almost blown away playing soccer in one of the windiest days we have ever had!!




Then, he got to go with me to take Katelyn to cotillion (dance) where this month was a country western theme. She had a blast, and Dad and I enjoyed taking her to dance and then out to a restaurant that had a big dance floor for Katie and her friends to dance and play for several more hours!




We went to go see a great movie, Bridge to Terabithia. I liked it a lot. Dad and I had to keep telling the little ones, "it is all in their imagination" on the scary parts, and "aren't we having fun!!" on all the other parts! Yet, they are still talking about the movie and how much fun they had! Monday, Dad spent some time with the little ones at the mall carousel and out for one last lunch before he had to head back home.






I got word from Dr. Euhus this week. He called to tell me that my MRI was clear, yet he wanted to consider surgery to remove the lymph nodes on my right arm. He met with the other doctors on his team and with Dr. Haley and they all had the same consensus. I am going to go in to the hospital in a few weeks for a minor surgery to remove the nodes. I will spend the night in the hospital, and then spend two weeks taking it easy on my arm in general. Tell that to three little girls! Actually, they have adapted to my not being able to lift them lately due to weakness in my back and hip. I am thankful they are a little bigger now and as a friend mentioned not in a body cast (re: Jadyn one year ago in March!) I have to be off chemo for a month before the surgery as chemo lowers your immune system. I also have to be off another drug I am on (Avastin) that had a side effect of slow healing. So, I got to skip treatment today, as I will for the next few weeks, in preparation for the surgery.

I will keep you better updated as the week goes on.
Take care,
Jess

Dr. appt

Today I had an appointment to see Dr. Euhus, my surgeon. I was long overdue to see him as I had missed an appointment back in September. However, when I found out I had some auxiliary nodes light up in the PET scan, I knew I should see him. He is the one who would remove these lymph nodes if necessary.

He was happy to see me and wants me to start seeing him again every three months. He could not feel any node inflammation on a physical exam, but wanted me to have an MRI anyway to see the area more clearly. His nurse got me an appointment right then, so I had the MRI right after seeing the doctor.

I should get a call with the results Tuesday or Wednesday. I should say that Dr. Euhus thought that surgery would not be necessary at this point. Yea! I am glad to see he is both proactive and positive about the scenario.

My dad flew in from Portland this afternoon for a weekend visit. We were all so happy to see him! We have a busy weekend with soccer, basketball, cotillion, and musical rehearsals...but it should be fun.

Take care,
Jess

Prince Charming

My sister Hope is expecting a baby soon and she and her husband have decided not to find out what they are having. Driving in the car today, Bryn out of the blue said she can’t wait to see Hopie’s baby since she does not know if the baby is a boy or girl. I asked her what she thought the baby was. She said, a girl. I asked Jadyn the same question. Jadyn thought it was a boy.

Then she said she can’t wait to see if he is handsome or not, because if it was, she was going to marry him. After laughing, I said you don’t marry family, but you marry a friend. Jadyn did her best job of rolling her eyes at me and said she knew that…she was going to marry him when they both grew up! Evidently, family is only family until you are grown.

Then Bryn chimed in that, no, you can not marry family, you must marry a prince. She then called out by name all the boys in her class she might one day marry.

I guess calling the girls princess has really sunk in.

Spanish, the new sign language

Okay, sorry for taking so long to post.

First, here is a picture of Jake and Jadyn at the dance Friday at Jake's school. Jadyn said she had a good time. I think one of her favorite parts was eating cookies!



Next, I am feeling okay. I have had what I will call a chemo tummy ache (which is so hard to describe) for the last few days. My tastes are off, and I feel like my stomach is raw or empty. Not hungry by any means, just a little nauseated. However, not too bad at all. The stomach flu has swept through our extended family, so I thought I might have that. Thankfully, I have not! I have a week off chemo this week, so I should be back to normal by the following week.

Okay, moving on to more important matters, my mom and I got a huge laugh today in the car! I love laughing. It makes one feel so much better...I am sure that there have been studies done on this very fact.

Bryn, Jadyn and my nephew Austin were in the back seat playing the quiet game. You know the one. You have just about had it and yell to the back seat, "How about the quiet game!!??" Well, Jadyn was "it" and began her routine of trying to get the others to talk, i.e. lose. She asked Austin if he wanted to go over to his cousin Zander's house to spend the night, trying to elicit a verbal yes. Austin, a seasoned veteran of the game, just shook his head. Jadyn tried again, asking Austin if he wanted to go to Chuck E. Cheese. Austin just motioned with his hands to cut it out by crossing his hands in front of his neck.

This is when Bryn yelled to Jadyn, "Wait! I think he is trying to tell us something...in Spanish!!!"

Bryn, as usual, has the ability to make me forget about everything and laugh!

We had a fun and eventful (AZ) day.

Take care,
Jess

Feeling better with a new hair cut

I am feeling much better today. I have been taking my meds on time and regularly and I know it is helping. I have felt minimal back pain and was able to do all I needed to do today, which was a lot!

On another positive note, today I signed up with a local salon to get a free hair cut with a stylist in training. I actually got a sweet girl, Bec, who had been there for a while, just wanting to upgrade to a new level. She did a great job, even better as I got to walk out without paying for a $40 hair cut and style. Here is my new shorter look:



Jadyn and Jake went to a Valentine dance at the junior high school he teaches at. They were sponsoring a dance and thought the girls would like to go. Bryn, however smashed her fingers in her door late this evening and cried herself to sleep and did not make it :( I know she was exhausted anyway. I will post pictures of Jake and Jadyn from the dance later.

Have a good weekend!
Jess

Round 3

Today I had round three of my new chemo, Abraxane. Here is a picture of me getting treatment. It is not my favorite photo, but I will blame it on the poor indoor lighting...right?!




My treatment went well. My mom went with me this time. It was so nice being with her; we were able to work on our BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) together. Mom goes to BSF on Monday nights, I attend Wednesday mornings. My chemo nurse was Pat today. This should mean nothing to you, but to me it is a little more helpful. Pat was Dr. Haley's nurse before Carrie. So, I felt better able to tell Pat some side effects knowing she might have more knowledge than a typical chemo nurse. I told her of my back pain. She was able to get me a new prescription of my pain medicine and have it faxed over to my pharmacy right then. Also, Dr. Haley wants to reassess on March 1st with an appointment with her to go over any more bone/back pain I am experiencing. Lastly, I told Pat about my bleeding problem. I have realized over the last day or so that I do not have nosebleeds per say, I have a lot of blood in my mucus. Pat took note of that, spoke with Dr. Haley and told me to also mention in to the doctor on my next visit. It is a potential side effect, but one they like to know about and observe.

All in all, it was a good day. My pain is less today than yesterday, partly because I started taking my pain meds (which are taken as needed). I will try taking it regularly for a few days to see what happens. Thanks for your concern, and I will let you know of any changes.

On another note, the girls received Baby Alive dolls for Valentines Day. They are enamored by the dolls. Jadyn even woke up today saying she was dreaming about her Baby Alive. In case you do not know, Baby Alive actually eats, talks, wets, poops, plays, and I am just surmising here...requires a college education! So far, we have fed the dolls at least 5 times, each time requiring a new diaper change after announcing "Oh-Oh, I'm stinky!" Nevertheless, Jadyn and Bryn LOVE taking care of the dolls. Jadyn was concerned this morning when her baby was not sleeping enough, while Bryn went and checked on her doll who was sleeping snuggly in bed, at least 5 times to make sure she was still sleeping. There are now 5 kids at the Kaylor house, new additions being "Kara" and "Baby Lu". I have now put a "diaper limit" on the dolls at one per day. I do not care to buy too many more doll diapers. I just finished that with the real version and I am quite happy with the savings from that accomplishment! I wonder if there is anything else the Kaylor household can cut back to one per day. I am thinking about family emergencies, and crying kiddos for starters. It could go something like this "Sorry Jadyn, Bryn already cried once today, I will have to fit you in tomorrow." :)



Love to you all,
Jess

Happy Valentines Day from the Kaylor girls!

We love our family and friends!
Take care,
Jess

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