Look who I got to snuggle one day this week! I LOVE being home again...I can help when I'm needed! Yeah! This is Cal and Cassie, aka

Dollbaby 1 and Dollbaby 2! They are as sweet as they look, and they smell even better! Seriously! Twins...WOW! Double the work, but double the lovin'!

My children started school this week, so I have been enjoying my time with Jeff (who is enjoying some time off) and Isaac (who is enjoying playing "only child" for 8 hours a day). We have been trying to finish all the projects we didn't finish this year...no problem! I'll post pictures this weekend...I think...I have great intentions!

I'm going outside...there is a football game in the backyard and I'm going to help my husband shovel some gravel. Doesn't that sound romantic? Well, we are loving it!

More later!

Leslie

Wednesday's Update on Kevin Waters

Great news! Kevin is being discharged from KUMed this afternoon (8/20)! We are so excited to see our babies, we can't hardly stand it!

Please continue to pray for Kevin as he continues to gain his strength. He will be following up with liver doctors, infectious disease doctors, respiratory and physical therapists in the coming weeks and months. Thank you all so much for your prayers, calls/cards and support over the past few weeks. Thank you seems so inadequate at a time like this, when your prayers have been what got us all through, but thank you! I will keep you updated over the next few weeks as to how Kevin is doing. I'm sure he'll be contacting you all as well...as soon as he's able!

We love you all! Thanks again,

Renee

Another Update on Kevin

Good morning! More good news for you...Kevin was moved out of the ICU last night to his own room! He is in room 5306.

He's still on a little oxygen and doing his breathing exercises diligently. Right now they are still monitoring his labs daily, working with respiratory therapy, and physical therapy. His liver is still improving daily. And his kidney doctor came in and said he didn't need to see her any more!
Please continue to pray for him to regain his strength, his breathing to improve, and his GI organs to heal completely.

Thank you all so much for all your support and prayers. We love you.

-Renée Waters

Update on Kevin from Renee

Good morning! Yesterday was a BIG day for Kevin as he was able to have the ventilator removed! He says he is having to "think about" breathing, which is unsettling for him to say the least. But his monitors show he's getting plenty of oxygen through his system with just the nasal canuli. Much less to deal with than that ventilator. Plus he can talk to me a little already, so the frustration of our inability to communicate has decreased considerably. He's off his pain medication and sedative, which is making him feel a lot better also. He is extremely weak, after almost 2 weeks of inactivity and little to eat.

His liver functions and kidney functions have continued to improve each day. They aren't back to normal yet, but they're headed there. Kevin will have to follow up with a GI doctor later on to see if a liver biopsy is needed. Right now the doctors are continuing to monitor his blood work, get chest x-rays each morning, work on breathing, and physical therapy. Right now, we still don't know what exactly happened to cause such a huge infection and overall shut-down of his body. They said we may never know.

He's come such a long way from 2 weeks ago. Can you believe we thought he'd have to have a liver transplant last week? He doesn't remember much, if any, of these past days...which is good. I was telling him about the countless people praying for him, radio stations and websites, and the numerous emails/phone calls I have received. He looked at me and said "this must have been serious"! If he only knew!

Please continue to pray for his regained strength, his breathing to get easier every day, and for his GI organs to continue to be healed. There's a possibility that he will be moved out of ICU in the next day or so. If you'd like to send him a card or letter the address is:

Kevin Waters

c/o The University of Kansas Hospital

3901 Rainbow Blvd

KC, KS 66160

Thank you all so much for your support and continued prayers. I'll email again with updates.

Renee Waters

Monday, MONDAY, MONDAAAAYYYYYYY!!!

Hello everyone,

Just a quick post to let you know that Jeff and I are heading out tonight for my first "every three weeks" appointment. We will be flying this time, so hopefully we'll not be as road weary as we have been in the past months. Wednesday, I'll see my doctor for a checkup, and then up to the chemo floor for a dose of Herceptin...woohoo! Then...back home for one final week of summer before the boys head back to school. I don't know what we'll do to celebrate, but you can bet there'll be s'mores involved!

Also, I just want to say that it was so good to be back in church yesterday. We were so glad to see our SS class. They just take such good care of us.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. Please pray this week for my whole family as we travel and as we are apart. Maybe say an extra prayer for Isaac, who cannot seem to figure out why he feels so grumpy, he just knows that he is. Also pray for my mom and Joetta who are going to be watching the boys for me.

And, please continue to pray for Kevin Waters. No word yet on how his weekend went, but we trust that the Lord is continuing to heal him.

Blessings to you all! You know that we love you and appreciate all that you've done and continue to do.

Jeff, Leslie, and the boys

p.s. hope you enjoy the picture of Grandpa Coach's rooster! He's a dandy!

Saturday p.m. update on Kevin W.

It's Saturday evening, and I thought I would update you all on Kevin's state. Things have remained "stable" this week, after getting settled in here at KU Med Center late Tuesday evening. Some things have improved slightly, some have remained the same, and some are starting to deteriorate. The good news we received today is that he hasn't had a fever for about 48 hours. His liver functions are also starting to improve slightly which is definitely an answer to prayer. His lungs look about the same as the past couple of days (by CT). His kidney functions are starting to deteriorate slightly, which his doctor warned us about earlier in the week. She also said they will probably get worse before getting better, so these next few days will be very important. He was awake some of the time today, which was good to see, but also very frustrating for him. He was trying to communicate (unsuccessfully) with me and the nurses. One of his questions was how much longer does he have to have the ventilator in?...to which there's no answer at this point. He was getting very frustrated and so was I.

We were able to see Cal & Cassie for a couple of days this week (which was definitely good for me!). My sisters are taking care of them, and they are doing just great. We are so very thankful for all the prayers and support we have received from all of you (our family and friends) and even complete strangers.

We know that Kevin's "Southern Gospel" friends are praying non-stop and have checked in constantly. Thank you Craig O'Dell (N'Harmony) and Leslie Davis (Heritage Boys) for taking care of communicating all of that for me. Kevin loves his SG friends, and his times he spent singing, and will be so thankful for your outpouring of support and care.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol & the Troopers Association...from "road dogs" to "brass"...have been to the hospital to shower their love on Kevin, myself and his family. The cliche of 'one big family' is definitely coming true. It is unbelievable what the MSHP is doing for us.

Our church family from Antioch Bible Baptist Church in Gladstone has been unbelievable! They found us a place to stay and have fed us all every day! Kevin and I were the 'old people' in our small group and the 'young kids' have taken such amazing care of us. You have gone above and beyond for us this week. Thank you!

Kevin still has such a long way to go. Please pray continually for his healing and peace and patience until that comes. Continue to pray for the doctors to find exactly what is wrong and know exactly how to fix it. Also, feel free to pass this along to those who would also be praying for him and to those I may have left off this email list.
We love you all and are so very thankful for you.

-Renée Waters

Levi, Levi, Levi...

He came through like a champ! "Hardly even cried," says his daddy. Just looked at the nurse and proclaimed, "Hey! That hurt!" He got 4...count 'em...4 shots, and is pretty sore today, but oh...so...proud!

News from KC

Just wanted you to know that Ray Batson (Renee's daddy) just called me with an update this morning. He said that Kevin is just holding steady...no worse than he was. The doctors at KU say that his situation is one of the weirdest things they've ever seen...it's either a toxin in his system or a virus, they're still trying to figure it out. Ray said they've done a multitude of tests, and taken tissue samples that they've sent to Mayo for examination. It'll be a couple of days before they hear back from Mayo. Anyway, whatever it is affected his liver first, and now his pancreas and his kidneys are affected as well.

The doctors do say, though, that they expect the condition to reverse itself, and for Kevin to recover, and they said they may never know what caused it. He opened his eyes last night, Ray said, and looked at his friend, Scott Richardson for awhile. Scott was able to tell him what was going on, and assure him that everything was going to be okay, and then Kevin went back to sleep. This morning, he opened his eyes again and looked at Renee, and she was able to talk to him a bit before he fell asleep again.

Ray said he's still on the respirator, but is breathing on his own quite a bit. The doctors say that his age (34) and his health are on his side, and they are just waiting for the situation to reverse itself, and for his system to fight off whatever this is. He said that if it is a toxin, they can begin treating him for that, but a virus will just have to run it's course. Ray thanked us for our prayers, and said they believe this is an excellent opportunity for God to perform a miracle, and they are anxiously awaiting for that to take place.

Kevin and Renee's babies made the trip so they could snuggle their momma for awhile. I'm sure she was glad to see them!

Thanks for your continued prayers.

Blessings,

Leslie

Right now...

my red-headed baby is getting his physical and shots for kindergarten! Thankfully, his daddy took him. Four years ago, I took Owen, and I vowed that day that Jeff could take the next one. Poor little guy...I'm sure he'll be upset about the shots, but then again, he may be tough as nails and never shed a tear. We'll see. I always feel so deceptive, b/c I don't mention the shots until the actual time. Doll-baby...he didn't even see it comin'!

An Update from Kevin's Wife, Renee:

I'm at a Best Western using their email very quickly to let as many of you know what's going on as possible. Kevin was put in Intensive Care yesterday. He was unresponsive when we tried to wake him at 5am Tuesday. They tried drugs, oxygen, went down for some CTs and finally got him on a ventilator...all by 6:30am. He is being fully sedated due to the miserable circumstances of the vent. At this point has a wide-spread infection and his lungs and the majority of his abdominal organs are being fully effected. Especially liver. We were allowed to transfer over here to KU Med Ctr, as they have a liver specialist that was willing to take him, after a few strings were pulled. It helps to know people...thank you Robin. He is receiving amazing care here so far and has a wonderful team of nurses and doctors.

Right now there isn't anything we need other than your continual prayers and those of everyone you know. This is an extremely serious situation. He has a lot going for him (age, non-drinker/smoker, good overall health, strong and stubborn) but also has a lot going against him right now. Feel free to share whatever information you'd like with your family and friends as we will take all the prayers we can get for Kevin at this time.

Thank you all for your continued prayers! To answer some of your questions, Renee grew up in Republic and Kevin in Rogersville. They are in their early 30's. Cal and Cassie are in their early 1's! :0)

Blessings,

Leslie

Prayer Request

Please pray for our friend Kevin Waters today. He has been admitted to the hospital in KC due to symptoms of liver failure. The cause is unknown, probably a type of super virus. It just came on all of the sudden, and he has been in the hospital and very sick since Saturday.

Kevin and his wife, Renee, are long time friends of ours, and have been so supportive of our family throughout my fight with cancer. During the past year, they have survived a high risk pregnancy, and now have two beautiful twins, Cal and Cassie to add to their family.

Please pray for Kevin and his doctors (Kevin was not waking this morning, and they are transporting him to another hospital), Renee...for strength and peace, and for their entire families...brothers, sisters, mothers, and fathers.

Also, I should mention that Kevin is a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer...just so you know how tough he is. Pray that he can fight off this attack on his body.

Thanks for your support!

Love,

Jeff and Leslie

Shared with me by my Aunt Betty:

Chocolate Sings

One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old "blue hair" about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, "Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate."

I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast.

"Along with heated apple pie," Mae added, completely unabashed.

We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.

But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.

I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down.

The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.

The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae.

I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait.

I smiled. She asked if she amused me.

I answered, "Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.

How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?

She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, "I'm tasting all that is Possible.

I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should.

But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.

This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before."

"So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.

I haven't smelled all the flowers yet.

There are too many books I haven't read.

There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down

and kites to be flown overhead.

There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes.

I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.

I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face.

I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.

I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast.

I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.

I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain.

I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again.

So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner,

then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner,

because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire.

I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired."

With that, I called the waitress over.. "I've changed my mind, " I said.

"I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!"

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect. Remember that while money talks,

CHOCOLATE SINGS!