Good Morning!

Don't faint, but I am actually posting on my blog!  I know...shocker!

We have had a very hot and uneventful summer.  Stayed pretty close to home.  School has started, and everyone seems to enjoy the predictability of a daily routine.

Owen is 13, and is enjoying 7th grade so far.  He is running cross country, participating in Student Council, playing percussion in the band, taking guitar lessons (thank you Grandpa Davis), and enjoying being in the youth group at church. He's a bit TOO busy for this momma, so we may be putting a hold on the guitar lessons in the near future.

Levi is 9 (almost 10 he'll be quick to tell you) and is really liking the 4th grade.  His class is the only one in the building with a real rabbit in the room.  It is even allowed to roam around the room, and this is evidently just the "awesomest" thing ever.  For the second year in a row, he is in the same class as his best friend in the whole wide world, Scott.  Doesn't get much better than that.

Isaac is 8, and is in the 3rd grade.  He likes school, especially PE, recess, and lunch.  Library and art are really fun, too. He would just really like to be done with math.  I mean, he can add and subtract. What more does a boy need to know? We are working on acquiring a better attitude on the academic aspect of 3rd grade, as well as good handwriting.  I know in this computer age we're in, the focus on handwriting has waned. However, it is still important to me, and when every word is a combination of  UpPeR & LoWeR case letters, I get a bit annoyed. 

Jeff is working for Paul Davis Restoration, and enjoys what he does.  He is so good with people, which really comes in handy when you are dealing with folks who have come through a tornado, or water damage to their property, or damage to their home due to a fire.  And his patience with irrational people just blows me away.  There is a reason that this is his occupation and not mine.

I am doing pretty good, and enjoying our "back in school" routine so far.  It is far less tiring to schedule doctor appointments when you don't have to consider childcare.  I return to MDAnderson September 13&14 for a rescan of the brain.  If my tumors haven't grown, I'll continue on the same treatment plan.  If there are any increases in the size of the tumors, we have to modify my current treatment plan.  Hoping that is not the case, because I am tolerating this chemotherapy regimen, and really don't relish the thought of having to start something new.

At any rate, we have enjoyed our summer, and our air conditioning. I think we are all looking forward to crisp autumn days, apple cider, pumpkins, and corn mazes.  With the drought, we may have to settle for the crisp days and the cider alone. Anyway, temps below 90 would be delightful.

I hope you are having a wonderful end of summer.  We appreciate all of your prayers, as well as your notes and gifts of encouragement.

Blessings to you all,

Leslie

Catching up, Part 2

Facebook post, 8/3/12

 

My scans show no new tumors. One may be slightly increased in size, but the doctor isn't sure. Could be inflamation, could be scar tissue. No cancer on spine. No cancer cells in spinal fluid. Back in 6 weeks for rescan of the brain to decide if I keep doing what I'm doing (treatment wise) or if we move on to something else.

I appreciate all your prayers and encouraging words.
David Jeremiah once said, "It is absolutely right to expect a miracle. It is absolutely wrong to schedule it."

I have to agree with him. I trust that God has a plan for all of this time consuming, tiring, impossible to understand cancer diagnosis that we are all watching unfold. I will accept His complete and total healing whenever and however He chooses to send it.

Until then, I will rest in His peace, rest in his grace, and rest in this fantastic king-size bed that just happened to be the only bed the Holiday Inn had left! Isn't that just a shame! Haha!

Have a great weekend and we would appreciate your continued prayers for us as we travel home.

Blessings,
~Leslie~

Catching up Part 1

Facebook post, 8/2/12

At MD Anderson. Had labwork done at 6am, MRI of the brain at 6:15am, and now getting ready to have spinal fluid drawn. Do I know how to have a good time or what?

Tomorrow I start again at 6:15 am with 2 more MRIs. I am feeling really very good. Looking fwd to tomorrow's appointment with my Dr to find out the results. Hoping all is stable, improved, or gone. I'm not picky.

Have a great day, and I'll let you know what we find out.

Leslie