Home Again!

Hello All!

I am home again---yeah! Mom has been staying here with me during the day, helping with cooking, laundry, and childcare. I still don't have full range of motion in my arm yet, and am not allowed to lift over 10 pounds for awhile, so having her here has been a tremendous blessing.

I apologize for taking so long to give you an update. I've been busy huggin' little boys and listening to their tales of what they did while we were gone. Oh, the adventures you can have while mom and dad are away!

Here is a quick and wonderful recap of what we learned since my surgery:

1) Pathology reports showed that in all the lymph nodes they removed under my arm (15 in all), there was NO cancer! Praise the Lord!

2) Pathology reports showed that in all the breast tissue they removed, there was only .4 millimeters of "residual invasive carcinoma". That's less than half a millimeter! Woohoo and

praise the Lord again!

3) The areas that were formerly invaded by cancer, showed only scar tissue. How about that!

The surgeon, his Physicians Assistant, and my medical oncologist were all extremely pleased with the reports...which was a good sign for me. My surgeon and his assistant actually hugged us they were so pleased!

I begin radiation therapy June 6th, and though my neurosurgeon doesn't think my spine needs radiated, the rest of my medical team does, so...as of last Friday, they will be radiating my chest and spine as well. This radiation is to produce what they technically call a "curative response" (they won't say "cure you"), and will destroy any residual cancer cells that were not taken care of by the chemotherapy.

After radiation, my doctor wants me to complete 10 more weeks of chemotherapy, and then that should be it...well...technically I'll be receiving Herceptin once every 3 weeks forevermore or until something better comes along...but I can definitely live with that...literally!

That's it in a nutshell. We are busy these next two weeks trying to play catch up as well as preparing for the 6 weeks to come.

Thank you for your prayers. My updated prayer request list includes:

1) Continued healing from surgery and disease.

2) The availability of a "Church Apartment Ministry" apartment in Houston, near the hospital, where we could settle in for the next 6 weeks.

3) Continued health for my family...allergies are a bother!

4) Jeff---he has a lot of plates spinning right now, and he's doing a great job.

Thank you all for everything. You are so appreciated. Thanks for the prayers, the gifts, and all the support and encouragement. You may always email us at davis-clan@hotmail.com.

Blessings to you all!

Leslie, Jeff, and the boys

Still Doing Fine

I don't really have anything interesting to post, but I wanted you to know that I am still doing fine. I'm doing without any pain medication for the most part (I've ended up taking Tylenol 3 in the evenings if I get uncomfortable). Yesterday I went all day without any medication at all, but then woke up at 4 this morning hurting, so I took a couple Tylenol 3. Hopefully, that'll be my last. I don't like feeling "foggy".

Jeff is still staying with me...thank heavens! He is just the best, in case you haven't heard that already. He takes care of all the things that make me woozy...which is just about everything! He's doing some "real" work on his computer today while I sit here and type. He's been doing my laundry, fixing my meals, and taking care of all things medical. I'm glad he's still here because I have 3 appointments next week...one with my neurosurgeon, one with the Bone Marrow Transplant Team, and my follow up appointment with my surgeon, who'll hopefully clear me for a return trip home. Definitely don't want to go to those without him.

Anyway, nothing big to write about, just resting and recovering. Hope to be back home this time next week.

Hope you had a great Sunday.

Love you all,
Leslie and Jeff

He Leadeth Me...and Surgeons too!

Just to let you know...checked in for surgery at 6 a.m. Tuesday the 13th and checked out today (the 14th) at 9 a.m. Snoozing comfortably at my cousin's house by 10:30 a.m. I am not in any pain thanks to today's modern medicine and a fine anesthesiologist who numbed me up for a good 4 days! My surgeon told Jeff that there were no signs of cancer in the tissue he removed, and that they could tell us more when they had the lab results...probably at my 10 day checkup on the 23rd.

Thank you so much for your prayers. What a blessing you have been to me and my family.

Just thought you'd find this interesting...As they were prepping me for surgery, I noticed one of the members of the surgical team whistling. I looked at Jeff, and he just dropped his head and started chuckling.

"What?" I asked.

"Did you hear what he was whistling?" he asked me. "Only you, Leslie Davis, could get nurses named Grace and Mercy, a surgeon whose name is pronounced Dr. "Cure", and a surgical team whistling...(are you ready for this?) the hymn "He Leadeth Me."

Now how cool is that!?

I'll write more when I'm more coherent. Thanks for checking on me.

Love and blessings to you,
Leslie and Jeff

If the Lid Doesn't Fit...Change the Container!

Hello again. I apologize for taking so long to update my blog, but we have had a very busy past few weeks. Since I've spoken to you last, I've met with my radiologist as well as my anesthesiologist and I feel much better about my upcoming surgery and radiation. I cannot begin to tell you how fantastic the physicians are at MD Anderson. If you have reason to search for a cancer hospital, this is the place to be. All the physicians and support staff that I have spoken to concerning my upcoming procedures have answered all my questions (the obvious as well as the ridiculous), and have assured me that what I've already gone through (chemotherapy) is much worse that the treatments that lay before me. Armed with that logic, I am ready, ready, ready to get this show on the road!

These past few weeks, Jeff and I have been ironing out transportation, employment, childcare, and daily living issues. We were re-informed (although I'd forgotten the first "informed") that my radiation will require me to be present DAILY for 6 weeks. I don't know what I was expecting...maybe just a little microwaving on a weekly basis, but I absolutely was not thinking of staying for 6 weeks of treatment in Houston. But...guess what...I will be!

So, with surgery planned for this Tuesday, followed by 10 days of R&R before my follow up checkup, then a little boy's birthday, then our 16th wedding anniversary, then back to Houston for a 6 week radiation session...you could say that we've been a bit overwhelmed. Not in a bad way...there's just so much to do, and I don't feel like I was "ready" for everything. I got so caught up in the traveling back and forth for chemo, that I rather forgot about the planning this next phase would require.

That said, everything has been worked out, and we are good to go. Now...if I could just get packed! :o)

As I was cleaning up the kitchen last night, I found myself in a very similar situation as most mommas following dinner...head buried in the Tupperware cabinet looking for the right lid for the container I'd chosen to hold the remaining green beans. Rattle! Clunk! Bang! (Hey-how'd a metal lid get into the Tupperware cabinet?) This one? No...maybe this? No. Dad-gum-it! Here it is...wrong again! Urgh! Then...and I'm always looking for a sermon in everyday life...it came to me. If the lid doesn't fit...try changing containers! Aha! But that's not what I wanted...I wanted this one! Umhmm...Didn't know God could speak to me through the Tupperware cabinet, but last night, with Ziploc, Glad Lock, Hefty, and Tupperware all looking on, God had a message for me.

As I poured the green beans from container one into container two, I realized...this whole cancer thing is not at all what I had planned. This isn't the "lid" I had wanted to use. But...instead of sitting down and pouting about how unfair this is, or how tiring it is, or how goofy I look (still like a baby bird!), God suggested that maybe I just get a different "container". Well, now, that's do-able. Just change my expectations a tad, and...there you go! It still works. The "green beans" still fit...and it doesn't really matter that it wasn't my original plan...it still works.

I still go to Wal-Mart. I still go with the family to baseball practice. I still laugh with my husband over funny things that happened to us during the day. This week, I took Levi in for Kindergarten screening, with just as much energy as any other mom in the building. I will go to Sunday School and church in the morning...now that my counts are up again. I can still rock a little boy when he wakes up in the middle of the night. I still help catch tadpoles in the pond nearby (more instructionally rather than by example...my counts aren't THAT high! Hee hee!). I can still bake a mean batch of Cheesecake Brownies. Life is good!

Is this the "container" I chose originally? Well, definitely not! But I have been, and continue to be, blessed beyond my wildest imagination through this whole ordeal. You wouldn't believe the amazing patients and their families I've been able to visit with on a weekly basis, who started out as complete strangers, but who are now inviting me to come to their home! Neat, neat people that I never would have met on this earth, but whose phone numbers I now carry with me.

We just never know what changes might come to scramble our "perfect" plans. However, I still believe that if I continue to trust in God...who only wants the very best for me, who loves me more that I love my own children (think on that for awhile), who promises, "...I know the plans I have for you; plans for good...to give you hope and a future," then...I'm going to be fine!

If the lid doesn't fit, try changing your container!

I'll leave you with this funny story that happened to me last week!

As the radiology and anesthesiology departments were interviewing me concerning my upcoming surgery and treatments, they asked about my medical history.

"Do you smoke?"

"No."

"Consume alcoholic beverages?"

"No."

"Use recreational drugs?"

"No."

"Can you walk two flights of stairs?"

"Yes."

"Any pain?"

"No."

"Any hepatitis, anemia, TMJ, blah blah blah?"

"No."

"Family history of cancer?"

"No."

"Miscarriages?"

"No."

"High blood pressure?"

"No."

"So, then, Mrs. Davis...you seem to be very healthy."

"Yes...I just have a touch of cancer!"

Ha ha ha! I'm such a nut! You should've seen her face! WELL...it's the truth! I feel fine...I've just got a bit of cancer.

I will try to update you from Houston. It may be awhile...but hopefully not too long. Thank you for all your support. We all appreciate everything you are doing for us!

Much love,

Leslie, Jeff, and the boys

Last Week's Appointments

Hello again. Just wanted to give you a quick update concerning my appointment last week with my surgeon. Everything went well, and he seemed nice enough. For the time being, my surgery is scheduled for the middle of May, providing all my counts are up enough to support recovery, which they should be.

Following surgery, I will progress to radiation (woohoo!). You know the real bummer about that? All these years I've avoided the tanning beds, gracing the presence of friends and family with glaring white skin, only to wind up with this crazy disease anyway, and be headed to the bowels of MD Anderson for radiation in a tiny lead room! Rather cruel irony if you ask me! Oh well...

On a different level...I'd like to speak to all of you reading this, and grant me a little grace, if you will. I have several people (not just those who post) wanting the details of my surgery...what, when, how, where, how long, etc. I know that you are just concerned, however...

I've just decided that there are few things I have control over anymore, and I'm at least going to protect my modesty and privacy. I'm just not comfortable discussing the particulars of my upcoming procedures with everyone....especially over the internet. I have jokingly but truthfully said before that if I've never discussed this part of my body with you before, there's a good chance I'm not going to now. :o)

I hope that doesn't sound hateful...that's not my intent. I'm just not going to go into it right now. Maybe in a year, when this is old news I'll be more willing to tell all, but for now, let's just say I'm back to feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed, and as I said to my mom last week, "This just isn't any fun anymore!" :o)

Continue to pray for my physicians (some of whom may be batting for the other team, if you know what I mean! Makes me a bit uneasy!) You could also be in prayer for my upcoming MRI of the spine...to make sure that the disease in that area continues to shrink.

Additionally, would you pray that my fingertips get back to normal? They have been very sensitive and even numb, which caused the doctors to change my medication. And now, with surgery in the near future, they have suspended my chemotherapy until after the procedure. My oncologist assured me that everything would get back to "normal" after the Taxol got out of my system...maybe 3 weeks, but 3 weeks seems like a long ways away.

Finally, keep Jeff, the boys, and me in your prayers as we "road trip" to Texas again this week. We're looking forward to the trip...the boys did so well last time.

Thank you so much for your continued support. My family...our families...really appreciate all you've done and continue to do. Thanks to our friends from church and the community who have brought meals to my family. Everything is delicious, and that has been such a help. Thanks to those of you who continue to send financial gifts our way. You are putting fuel in our vehicles to travel to Texas, and you are feeding us while we are down there, so thank you, thank you!

Have a wonderful week. I'll post again next week after our road trip. I should have some great stories and pictures to share.

Blessings,
Leslie

Having Trouble Leaving Me a Note?

I've been having problems with unknown sources posting on my blog...and a few have been links to virus-type-things. So, I've changed my blog to allow me to moderate the posts before they show up on the site. That way, I can delete the dangerous ones before they make it to the blog.

Please continue to comment. If you don't see your post, give it a couple of hours, or maybe a day. I'm notified by email that you've left a comment, then I can see who it's from, and then post it on my comments page.

We love to hear from you!

Up to Speed...

Hi again! I just wanted to give you a quick update so you can pray accordingly. My doctor said last week that I'm "good to go" for surgery, so this Friday (25th April) Jeff and I will meet with my surgeon. Then, in the next few weeks, I also have appointments with my neurosurgeon, the stem cell transplant department, the radiation department, and I will have another MRI.

I've said recently that I feel like I've just come to the crest of the "big" hill on a roller coaster, and I can't see where the track before me goes, but it looks like what's coming up will be lightening fast and probably nauseating! And, just like when I last rode such a roller coaster (it's been awhile!), I don't know whether to squeal or puke...(sorry for being so frank!).

Anyway, also like my last roller coaster ride, I'm betting that at the end I'm going to say, "Wow!! I am never doing THAT again!"

Thank you for all your prayers. Rolla area folks, thanks for all your support during the past benefit events. We just appreciate you all so much. Jeff will be traveling with me this week, and you've made that possible.

Please continue to pray for my doctors, for the medicine (that it will continue to be effective), for my family (those caring for my children, my children, and my husband), and if you aren't too worn out from that, you can pray for me!

I have such stories to share with you when I get a chance. I've had some memorable trips recently (right, Cindy and Sherry?), and I can't wait to tell you about them. Right now, though, there's trouble in the OK Corral...seems like I have too many sheriffs and not enough gun hands! I'd better go bust up the fussin'!

Love you all,
Leslie, Jeff, and the boys

New Photos

My Most Recent Lab Results

How about this...

I had a complete blood count done two weeks ago. They emailed the results to me, but all I really recognized were the white blood cell counts and the platelets. I knew the "normal" range for those, so I was quick to check those out...they were fine, by the way.

Anyway, what I didn't know was being checked was my tumor marker, or the cancer antigens in my blood. In October, my first visit...with the "big girl panties" sign, the cancer antigens (CA) in my blood were 59.0 (38.0-0.0 being normal). In January, my CA was at 42.0.

Last week, are you ready for this...my CA was 29! That's twenty-nine! Well below the 38 that is the high normal! Basically, I have as much cancer antigens in my blood as a cancer-free person! Come again?! Yes...about as many CA's as you! Woohoo! Does that mean I'm cancer free? Well...no one ever said that to me. I still have a surgery and a procedure or two to go through, but I was told that my blood looked like that of a person without cancer!

How about that!? Are you smiling? Me too!

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I still have a long road ahead of me, but isn't it wonderful to see and hear of the power of your prayers. Please continue to pray for my complete healing...I'd really, really appreciate it! You are the prayin'-est friends a person ever had!

We love you all!

Leslie

p.s. for all those curious souls so concerned with my weight...I now weigh more than I did BEFORE this all began, so if you tell me I look thin, I'll just have to assume you mean I look bald...because that's the only difference! :o) Just kidding! Just adjust your prayers to include "maintaining her weight" instead of "gaining weight"...that'd be just fine!

Mercy Dropped By

A while back, I mentioned how ironic I thought it was that I had been assigned two nurses whose names were "Mercy" and "Grace". I really thought that was a neat, one time thing. Do you know, since then, Mercy has been my nurse on several occasions. The assistant will walk me back to my room, and say, "Mercy will be taking care of you today. She'll be right with you."

Then two weeks ago, the assistant said, "Lillian will be taking care of you today. She'll be here in a minute." Lillian? Who's this Lillian? 'Turns out she's an excellent nurse...but there's no irony in the name Lillian. After hooking me up to my IV's, Lillian said, "I'll be right back. I just have to get one more thing," and she left the room.

As I lay there reading my latest "Miss Julia" book, the door slid open, and who should peek in but Mercy! "Hello there Ms. Davis! I just wanted to drop by and say hi...I noticed I didn't have you on my list today. Good to see you again." Can you see the enormous grin that spread across my face. I think God really enjoys sending his "Mercy" my way (she is a Christian, by the way).

Fast forward to last Friday (the 4th of April). Again, I was assigned Lillian. She is really very good, but I was watching with great anticipation for...you guessed it...Mercy! An hour or so went by, and there was a shift change. Lillian left, and Rebecca came in. Another great nurse...but where's Mercy?

Then, when all was quiet, the curtain slid open, and sure enough...there was Mercy. "Well, Ms. Davis, I was told to check on my patient in room 26...but you're not my patient! When I saw your name, though, I had to drop in and say hi. You doing okay? Good...see you soon. My patient is actually in 25...somebody got their numbers mixed up."

Umhmmmm...she thinks they did...but God is just being extra kind and sending mercy my way, even when it's en route to someone else! How fantastic is that?

Here's hoping you can begin anticipating God's mercy in your life. It's there...we just need to be watching for it!

I've Got It!!!

Okay...bear with me for awhile...I think you'll like this!

From the very beginning of this whole breast cancer ordeal, I have been searching for my own motto, if you will; a battle cry of sorts. I have listened, I have searched, I have tried to be creative (which is rather difficult with "chemo-brain"), but to no avail. I considered, "I have cancer, but it doesn't have me," but that was too cliche. Then I thought of "Victor, not victim, " but since Joel Osteen says that in nearly every sermon, I thought it way overused to have the punch I needed. The words "survivor", "brave", "tough" have all been thrown around, but none of them had the kick I was looking for. I still felt the need for a motivating slogan of sorts to keep me focused, to maintain my spiritual footing, and to motivate me to avoid worry, pity, and anger.

Let me state, for the record, that I am not angry with God...never have been. I don't view this illness as a lightening bolt punishment of some sort launched down from heaven. That's not in God's character. I don't even view it as an attack of the devil, although I think he finds great pleasure in the suffering of God's people. I think this is just life...one of those things that happens for an unknown reason, but through which we can either be a blessing to others, or a really sour and foul soul with whom no one wants to be. I have to say, I choose to be a blessing...any way God wants to use me. As a good friend used to say, "If I had my 'd'ruthers, I'd choose this (the blessing)."

Now, for those of you who knew me as a child, you will well remember that I was "strong willed" (which I refuse to acknowledge as anything less than a compliment!). And, for those of you who knew me as a teenager, you will remember that I was competitive...and "strong willed". And, for those of you who know me as an adult, I'm sure you can testify that I am one who loves to share what I've learned (insert a big shout out to my SS class, who patiently listens to my translation of the lesson), and, yes, maybe still "strong willed". So to find a "battle cry" that reflects my love for learning, my competitive nature, and my "strong will" has been rather difficult. I'm looking for the perfect "essence" of my journey through this disease.

A long-time friend of ours from Oklahoma sent me the book, "The Red Sea Rules", and it is wonderful. It is written by Robert J. Morgan, and I highly recommend it...to anyone. In one chapter, the author quotes a South African pastor who was facing a terrible crisis. After studying prayerfully over the situation, he came to this conclusion, and I fell in love with what he wrote:

"First, He (God) brought me here, it is by His will that I am in this strait place: in that I will rest. Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me the grace to behave as His child. Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow. Last, in His good time He can bring me out again-how and when He knows."

What I long for most is that grace...the grace to behave as His child. Because, just as people all over this area recognize my maiden name, and can nearly always name at least 3 of my relatives, people ought to also be able to say, "Oh, see...she's God's. You know, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac," and so forth. There ought to be a recognizable connection...at least I hope.

With that said, I have just recently begun a Beth Moore Bible study, and this particular study is on HOW to study the word of God. Last night, I learned that the word of God, the Bible, is our ONLY weapon against the enemy...all other pieces of the "armor of God" are defenses, but the word...that is our sword with which we can fight the devil off our path.

And that has been my most recent aggravation...the devil. He plants worry in my mind, he sends people along my path who say the most discouraging things, he wakens me in the night, reminding me of all the Godly people I know who have passed away from this very disease, and I am weary of him. As Dudd Wash (from Andy Griffith...again!) would say..."He's a pestilence!"

So I am sharpening my sword...through Bible study. I'm gonna sharpen that thing until it shines, so that when Satan thinks he wants to attack me, the glare of the sword alone will cause him to scatter...to flee...to head the other way! Beth Moore taught me last night that getting the word of God into my head will enable me to become exactly what God has planned for me to become...and, listen to this...here is the battle cry I have been searching for. The very one I would have written if I had thought of it first. Are you ready?

"A child of God, to His great glory, and dangerous to the pit of hell!"

HI-YAH!!! Doesn't that just sound like a karate kick to the devil...right between the eyes!? That's what I want...to be known as His child, to bring Him glory, and to be DANGEROUS to the pit of hell.

One thing I'd really enjoy is for you to email me (davis-clan@hotmail.com) your favorite scripture (just type "scripture" in the subject line so I'll know it's from someone I know). I'm going to print them out, and put them up in my house, so that everywhere I look, the word of God is before me. They will be my constant reminders of all the people who are praying for me and my family, as well as "sharpeners" for my sword. I will also post them on my blog, so that you may copy them for yourself if you want.

We love you all, and hope that you have a WONDERFUL Easter! Blessings to you and yours!

Leslie

p.s. the songs on the right are some that I find very encouraging. The first one, "The Voice of Truth" is about exactly what I've just written...listening to the voice of Truth when the enemy attacks with discouraging words. I hope you enjoy them.

p.p.s. Rhonda P. : The David Phelps song is one of my all time favorites...I put it on there just for you, b/c I know you love a good song, and an excellent singer! Love you!

March 5, 2008

Hello from snowy southwest Missouri. This traveling is a real "trip"! Just last Friday, I was receiving chemotherapy in Houston, and spent the weekend enjoying temps in the upper 70's. Fast forward to Tuesday, and I'm home with snow falling and temps hovering around 30! What a wacky week for me!

I just wanted to let you know that everything is still going great with my treatments. My doctor commented Friday that he still doesn't feel any "mass" at all, and seems to think we really have this cancer on the run! Praise the Lord! I am just burning up the road between here and Oklahoma as I travel to fly south each week.

We want to thank those of you who have sent notes of encouragement, gifts, and especially for all of your prayers. I sometimes catch myself being so comfortable in this healing process, that I forget that I'm not "done" praying, and that I need to daily lift my needs before the Lord. I am just feeling so well (except that it's very cold to be bald!) that I forget that I'm sick...technically. And that's a good thing...except I don't want to get so busy celebrating my current progress that I forget to thank the One who got me here! So thank you for filling in the gaps in MY prayer life by mentioning me in your daily prayers. I really appreciate it so much.

To let you know just how good I've been feeling...yesterday I spent nearly an hour outside in the snow helping 4 little boys build igloos. And I only came in because I was getting too hot all bundled up! That's not bad, eh?

I have to get busy now. I need to pack for myself and my boys as they are spending the next couple of days with Grandma Bootsie and Grandpa Coach. Big fun on the farm!

We love you all, and enjoy seeing your names on our guestbook. If you haven't signed in, you are still welcome to. We'd love to hear from you.

Love and blessings,
Leslie

Sunday, February 24th

I am getting spoiled to winter in Houston, TX. Can you believe that I

willingly left sunny, 70 degree temps with azaleas and petunias blooming to come home to ice-coated trees? It's the truth...and I'm still shivering about it today! At least with me traveling more frequently, I know I'll get to enjoy it again soon. I just wanted to soak it all in and bring it home. This has been an icy winter here at home, and I'm really ready for some warmer weather.

As an update, I got another good report last Friday (the 22nd) from my doctor in Houston. He said he cannot feel ANY tumor at all anymore. He said he wasn't quite sure what they saw on the ultrasound on the 11th that showed a tumor still remaining, but he just can't seem to find one anymore. Well, hallelujah! He said he'd see me next week, and that everything looked great.

I received another treatment, where my nurse's name was "Mercy"...how fitting! Then I enjoyed an evening of sizzling fajitas and good conversation (or was it good fajitas and sizzling conversation? Hard to say when politics come up in the Walker family!) No, we had a great time, and laughed untill we cried. That, coupled with warm weather, flowers blooming, and awaking each morning to a chorus of chirping birds, and I'd call that some serious therapy!

Thank you for your continued prayers. You are just such a blessing to our family! Isn't God good? I have seen his hand in my life this week, and I am already enjoying His promise of Spring!

Love to you and yours,

Leslie, Jeff, and the boys

Here are Some Family Photos

A Great Report

Hello from Houston! I just wanted to give you a quick update on what they found yesterday. In a nutshell, they found that I'm getting better! Praise the Lord!

The cancer on my spine and in my lymph nodes is smaller, and the main tumor has not grown, which are all good signs. My neurologist was pleased with the way the cancer in my spine is responding. He said it is doing exactly what he thought it would do, and he would scan me again in 3 months. My oncologist was pleased with the results of the MRI and the ultrasound.

He presented my case to the tumor review board again, and then several of those doctors examined me and then they discussed my progress again. My Dr. then came back into the exam room and said they were very positive and optimistic, and his words were, "You know, I think we might be able to cure you after all." How about that from the same man who spoke the words "technically incurable" just months ago?! Isn't that wonderful?

So thank you, thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement, notes and phone calls, dinners and gifts. You are all such a blessing to us...there are just not enough words to tell you how we feel.

For now, I will continue to receive treatment weekly as long as I don't experience any numbness in my hands or feet. The goal is 12 weeks, but we're shooting for 25. Yesterday, I received treatment #6. After all of that, we're looking at surgery, possibly radiation, and then receiving medication once every 3 weeks for about the next...oh...50 years or so. Sounds good to me!

I'll write more when we get home. I'll sign off for now...tomorrow's a big travel day!

Love to you all!

Leslie

p.s. Thanks to my childhood church in Curryville...I am glad to be your object lesson on intercessory prayer! Who would've ever guessed? Thanks Sue!

Jack Frost

I love taking photographs, and I take TONS of them since Jeff, my wonderful husband, presented me with a digital camera for Mother's Day 2007. Some of the photos are good...a few of them I think are great. Here are some from a beautiful frost we had last month. I hope you like them.

My Blessings

Good lookin' crew, don't you think?

We are heading to TX on Sunday. I am feeling great, and nearly everyone in our family is over their cold, so thanks for your prayers. We are eager to hear what my doctors say on Monday, and as soon as I get a chance, I'll post what I know.

Thank you for caring about me and my family. We are so thankful for all of you.

Blessings,

Leslie

Flyin' High

Good afternoon! Thanks for checking back in after my long absence. After talking with a few friends, I realized that my last entry was a bit misleading. As you may remember, my doctors (here and in TX) got into a bit of a disagreement concerning my treatment. I remarked that our prayers were answered, and I was able to get treatment locally, and was very pleased, which is true. I didn't want to go into all the details, b/c there are many, many tremendous people working at the local cancer center, and I am very appreciative of their care. I don't want my words to sound disrespectful at all.

HOWEVER...basically, the last day I received treatment locally, my oncologist said I needed to choose...him or my doctor in TX. Well, I didn't ponder the choice very long. My local "across the board" oncologist, or my TX oncologist who is a 20 year specialist in my particular type of breast cancer. Hmmmm....yah, I'm goin' with TX!

The true answer to prayer is that because he drew such a line in the sand, so to speak, the decision was obvious, and there was an immediate peace about it. My brother, my husband, and I were talking about it, and we all agreed that in 10 years, I won't regret having gone to TX. However, I'd probably regret NOT going. So, there you go.

I am now traveling weekly to Houston for my chemotherapy. Sounds crazy, I know, but it is so worth it. I am examined weekly by my oncologist (something that hasn't happened locally since my Dec. 20th appt, and then he only examined my abdomen...still don't know what he was looking for!), and I just feel like I am being monitored much more closely.

My current prayer requests are:

1) My children. They are going without me for at least 2 and sometimes 7 days at a time, which they don't really seem to mind. But the "re-entry" period, when I return, is rather challenging. Literally! There are lots of discipline issues as they check and re-check to see if I'm still in charge. The answer is "Yessir...I am still the momma, and you will do as you are told...the first time...without arguing...or complaining...or stomping your foot...and with a pleasant attitude." It's better today, and I think once we get into the routine of "predictably unpredictable" we'll all be a lot happier! Maybe just pray for obedient spirits, cooperative attitudes, and...well, that'd cover it!

2) Protection from illnesses...for my family and me. I've been doing fine with low counts and all, but Jeff and Isaac have both come down with just a nasty cold, which I can usually skate by, but since my immune system is compromised, well, I'm concerned. We just all need to stay healthy.

3) Traveling mercies...I'm really logging a lot of air miles (not on a credit card, just in real life).

4) My doctor's appt. on FEBRUARY 11th. On this day, starting at 7 am, I will undergo two separate tests to see how the cancer is responding to the chemotherapy. I will also meet with my oncologist, my neurosurgeon, a radiologist, a surgeon, and possibly a member of the bone marrow transplant team to discuss where we go from here. Sounds like a party to me! Hopefully, I'll be reporting fantastic news! Pray for continued healing and for wisdom for those who are treating me.

5) Continued financial provision. New year, new deductible. Jeff's work has been steady lately, due to recent storms, but we would still appreciate your prayers for job security. We don't need any more ice storms or tornados, but a delicate hailstorm that damages some roofs already in need of repair would be nice! :o)

Thank you so much for everything you are doing for us. You have been, and continue to be, such a blessing! I appreciate all of your cards and blog posts. They are so encouraging, and I do read them...it's just that when I get ready to reply...there is usually a discipline issue that comes up. Umhmmm...imagine that with 3 little boys with cabin fever! Hopefully this week will be better.

Love,

Leslie

WHAT in the WORLD was THAT?

My treatments are still going well, bar a minor glitch that involved my oncologist in Springfield and my oncologist in Houston refusing to work together anymore...yah...nice, eh? It was a big to-do that was just immediately overtaken by what can only be described as a Tsunami of prayer as only my friends and family can produce...and now there is peace. A little "post Tsunami" debris...but peace.

Jeff's words today were, "Well...WHAT was that? And what happened to change the doctor's mind?"

My answer, "Well...Aunt Teresa sicked the hounds of heaven on him...that's what happened!"

She told me last night after she prayed with me over the phone, "I always just pray, 'Lord, work on them while they're sleeping. If they won't listen to you during the day, speak to them at night when they can't argue with you!" Well, evidently she's right, because today...no problem.

Isn't God amazing? I don't know that either of my doctor's are Christians, but I believe God can use them to heal me anyway. And, occasionally, He may sneak up behind them and smack 'em on the head to get them back in line. Who knows...just my little mental image!

Anyway, time will tell, but for now all is well. I will rest easy tonight, knowing the Great Physician has already figured it out. No need to worry...as I've heard so many times, God goes before his children making the crooked places straight. I just didn't realize sometimes He also paves the road as He goes!

We love you all. Thank you so much for everything. You have no idea what a blessing you are to our family. Thanks!

Love and blessings to you,

Leslie, Jeff, and the boys

Sisters...sisters...there were never such devoted sisters!

Well, I've been off havin' fun and I forgot to update my blog. During the past weeks, God has provided for us over and over and over again. We just sit here, taking it in...admittedly woefully behind in thank you cards. We are so blessed with loving families, supportive friends, a church family who never fails to check in on us, many many cards and notes of encouragement, and demonstrations of generosity that can only be explained as a "God thing".

I am preparing for another trip to Houston. As with any trip, there are several plates to get spinning before I leave town. Not just my own transportation and lodging, but schooling preparations for Owen, as well as child care for all of the boys. My mom is handling all of my housework at this time...she gets more done in one day than I get done in a week. She's wonderful!

Jeff is busier now that we've had some recent storms. That is a blessing, although he's away from home more, we know that is part of God's provision. Who would have thought that baseball sized hail could be a blessing? God...that's who!

This past weekend, Mom and Daddy treated all the girls in the family to a "Girls Weekend" in Branson. I love hanging out with my sisters and sister-in-law. We always have such a good time together. Here is a picture, although...(sorry Jo) I didn't get any pictures with all of us in it. It didn't cross our mind to get a group picture until Suzan's brood was getting ready to leave. Blame it on the chemo!

We are so blessed to have the benefit of all your prayers. I am feeling well, my mind is at peace, and my family is healthy and well cared for. I feel very, very blessed.

Love to you all,

Leslie