Pre Chemo Update

Hello everyone

We wanted to provide a quick update - its been a little hectic lately, so sorry we haven't updated everyone.  

The past few weeks have been busy with life activities.  We passed a huge milestone - Sarah finished and submitted her first set of college applications. The next step is auditions for acceptance into performing arts/theatre programs. She has been very busy with her senior year and the latest theatre performance, which she is stage managing. Hannah is extremely busy with school and dance, writing papers, doing science projects, and having fun along the way. Some days, life seems to be flying by, other days it seems to drag on forever.

We've had some amazing answers to prayer the past week or so. Julie has been doing remarkably well (considering), and her "full time job" of staying as healthy as possible and avoiding side effects has had remarkable results.  This past week, which is normally her "good" week, she has actually been able to stop almost all of her medications. No nausea meds, no pain meds, no stomach meds. She has been able to manage the side effects well with diet, chiropractic, acupuncture, lots of water and lots of prayer! Amazing.

This Thursday is Round 4 of chemo. So, we are preparing for the next low period, which will last until the 19th or 20th.  We are looking forward to Thanksgiving - which will be after her blood counts start to rise and her energy is back up a bit.

Specific Prayer Requests:

• Dr. Kim (oncologist) is a bit concerned about her red blood cell counts - specifically her iron count. The threshold for her to be able to take chemo Thursday is 10. When we started chemo, her red blood cell number was 14, then 12, and was 10.7 last time. So please pray her blood counts are in the right range.  We don't want to have to delay chemo or have to go through an infusion to try to elevate her counts.
• For encouragement and strength in this next cycle.
• For strength and energy for me

Thanks all!