03.31.2017 update

Prayers were answered. Maggie’s liver enzymes were back to normal levels, so she was able to have an infusion and restart the oral therapy. Despite the suspected progression, we’re thankful for another treatment – it is apparently keeping the lung...

03.29.2017 update

Well. There’s much to tell and my ability to communicate coherently is heading south fast, so I’ll hit the high notes and fill in with more details later when I’m better rested. Tomorrow morning Maggie and I make the trip to UAB for a clinic visit...

03.16.2017 update

Dr. Saleh reviewed Maggie’s CT scan results with us today in clinic. The good news: lung nodules are stable – no new, none larger. The not-so-good news: two new, very small (5 and 7 mm) liver nodules. We agreed with his plan: continue two more cycles of...

03.13.2017 update

Maggie is continuing to recover from her wisdom teeth removal (all healing is a bit slower on her chemo drugs) and has been migraine free for over a week – pointing to the jaw as her main trigger. We’re thankful she has relief. Thank you for prayers for...

03.01.2017 update

Maggie and I have arrived in Birmingham for her clinic appointment and infusion (if all blood counts look good). The past two weeks since her last infusion have been busy. You’ll remember she had a migraine on the day of her infusion that almost derailed the...

02.15.2017 update

Maggie has an 11:00 am appointment at UAB for her next infusion. We’ll be traveling in the morning and staying the night in Birmingham. We continue to marvel at and give thanks for Maggie’s strength in taking this chemo in stride with very few side...

A Race Called Mercy

Homesickness for Batson and Jackson plaguing our early visits to UAB has begun to lift. Frequent trips to Birmingham are allowing me to feel more a part of the city than my occasional shopping trips had allowed. But it takes work to open a heart to new people when you...

01.02.2017 update

Molly is 39,000 ft over Mexico (less than 2 hours from Houston) and we are even higher in Birmingham praising the Lord for stable scans. Dr. Saleh delivered the good news along with the plan to continue with this study drug for another six weeks. So, we’re here...

01.31.2017 update

It’s time for scans again. Maggie has a CT scan scheduled tomorrow at 2:00 at UAB. We will be staying overnight for a clinic appointment to hear results. As long as she is at least stable (no new growth in size or number of spots), she will have her regularly...

Finding peace in a political mess

As far as politics go, 2016 was a crazy year. Our country has never been so divided on so many issues as it was during this presidential election. This was the first election to hold my attention. I actually read the news and took the I Side With quiz so I could...

01.18.2017 update

Maggie has a scheduled clinic visit and treatment tomorrow at UAB. The coordinating nurse and I thought our original plan was to travel over Wednesday to avoid the early morning drive Thursday. However, Maggie says she is not missing church activities (early afternoon...

God is Great, God is Good

Is God who is great enough to heal still good when He doesn’t? This question has plagued me since Maggie was first diagnosed. The answer never changes. Acceptance is often like Mississippi snow: here today, gone in an hour. How can I help it stick? As with snow, I am...

01.06.2017 update

Maggie’s infusion/clinic visit went off without a hitch yesterday. We finished and checked into our hotel in time for a quick nap. After sleeping off the Benadryl (premed), Maggie even felt like going out for dinner. We continue to be thankful for no-low nausea...

01.04.2017 update

Happy New Year! We had a fantastic holiday – everyone stayed well, ate too much, and rested more than we could have hoped. Phil, Maggie and I are gearing up for our next trip to Birmingham tomorrow morning. Maggie has an 11:00 appointment for clinic and...

12.22.2016 update

I am thrilled to report Maggie’s CT scan performed yesterday revealed no new growth or new lesions. The primary nodules being used as indicators of treatment effectiveness were stable – no increase in size. We’re thankful for this news. Maggie will...

12.20.2016 update

Maggie and I will be making the road trip to Birmingham tomorrow for a 2:30 CT scan. This will be the first indication of clinical trial effectiveness. We are praying to see reduced or stable lung nodules and no new activity elsewhere. This drug combination has proven...

12.08.16 update

Maggie had her exam and infusion today – the third of this clinical trial. She tolerated it well and is now resting in the Residence Inn near the clinic. We’ll return home in the morning – but not too early. I don’t believe we’ll set an alarm. The typical order of...

12.03.16 update

Apologies for the delay in updating – Thanksgiving and the week since have been keeping us busy with healthy, happy normalcy. Maggie is feeling great – no discernible side effects yet. She did have a follow-up visit with her urologist in town. We’ve...

11.21.2016 update

Time flies when you’re feeling good. Maggie has been tolerating the first month of chemo very well. She has continued to experience few, if any, side effects. Praise the Lord for answered prayers. We will be traveling to UAB tomorrow afternoon for an early...

11/09/2016 update

Maggie is home and sleeping in her own bed tonight. Yesterday we reported to the UAB clinical trial department for a blood draw. We were introduced to several employees from the marketing department. Maggie agreed to allow them to shoot video of her in several phases...