11/08/2016 update

Maggie and I are leaving for Birmingham this morning. She will have blood drawn for labs this afternoon and her first infusion/ first day of oral meds will be tomorrow. We’ve been spoiled by the staff at Batson who are able (by virtue of being much smaller) to...

11/01/2016 update

I know I’m overdue to offer an update: Maggie and I went to Birmingham last Thursday morning for a CT scan and Echocardiogram – the final tests needed to evaluate her for the clinical trial. I received word today from the trial coordinator that Maggie has...

10.22.2016 update

We have a clinical trial. The nice folks at UAB wasted no time in getting into high gear once they had Maggie’s records sent from the equally nice folks at MDA. We travelled to UAB Thursday morning to meet with the investigator (Dr. Saleh) and coordinator...

10.17.2016 update

We’ve been enjoying these last few “normal” weeks. Maggie is packing in as much as she can between working at TBC as a youth intern, catching up with friends, and spending time with family. Her health is good – her kidneys (stones) are behaving...

10.04.2016 update

Time. Four simple letters carrying the weight of the world. I’m thankful to the King of the universe for taking that weight from our shoulders and replacing it with peace. We had our follow-up visit with Maggie’s oncologist, Dr. Raghav, and his staff this...

09.29.2016 update

We had a pleasant drive over to Houston yesterday and settled into our temporary home at the Residence Inn. We chose this location for several reasons not the least of which is the shuttle service to MDA/medical facilities nearby. Good call. The complex is huge and...

09.27.2016 update

I thought the time between hearing from MDA and the actual departure day would drag due to our level of anticipation. Life has a way of chewing up the ticks and tocks, and here we are. We plan to leave mid-morning tomorrow for Houston. We’ll be staying within a...

09.21.2016 update

Life has started to resemble a whirlwind again. Since we’re praying for fast movement we’ll accept it as a good thing. I’ll give you a recap… Saturday we had an initial call from administration at MD Anderson (let’s call it MDA, shall...

09.18.2016 update

We find ourselves at a crossroad in Maggie’s treatment. During our consultation with Maggie’s oncologist, Dr. Collier, we discussed her liver pathology report in depth. The tumor was removed with clear margins (all the tumor removed). However, microscopic...

Going Gold

It’s finally September. We get a first taste of fall, school is in full swing, and stores replace tank tops with sweaters. September is also Childhood Cancer Awareness month. Most people aren’t aware, though. That’s why I am writing this blog. I’ll do a quick recap on...

Repurposing

If April 7, 2014 had brought us a different outcome, if my daughter Maggie’s colonoscopy had revealed a benign and fixable mass instead of a malignant invasion, then today I would be on a plane to Nepal for a mission trip with a team from church. The work was...

09.09.16 update

Maggie had her follow up with her surgeon today and was pronounced cleared to resume chemo week after next. We then met with her oncologist to discuss treatment options. We reviewed each one and brought the list home for additional research/consideration. We’ll...

09.06.2016 update

Maggie continues to heal and recover from her surgery. In fact, this past weekend we were in Disneyland, and Phil and I had to split duty to keep up with her! She closed the park down two nights. She was unable to ride any high speed or thrill rides but found plenty...

I Have Met the Enemy

After Maggie’s second liver resection, we followed her bed as she was wheeled from recovery to 2C. 2C? We were expecting the fifth floor but were told she needed closer monitoring in a step-down unit. The floor was at capacity, so we landed in a smaller-than-typical...

08.27.2016 update

Maggie is resting and recovering at home. We were able to leave the hospital Thursday afternoon. She continues to be a quick healer due in equal parts to gifted doctors, an unfailing optimism and the never-ending grace of God. Remarkably she is only taking OTC pain...

08.25.2016 update

Good morning! Maggie and I transferred to 3C late yesterday afternoon and rested much better last night (a long story I may delve into later – the neighborhood on 2C was not conducive to rest). Phil is resting easier today back in Hattiesburg knowing his much...

08.23.2016 update

Maggie is recovering from surgery without any setbacks or complications. She is probably past danger of internal bleeding and is still being monitored with a drain for bile leaks with none being detected. For pain management she was given an epidural immediately after...

8.22.2016 update

Surgery is over and Maggie is in a room on 2C. Pain is under control. She had been anticipating renewing friendship with her nurses on 5C (post surgery) floor. The decision was made for her to be taken to 2C which is a step-down unit for closer monitoring. She has an...

update 08.20.16

Maggie’s surgery is confirmed for Monday morning – August 22. We will report at 6:30 am to Batson. We’re not sure what time the procedure will begin as that will depend on case load, with younger patients taken first. I’ll update as soon as she...
bloom where you are planted

bloom where you are planted

If you had told me 3 years ago that I would be battling cancer right now, I would have thought you were crazy. I never expected to face a life-threatening illness. I never imagined that would be a part of God’s plan for my life. But it is. And always has been. I’m...