2.26.09 -- THE BIG C

Well today we were introduced to the new world of CANCER! We were diagnosed with B-lineage non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) (Burkitt or Burkitt-like lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL]) and by the textbook it has an 80% to 90% long-term survival.[1,2,3,4]. Say that three times fast!!!! We decided to take the most agressive treatment path, and the Dr. prepared me that he would loose his hair (I told him I thought he would look Sexy Bald!). I am so blessed that David's family has stood behind me in the extremely difficult decisions that I have had to make on his behalf.

2.25.09 -- ST LUKES

We were able to get a bed and David was transferred to St Lukes in Houston, TX. The transfer was completed at 12pm. We had a wonderful nurse and they have kept him very stable today. We survived another day....

I cannot thank everyone enough for praying for us! We were told that there were no beds avaliable in any of the big hospitals in the Medical Center in Houston, TX where he could receive the treatment that he needed. The Student Prayer chain at First Baptist Academy in Pasadena, TX went to work and TWO HOURS LATER!!!! we received the call that he had a BED!!!!

GOD IS SO GOOD!

FYI... for those of you that do not know it can be easier to get into college than a bed in one of the top hospitals in Houstons icu's.

2.24.09 -- ICU

David's mom called me at 4am to tell me that she could not sleep and wanted me to answer the door when I let her in she told me that that David was moved to ICU. This was one of the most difficult moments of my adult life. We spent the day at the hospital in the early afternoon they put David on a ventilator and he was sedated so he could relaz and let the machines take the stress off his body. In the early afternoon the hospital told us that he was beyond their capability and he needed to be transferred to the medical center. His advocate pleaded his case with every major hospital in Houston and they were all so full from UTMB and Shriner being closed. It was horrible to have the top hospitals in the US and not be able to get your husband in them. I called everyone I knew and I had them praying specifically for a bed at St. Lukes and around 8 pm last night we received the information that we had a bed at AT LUKES!!!!! They did one hour of dialysis and then transferred him.

You never think something like this could happen to you. It is so SURREAL but GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD!

2.23.09 -- Update

See Yesterday's post all is about the same for both guys! His fever seems to be more under control today than it was yestreday. He is going to have another ultrasound done today and in conjunction with all the blood work they have taken hopefully they will be able to provide more insight!

Today I sat on the hospital bed with David and I told him that we have walked EVERY road together since we were 17 and we would walk this one together as well. I am so glad that we had this conversation becuase this was one of the last times that I was able to talk to him before he went to the ICU.

On top of everything Grant's hair was getting long becuase Mom ALWAYS cuts his hairand she has been trapped in College Station, TX taking care of Dad. It was standing up this morning no matter what I did so I decided that this ability MAY run in the family NOT!!!! So I begged Laura to take him SOMEWHERE to get a haircut after school because it looked TERRIBLE!!!

UPDATE:

They are taking him for a biopsy in the morning to remove a portion of his lymph nodes so they can try to find out what is wrong with him. but they have ruled out infection.

PLEASE PRAY FOR US!

2.22.09 -- Still Here

UPDATE ON DAVID:
We are still here today... his fever keeps going up and down (well kinda, if 100 is down) I am just glad that they have him here and are taking care of him becuase I feel like they know more about what to do. He has been on IV antobiodics all day...we will see what tomorrow holds.

UPDATE ON DAD:
Dad is still in a holding pattern at the hospital. I spoke to mom a little while ago and there was no real news or change. They are kinda experiencing the same thing we are. Not real sure hopefully time will tell.

2.21.09 -- Hospital Visit

Tonight David started feeling worse and I took him to an emergency clinic at a nearby hospital and they admitted him. They finally got him in a room at around 10:00 and I finally left the hospital with Grant at around 11:00 and he finally fell asleep around 1:00 all of our adrenaline was running. David's mom spent the night with us because I was pretty shaken up when we were leaving the hospital and I was sick in the parking lot! Well at least with staying up late I was able to catch up on some house keeping.

2.19.08 -- First Soccer Practice

Tonight Grant had his first soccer practice. I cannot tell you how funny it was watching 12-16 kiddos running around with soccer balls it was mass chaos. I feel so sorry for their Coach but he was a really good sport and is out there for the kids to have fun not create Olympic Soccer Stars (exactly what we were looking for). So now Grant is the PROUD member of the STRIKERS! I will post a short video clip later!

2.17.09 -- Aubrey Grace

We have finally named our upcoming bundle of joy...she is now OFFICIALLY Aubrey Grace. We hope that you all like her name as much as we do because A LOT of thought went into her name. We wanted another name as special as Grant Harrison is to us. We hope that they appreciate all the thought that went into their names and we can't wait to meet this little girl!

When I originally posted this I did not mention that David had selected this name. I had wanted to name her Maggie Grace and he found the name Aubrey and said that it just had to be Aubrey. He told me that it means Noble Ruler and he felt that it would put her on the same playing field as Grant. I am so honored that he felt that her name was so important.

Here is a sneak peek at her nursery pattern.

2.13.09 -- Busy Day!

Well today was the 100th day of school, Grandparents day and the Valentines party at Grant's school. First thing that morning David delivered Grant & 4 dozen Valentines cookies to the school. Then David's mom was able to take care of the Grandparent's day part (with Mom & Dad stuck in the hospital) I was SOOOO thankful that she was able to do it!

I set out to do my Friday rounds. I had specific instructions from Rachel to get my resigtry at Babies r us started so I went and did that, then I went to Hobby Lobby and I received the call from Mom that they had decided that they were going to have to operate on Dad again. Well later that evening she called to let me know that everything went well and they were back in the room. I am so glad that we made it thru this again. I sure wish I could have been there with her this time like I was the last time.

2.12.09 -- Dad in the Hospital

Well they still are not sure what they are going to do at this point and I have been banned from the Hospital becuase they don't want me to catch anything becuase they are having a difficult time controlling the BAD version of the flu up there this season. Mom told me that they were going to decide in the morning if they needed to operate or not. I was able to talk to Dad on the way home from work and he sounded pretty good over the phone.

2.11.09 -- Allergy Season Strikes

Well today I went to see Dr. Boone again. I went into allergy season cold turkey this year and it is winning the battle right now. They are trying to control it but it on top of being 6 months pregnant has caused me to be a VERY crabby person. So I called Mom for some motherly sympathy and when I called she asked me how to get to College Station...I was like what did you not hear me by the way why do you want to go to know. Then she proceeds to tell me that my Uncle had rushed my dad to the hospital in College Station because something was wrong. OK! So here we go again...

2.7.09 -- Hotel for Dogs/Rodeo in the Park/Kayden's Party

Today was a jam packed day. We started it off with Grant's bribery, he has been having trouble staying focused and finishing his work and now that Baby Kindergarden is over and now they are getting prepared for 1st grade! We promised him last week that if he kept his name out of the teachers book all week that we would take him to the movies to see Hotel for Dogs. Then my friend Vicki is on the rodeo committe that hosts Rodeo in the Park so we went to their festival for kiddos we did not realize that TXDOT had decided to cripple the main highway thru Houston by shutting down two lanes so we took a "short cut" and as we approached everything was wrapping up and Grant was konked out so we ended up missing it for yet another year! This is only like the 4th year we have tried to attend and failed for some reason. After all that excitement and learning all the new backroads in Houston we finished up the day at Kayden's birthday party (a little girl from his class).

2.1.09 -- Testify Concert at Church

Today we had a group called Testify that had two mini concerts for us (one is each service) and they were really good. Later that day we watched some football and in the event that you have not heard the YELLOW team won. :-) Overall it was a pretty dull day which was a really good thing!

http://www.testify.org

2.6.09 -- Space Week at School

Well this entire week was Space Week at Grant's school and so David was able to get with the PR Department and have kits donated...they were little coloring books, a rocket kit, pencil and sticker this is all pretty cool stuff when you are 5-6! Well here is a photo from his teachers blog...from when they were in the Space Bubble (a giant inflatable bubble). It is much more interesting to learn when they have cool props like this. I don't remember anything like that from when I was in school!!!

1.30.09 -- 25 Week Dr Visit/Baby Bedroom Set

Well today I had my 25 week checkup and all is well but they said that I am measuring large but I have only gained 11 lbs total so far (I believe I gained that the day they told me I was pregnant with Grant)! When David made it home from work we all went over to the Galleria and went to the container store for elfa shelving for Grant's closet to put all his toys on. Then after two stores we found "THE" bedroom set and they actually had all the pieces in stock so we are now almost ready for her just in case she decides to join us early. Photos will follow...once David finishes assembling the furniture. He will not let me!!!!!