February 2, 2015

And the puking continues ... amazingly when Lexies not bent over the toilet her appetite is still pretty good and she's able to eat and drink to keep herself hydrated.

So, so glad to have a break from the leg shots for awhile. Had labs drawn today and Lexies blood counts were not good enough to start chemo tomorrow so her scheduled was pushed back a week.

As bummed as we were to have her schedule adjusted we were excited to get the green light to head home for a week of recovery.

Please pray for healing of Lexies bone marrow and protection from all infections.

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We're home!

January 30, 2015

Another rough day of puking.

Lex did not like her breathing treatment at all so that medication (pentamidine) will now be switched to IV. She will also start receiving monthly infusions of IVIG to aid her immune system. And she's starting a low dose hormone to help deal with the hot flashes she's been battling.

Sunday is her last day of chemo leg shots until April. Thank goodness ... They're horrible!

My mom flew back to AZ today so Lexie and I are flying solo for a bit .... Lexie will have another spinal on Tuesday to get more chemo in her spine then be admitted for IV vincristine and a 24 hour infusion of methotrexate. 

Please pray for tolerance to the methotrexate, that Lexie will be discharged by Friday and feeling well enough to head home for the weekend to celebrate her birthday. 

Also prayers for her vomiting to resolve and renewed peace ... It's been a rough week.

January 29, 2015

Lexie spent a portion of the evening last night throwing up and isn't feeling so great this morning. Her Igg level dropped in half and I'm wondering if she will need to start on the monthly IVIG infusions like Mackenzie needed for immune support. That could be another insurance battle ahead. And unfortunately we just got word that our Medicaid application was denied.

So disappointed, but I'm not defeated. I will continue to cling to the cross and trust in Gods constant c...are and faithful provision. He IS trustworthy!

Mackenzie has been sick with upper respiratory symptoms for the past 2 weeks. Steve took her to the pediatrician this morning and she started back on breathing treatments for her lungs. Her lungs are fragile from the radiation she had in preparation for her bone marrow transplant so she gets this often. 

Praying we can nip it in the bud so it doesn't advance to pneumonia. 

Please continue to pray for us today, the sky is grey and gloomy and we could use some sunshine. Love you all!

January 28, 2015

Yesterday was rough,

Lexie was throwing up quite a bit but she bounces back so fast it amazes me.

Clinic today was uneventful, IV vincristine in her port and 2 leg shots of L-asperagenase.

Praising God for bone marrow that recovers quickly after getting beat up. Lexies labs look great and she should be ready to go inpatient on Tuesday for the "mother bag" of methotrexate as planned.

We got word today that Lexies wig is done and ready to be shipped. I can't fathom hand sewing all that hair! So excited to see it in person and praying that it fits perfect and looks natural. Also praying it helps her feel like the beautiful person she is! God is good!

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So I learned a few things about Lexies wig...

     1. She can swim in it.
     2. She can wash it, blow dry, curl and style it including braiding, bun or pony tail.
     3. Each strand of hair was hand sewn onto the cap.
She had so much hair that if the wig maker had to purchase the hair for her wig it would have cost $20,000.00 just to purchase the hair!

Luke 12:7 "And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

January 24, 2015

Lexie's definition of a "double shot"... It's not expresso!

January 27, 2015

So thankful for technology, FaceTime with these yahoos always helps to lift the blues!

January 26, 2015

Our new home away from home... Praising God for His many provisions including our new apartment!

I think we figured 6 leg shots down and 54 more to go ... oh that sounds just awful! Fortunately Lexie has a high tolerance to pain and just goes with it. What a trooper!

 

Back in clinic Wed, Fri and Sun to finish this round of asperagenase shots, IV vincristine and a breathing treatment to prevent pneumonia. Next week she will be admitted for 4 days to receive what we affectionately call "the mother bag" - a 24 hour infusion of methotrexate. 

 

As much as we love our new apartment we are terribly missing home. Hoping to make it back for Lexie's birthday in a couple weeks. 

 

Please pray for Lexie's bone marrow to recover quickly so she can stay on track with her chemo and make it home to celebrate with family and friends. 

 

Thank you Dave and Katie Naslund and Andy and Becky Dellicker for the cards, love and support!

January 22, 2015

"Mom! I look like a Chia Pet!" ~Lexie

We're in and settled at the new apartment.

Thank you mom, Jenny, Pete, Molly, Amy, Kathleen, Sallie and Beth for all your help with packing and moving ... It would have been brutal without you! So, so thankful for your help, we love our new place.

Lexie's in clinic every other day now to receive two leg shots of chemo since she can't have the PEG anymore due to her adverse reaction. She was a champ today, so proud of her. Anticipate the need for blood and platelet transfusions this weekend with blood counts falling.

Please continue to cover us in prayer as God leads you.

January 20, 2015

So I checked in on Lindsay this morning ... This is how our conversation went ...

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"Anaphylaxis is fun", said no one ever!

 

Our day started off great, Lexie had a cocktail of drugs and was cracking us up talking about birds that were supposed to paint the walls for money but put up wallpaper instead, being on a pirate ship and setting sail for 3 months, having 6 fingers, thinking the staff was harvesting her organs and her husband that died, but she couldn't talk about it. We successfully avoided the anticipatory nausea and vomiting with mind altering drugs, but couldn't avert the anaphylactic reaction to PEG. 

 

Lexie went from a mild scratch to burning skin, to coughing/ vomiting, wheezing, throat swelling, oxygen, epinephrine, Benadryl, Atarax and steroids within a matter of seconds. 

 

It was a flurry of activity and needless to say, she was scared feeling like she was going to die. I now need that cocktail of drugs Lexie had this morning to wind down! 

 

So thankful for God's constant care, the quick team of doctors and nurses and a positive response to treatment. 

 

We are home! Please pray for a quiet, restful night. 

 

Tomorrow is moving day and we will need our energy! Below you can see how our day started, and how it ended. You just never know what the day will bring in this crazy world of oncology. 

 

Keep PUSHing and PULLing!

 

January 19, 2015

While we're busy packing and tending to Lexie's needs in Cincinnati, grandpa's on duty in AZ.

Waiting to be seen in ER with Lindsay. There's never a dull moment!

Please pray for wisdom for the doctors who see her.

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Woohoo ... Just got word from the ER ... Yea for strep! Lindsay's heart is tolerating fever/illness well, should be discharged soon and will be feeling better in 24 hours! Strep is the best, right!?! Haha

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Just wanted to post a quick thank you to Natalie Czernicki for taking the time to write and draw for Lexie, Kara Jacobs for your continued support through Chemo Angels, Nicole Spada and her beautiful mom for the knitted blanket ... it's gorgeous! And Tiffany Dickerhoof, Dr. Michael Draznik and his staff, Kate and Tonya, for your generosity and kindness, we are so thankful for all the goodies you sent over!

 

 

Much love to you all!