update from today...

After writing the previous blog, Dad called and said that Mom's white blood cell count was way low. It should be at least a 2 and it was 0.03. Since it was so low she will have to go the rest of the week for more injections. She also is unable to be around children, groups of people and cannot eat fresh fruits or veggies since she is so susceptible to getting infection from her blood cell count being so low. She was on IV today for over an hour and a half. She says she feels a little better than she did this morning, but I know she's dreading the next few days. We'll keep you posted.

Halfway through

Last Tuesday Mom had her third chemo treatment. Now, only three more to go. It doesn't sound like much longer, but for her it is. This has been a really tough week for her. After last weeks chemo her oncologist wanted her to have 5 consecutive days of "support injections" (Procrit & Nupagen) to keep her blood cell count up. These injections seem just as bad as the chemo. The side effects make her real tired, she gets headaches and bone aches. She hasn't had much of an appetite and hasn't been drinking enough fluids. When she went for injections this morning she was dehydrated. She had to be hooked up to an IV for quite some time before getting her injections. She has been saying all week that she just didn't feel well and that she had no energy to do anything. The nurse doing her IV this morning told her it was because of her dehydration. Hopefully she will feel much better after receiving the fluids and will have a better week. I believe that today will be her last injection for the week, then she'll return next Tuesday for more. (I could be wrong and she may go tomorrow-I'll check with Dad). Just keep lifting her up in prayer.

I have organized a couple of fundraisers for the Race for the Cure to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation. We'll be having a dinner and silent auction on September 27 at Blue Mesa on University Drive in Fort Worth and a "Jump for the Cure" on October 2 at Pump It Up on Beach Street. The "Jump for the Cure" is for Ava to raise money. She will be participating in the race so I thought that would be a great way to get kids and families involved. I will be sending out invitations to the dinner by September 1 and will start selling tickets to "Jump for the Cure" after September 1 as well.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support for Mom. We really appreciate all the cards, flowers and notes of encouragement...and most of all, your prayers.

Love to all,
Emily