Today's Lab Work

Ray was back to the Dr. today for lab tests. His counts are low, but not dangerously low. The Dr. did order three shots for him that had to be taken at the hospital. (out-patient) These shots will help to bring his counts back up. We are trying desperately to keep him out of the hospital through this round, even as he bottoms out. Since the last round went smoother than the first, I think he'll be able to handle it OK at home and so does the Dr. However, he will be visiting the Dr. every other day for a while.

We took a look back over the past three months, and realized that in the past 90 days, he has spent 43 in the hospital. Needless to say, he is so tired of being in there that he just cannot stand the idea of one more day in that place.

We pray he stays healthy, especially as flu and cold season (and the holidays) are closing in.

Love you all,
Kim

Home form the Hospital

Ray made it home this afternoon around 2:00 and shortly after that was on his way to the shop. After spending a couple hours at the shop, he came home, exhausted and slept in the recliner. He's glad to be home and we're all so glad to have him home! There's no place like home.

Love you all,
Kim

What's This?

Another picture? This one taken Sunday afternoon while Mary was celebrating her birthday with her brothers. It's always a good time when we get some of the family together. It would have been nice to have the girls home also; but the distance is too far for Katie and Jenna to come home for a weekend, and Amber's baby is due any day now. I promise a "new grandbaby" picutre soon.

Oh, yeah. This blog is supposed to be about Ray. He's doing well. Very tired of being in the hospital, but doing good. We're hoping to bring him home Sat. morning. It looks as though he'll finish this round of meds early Sat. and he's already making plans for what he's going to do when he gets out. If things go as they have in the past, he'll probably have about 4-5 good days before his energy is totally zapped.

Thanks again for your continued prayers, phone calls, cards and visits.
Love you all,
Kim

Mary's 8th Birthday!

Where do the years go? I know I'm getting old and it's no wonder as fast as the years fly by. Can you believe Mary is already 8 years old today? Just doesn't seem possible. We had birthday cake yesterday for her while Ray was still home and tonight we had a little birthday celebration for her in the hospital. She sure did not want her Daddy to be in the hospital on her birthday.

All is going very well for Ray. He (reluctantly) checked into the hospital around 10 this morning. That admitting procedure (all the questions) just gets easier and easier. You know you've been there way too much and way too often when you can anticipate the next question before it is even asked! But, we're not complaining. We are so thankful for all the latest technology and modern medicine.

Love you all,
Kim

A Good Report

Ray's blood counts were much improved today. In fact, his red blood count is nearly normal!! What this means is that he is ready for the next round of chemo. Sooooo, Monday morning he'll be admitted back into the hospital and "continue annihilating the cancer cells." He'll be there about 5-6 days if all goes as planned.

The Dr. told us today that he'd like for Ray to have 3 more rounds. We hope and pray these next rounds go as smoothly as the last one did.

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers. Please don't stop! We know it is because of all your prayers that Ray is doing so well. You are a tremendous blessing to our family!

Love you all,
Kim

A Short Update

Just a short update in case anyone is interested. Ray is feeling well, and growing impatient. He feels as though he should be doing more to move this whole process along a little more quickly.

We had a busy, but very good weekend. Amber and kids were here since it was a holiday weekend. A baby shower was held for Amber on Sat. afternoon and then on Sat. evening we celebrated Willie Faye's (Ray's mother) 80th birthday.

Those of you reading this that grew up in the Texas panhandle, and have moved away, you would not believe the way it is raining here. It has rained nearly non-stop for four days. At times the rain has been light and other times very heavy. The ground is saturated! You know how unusual this is for our area. What a blessing!

Friday Ray will be going back for his Dr.'s visit and lab work. We're thinking he'll be ready for the next round of chemo.

Love you all,
Kim

Trying to be a patient Patient!

The Dr. was not pleased with Ray's red blood count today, so he was given a shot ( promotes the growth of red blood cells) and goes back to the Dr. next Friday (17th) for lab work again. Obviously, he will not not begin chemo next week.

This was not part of the plan that Ray has in his mind. His plans are to begin another round of chemo every 30 days or so, (not exactly the Dr.'s plans) and then be finished in 2-3 months. He's counting the days when treatment will be finished and life (work) goes on. End of leukemia!

The words of St. Teresa Of Avila: "Be patient and leave it in the hands of God.... In every event the best we can do is leave ourselves in the hands of God."

Words for all of us to live by.


Love you all,
Kim