Relay for Life Update

The Relay for Life was last Friday night and Saturday morning. I'm still a little tired from staying up ALL night until it was over at 7 a.m. It has been along time since I've stayed up all night and then I was a lot younger (and had different motivations as well :). Thanks to many of you the girls raised $350! Each of you who donated extended a tremendous amount of generosity and for that we give you a wholehearted THANKS! The girls were so excited and would ask me how much they had raised even up to the day of the event.

The total event as of Saturday morning had raised over $55,000. The girls came after they completed their Vacation Bible School and got to do some EuroBungy Jumping (pictures forthcoming!) After that, they played in the water fountains and then finished up with some good ol' face painting (more pictures forthcoming). And this is not your average face painting. Wait until you see the pictures.

On a less than positive note, Patty got a call from her grandmother early Saturday morning wanting me to take her to the hospital. Of course, I was at the Relay so Patty called her sister to see if she could take her. Patty should have called me anyway and I would have left but I'll have to cut her some slack because she was sound a sleep when her grandmother called. Her grandmother is 89 by the way and still drives, cleans house, etc. It turns out she has a small bowel obstruction and most likely is going to have to have surgery. Please pray for her that this will resolve on its own without surgery and while you're at it please include Patty's blood counts to continue to rise.

Patty Update and The Relay is Today!

I thought I would give everyone a current update on Patty. She has been feeling generally well recently. Her latest bloodwork has showed that her white blood cell count has dropped. The norm is between 4-11. For the last two weeks hers has been 2.8 and 3.1 this week. When its this low it makes you much more susceptible for infection. The physician doesn't really have an explanation for it dropping except that she may have had a small infection that caused it to fluctuate. He is going to continue to monitor it. That being said I would like to ask each of you that are still reading to pray for her white blood cell count to return to normal levels.

The Relay for Life is tonight and we will be attending. The girls have raised $280 due to the generosity of the reader's here. Patty and I and the girls can not thank you enough for your kindness. If there is anybody on the fence about contributing the girls just need $20 to reach $300!

Many Thanks!

Many thanks to those to you who have donated! Believe it or not, combined with what the girls raised selling paper dolls and cookies and what you have so graciously donated the girls have raised over $250! The girls are ranked 8th out of 23 Teams! Keep those contributions coming!

Patty is doing well so far with her new medications. Keep praying that she will not have side effects from this medicine that she will have to take for 5 years. She has her weekly infusion tomorrow and then we're off on another camping trip, whoooohooooo! We'll be back on Tuesday but we're not going far, just to Townsend to do a little tubing, fishing, and of course the kids favorite, bike riding!

Its so nice to be doing some things that feel normal again and not related to cancer. Let's pray that this continues into our old age.

One more thing. Patty heard for the first time last night the new song out by Craig Morgan called "Tough." She loved it. It speaks about a young mother who fights breast cancer and prevails. In case you haven't heard it yet its a great song. Click HERE to see the video and hear the song. Enjoy.

Asking for Your Help

As you saw in one of my previous posts, Katie and Kendall took it on themselves to raise money to "help Mommy feel better." We decided that we would donate that money to the American Cancer Society's annual fundraiser "Relay for Life." So, we have created the "Katie & Kendall Team" to help raise funds for research and support the ACS gives to patients such as transportation money, support groups, and many other things.

We want to invite you help them support in the ongoing fight against cancer. Would you please consider visiting the link below to make a donation to support their efforts? The minimal amount you can donate online is $10. Their goal is to raise at least $100 or more so what ever amount you could give would be awesome. If you can't, we understand. You can easily donate by credit or debit card and do it in honor or memory of someone you know. You will make a real difference in the lives of people facing cancer – and in the lives of the people who love them.

Click HERE to donate and see their page.

Thanks a Bunch!