I'm Still Thankful!

YEA! Reid had his second chemo treatment today at MD Anderson. That's two treatments which completes one cycle. Don't ask me why they call two treatments one cycle, but they do. Tomorrow he has to go back for a shot to boost his blood count in hopes of keeping him from getting ill. That has to be done 24 hours after the chemo.

One of these days I'll remember to bring my camera. I'm never posting pictures because I keep forgetting to take them. On Thanksgiving Day I completely forgot. Everyone was together and I was brain dead. Oh well, there's always Christmas.

I'm thankful that Reid's getting better!!!

30 Days Of Thanksgiving

1. I am thankful that I finally realize Thanksgiving Day is more than turkey, gravy, dressing, sweet potatoes, Campbell's Green Bean Casserole, etc. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for those closest to us and for the many blessings we have received (and we've been receiving a lot lately).

Note: This is where I should be inserting the Norman Rockwell picture of our happy family. Unfortunately, I was lost in the moment and never even thought to take a picture. :)

2. I am thankful that the steaks we threw on the grill turned out perfectly!

3. I am thankful that Keith and I were able to spend time with Dad this morning at the nursing home and that he was content and happy with the Mc Donald's milk shake we brought him. He didn't realize it was Thanksgiving Day, but he sure knew he was enjoying that milk shake!

4. I am thankful for the cool, crisp day. It really seemed like fall to this New Jersey girl.

5. I am thankful that we'll be sleeping late tomorrow morning (or as late as the cats allow) and won't be getting to any stores at 4:00 AM. Even if they were giving it away for free I wouldn't be there!

I hope your Thanksgiving was as blessed as ours!!!

30 Days Of Thanksgiving...

I never realized the obstacles that would keep me from posting on a regular basis. Believe me, it's not due to not feeling thankful. I just never anticipated that I'd get sick for a week...on top of everything else!

1. I'm am thankful that Reid had his first appointment at MD Anderson yesterday!!!

I feel so blessed that they have agreed to treat him. There's nothing worse than having a child sick with cancer (no matter what age) and then having to worry about whether or not he'd get treatment on top of that is very stressful. Now we can just focus on getting him well!

He's back down at MD Anderson this morning for a spinal tap. I feel so bad...he's been through so much already, but they felt they wanted to make sure there wasn't any cancer in the spinal fluid. On Saturday he'll go back for another chemo treatment.

2. I'm thankful that tomorrow our little family will all be together. That's what Thanksgiving is all about to me!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow!

When It Rains It Pours...30 Days Of Thanksgiving

1. I'm thankful that Reid came home from the hospital on Monday!

2. I'm thankful that he'll have his first appointment at MD Anderson on Tuesday.

3. I'm thankful that Reid is feeling better each day and is able to eat.


I'm sorry I haven't been updating my blog, but Reid came home on Monday and by Monday evening I was ill with a stomach virus. The timing couldn't have been worse. The last thing we want is for him to get sick, so I've been isolated in our bedroom. This is the first time I've ventured out to the computer room and I'm only here for a few minutes. I'm still not 100%, but hope to be back within a couple of days. It probably will be after Thanksgiving before I catch up with E-Mail. Thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!

30 Days Of Thanksgiving...

1. I'm thankful that Reid has begun his journey back to good health with his first chemo treatment!!!

2. I'm thankful that tomorrow he'll be coming home from the hospital!

3. I'm thankful that my sister was here this past weekend and was able to celebrate Dad's 91st birthday with him at the nursing home.

4. I'm thankful that the truck started up and we weren't stranded in the hospital parking garage today.

5. I'm always thankful for Zoom, but I wish she wasn't sitting here on the computer desk swatting me with her paw.

More Good News! 30 Days Of Thanksgiving!

MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston has accepted Reid for treatment under their financial aid program. We are thrilled...and very, very thankful! It is one of the best cancer hospitals in the country.

Today he has been sleeping due to the medication he's been given for nausea. If things go as expected he should be released from Memorial Hermann Hospital on Monday. I will forever be grateful to them for the wonderful care he's received while hospitalized. The doctors there have been very supportive and were pleased to learn that we've been able to obtain follow up treatment for him at MD Anderson. Memorial Hermann is a wonderful hospital and the doctors and staff will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Today, I am thankful for all the good things that have happened in recent days!

Thank you everyone for your support and prayers! I am thankful for all of you!!!

Reid's On His Way...

Reid's Chemo got started last night and finished around 3:30 this morning. I spoke to him a few minutes ago and so far he's feeling fine. The doctor told me that the mass in his chest would begin shrinking within a few days. Isn't that amazing?

This is the answer to our prayers. We believe he is on his way to being cured. The next six months (or longer) may not be easy, but we're keeping the final goal in mind. I hope he'll be discharged from the hospital within a few days.

I haven't forgotten about 30 Days Of Thanksgiving. When Reid is home I'll resume those posts, but today I am so thankful for all of your prayers and concern. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Update...

Reid was moved yesterday to Oncology in anticipation of starting chemo. Some tests have to be done before they determine the correct treatment plan. Thank you for your prayers!

Reid's back in the hospital...

...and I'll have to take a break from 30 Days Of Thanksgiving. It's not that I'm not thankful...I just won't have much time online.

We took him in yesterday through the Emergency Room for shortness of breath. He's doing fine and I should know more today. I'm getting ready to head on back to the hospital this morning when rush hour is over.

Thank you for your prayers!

30 Days Of Thanksgiving - Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009

OK...here's today's list right on time. Sorry about having to post yesterday's list today, but I'm not online as much as I used to be.

1. I'm thankful for freedom of religion.

2. I'm thankful we have never known what it's like to go to bed hungry.

3. I'm thankful for hot apple cider with whipped cream on top!

4. I'm thankful for air conditioning...which is a necessity here year round. Even on cooler days we often run it just to get the humidity out. Don't want to live without it!

5. I'm thankful for good television entertainment. In a short while we'll be watching The Amazing Race...one of my favorite shows. (I'm rooting for the Harlem Globetrotter's team this year.)

30 Days Of Thanksgiving - a day late!

I'm a day late...never had a chance yesterday to post, so I'll do two posts today! I'm already behind anyway because I was a little late finding out abut the 30 Days Of Thanksgiving. Here's Saturday's list:

1. I'm thankful that Reid was able to get a swine flu vaccination while they were still available!

2. I'm thankful for all the good memories I have compiled over the years.

3. I'm thankful for my 2000 Mustang. I've taken good care of it over the years and still enjoy going for a ride.

4. I'm thankful for my backyard. I especially enjoy sitting out on the deck this time of year when the weather is gorgeous.

5. I'm thankful for Grace...our fifteen year old cat who seems to sense when I need her presence. (We'll actually have her fifteen years this month. She arrived on our doorstep the night before Thanksgiving...thus her name. Grace always comes before Thanksgiving dinner.)

30 Days Of Thanksgiving

1. I'm thankful for the little squirrel that startled me when I opened the shed door today. There he was hard at work hiding a nut. I couldn't help but laugh!

2. I'm thankful for my Vogue Ginny Doll collection. I've loved Ginny since childhood and can't help but smile when I look at my dolls.

3. I'm thankful that I didn't get too lost in the heavy fog this morning and arrived at my destination safely.

4. I'm thankful that every time I talk to Keith (our oldest son) on the phone he makes me laugh. He's got a great sense of humor.

5. I'm thankful for my daily newspaper. I'd be lost without my Houston Chronicle and hope it will be around for a long time.

30 Days Of Thanksgiving - November 5, 2009

1. I'm thankful for my American Flag that I can freely fly because of the sacrifices made by our armed forces. Today my flag flies in memory of the soldiers lost in the tragedy at Fort Hood.

2. I'm thankful that I was reminded to be thankful for all that I have. It's so easy to take it for granted or forget.

3. I'm thankful that family is never really far away.

4. I'm thankful for the compassionate doctors we have on our side.

5. I'm thankful for our happy dog, Sophie. She always seems to know when to make us laugh.


Reid went back to the Neurosurgeon today and had the staples removed from his back. He was thankful for his first real shower in around three weeks! It was the first thing he did when we got home.

Thanks again for all your prayers!!!

30 Days Of Thanksgiving - November 4th

1. I'm thankful for the beautiful weather...low humdity and temperatures in the 70's!

2. I'm thankful for the squirrels that keep my sweet dog entertained for hours in the backyard.

3. I'm thankful for the encouragement I receive from perfect strangers while trying to find medical treatment for our son.

4. I'm thankful for Zoom (our newest kitty)...who celebrated her one year anniversary with us. She's a tiny, feisty cat who's here today because of a strong will to live. We all admire her attitude.

5. I'm thankful for fall and pumpkin milkshakes at Jack In The Box, pumpkin lattes and muffins at Starbucks, and pumpkin pancakes at Ihop. Can you tell I like pumpkin?

30 Days Of Thanksgiving

Two posts in one day?? Hey, there's a good reason.

When I have a few extra minutes I try and quickly scan a few blogs. Today I happened upon Mimi's blog, Our Family Attic. I used to read her blog on a regular basis, but "real life" got in the way of my blog time and so I've been absent for a while. I believe in divine intervention and I don't think it was an accident that I stumbled upon her 30 Days Of Thanksgiving post. I'll try and keep up, but might have to play catch up again. Here's my first five:

1. I'm thankful for the love and support I've received over the last few weeks.

2. I'm thankful that my son was diagnosed with a good cancer instead of a bad one. (Bet you didn't even know there was a good one.)

3. I'm thankful for the wonderful medical care he received at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. It was amazing...everyone we came in contact with was kind and compassionate. No grouches in the bunch. Just a great group of professionals. The care was excellent! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

4. I'm thankful for my family. We're definitely all in this together and we're circling the wagons to fight this thing as a group.

5. I'm thankful for all the prayers!!!!!

A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss...

...and so we keep plugging along leaving no stone unturned in our quest to find treatment for Reid.

Today his application for financial assistance from MD Anderson was submitted by the county clinic. Please say a prayer that his application will be considered. Meanwhile, we're still exploring all other options.

He's been very optimistic, but the last couple of days have been downers as he slowly accepts his diagnosis, limitations, and lack of a treatment plan. He had hoped his legs would have improved some by now, but I think it's still too early. He has an appointment with the neurosurgeon on Thursday to have the staples removed and we'll see what he says then.

Here are some pictures that I took on Monday, October 26th...the day he came home from the hospital.

He said he felt like a kid at the grocery store, but this is what they used to wheel him to the car. Our grocery stores have something very similar only with a shopping cart attached to the back. The dog was something Jim found at a hospital gift shop. We did have a lot of fun with him. People would walk past Reid's room and do a double take. Just about everyone that past thought we had a real dog in his room.

And here's our real dog welcoming him home! (Yikes! The house is a mess...don't look!)

Once again, thank you for your warm thoughts and prayers. Betty