Prayers Please

Hello Everyone,
The latest on my mom isn't the best news. They went down to Omaha this week to get a scan and hopefully the chemo...well, they got the scan but not the chemo. The appointment started out ok, the first look at the scan showed little change in the tumors, but unfortunately my mom's liver is swollen and the "liver marker" in her blood was too elevated so they decided to take her out of the study. She has been in it for about 2 years, which might be the longest anyone has responded to it so we are very thankful that drug did give her 2 good years...but now it's on to something new. She just found out today that she most likely will get into a phase 1 (new) study at the U of M at the end of August but the doctor down there didn't want her going that long without any chemo so she has an appointment with Dr. Levitt, the oncologist at Roger Marris she has been with all these years, to get her on another chemo hopefully by next Friday until she can get into that study. That's about all we know for now...don't know the new side effects the new stuff will have, don't know how often she will get the chemo, and don't know if anything will work... but like my Dad says, "maybe this will be the silver bullet that takes care of it". Let's hope and pray so!! As you can see...as many prayers you can send her will be much needed and greatly appreciated, you all have definitely helped her and the rest of our family get through this difficult journey.

Great Summer Weekend!

We had a great weekend home in Fargo this weekend. On Friday afternoon Shea and I got a few hours of sun in at my friend Emily's parent's pool. Shea lounged in the shade and I dipped her little feet in the water. She didn't like it at first and kinda whimpered/cried a little but got used to it more after a bit. Saturday Aaron got up with her and let me sleep in til 9:30! It was great! That afternoon I headed back to Emily's pool and brought my sister along this time while Aaron stayed home and got in some quality father-daughter time with Shea. I must admit it felt good to relax in the sun without having to keep my eye on Shea. :) Saturday evening we had dinner over at the Wells household with some friends and even got home and ready for bed early enough to watch a movie! I don't think Aaron and I have watched a movie together since before Shea was born, it was nice to relax as a family together and Shea even cooperated and sat quietly with us. Sunday Aaron got a nice round of golf in on a beautiful day and Shea and I attended my cousin's son's one year birthday party...it's amazing how much babies change in a year! It's hard to imagine that Shea will probably be walking around keeping us on our toes in a year!

Updates

Shea
Shea had her 2 month appointment yesterday and it went great....until the shots. She is now 9lbs 6oz and 22 1/2 inches long. She's in the 25th percentile for weight, 50th percentile for height, and her head measurement is in the 25th percentile...she's still a little peanut. Her doctor couldn't stop commenting how perfect she is (we already knew that though) and was so happy with everything. She was impressed with how alert and active she is and said she will probably be rolling over soon already, yikes! No more leaving her laying on things she might roll off of! The shots were a little hard for mom to watch...actually it was more the screaming afterward that was hard. Poor girl wasn't herself the rest of the night but she seems to be doing much better today. Since she is still under 10 pounds and her legs are still so skinny they only gave her 2 of the shots...we have to go back in 2 weeks for the 3rd one. We are so proud of how much our little girl is growing and learning already!

Mom
My moms labs came back better yesterday! Her liver marker was down about 80 points from where it was. I could tell my mom was surprised and happy it went down that much...it's either because her last bout of chemo is out of her system more or everyone's extra prayers are helping. Thank you all!! She is going to go in again for labs on Monday & if they are still down she may get her chemo in Omaha next Wednesday. Her doctor said she is going to talk to the head of the study first and see if they can maybe change the dosage of the chemo next time to make it easier on her liver. She will find out more I guess next Monday. Keep up the prayers!

2 Months Old!! / July / My Mom

I can't believe by baby girl is 2 months old already! She is growing up so fast already and changing every day! She has her 2 month checkup tomorrow, which I am excited about... but I am dreading the shots! I hope she does ok with them! I am enjoying every moment I spend with her at home every day. It melts my heart every time she smiles and coos at me. She discovered her hands a week or so ago and I catch her starring at them cross-eyed sometimes, so cute! :) She loves to watch her mom and dad and is so alert starring at things around the house...she has kinda been like that ever since she was born though. It's neat to watch her discover things she didn't pay much attention to before like mobiles and the toys on her play gym. She LOVES to bounce with us on our exercise ball! Whenever she's upset it calms her right down, it's amazing! I think her personality is taking after her dad...she doesn't sit still at all unless she's sleeping and can be a little impatient when she wants something. :) I might have my hands full chasing after her in a few months already if she does take after her dad considering he was walking by 7-8 months! I am already dreading going back to work at the end of August, I can't believe I only have about 5 weeks left to spend at home with her!

Let's see...what have we been up to so far in July...
* We spent the 4th at my aunt & uncle's cabin on Lake Melissa. Their family was very excited to meet Shea and it was nice to get out of Fargo for the day and see family. Shea had a great time hanging out with Grandma & Great Grandma to let her mom and dad get a little sun. :)
* Aaron has been able to get golf in around his fatherly duties every weekend. Last weekend he golfed in a tournament in Mapelton with his brother Seth and 3 friends and they won the whole tournament, even beating the golf pros and about 28 teams! They were very excited!
* Shea & I try to make it to watch Aaron play softball on Monday nights...even though when we go I will admit we don't watch much of the game, instead we chitchat and catch up with my friends Emily & Lacey.
* Last weekend Aaron's parents came down to visit for Jodie's birthday. Jodie got to spend the day with her granddaughter, which is all she wanted on her birthday and we all enjoyed some pizza & dairy queen cake together.
* Aaron and I are addicted to our summer guilty pleasure reality show Big Brother, which is on 3 nights a week! It's one show we like to watch together (Aaron usually chooses to watch sports obviously) and love discussing it with our other friends that watch. We have even gotten Aaron's brother and my sister into it! :)
* I am looking forward to spending a quiet weekend at home with Shea & Aaron this weekend before a very busy week & weekend to follow! Next Thursday we are headed up North to Karlstad on our way to Baudette for Aaron's very good friend Mitch's wedding, which Aaron is a groomsman in. Shea has her cute pink flower dress ready to go which I have been dying for her to wear and Aaron is so excited to have many of his friends meet her! Grandma Jodie & Grandpa Greg will also be with us...which will be so nice to have their help during the busy wedding festivities!
*Last night Aaron & I attended the first of 2 baptism classes we have to take before baptizing Shea. My sister and Aaron's two brothers are going to be her godparents, which they are all honored and excited about!

Just a little update on my mom...
My mom hasn't been able to get her chemo the past few weeks because the liver marker levels in her blood are too high. We are hoping & praying that this week when she gets her labs done they are better and she can get back on her chemo schedule, otherwise my mom's not sure if her doctors will choose another plan...or another chemo...for her to try. She has been very tired lately and thinks the radiation she received on her collar bone in May affected her more than she thought. Your prayers again would be very much appreciated to help her feel more energetic and get things going again to fight the cancer. Unfortunately, it's a never-ending battle that we will continue to fight. I am so grateful to have Shea around to lift my mom's and the rest of our spirits and help us get through the stress of what my mom is going through; Shea is such a blessing.