Kate & Maggie Fall 2009

At long last a blog update...

It's hard to believe that the last time I updated the blog was in July after Kate’s last MRI. From that point on the summer just seemed to whirl away. Life has been busier than I would like it to be, but that is the stage of life we are in right now. I am thankful that God faithfully provides the health and strength to walk or on some days race through each day.

The past few months have held special moments with face to face visits with friends. How grateful I am for the heart ties God establishes with friends that endure the miles and years that separate us. August brought a visit from our sweet friend Dee Anne, who worked in China with us for two years, and her dear parents Bob and Sandie. We have known Bob and Sandie since our first year in China (1995). The time we shared together was so special for Kate, Maggie and me – a true treasure of our summer.

Kate, Maggie and I made a trip to Annapolis, MD Labor Day weekend for our friends, Tom and Debbie’s, son Eric’s wedding. What a beautiful weekend and wonderful celebration. What a journey life is…I so well remember Eric’s infant and toddler daysJ The weekend in Maryland was memorable on every level. I was able to catch up with two of my dear teacher friends. We also enjoyed visiting the church we were a part of in Maryland and catching up with friends there. Our friends Jim and Sue spoiled us with their gracious hospitality and served us Maryland’s finest crab cakes and silver queen corn! A long delicious lunch provided the perfect time for visiting with other special friends… Jack and Libby, Ruth and Jim and Sue’s daughter, Gina, who I taught when she was in middle school, now married with a new baby. I am reminded of how the years have flown, seeing those I once knew as children getting married and having families.

The week we returned from Annapolis we had still another special visit to look forward to…. Our dear friends of many years… Charlie and Teresa rode into town on their motorcycle making us a stop on their road trip to the north east. It’s amazing how much heart time and sharing you can pack into an overnight visit. My heart was filled and refreshed by the laughter and heart time we shared together.

Still another opportunity for reconnecting with friends, was at my 30^th high school class reunion. I was involved in the organizing and planning of this event. Everyone enjoyed the time to meet and catch up on each other’s lives. I have been so blessed over the past few years to reconnect with the group of girls that I grew up with in my neighborhood. After years with me being out of the country, they reconnected with me and walked along side of me through Kate’s illness. Childhood friendships that have endured the years…what a gift!

October blessed us with a week long visit from our dear friend Sandy. The girls and I loved every moment of our time together with Sandy. Sandy's visit was perfectly timed in the season, so that she enjoyed a colorful display of Pennsylvania leaves at their finest. We laughed, worked in the yard, talked, shopped, and I even took Sandy to a flower arranging class...not something she might choose, but after all... I watched tapes of basketball games with her during our China days!! How blessed we are by the gift of Sandy's friendship.

Maggie is off to a good start in her sophomore year. Late September was homecoming and she looked beautiful. It’s always fun to see our sweet, low maintenance Maggie all dressed up with makeup and jewelry. Mags has had a disappointing cross country season. She began experiencing hip pain in July. Rest did not seem to help this, so we were referred to an orthopedic specialist who diagnosed Maggie with tendonitis. His prescription for rest, and PT didn’t help the problem either. He then ordered an MRI and we learned that Maggie has significant swelling of the bone marrow of her hip, and that her injury is the equivalent of a stress fracture. The doctor curtailed all activities, no running, no dance, no gym… Maggie was understandably very disappointed. She continues to keep stats for the team and we are trusting that continued rest and time will provide healing for her injury and she will be ready for winter track by March.

Kate is also off to a great start in her sophomore year of college. She is now a Social Work major with the desire to work one day as a Child Life Specialist in a hospital. The Child Life Specialists with whom Kate related during her hospital stays made a real impact on her life. Kate is still unsteady, but stronger and is only having to rely on her scooter for long distance trips on campus. She is embracing college life and able to enjoy the experience so much more this year. Everyday I thank God for His miracle of healing in Kate. We still experience little hiccups along the way, like the weekend in September that I received a call from Kate’s suite mate telling me that Kate had fallen on their way to dinner and hit her head, and that because she couldn’t even remember the fall, that they were taking her to the hospital. You can imagine the anxious feelings that came over me, as I got in the car and drove the hour and forty minutes to the hospital near campus. By the time I got there the ER doctor had the results of the CT scan and there was no head trauma, but definitely a concussion. He indicated that Kate was very disoriented when she arrived at the hospital but that in the time she was there she improved significantly. I did bring her home for the weekend, so that I could monitor her for the first 24 hours after the concussion. She still does not remember falling or getting to the hospital. Once again, God’s hand of protection was on Kate.

I continue to substitute teach in our school district. This year I expanded my range from K-8 to include high school as well. Subbing days have been consistent this semester, for which I am thankful.

Please know that while my blog updates are few, you our family and friends are often on my heart and in my prayers. I am grateful for those of you who are near by and journey beside us helping me in many ways and for all of you who are long distance who carry us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for being there, and for your love, care and concern for us.

Blessings,

Elaine

Glory to God !!!

Our hearts are bursting with joy with still another clear MRI for Kate today!!! Thank you so much for praying us through our very long day. The scan lasted about two and a half hours - a little quicker than usual. Kate's oncologist was very pleased with the results and with the fact that there were no issues that we needed to address during her checkup. She about knocked me over when she said we will wait six months before doing another MRI!! We were thrilled and floated out of the hospital. God is faithful and continues to leave us standing in awe at His amazing grace! Kate's unsteady walking and balance while improved somewhat, remain an issue. The doctor wrote a script for some physical therapy and also wants Kate to see a chiropractor for the huge muscle knots in her shoulder probably caused by these muscles over compensating for weakness of other groups of muscles. Today's DEXA scan will provide the endocrine specialist with a baseline for future monitoring of Kate's bone density. Last week's ACTH test revealed little improvement in Kate's adrenal function. The endocrine specialist feels the adrenal insufficiency will improve with time and the continued maintenance dose of cortef. Kate will need to wear a medic alert bracelet to alert medical care givers to this condition, should she get hurt and become sick. Thank you again for so faithfully journeying beside us in prayer. God has done great things and we are filled with joy!

Happy 15th Birthday Maggie !!!

Christmas in July- "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy"

July Already !!

Where did the month of June go?!?! It seems like just yesterday we were finishing school and looking forward to the slower pace of summer. June however was another busy month packed full with activities.

Maggie, as always, had a fantastic week at church camp. She loved every minute of activity and learning. As part of a leadership group, she along with two others led one morning's devotional time. She's developing a real servant heart. Her summer mission project "Carpenter's Project" is just around the corner and she'll have many opportunities for serving in and around the community. Cross country training has started already and Maggie is running four days a week. Maggie's dance recital was wonderful. She has really grown in her dancing ability and her solo as the Sugar Plum Fairy was absolutely beautiful! She has developed her dancing skills so much that she brought tears to her teacher's eyes. Our energetic little Maggie has blossomed into a beautiful young lady - it's hard to believe she will turn 15 in two weeks.

Kate has been diligent at her studies and has completed her first on line course and started the second one. She is also persevering with working out and seems to be walking a little more steadily. While exercise is far from being Kate's favorite thing to do, she makes an effort knowing the stronger leg muscles will make getting around campus a little easier in the fall. Kate will see the endocrine specialist next week for a follow-up ACTH test to see if the cortisone has helped improve her adrenal function. As you pray please remember Kate's upcoming MRI on July 20th.

Our sweet little Grace was the focus of our attention in June. Small breed dogs like Bichons are prone to something called a luxating patella. In other words, the knee cap moves out of place. This has happened a couple of times each year and within a few days, the limping stops and she's been as good as new. This last occurrence, however, after almost a week, she was still really favoring her leg, so I took her to the vet to have it checked. He said there was a 50/50 chance it would heal and be ok until the next occurrence, but upon examining the affected leg he found some ligament/tendon damage. He said with repeated incidences down the road she would end up with arthritis in the joint. So Grace ended up knee surgery. I must confess that I've gone over the edge when it comes to being a dog person. When I left Grace at the vet for her surgery I walked away with tears in my eyes, feeling like I'd just sent my little toddler off to surgery. With the hovering, smothering nursing care of the three Dillon girls, Grace had more attention than she knew what to do with and has made a great recovery. She's back to her feisty self, getting into mischief whatever chance she gets.

June brought sadness to our hearts as we said good bye to a sweet friend who we've known on the cancer journey. Our hearts ache for her parents as they must go on with out their sweet young daughter, who at sixteen after successfully battling cancer, would lose her life to infection. It's very difficult to make sense of it, but one day we will understand why.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful red, white, and blue July 4th, filled with family, friends, fun and fireworks!

Weekend Away

Memorial Day weekend was spent in eastern Pennsylvania visiting with my youngest brother and his family. It was good to get away for a weekend and enjoy time with Kurt, Tina and the kids. Our trip included fun time with family, of course a little bit of shopping and a first for the Dillon girls.... an overnight of camping at Tina's family's hunting camp. Our day and night in the great outdoors at Gobbler's Knob included some memorable firsts for Kate and Maggie including crossing the stream to the cabin on a swinging bridge and out house privileges. Under the guidance of Uncle Kurt and his father-in-law the girls got to try their trigger finger at some target practice learning to shoot a 22. Maggie donned waders and cast a fishing line for the first time. Beginners luck seemed to be with Maggie as each cast resulted in a catch, including a crayfish! The afternoon included a walk through the lush, green woods part way up the mountain. Kate was determined that she too would be a part of the climb. She worked hard, and at her own pace made it to our destination. I am so proud of the progress she is making in strengthening muscles and developing some endurance. Our stay at the cabin was complete with an evening under the stars around the camp fire making s'mores and mountain pies. What a wonderful weekend of relaxation with family and friends. I came across the following quote while we were away..."Grace describes things beyond your ability to earn or attain, gifts you can only receive from a God who lavishes them on you freely." from the book Extravagant Grace. We recognize each day is a gift and holds countless lavish expressions of God's of grace in our lives.

May Update

Another month has passed since my last update. Things have continued at a steady pace but with the musical behind us and the end of track season, Maggie has actually had a chance to come up for air. For the first time in months, we've actually had an evening or two each week with nothing on the schedule!

Maggie's entire experience with "Grease" was wonderful. She recently commented that she wished there was always a musical going on! You can tell by the pictures posted previously on the blog that Maggie was having fun! This week the students from the musical will participate in the Mancini Awards. This is the "red carpet" awards for the top performances in the county. Each school participating will perform one of their numbers from their musical. Maggie begins finals next week and will finish school on June 3rd. As typical of Maggie, she'll be on the go all summer. She heads off to Jumonville, church camp, the week after school is out. Carpenter's Project, a mission project with her youth group will be in July. In the midst of all these things she'll be starting cross country training.

Kate finished her semester May 5th. Wow, she has completed her first year of college! How thankful we are for the miracle of life God has given Kate and for the way He faithfully carried her through both semesters. It's good having Kate at home. She had a few days to catch her breath and started her first of two on line courses for the summer. We've been trying to spend time at the gym a couple days a week – not that she loves it, but she endures itJ She started walking some with my mom this week. Our goal is to try and get her stronger, so that she doesn’t have to be so dependent on the scooter in the fall to get around campus. Her gait/balance is still unsteady but with the nerve damage, which resulted from the high dose chemo, that is something that will not change over night. She still handles all with grace and a positive attitude. In a recent annual check up, Kate’s endocrine specialist diagnosed her with adrenal insufficiency – he feels like this could be also contributing to her fatigue. This means Kate's adrenal gland does not respond as it should. If she gets a fever/infection we would double her medication or should she ever be in an accident she would need an injection of cortisone right away to compensate for the under production of her adrenal gland. We have tweaked Kate's medication dose and hope to see an improvement in adrenal function when we repeat her ACTH blood test in July. Kate will also have her next MRI in July.

We are enjoying the spring-like days and warmer temperatures. The newness of life displayed in the green grace and budding trees and flowers refreshes my spirit.

I love this time of year and the promise of new life it brings. Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. God answers prayer and has filled us with joy and peace and hope. We rejoice in God's goodness and faithfulness!

You asked for it -More "GREASE" pics