Waiting for 80

My Dad

Johnny

Morgan

Gracie

Emma

Kathleen (aka Teenie)

The infamous and never boring....Joe Joe!

See that little scar on Bella's chest...that is where her port used to be. Sometimes, I forget all about that thing. It is absolutely wonderful not to have the noodle any more and Bella tolerates all her "pokey's" so well.

Were waiting....waiting for summer to come and let Spring be till next year. For all you living in the 100 degree states, I know you think differently, but when you get 6 months of winter, you live for 3 months of summer. We have had a well below normal temp summer as well as many clouds. June was good, but July has been a bit disappointing. Looking on the good side, the skin is staying shiny white amd we are spring cleaning around the house after being gone for 7 weeks. Of course, our break as brief as we have 2 more camping trips planned as well as my brothers wedding in Chicago and hopefully a visity from Cheri and Malaena!

Bella is back on track with her chemo and doing well. Little bit challenging last week as her steroid dose was doubled, a bit grouchy and emotional to say the least. It seems as though we have been at this for so long now, I cant believe we still have a year and half left! Overall, its gone great and we just give God the glory daily for His healing Word.

For those of you that have been wondering, we were camping in Higgins Lake in Michigan a couple weeks ago! Suzi, you got it! :) Need your address sweet friend.

The attached pictures are my family, other than my own kids, I think my nieces and nephews are the most amazing and beautiful children in the world. I love being with the summer and miss them all winter long, so do my kids. They just reflect God's joy. All of these pictures were taken at the cottage a couple weeks ago.

Love to all,

700...Camping...Quiz....Treatment

70o! I finally downloaded my camera tonight and there were 700 photos from the 4th of July to date. To say the least, we have been busy and I can barely see my screen after all those photos.

We are home from our 5 day camping trip. It was...well, an adjustment. It's been 2 years since we camped, last year we did not go as Bella had just come home. This time around, we have a full blown teenager, a pre-teen, and "dirt boy" and a toddler on chemo treatments. It took us about 3 days to get our bearings and then we were figuring out how to camp with the new dynamics of our family. Overall, we had a nice time and have conducted a "family meeting" as to what everyone wants out of vacation time.

Bella's counts were GREAT last week! She is no longer neutropenic and I am no longer needing to give her shots in her legs. She started back up on her chemo last week but in lesser doses. This Thursday she will be sedated for yet another Spinal Tap for chemo and blood draw and then Friday we leave again for a family get together with family. Monday we head to Cedar Point for a fun filled day of Roller Coasters!

Lastly, thank you to all of you who have visited our blog from my good blogging buddy Pineapple Princess. As promised, I have a small prize to the person who can guess what body of water we visited this past weekend. I will give you up to 3 clues.

First Clue....we were in Central Northern Michigan! I know, it looks like the Ocean. :)

quiz ? and home bound!

I just wanted to let everyone know that we are on our way home from camping. I will post pick and quiz question tonight

Neupogen and Home

Quick update. Bella's ANC counts have been low for the past 3 weeks now, what should be monthly visits at this point has been weekly and clinic days have been lengthy. We were told last week that Bella was "Neotrpenic" meaning she has no immune system. Technically, her white blood counts are low thus eliminating her body to fight off infection. Whatever, this girl is so rock solid healthy and covered in God I dont even think about it. However, we are required to do our part and therefore, I spent last Thursday learning how to give "shots" in my daughters leg so that we can build up her immune system. Have I mentioned lately that I am pretty sure I will have earned my nursing degree by the time we are done with this? :) So thankful she will not remember Mommy giving her "pokey's" but believing she will remember I showere her with M&M's or a sip of diet coke for being so brave. She has not been able to have her chemo now for 2 weeks, this prolongs treatment, but I must admit, the break was nice. This Thursday we go back again for what I believe will be a normal ANC count.

My sister was home 3 weeks and left today. My heart is sad, I love the time I get to spend with her at the cottage. We are planning to head out East to spend a week with her and Dejan this summer. We are all heading home tomorrow to resume life outside of the cottage and plan a few camping trips, along with our trip out East, Chicago and Detroit. I will then finally be able to post some pictures as I will have my high speed interent again rather than dial up.

Blessings,