What’s so special about this week?  Why it’s the last week of radiation!!!  Woohoo!  So very happy and so very thankful!  4 more treatments.  It’s hard to believe that 5 weeks could go by so fast.  Looking back on it, it seemed so daunting.  How were we ever going to get through it?  But by the grace of God, we did.  And it went by faster and better than we could have ever hoped for or imagined.  Of course we wish we could’ve all been together the whole time or not going through this at all, but God has a plan.  This is why we put all of our hope and trust in Him.

We made it home Friday safe and sound.  The roads weren’t the best the closer we got home, but we made it.  Caleb had been begging to go out to dinner at the Full Throttle as he loves their popcorn chicken, so that’s what we did.  Ken and Jacob took the snowmobile there, which Jacob had been wanting to do so very badly, while Caleb and I drove down there to meet them.  Seems like we do almost anything these days just to make our boys happy.  How can we say no to requests like that?    Within reason of course.  🙂

Saturday, Caleb had his basketball game.  They tied 16-16.  It was a fun game to watch and Caleb got a few baskets.  🙂  When we got home, we had a bonfire.  We enjoy our bonfires – doesn’t matter what time of year.  It was fun to hang out as a family and chitchat about anything and everything. 

Sunday – I enjoy my Sundays, but these days they are bittersweet.  I love going to church and seeing my church family.  I also enjoy a day of rest and being lazy.  🙂  But it also means that I have to get things ready to leave again the next morning.  But guess what?  Since this is Jacob’s last week of radiation, we will be home for a whole 2 weeks before we have to head down to Green Bay again.  No offense to Green Bay, but I am sick and tired of traveling.  I am drained!  I need a break.  I am looking forward to unpacking my suitcase next weekend for the first time in weeks. 

So, we are back in WI.  We got here about noon, cheesetime.  Caleb is with us this week, which makes the trip a bit easier.  Jacob is getting round 8 this week of chemo.  6 more to go after this.  His counts were fantastic!  I was unsure as his ANC needed to be at least 500 to start chemo and was around 350 on Thursday, but today it was over 1300!!  Praise God!  He sure does answer prayers.  Chemo went well and he’s still feeling good.  We then headed downstairs for radiation.  Boy, Jacob sure does love those ladies in that department.  There’s about a half dozen of them and they are all wonderful and as sweet as can be.  I think they are very fond of him also.  🙂  Every Friday, they give him a gift.  And every day, he hides from them so that he can scare them.  They know it’s coming, but they never know where he’s gonna be.  Especially the lockers.  He loves hiding in the lockers and they are always scared to open each one up, not knowing which one he’s going to jump out of.  🙂  Anyway, after that was all said and done, we had to get some groceries for the week, so we didn’t get to the hotel until 6:00.  That made for a long day.  The boys are both passed out as I write this and I think I’m ready to head to bed too. 

Hope you all have a wonderful week!  Thank you for all of your prayers.  I know I have a lot of prayer requests usually, so I appreciate you taking the time to pray for my family.  We appreciate each of you and your support.   God bless!

I will leave you with a picture of Jacob and Caleb from Saturday while we were having our bonfire.  🙂

Is it really Monday already?  Our time home went by way too fast.  The trip home went by fast and the roads were good, so it started off well.  Got home around 1:00ish to my sweet Caleb.  Poor little guy needed his mama.  I don’t think he was really sick.  As weird as it sounds, I think it was because his 10 year  molars are coming in.  Jacob’s doctor said that is quite possible, but warned me that when his upper molars come in, expect it to be worse.  🙁  I first suspected it when he told me that his “jaw” hurt and it felt good to chew on pieces of apple.  What???  I realized that made sense – when a baby teethes, it loves to chew on things to get some relief, right?  The same thing happened around Christmas too with the other side – ear ache, fever, runny nose…..  Poor little guy, when I looked inside his mouth, his gum was sticking up past his teeth to a point, just trying to break through.  Unfortunately, even though his fever was gone, we didn’t get to go out on our “date” like we had planned.  He just didn’t seem ready for that, so hopefully we’ll get to go next weekend.  Poor Ken had to make up missing work on Thursday from staying home with Caleb, so he went when we got home and didn’t get back till almost 10:30 Friday night.  He’s such a hard worker, then back up early Saturday morning to work Fridays route. 

So, Saturday came, Ken was off to work and Caleb contemplated whether he should play at his basketball game.  He still wasn’t 100%.  He decided he would go, but just sit out some of it to rest so he wouldn’t overdo it.  Thankfully Ken got home in time and off we went with Jacob in tow.  He was excited to finally see his brother play.  Ken told the coach what was going on.  Did he sit him out at all?  Not till the very last 5 minutes.  Poor guy!  I felt so bad for him.  You could tell that he was miserable.  We found out later that he kept asking the coach to sit out, but he told him it wasn’t his turn yet.  Needless to say, he didn’t feel very good the rest of the weekend.  Should’ve just kept him home!  Saturday night, we went to a benefit dinner for a man in Skandia whose house burned down.  It brought back memories – mixed ones – as it was at the same hall that Jacob’s benefit was at and a lot of the same people were there.  Hard to believe it was almost 2 years ago.  It reminded me what an awesome community we live in.  It’s small, but when something tragic happens, they are all right there to help, no matter what.  I or should I say We are still and always will be so very thankful for all the love and support we have gotten.  Jacob’s benefit dinner was AMAZING!  It was a blur to us that night.  A lot of “should have’s” as far as wishing we could’ve thanked everyone there personally, but it was not possible.  I know we thanked everyone before, but I’ll do it again.  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  Although we never want there to have to be a benefit or a cause for one, I know there will be and I’m looking forward to helping out with future ones.  To pay it forward.  We have been blessed so much over the past 2 years.  It’s so amazing! 

Sunday Jacob and I just went to church as Caleb didn’t feel the best, so Ken stayed home with him.  I had a hard time getting Jacob out of there as he was enjoying hanging out and talking to his buddy Drake.  Although I didn’t mind talking to my friends too!  🙂  Later, Ken and I were outside taking care of our chickens and Jacob ended up coming out too.  It was so cold, but he just wanted some fresh air.  We had a good time.  Didn’t stay out long though, but enjoyed the sunshine.  Can’t wait for spring!  🙂  There’s a picture below of Jacob with his best friend Katy.  She has been such a blessing for both the boys.  So healing for them. 

This morning, Jacob and I dropped Caleb off at school and drove to Green Bay right from there.  Went to clinic first where they checked his blood counts.  Thankfully everything was up except…..his ANC.  That needed to be at least 500 for chemo and it was only 32.  Ugh!  I was a little disappointed at first as this will push everything back at least a week, but then I realized that it’s for a reason and God has a plan.  So, just radiation this week and planning for chemo and his last week of radiation next week.  Only 9 radiation treatments left!  Woohoo!!!  His doctor said that we could wait till Wednesday and it would probably be high enough then to start, but he’d have to have chemo through the weekend then and radiation all next week, so we’d be here for 2 full weeks.   He also said that he didn’t recommend it.  He said that we need to go home this weekend and be with the rest of our family – that’s more important!  Man, what a blessing this doctor is.  So, chemo next Monday it is!

Hoping this week goes by fast.  I’m thinking I might bring Caleb with me next week.  I thought it would get easier as time went on for him, but it’s getting harder.  More tears every time.  Breaks my heart!  I’ve said it a probably a million times, but I’ll keep saying it again and again…thank you everyone for your prayers and support.   Thank you Community Covenant Church and Silver Creek Church for blessing us again!  We hope you all realize how much your support blesses us!  🙂  I will also add that we love all the messages and comments from our supporters.  They lift our spirits!  🙂   Have a good week and God bless.  Please continue to pray for Jacob’s protection from the radiation!    Thank you!

Nothing like a boy and his dog!

Today went fairly well.  We got to the hospital at 10:30 for Jacob’s transfusion since his hemoglobin was low yesterday.  They finished up a little after 1:00, so we had to rush downstairs to radiation since his radiation appointment was at 1:00.  We’re about halfway there!  Yay!!!  Only 13 treatments left.  Yes, we’re counting down each day.  🙂  After radiation, he met with the nurse so she could check him over and was very impressed with how he’s doing.  Still gaining weight.  Slowly, but I’ll take that any day compared to last time.  Next we went to get an X-ray of Jacob’s back.  His surgeon in Milwaukee liked what he saw on the MRI and CT from earlier this month, but wanted an X-ray also.  I was quite impressed that the X-ray tech put a lead apron around his waste to protect his boy parts without me having to ask.  That was the first time that ever happened!  I had to commend her on doing a job well done!! 

Once we left the hospital, we just HAD to go to Target.  Jacob had gift cards burning a hole in his pocket.  Once we left there, then we HAD to go walk around the mall.  Okay, that one was for both of us.  🙂  We ate an early dinner, walked until my feet hurt and then enough was enough.  It’s amazing that Jacob is the one going through treatment.  That boy could keep going and going…..he puts me to shame!  🙂  He has energy that I could only dream of.  Back to the hotel for homework time!!!  His favorite part!  (Insert sarcasm)

There wasn’t any school back home again.  They had a couple days off last week too!  Poor Ken…trying to deal with finding someone to watch Caleb on top of everything else.  He feels like such a heel (his words) asking for help.  But I know that our friends are more than willing.  We would never have this many days off if I was home.  I’m sure of it.  Just one more thing to add a little stress in our lives.  We’re supposed to be thankful in ALL things right?  Thank you to Amanda, Judy and Michelle for always be there for us and your willingness to help with Caleb.  We appreciate you so very much!!  Ken’s just hoping school won’t be cancelled again tomorrow with all the snow they’re threatening.  There’s already no school on Friday due to a teacher workday or something like that.   I just wish I would’ve brought him with us this week.  It would’ve been better for all of us in more ways than one.   Oh well, who’s to know?

Well, tomorrow the weather’s not supposed to be very nice, so it’ll be just to the hospital and back.  No extra drivin’ for me.  I’m not sure how good the drivers around here are in the snow.  I don’t want to find out the hard way.  Thursday they will check Jacob’s blood counts again.  Please pray that his platelets and wbc are higher.  We really don’t want to postpone chemo at all which is supposed to start Monday.  That just puts us further into June for finishing.  We want as much of the summer to enjoy as possible.  Plus, that’ll give Jacob more time to recuperate before school starts in the fall. 

Also, thank you to those that leave a thoughtful message whether public or private.  It’s nice to know that there are people out there keeping up with Jacob’s journey.  We appreciate every one of them!   And of course, thank you for your prayers.  Those are the most important!  I’ve been reading Psalm 91 a LOT lately and praying it over Jacob every day during his radiation time.  I believe it is helping!  Thank you Cindy for giving me the Psalm 91 book.  It’s small enough to keep in my purse and the testimonies in the back are amazing!  I recommend this book to everyone, but especially anyone dealing with anyone that is going through something rough in their life.

That’s all for tonight.  I must get to bed. Most importantly, I must get Jacob to bed.  🙂  Goodnight and God bless!

I’m going to make this short tonight since it’s getting late and Jacob and I have to get up early….

Today was a good day.  Radiation went well.  He’s getting a tiny bit of redness on his back, but it’s so faint that it’s hard to tell if it’s from leaning on his back or from the radiation.  Tomorrow will be week 2 done.  Only 3 more to go.  Glad it’s going by so fast.  Can’t believe it’s almost the end of January already.  It can all fly by till the middle of June when Jacob’s done.  Sorry, I’m sure most of you don’t want that.

We went to our Pastor’s parents house for lunch after radiation today and had a good time visiting.  Thank you Taylors for having us.  You spoiled us with dinner and Jacob with treats!  After that, just came back to the hotel and rested.  We did finish a 700 piece puzzle that we started working on yesterday.  Hey, ya gotta find something to do other than watch t.v. all day.  Then I started packing while Jacob did homework. 

Tomorrow we have to be at the clinic at 7:30 to get Jacob’s blood counts checked again.  His platelets were on the lower side, so they’re thinking that they might be lower tomorrow and need a transfusion.  We’re hoping not of course.  If he doesn’t, then radiation is at 8:15 and we’ll be on the road by 9:00 to head home.  Yippee!!  We miss Ken and Caleb so much so can’t wait to get home and spend the weekend with them.  Hopefully the weekend goes by slow.

Well, I must get to bed.  Please pray for Jacob that his counts are on the way up tomorrow.  Also, please pray for safe travels for us as I know the Green Bay area is supposed to get a few inches of snow tonight through tomorrow morning.  Not sure about the U.P. as I haven’t checked on that. 

Thanks again for all of your prayers!  You wouldn’t believe how well Jacob is doing.  Thank you Jesus for taking such good care of Jacob!  We love you Lord!!!

P.S.  I will try to post pics soon.  My new phone is a cheap one and can’t transfer pics, so I need to remember to carry my camera.  🙂

We had a wonderful time at home!  It went by too fast though.  We got home around 6:00 on Friday.  Roads were pretty good up until we got past Perkins and then they were snow covered and got worse as we got closer to home.  Praise God, He kept us safe.   Jacob was so hyper!  Actually, both the boys were.  Lots of wrestling and craziness going on.  It was fun to watch!  🙂

Saturday, Caleb had his first basketball game.  He plays Upwards at Lake Superior Christian Church.  It’s a program where not only do they teach basketball, but God’s word too.  Wonderful program.  This is Caleb’s 3rd year of playing.  He’s on the Pistons this year and loves it.  They won on Saturday 14-10 and he got a couple of baskets, so all is well in his eyes.  🙂  Jacob decided to stay home because he was just loving being home.  Can’t blame him!  Afterwards, we all went ice fishing out at Bass Lake. Even brought our pug, Katy.   Only catch and release, but had a blast!  I wasn’t sure if Jacob would want to go, but he did and had fun too.  We were out there for a few hours and loved every minute of it.  Ken’s friend Luke had his shanty out there, so that’s why I loved it.  I’m not good with the cold, but give me a shanty with a wood stove in it and I’m good to go.  🙂  That’s my kind of fishing! 

Sunday was a lazy day.  We didn’t end up going to church since I didn’t sleep good and had a headache.  We just layed around in our pj’s and watched movies all day.  It was certainly too cold to go outside.  So glad we got the fresh air Saturday.  It might sound boring to some, but it was fun with just the four, make that five, of us just being together.  I cherish these moments.  But soon, it came to an end.  It went by way too fast! 

Got Caleb off to school this morning.  So hard to leave him again.  Especially when there are tears!  🙁  Hopefully this week goes by fast.  We left our house at 10:45.  Got to Green Bay for Jacob’s 1:00 radiation appointment and was done by 1:30.  Now what????  Almost wish I had it in me to get back in the car and drive home.  Don’t think it would be too efficient with the gas prices to be doing that everyday.  Tempting though!  

Jacob and I then went to get groceries and checked in to the Days Inn.  Thank goodness no more Travelodge!   Each room has kitchenettes, so we can save money and make most of our meals.  We’re getting pretty sick of eating out.  And we’re SO happy the rooms are nice and clean!!  Bonus!

Jacob continues to feel and look great!  We are so happy he’s getting such good care here.  God is so good!  He’s blessed us so much over the past couple of years!  And keeps on giving! 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!  Your prayers mean so much!  We are so thankful for each and every one of you.  🙂