Day after procedure-9/26/09

Hi Friends,

Well I made it through the procedure just fine. Different outcome than I thought. But, it's all done and I am home. We had to wait forever it felt like. The procedure before me was more complicated than expected and I literally sat in pre-op for an extra 3 hours. I was fine though. I was not really nervous at all. Thanks for so many many prayers. I was so blown away by all the prayers that went around for me. I have got to know that all happened as the Lord intended.

When they were finally ready to get started he explained to me that he was going in from my neck with a camera down to the problem area. That way he could get an actual look at how things are right now. This is a much better look than the CT scan that they were going off of before. He saw that the vein was not as blocked as he thought it might have been. He thought it may have been as bad as 95%. He said it was only 70% and that there was good blood flow. From here he went ahead and opened up the vein with a balloon a few times. That was very uncomfortable. I was only on a synthetic morphine. I just felt a bit woozy. He needed me to hold my breath a couple times for a few pictures of the area. Maybe that is why they needed me awake? Overall I was pretty calm through the whole event. I was then taken to post-op and had to stay there for about 4 hours. They did feed me so that was nice. I literally left the hospital with a band-aid on my neck. Not bad huh?!!

I was a little shook up about some of the paperwork that was sent with me to bring to the doctors. It had info. on it about my recent scan and the findings. It talked about something on the top of my stomach and my lung which the doctors have not really discussed with me. But being unable to really understand all the doc-talk it's easy to get upset about things that might not warrant that. I have been having a lot of nausea and vomiting today so of course I think things are crazy with whatever the letter talked about my stomach about. I had to call my Dr. to get something called in to help me. I guess good nausea drugs are expensive and insurance companies are stingy. The one that works for me is only approved for me to have 9 every 28 days. I have nausea daily...so you do the math. When Dr. Kerr called me back I told he that I read something that I may have not been meant to read and it was upsetting. Without my file in front of him he had to rely on memory of the lastest reports, I was just in to see him last Tues. He remembered reading something about my diaphram and it being small. More of a point to keep an eye on rather than a problem. Sometimes things show up that are related to past surgeries or scarring. But they watch it and not always tell the patient. They don't want you to give up. Dr. Kerr is a Christian and it was good to talk to him today. He was able to calm me medically and spiritually. It all boils down to the fact that "If God is in the picture, there is always hope!".

I will continue to do my radiation and that should be all finished up about Oct. 6th. I had a few more days to do than I realized. And the machine broke once last week and I am taking next Fri off to somehow do our last Disneyland day before the tickets expires. Just being together as a family and having fun will be worth it. I might need them to wheel me around, but we will see. Right now we will just keep taking it all step by step and praying for the Lord to turn this all around. I have had enough of things going the wrong direction!

Love to all!!

Peggy

PS I thank the Lord for all of you often!

Date set for Stent-9/23/09

Hi All,

Just trying to stay indoors today as much as possible. The smoky smell from the fillmore fire is bothersome. Last thing I need right now is breathing issues! Hope everyone is safe from it all. Looks like we still have some hot dry days ahead.

Last Tues. I was at all 3 dr. offices. 2 docs thought I should have the stent put in right away and one thought I should wait for radiation to be done. So they all talked to each other and I got a call today and found out that I will have the stent put in my Superior Vena Cava on Fri. am. I need to arrive at 8 am for a 10 am procedure. It should be an outpatient thing. They go in through the groin and thread it up from there. They only need to put me out with a twilight sleep. I should be able to go home a couple hours later.

I am praying that I will have relief right away when I come out of it. I get winded real easy just walking around the house right now. I have had a fair amount of coughing and vomiting. I'm not sure if that will change. But at least the breathing and general circulation will be better. Dr. said I won't get worn out as easy.

Please pray that there will be not complications whatsoever. I have a port line that is in the way and the Dr. will first try to move the line out of the way then stent the vein then replace the line. However, if it is just not possible the port will have to be surgically removed, then the stent put in and then surgically replaced with a new one. Since I am currently undergoing radiation there is risk of infection and things not healing properly. A surgery would make things more difficult. I'm praying that the dr.'s plan A works! Our God is an Awesome God!

Thanks ever so very much to all for the prayers!! Love to all!!!

Peggy

Day before my Birthday!!-9/18/09

Hi All,

Yep! I turn 45 tomorrow. Sounds old. Feels old (only because of the radiation). But really it's all gone by so quick. It doesn't seem like half my life ago I was in college. Just seems like the other day. So strange. Will time continue in this pattern?? God only knows.

Today Larry and I met with Dr. Ivan Hayward. He seemed very apt and knowledgeable about the whole stenting process and then some. He answered most of my questions before I could bring out my list. He even had a plan A and plan B to deal with the port line that is in the Superior Vena Cava and will have to be moved about of the way to do this procedure. Overall it was a positive feeling. He said to call when we were ready to schedule the procedure. We will be waiting for me to finish the radiation first. We also have a 3rd day at Disneyland that we need to use before it expires in early October. I mean really...first things first. Seriously though, all seems stable and any if warning signs appear we will move fast and get the procedure going quick. The tumors seem stable and possibly smaller with radiation so far. This was expected.

As far as what follows, radiation; I have 7 more days. Then on to have the stent put in. Then back to Dr. Rigberg to do some chemo. I totally don't know what to expect there. From there it will be a wait and see how the tumors have responded to all the treatment. I'm praying they will all shrivel up and die.

I appreciate all the prayers. I say this all the time. And I really mean it! I love you all!!

Peggy

Ten down and ten to go-9/15/09

Hi All,

I have finished 10 radiation sessions and have ten to go. I'm feeling it for sure. Without going into all the gory details. Keep praying and thanks for praying. The nausea and vomiting are less and somewhat under control. Like one of my doctors said, "it's like a 3 ring circus". You use one medicine to help one problem and then that creates another problem. Last time I did radiation I did get radiation pneumonia. They fixed that with steroids. I saw Dr. Rigberg today and he did mention that their is fluid on my lungs again. That explains the constant tickle and cough.

Anyways...At Rigbergs today we talked about what he called me about last week after the scan. It looks as though my Superior Vena Cava is about 80% decreased. So I will need to have the vein stented. I still have not had a consultation with the radiologist who would do the procedure. That appointment with Dr. Hayward will be on Fri. The Dr. at my Radiation place suggested we wait to place the stent until they are finished with my radiation. This will run into the end of Sept. By my Fri. appointment that leaves about a week and a half left of radiation that is supposedly shrinking the tumors making it all a little less dangerous. I will wait till Fri. to find out what is next. Meantime I do have an appointment set with Dr. Kerr my regular family dr. We'll let him weigh in on all these changes since I have last seen him too.

Thankful for my family and friends and all the moments we have together. Thanks so much for all the prayers! I'm believing for a miracle and for God to reverse all of this and heal me!

Love to all!!, Peggy

Power Port Drama-9/10/09

Hi All,

I am all done with the scan at the hospital this AM. It was all kind of ridiculous that I had to register as an inpatient to have a scan. But, whatever!! It's done. It's was all crazy too. Last May I had my picc line removed and a Power Port put in. The picc line in my arm got a rash around the surrounding skin. It would not go away. So we decided to put a port in my chest instead. They installed a new device called a Power Port that can handle stronger flushes of fluid unlike your ordinary everyday port. So I'm all "new and improved" and "high tech" in the world of ports. The problem is that not all the nurses are familiar with this "new technology" and they don't want to use it. The only other option is to try to find a vein in one of my arms. Which often takes many pokes and digs and is painful and frustrating for everyone involved. So today they find a doctor who has been practicing for 40 years who says he'll use the port. It hurts as usual but it's just one poke so no big deal. They tape it up. Then they send me in the machine to start the contrast infusion and it's starts to hurt and burn and spray out all over my neck. So I am hollering for them to stop. And they do. It's really hurting and I'm tearing up and they are looking for the doctor who put the needle in. He comes and takes it out. They start to massage the area to break up all the contrast that is in my tissue instead of my vein. That was why it was burning. And that helps the pain to dissipate. The doctor seems obviously annoyed that it failed and didn't work. He kept saying it should have worked. Since he took it out he wanted to retry so he could flush it to see if it was blocked or what. The second time he tried it didn't hurt as much. He flushed it with saline and it didn't feel like anything. So they decided since the line was clear to try again. And, Thank-You Jesus, all went just fine. They flushed it before they removed the needle, apologized and sent me on my way. I think with all the excitement and uncertainty with the new port they just plum forgot to flush the port first. They always flush it before and after they do anything. I will need to be more proactive about all that in the future.

Sorry about the play by play with it all. Now I wait to hear back from Dr. Rigberg to see what they (Dr. Rigberg and Dr. Hayward) think I should do right now regarding my Superior Vena Cava. Apparently it is a risky procedure to stent that vein. God knows and God is in control. My next appointment with Dr. Rigberg is next Tues. I'm hoping I do not need a stent. I am hoping the radiation is shrinking the tumors.

I have been battling a lot of nausea and vomiting these past few days. Prayer to get that under control who be awesome. I have 6 days done out of 20. Still a long way to go with all this everyday stuff. It wears you down pretty good.

Love and Blessings to all!!

Peggy

Radiation Started-9/4/09

Hi All,

Hope this finds you all doing well. Things have been busy with school starting for us this week. Lexie is enjoying her 5th grade class with Mrs. Matteson. She is with several kids she had in her class last year. Trinity is in 2nd with Mrs. Franklin and Joshua is happy in Kindergarten with Mrs. Cathcart. He is fortunate to have his buddy Luke from Church in his class.

I am so glad the Lord had me start radiation the first week back to school. I was given the whole Summer with a reasonable amount of energy. This week I feel weak! Radiation really kicks your butt! And I'm praying it kicks so much more than that! I will have a total of 20 days of radiation. The first couple of days I didn't get the full treatment. So, if I calculate it all out correctly I will be doing my last radiation on Sept. 30th. I have weekends and holidays off.

Next week Dr. Rigberg' s office set up for me to go to St. John's hospital in Oxnard. Dr. Rigberg found a local Dr. that would stent the Superior Vena Cava. Evidently not everyone that stent's will do that vein. So, I go Thurs morning at 8:30 to have another CT scan of my heart. This one will be specifically looking to see exactly how the tumors are currently effecting my Superior Vena Cava. Then Dr. Hayward will talk to Dr. Rigberg and they will make a decision as to whether I need it stented right away or if I have time to see if the radiation can shrink them.

Today I have been feeling tired, fatigued, nauseated and headachy. Maybe it's just the heat? Well, I'm sure that is not helping. It does make it hard to be optimistic. But I am sure trying. I appreciate all the prayers so many have been praying. It is helping us all together just face each day. For the most part the kids are handling all this great. They still act like normal kids. I still wish they would listen better. But at least they are all normal. God has been our strength!

Love and appreciation to all!! Peggy

Calling all Prayer Warriors-8/25

Hi All,

I got a call from my Dr. this AM regarding the CT scan on my neck from yesterday. I am not able to do the planned study. The new tumor in my neck grew substantially this past month. The old one on the right side just stayed the same. But the new one grew. Go figure that one out?? I am understanding more and more why they describe cancer as such a complex disease. Dr. Rosen said the Superior Vena Cava (the main vein that drains blood from the brain) *I love how all that rhymes* anyways...this vein is entrapped. I understand this to mean the vein is surrounded by tumor. Too risky to do the study. He has now suggested to go back to my Oxnard Dr.'s to do radiation and chemotherapy together. Since the tumor is in a place that has not been radiated there is a chance it will responded to this treatment. Prayer would be so much appreciated that it will in fact be effective. I know God is in control and is opening and closing the necessary doors to me and the precise right time. Thanks for teaming with the family in this effort!!

While praying today with God I felt that He told me that "Your friends will be fighting for you!" What a comfort that was to me!!

Love and Blessings to each and everyone of you!!

Peggy

Disneyland/New Study-8/24

Hi All,

We had a great time at the Happiest Place on Earth!! We and a Zillion other people! It was really crowded. I'm glad we are saving our 3rd day for Sept or Oct. In spite of the large volume of people we road most of the rides we wanted to ride. We only missed a few! Thanks you so much to whoever blessed us with the passes and also thanks to the Vargas and Ramirez family's for blessing us with the use of the time share! And tons of thanks to Nana for filling in the blanks and helping with the kids!! It was so nice!! We have so many great memories! We can't stop talking about it all!!

Today it took me 3 1/2 hours to get to my Dr. appointment in Santa Monica. It usually only takes an hour and 10 min. They closed PCH due to a land slide with a tree down and power lines down too. It was a mess. I kept in contact with them to let them know I was on my way and would be there as soon as possible. I thought Dr. Rosen would be gone by the time I arrived but he ended up being able to see me. He was due somewhere else at noon. I was able to show him the new areas of growth I have noticed recently. The tumor on my chest has really bumped up. And the new small one on the left side of my neck has grown a lot. It is feeling really crowded on that side of my neck. It is all starting to get somewhat uncomfortable. He was concerned about the Superior Vena Cava. He said that is the vein that drains the blood from the brain. If the tumor is causing a problem there, I might not be able to do the next study. I was checked today with a CT scan and will find out tomorrow if I am able to start the new trial. I am just praying this is all God perfect timing. Earlier on with this study, the dose was way too high and the people were suffering from extreme nausea and vomiting. They have lower the trial dose from 300 mg's to 25 mg's. Recently moving it up to 50 mg's. That is what I would get at first. Possibly 100 mg's later. The side effects with this dose are minimal. The idea with this drug is targeted like the other one was. Hopefully it will go after the cancer and not damage the good stuff. That is my prayer!

Hope this provides you with a better idea on what is up and how to pray. These prayers have been my strength to keep on fighting. The kids have been battling with us! They are so brave and have so much faith! I am so proud of them!

Love to all, Peggy

Wow a whole Month later-8/18

Hi Friends and Family,

Hope this finds everyone doing very well! Hope the Summer has lived up to it's expectations! Just a few details and prayer needs to communicate to whoever happens upon this entry in time!

They have what they call "A Wash Out" period when you stop one trial drug before you go to another. Typically that is 4 weeks. This one was only 3. A study came up a couple weeks ago but it just wasn't right as it turned out. My Dr. was on vacation with his family last week and we are going to Disneyland at the end of this week. I just wanted to wait until after this trip to get started on something new. You just never know how a new drug is going to make you feel. I wanted to really enjoy this trip with the family. It's been a tough year and we all need just to have a couple of days of FUN!! Hooray! We are all really excited to go.

I did talk to one of the study co-ordinators today. She said the doctor and his team will be evaluating my case tomorrow to see which study to put me on next. New drug trials are constantly coming and going from the place. They try to match things up best they can. So I am calling on divine intervention here. Please pray that our dear Lord will direct Dr. Rosen and his people to the exact right drug that will kill this cancer. One that will be least destructive to the rest of me. This past month I have observed the tumor on my chest growing quite a bit. This is one I can see. There are bigger ones beneath my sternum. I have been feeling more discomfort as time goes on. I just really need breakthrough and a miracle! I so very much want to finish my job as a Mother. Not that that job is ever really finished. But I have so much more I want to accomplish with my family!

Thank you all so much for partnering with me in this healing! I have been quoting, "No weapon formed against me will prosper" and "Any plant which my heavenly Father did not plant Will be uprooted"!! Send me any other scriptures you feel the Lord would have me meditate on!! He is our Awesome God!

Lots of Love, Peggy

The Blindside-7/16

Hi All,

Just got home from the Dr. in Santa Monica. It was CT scan result day. I went in feeling pretty confident that all was well. I have been feeling well and the tumors appear to be shrinking. The one in my neck is barely visible anymore. And the ones on my sternum seem flatter. But somehow the Dr. had different news. The tumors are bigger and their appears to be new growth of a new tumor. 10% growth on one and nearly 20% growth on another and a new 1 cm growth on the left side of my neck. The largest growth was a tumor that was 4.4cm that is now 5.4 cm. So as you can see these are still smaller than my original 15 cm tumor that was removed at UCLA Aug 2006. So the good news is that I am still plenty strong to continue the fight. On the way home I usually call from my hands free blue tooth and talk talk talk to whoever. But last month the cell phone bill was way high. So I just texted a few people and spent the time talking to God and listening to Christian music. One song that stands out that really ministered to me during this hour and a half drive was Remedy Drives "Hopes Not Giving Up"!!!! It's a great song. Check it out!! Thanks for the prayers for healing and encouragement. I'm so blessed!!

Love to all, Peggy

Next Step/6-27

Hello Friends,

I heard back from my Oncologist that my thyroid is still high after not taking the chemo medicine for 3 days. So he recommended that I see an Endocrinologist. Yikes! Another Doctor! Well hopefully this will be easily fixed and I can get on with killing this cancer. Right now I am just waiting on my Primary Doctor to recommend an Endocrinologist in the area. And my Oncologist is just having me continue my experimental drug until my next visit and then he will decide if we need to dose reduce.

We just finished Summer Slam with the Church. It is our Church's Vacation Bible School program. We all had a wonderful time. Next year will be Lexie's last year to go. She will be going into Jr. High after that. I'm sure she will want to volunteer to help though. She really loves it. We will see. Trinity won big on the last night of drawings. One of the nice prizes with an Ipod schuffle. She won it! She was very excited. I was the small group leader to her and a few other first graders. They kept asking me each night why they didn't win anything. I asked, "Well did you pray?" It was fun to watch a few of them win! Lexie invited a boy from her 4th grade class and he won one of the 4 grand prize bicycles. It was so much fun!

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers and comments! All so much of a blessing to me!

Lots of love, Peggy

Thyroid-6/20

Hi All,

Hope the Summer has started out well for everyone. We have already been busy with sleepovers, swimming and movies! Hooray for Summer!! We also have a Disneyland visit to anticipate this August. It will be a first time for Josh. We have been saving exclusively for that with garage sales and other things. And we have been blessed with some unexpected blessing to make it all happen this August. We had to set aside a specific fund because it would never happen otherwise. I can't believe how many different medical places send me bills. It is very discouraging and also makes me feel guilty that my sickness is taking all the family's extra money and then some. I had been praying for some time that God would help to make this happen. The kids need to have fun memories of growing up. Family fun time is important. I hate having our lives revolve around my cancer. And it shouldn't! God is so awesome to answer this humble prayer. If He can do this simple "Disneyland Prayer". Surely He is working on all the other health and financial prayers too. I love our God!!

Anyways...a bit of a tangent there. I wanted to write here to request prayer. My most recent blood test has shown that my thyroid is high or hyper thyroid. Kind of a new thing for me. I have not had any issues here. I don't know a lot about thyroid stuff. Dr. Rosen just asked me to stop the cancer drug over the weekend and have my blood checked on Monday to see if it is the drug that is causing the thyroid to act up. If yes, then we will try a lower dose of the new drug that is working. I have noticed that I have been excessively sweaty. I thought it was due to Summer and menopause. They seem to think it may be connected to the hyper thyroid. We will see. Please pray for this organ or whatever it is to regulate correctly. From what I understand the thyroid effects many functions in your body. Thank you all so very much!!

I am praying for total healing! Thanks for joining me on this mission!!

Love to all, Peggy

They are Shrinking!!-5/31

Hi All,

I can hardly believe it...the tumors I can see and feel are getting smaller. I have been on this new clinical trial for about 3 weeks and already a visible difference. The side effects have been more mild than the intravenous drugs. This one is called Pazopanib and I take two each morning 1 hour before food. I still get tired out pretty easily but not as much. But my hair is still here and no nausea!! I have had a few cold sore on my tongue, but that is no big deal. Praise God that this one is working! Please continue to pray that this healing continues!

This past week I went with Larry to our denominations Pastors convention. We stayed in a really nice Hilton right next to Disneyland in Anaheim. We went and got the kids once the convention part was over and enjoyed the hotel for two more nights. We were blessed by an anonymous blesser with Disney tickets but decided to use them later in the Summer when we can be rested and enjoy the gift to the fullest. We have been planning and saving up to go this Summer so that was an extra special blessing!! Thank-you so much anonymous blesser!!

I am hoping the Summer will be easier to enjoy this year. With out the drastic blows of the other chemo I will be able to plan out and enjoy for stuff with the kids. I know I will still have to pace myself but I know it will be easier this way! We are looking forward to swimming, beach, movies and lots of friend dates!!

Thanks over and over again for all the prayers and help all of you have given to us! You are priceless and we will never be able to thank everyone enough for all that they have done for us! Please keep the prayers coming! Jesus is my healer!!

Lots of love, Peggy

Pazopanib-5/14

Hi All,

Well I started the new trial drug today. So far I feel normal. No side effects. Hoping and praying that it will continue. Actually, I don't really know if I have the real thing at this point. I might have received the placebo. It's a blind study. After day 10 everyone gets the real thing for sure. Only the study knows, only the study will ever know. Not even my Dr. The only way I can gage it is if I have side effects this week and next. Or none this week and some next week. If I never get side effects, I will never really know. But what's a week and a half anyway. No biggy.

This week has been a lot of sitting around in Santa Monica. I did a bunch of screening on Monday to see if I qualified for the study. My calcium and white cells were low, but they fixed it with the neupogen and a calcium infusion. Tues I was hooked up to my holter monitor all day and all night Tues. and they didn't take it off until Wed. at 5 pm. It was obnoxious. I got a lot of reading done to say the least.

I was able to meet other people doing the same study this time. Lots of different stories. Lots of people with rare cancers. I guess this is the place were people like us end up. One guy was told his doctor could do nothing else for him. And after one round of his study drug his tumors decrease by 34%. And his treatment was way less harsh on his body. The chemo he was doing had him so beat down the doctor didn't think he could tolerate any more treatment. It was exciting to hear a good success story. He looked well and healthy to me.

I am expecting good things on this study! I am hoping to see the tumors stop growing and actually shrink significantly. Please keep praying with me. I have to do one more over nighter with the holter monitor next week. Pray for Larry and the kids. It is so disruptive to the family to be gone in the middle of the week. But, somehow, things always work out. Thank you Jesus!!

Love to all, Peggy

P.S. Lexie won her baseball game that I missed and Trinity started soccer and loved it!

Peace in the Storm-4/28

Dear Loved Ones,

This morning I had a dr. appointment to go over my scan last week. Dr. Rosen said that my tumors were slightly bigger. I have one on top of my sternum that felt larger to me. I went to the appointment with a little trepidation. I thought if this is bigger what must be going on under my sternum. He reassured me that the growth in others areas was minimal. And a good thing he said was that there was no new signs of growth anywhere else. But if the picoplatin is not working there is no sense to keep me on that study. So on to a new study I go.

By the way...this April marks 3 years for me now. We discovered this problem April 2006. I praise God for each and everyday He has given me since then. I'm praying and believing for many more days ahead too.

The new study has a really weird name I can't remember off hand. He referred to it as a "Biological Study" rather than a "Chemo Study". The Chemo Studies go in and kill everything and the good stuff grows back. The Biological Studies are more targeted directly to the tumors. The goal is to cut off the tumors blood supply and nourishment and therefore kill it. This new study will have a more involved start up period. I will need to wear a halter moniter off and on for 10 days. I will need to have blood screenings and ekg's, there will be the real drug and placebo's in that period. They even have a special diet I will need to follow. I will need to be in Santa Monica quite a bit the first 10 days of the study. After that it will settle into a regular monthly routine. I have not signed up for it yet. I am still reviewing and educating myself on this study. If it's a go it will start in the next couple of weeks granted I qualify with all their requirements.

I was really getting worked up this past week and really felt relieved to hear the dr. tell me that the growth was minimal. He said I was not in any danger right now. That was a relief. I was able to go in today with a peaceful enough feeling. I was able to digest the information and not fall apart like I did over the weekend. The prayers for peace were with me for sure. Thank-you Jesus for that!! I just prayed that God would direct the dr. to the exact right study for me. He did say that this study has shown to work with neuroendocrine cancers. Thanks for praying for me and Larry as we make this decision. Right now it seems like the way to go.

Also be praying for Larry. He has been down since Sunday after Church with a wicked flu bug. His head hurts, he has a fever and runny nose. He has been mostly in bed since Sunday. He will go to the dr. tomorrow just to make sure he isn't dealing with this crazy Swine flu. NOOOO in Jesus name. We sure don't need that in this house right now. Either way, no bug is ok right now. My immune system is compromised. My blood has taken quite a beating these past several months. This is another reason he wanted me on a biological study rather than a chemo study. My blood needs a break. Pray for a rapid healing for my Larry!!

Thank you all and Love to you all!!

Peggy

Spring is here!-3/21/09

Hi Loved Ones,

It's been a month since I have written. So sorry to be lagging on this. No real riveting information. That could be good or that could be bad I guess. Either way, much is status quo. I went on Tues. St. Patrick's Day for my chemo. All my blood counts were in the right place so I was able to be treated. So I have had a few days of feeling throw-uppy. Yuck! I should have been more on top of my nausea and taken the meds to help with that. But, I did not this time. Oh well. On I continue with the journey.

Meanwhile...Lexie has thrusted us into the world of baseball. Yes, "Base"ball not soft ball. She is one of two girls on the team. Her team is called the Padres. She has had two games so far. They lost both games but had a great time. Many of the kids are still getting to know the game. This sport has a lot less action compared to basketball. She is enjoying this very much. We will continue with this until June.

The Church will be doing our 2nd annual Easter Outreach event on April 4th at Pacifica High. Time will be between 10 and 1pm. It's all free and will be tons of fun. Come with the whole family and friends if you can. Last years was great. I'm sure the website to the church has more information if you need it.

My hair continues to grow out. This non-hair falling out chemo is so much better...that is if it is working. It is definitely nice to have more days to feel good. My white cells seem to be having a hard time with it. But, this time Dr. Rosen reduced the dose of chemo. Hopefully my white cells will not drop as much. I'm still so thankful for not getting sick in spite of my low white count. I know it's the prayers and God! Thanks everyone!!!

That is all to report at the moment. Lots of love to all of you!!!

Peggy

Amazed!-2/20

Hi All,

I have been meaning to write and just have not done it. I finally found a moment. Hope everyone is getting through cold and flu season without a problem! After my last chemo 3 weeks ago my white cell count dropped low. My infection fighting cell part of that was at a .6. Normal is above 1.2. The nurse after doing my blood count said to go home and wear a mask. Which I didn't do. But it would be wise...I just hate that thing. Just the day before that I had helped in Trinity's class with a Valentines project. I had to paint all the kids hands with red paint and stamp them. So I was touching each kids hands with really low infection fighting cells. Yikes! But God protected me in my unknowing at this point. Also the day before I got the count done Larry and Lexie were both home in bed with a sore throat and headache. Wow! I did not get it! Thank you Jesus!!

Last week I had my scan done to see where I was at with this new clinical drug called Pico Platin. I was not really sure what to expect. Just yesterday was my appointment with Dr. Rosen to see what the scan revealed. And good news...the tumors either stayed the same or shrunk a little and there was no new sign of anything new. So he saw no reason to take me off the study and I was treated yesterday for the 4th time. Keep the prayers coming! When these things disappear all together that will be remission!! That's the goal!

The family is doing great. Josh just turned 5, 4 days after Christmas and is riding a two wheeler now. Trinity will be turning 7 in just a week. Her broken arm is all healed up now! Lexie just finished Basketball and will be starting Baseball in a week. Her team, coached by her Dad and friend Eddie Ramos, came in 3rd place and they got a nice trophy to add the to schools collection! Larry continues to work hard on the new building project the Church has going.

We all love you very much!!


Blessings, Peggy

Cycle 3-1/29

Hi All,

My is it windy today! Hope all of you are doing well. If you life in So. Cal. you might want to put some rocks in your pockets so you won't get blown out to sea. :)

All my numbers with my blood were in the ok range on Tues. So, I was able to receive my 3rd Picoplatin Chemo treatment. I have a scan set up on Feb. 11th to have a look to see how things are going. Then on Feb. 18th I go for my 4th treatment if the scans show improvement. We will review the scans with the doctor at this appointment. I'm feeling hopeful since the lump on my sternum, that came to my attention right before I started out there in Dec., seems to be smaller and less obvious. I'm hoping that that is the case. If things do not seem improved or at least stable, then I will move on to another study.

I have been feeling more nausea with this chemo. So I take the anti-nausea meds to help. But they have a blurried eye side-effect. That was really bothering me yesterday. So today I am going to just tough it out with the nausea. It is less and less everyday.

Big news in the world of Lexie. She got her braces off this week. She looks great. This is just phase one. She still has more teeth that need to come in. The goal was to move things now to prevent some serious crowding issues later. I am hoping that everything will just fall into place and look beautiful!! I will try to get a photo up of her soon.

Lots of love and many thanks for all the prayers!!

Peggy

In His Time-1/21

Hi All,

Well it's the first full day of having a new President. Our prayers are with and will continue to be with President Obama. He has a tough job ahead of him. Anyways...

Hope you all are well! I went to Santa Monica yesterday to get my 3rd chemo or picoplatin, the clinical trial drug. But, my white cells were too low to treat. So they sent me home to do 3 days of Neupogen to boost them up. If they are up by next Monday I will be treated next Tues. I feel fine, I am just more prone to getting a cold or infection and I don't have enough infection fighting cells to fight it off. Hopefully the Neupogens will work quickly.

After the 3rd cycle of the drug I will have a scan to see if this drug is working. I am hopeful that it is. The lumps that I can feel do seem a bit smaller. I just so much look forward to having all this cancer stuff behind me. It's coming up on 3 years this Spring. But, it's in God's hands.

The financial toll has been an additional burden. We have always planned on me staying home with the kids and not working outside the home. But, one income and all the bills is so hard. I've been praying for the Lord to show us what to do. I still have Josh most of the time. He only goes to pre-school 2 days a week. I know He will provide. It's hard being the one that makes all the difficult bills come in and not bringing any money in. It's another area of trust that the Lord is dealing with me in. I want to work but have limitations. I know something will work out. It always does. Thanks for praying for this too. He has blessed us already in so many areas. I don't mean to sound ungrateful.

Lexie has been busy doing basketball with her school. Larry is one of the coaches. The games all fall on Sunday. So, being a Pastor he has to work that day. So he has our good friend Eddie Ramos coaching the games. It's been a lot of fun. Out of 6 games they have only lost 2. I am able to see much improvement in her game just from last year.

That is all to report for now. Let me know if there is anything at all that we can be praying for all of you. You all give so much to us! Your prayers are priceless!!

With Much Love, Peggy

Happy New Year-1/8

Hi Friends and Family,

December is such a crazy month. It seems as if it is non-stop activity. Finally things have slowed down and I have found some time to update the blog.

Things went well after the first infusion of the new chemo. Nothing unexpected or new as far as side-effects. I guess the only difference I have noticed it a little more nausea and vomiting than before. But I get a longer break in between infusions. That means more days of feeling good or at least normal. I had the second infusion on New Years Eve. I had the same 5 or 6 days of bad nausea. But after that it's back to normal. It's great to have more days to feel good.

The kids all had school performances for Christmas. They all did great. Trinity earlier in December broke her arm at her cousin Mikayla's 5th birthday party. They had it at a bouncy house called Scooters Jungle. It's a great place and so much fun. She fell off a zip line and did a green stick break on her upper right humorous. The did not cast it, they just had her wear a sling. It's pretty much better now. The Dr. said to wear the sling to school for just two more weeks until the area is stronger and less likely to be re-injured.

We did Christmas with My mom the Saturday before Christmas. The girls got American Girl dolls from their NaNa. They were so excited about that. Trinity said "It's a dream come true!" She said "I want to keep her when I'm old even, when I'm a Teenager, when I'm a Grandma...even when I'm in that box in the ground. Will you have them put her on my stomach?" Yeah...kids say the darndest things. We did Christmas day dinner with my Dad and my Stepmom. Then the next morning we woke up at 4 am and headed to AZ to do Christmas with the Wolf Pack. All 7 kids were there with all there kids. There were 32 in all and even a few new boyfriends & a girlfriend to meet. It was great to feel good for this visit.

I spent last Saturday in the ER most of the day. I only needed to have my blood checked. But since it was a Saturday I had to go to the ER. I had a rash that could have been a sign of low platelets. But after the 5 hour visit they deemed A-ok. Better safe the sorry they said.

Now I have until the 20th of this month before my next infusion. I have more than a week of feeling good! After this one they will scan be before I do another. They said I only need a CT scan. I don't have to do the radioactive PET scan. I can't be around my kids for 4 hours after that one. Pray with me that the tumors are shrinking and disappearing!! Praying for healing in His time for His glory!!

Love to all and have a blessed New Year!! Peggy

Home after 1st infusion-12/11

Hi All,

I hope all of you are feeling Christmasy and not Scroogy! I know I am definitely feeling the hustle bustle of it all. I have still much to do and little time to do it all. But, I know it will all get done.

I am home now after having my first infusion of the experimental drug called Picoplatin. All went well and no unexpected side effects at all. Just the normal nausea (but less), tiredness and redness in my cheeks, for some reason that always happens just the day after. I am happy that nothing unexpected came up.

I went in early Wed. am and returned Thurs. afternoon. I got all prepped for the study with blood tests, another ekg and the heart monitor. The chemo took exactly 72 minutes. They do everything by exact times here. They record everything it seems. I sat in a nice recliner looking at beautiful Santa Monica having a gorgeous day. You can even see the ocean from the window. I got a lot of reading done since they needed to draw blood every half hour after the infusion for 7 hours.

When I was all done I checked us into the hotel across the street. The study paid for this. They pay for the chemo and all the support drugs too. I got a Nuelasta today, paid for by the study. When I took that at Dr. Rigburgs it cost me $841.01 each time. Without insurance it would have cost us $3600 a shot. This is an answer to prayer. We have taken quite a beating financially with all this medical stuff. We are praying to be able to get caught up in the new year. Thank you Jesus!!!

It was a bit of a juggle getting all the kids co-ordinated with all the different times for things. But it all worked out. Larry was able to stay with me last night at the hotel. And with the help of Candice Dobes helping with Josh, we got to Josh at his school only 15 min. late. She is a friend that is a teacher at his school. Thank you Jesus again! Last night Larry and I were able to walk down the beautiful 3rd Street Promenade and have dinner. It was all busy with Christmas shoppers. It was all decorated and we even got some shopping done. Just a little. Still so much to do.

Thanks for all the prayers. Merry Christmas to you all. Remembering our Savior this time of year means so much to me. I suffer yes, but nothing like He did for us. What a beautiful Savior. It is my hope that He is alive in every heart that reads this!!

I love you all, Peggy

New Place, Appointment Set-12/2

Hi Everyone,

Hoping everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for in this great country. We are a blessed nation!

Just an update to let you know that I have my appointments set to start the new "Phase 3" chemo drug called Picoplatin. I go this Thurs. for my "screening" as they call it. It's an ECG on my heart, height, weight, temp., blood sample etc...stuff like that. Then I am scheduled at 8 am Wed. the 10th to get my first infusion. It will be a long 7 hour day. The infusion itself will only take about an hour. But, they need to draw blood ever hour after that for several hours. Also, that night I will need to sleep with a heart monitor. It's part of what the FDA is requiring the study to do before it is approved. The monitor will be removed the following morning. I will most likely stay overnight at the hotel across the street.

I am trusting the hand of God to move me in the direction toward healing. Please pray with me for healing and little to no side effects as I go through this new season of treatment. I continue to feel God's peace regarding all of this. I do have thoughtful moments of sadness, worry and concern about the future. I guess I wouldn't be all human if I didn't . I feel blessed that when those thoughts come I am able to acknowledge them and then move on. I don't just stay there. This sickness by no means consumes my every thought. I thank God for that. I am blessed to have the family that I have. It surely provides me with many distractions along this crazy road.

Much love to you all. Enjoy this holiday season and rejoice that our Savior was born so we could be saved! Heaven is going to be great! I just don't want to go there quite yet.

Love ya all!! Peggy

Santa Monica-11/21/08

Hi All,

Larry and I made the trek to Santa Monica yesterday to visit the new doctor, Dr. Lee Rosen. Premiere Oncology was a very nice place, only a couple of years old. It's a big and busy place too. They do all the studies right there. It only took about one hour to get there. But there was no traffic. Dr. Rosen was very kind, about in his mid-forties is my guess, very knowledgeable about every kind of cancer treatment under the sun and very ready to explain whatever. We both liked him and felt good about the whole thing.

At this place they perform Phase 1, Phase 2 and Phase 3 studies on up and coming cancer drugs and treatments. Phase 1 studies group together all kinds of different cancer patients to try the same drug so they can see what group responds the best. Phase 2 groups people with the same kinds of cancer to try a certain drug and Phase 3 is just working through any last requirements the FDA needs. At least that is the broad understanding at this point. I was worried that neuroendocrine was a rare kind and that I wouldn't qualify for any of the studies. He reassured me that was not the case. Financially, Health Net will cover what they say they will cover and any thing else that the study requires will be covered by the study itself. The tested drug will be free to me as long as I need it as well. If we find something that is working, I will stay on it as long as I need it. Even if the study is closed.

The down side is the fact that Phase 1 studies are the first humans the drug is tested on. So, you get to make up the list of side effects. Isn't that special? So you can well imagine that I am asking anyone who reads this to pray that God leads this Dr. to the right drug or treatment and that the side effects will be zero or minimal and basically tolerable. It is exciting to be apart of breakthrough science stuff.

This could be difficult driving down there as often as I may need to. Possible 4 times a week at first. But, it will be less at time goes on. They are sensitive to the fact that I am not too close and that I have small children. Also they put you up in the hotel next door if need be when the study requires early mornings or multiple days of long treatments. People actually come here from all over the world to be treated. So really I am very blessed to be so close by. I know that God will work out all the details as things come up. Family and friends have been so willing to help at the drop of a hat. Thank you all of you again and again!!!!

This has offered me hope. I always have hope in Jesus and I truly feel that it is His hand directing up to this place. We feel much peace about this. I will call Monday to talk to the Doctor and let him know how I am feeling. At this point, with the new information on my state of health, he will choose which study that I will be best suited to participate in. We were told that new things are popping up all the time. Like I said it is a very busy place. So we can believe together with our prayers that God will direct him to the right thing for me. From there I will start all the required screening for that particular study. I will let you know for sure how all that goes.

Thanks so much for the faithful prayers. The book of James says "The effective prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much."!!!! So I am counting on all the prayers.

With love and gratitude!! Peggy

Scan Results

Hi Family and Friends,

Again the peace of God is on us in the midst of not the best news. We went to see Dr. Rigberg today to get the results of the most resent scans taken last week. It shows that the tumors are slightly larger. Everything is still in the same general area in my chest around where the original tumor was. Dr. Rigberg wanted to see more stability meaning no growth at all or even having the tumor shrink. So there is no point in doing more of the same chemo what I was doing. He then said that he has exhausted all his options for me. There is nothing left for me to try that is available commercially.

He is now suggesting that I see a new Dr. at a place called Premiere Oncology in Santa Monica. His name is Dr. Lee Rosin. They deal primarily with clinical trials on experimental drug therapies. This is a hopeful thing. I have an appointment set already for this Thurs. the 20th. I will have more information about what to expect after this appointment. So many questions at this point. Driving all the way to Santa Monica for treatment does not sound too fun. But at least it is not some place really far away.

We really feel that God is leading our path. This is a place that I cannot just drop in and try. I needed to have tried all the drugs that I did try first. I could not go if my health were in worse condition. I am blessed that I have made it through so much chemo and have been able to do so much more that most. I have been limited but nothing like some people unable to get out of bed. I get out of bed everyday and take care of the family. I don't always feel like it. But, praise God I am able to do it! I do not know what awaits us next. But, we are both ready to find out. So keep praying and we will wait to see the hand of the Lord move in a mighty way!!

God Bless each and everyone of you for you faith!!

Love from the Wolf family, Larry, Peggy, Lexie, Trinity and Joshua

Voting Day!-11/4

Hi Everyone,

Did ya vote?? Hope so! We did our absentee ballots a week or so ago. So our say is in and hope yours is too. Just praying for God to put the people he wants in charge where they need to be.

I feel like I am a little behind with my blog. All continues on much the same. I did however get my 3rd chemo this time. For the past couple of months my blood was low on something and I was not able to be treated on the 3rd week. Not so this time. My platelets were right where they were able to treat me. Any lower and it would have been a no go. So one more blast at the bad stuff before they scan me. So next week will mostly hold scans and such for me. A "Restudy" if you will.

I am praying for favorable results of course. We all appreciate all the prayers that have been sent up on my behalf. It is so humbling to know that I am being prayed for by so many great people. You guys are awesome and I love you all!!!

Blessing to you! Peggy

Went to the Pumpkin Patch-10/21

Hi All, As you see we went to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins. The kids enjoyed the time. The girls ran all the way up the hill behind us. Larry went to rescue Josh half way up and I took some pictures from down below. It was about time to update the picture.

Last week my platelets were low, so I was not able to do chemo. They counted that as my week off. So yesterday things had recovered. However my reds were a little low but not too low to treat. So I was able to do a chemo. Dr. Rigberg said that even though I have not been able to do three treatments each week only two. That either way, if I do two or three this time, they will still study me at the end of this cycle of treatments. So around middle November they well do some more scans and see where I am at now. I am praying for dramatic improvements.

My home care nurse (she comes weekly to change out stuff from my picc line.) noticed that my heart rate was elevated and said to keep an eye on it. Normal is 60-100 beats per minute while resting. My had been consistently up close to or over 100. I brought it too the Dr's attention and he said a number of things could contribute to that. All my surgeries on my lungs, the low red count and other things I can't remember. So maybe that is just how I am now. So we are going to just keep an eye on it. I will keep praying that it gets back to a healthy normal.

Thanks again ever so much for checking in on me. It really means so much that people care. I know we all have busy lives and it's hard to think of one more things. I appreciate every single prayer sent to Jesus. He is my healer!!

Love to all, Peggy

Just the normal stuff-10/7

Hi Everyone,

Nothing too exciting to report. Just trying to blog at least once a week. Just in case anyone is wondering what's up. I had chemo on Monday and all went just fine. The new picc line is doing it's job just fine. It's just a pain to maintain on a daily basis. I have to keep it dry at all times. So I have to wrap it up each time I shower. And the line needs to be flushed daily. Larry has been a good companion helping me with this every night.

I'm feeling the usual yucky stuff that goes along with the chemo. Tiredness, nausea, sore muscles and bones. But, I am blessed with an awesome support system. My family and the Church family have been priceless. I could live a thousand lives and never be able to repay everyone for all they have done for us. I am so grateful to all.

I have been trying to stay as active as I can. I have been helping with the kids classrooms. Between Dorothy and me, one of us is always there at least once a week in both of the girls classes. They love having us there helping and it is great to get to know the kids they are always talking about. Also, our womens bible study starts up tomorrow. I help with that in a small way and I'm looking forward to get back into the swing of the weekly meetings once again. I have been blessed to be feeling real good by the weekends. So Sunday Church is always a pleasure. I am so grateful to Jesus for helping be to maintain much of my normal life while going through all the difficult treatments.

Again and again...thanks for all the prayers!! I love you all!!

Peggy

Back on track-9/30

Hi All,

Well, after having all the trouble with the port and the picc line put in, I am finally back on track with treatments. I had chemo yesterday. All went very well. It is so nice not to be poked all over the place. Today I am feeling a little nausea. But, I have my trusty ginger treats a dear friend Karen Powers from church bought for me from Trader Joes. They are a help for sure!

I a also happy to report that the ants have not made an appearance in a few days. I can't tell you how much food we had to throw away. Not to mention all the work cleaning them up. They are like walking dirt crumbs. I hope this is all behind us for now! Thank you Jesus!!!

We received a blessing from another friend from New Life Comm Church. They had purchased concert tickets long ago and as of recent had another commitment pop up. So they gave us three tickets they were unable to use. So we went to the Verizon amphitheater on Friday evening to see...Third Day, Switchfoot and Jars of Clay. All Christian bands that have been around several years. It was so much fun. We brought Lexie because the others would have conked out too soon. Even with that Lexie got pretty tired. We left the theater around 10:30. The place is way down in Irvine so it was a late night for all. But we had an excellent time. What a blessing for us in a time when we wouldn't have been able to afford this treat ourselves. God is good!!

Love to all and thanks for your continued prayers for victory over this disease.

Blessings, Peggy

PICC Line in

Hi All,

I hope you all have been doing well. We are getting used to the new schedule and everything is falling into place. I love this time of year with the season changing from warm to cool, the leaves turning colors and the holidays upon us. It is a definite happy spot for me right now.

Things have been difficult with the port not working and the healing in that area going slowly. Again the doctor did not treat me with chemo yesterday (Monday). Just wanting all my healing energies to go towards the wounded site and not dealing with all the destruction of chemo. But without the port he explained to me we need to do the next option which is a "picc" line. (I'm not sure what the abbreviation stand for). So that was put in yesterday. And that too was difficult to place. My arm looks all beat up. It hurts to bend it too much. This makes eating, brushing my teeth, dressing etc...very difficult. I feel somewhat disabled. The Picc line is able to stay in place for about 3 months. I'm praying all will go well and nothing will become infected or injured in any way. This picc line has stuff hanging out of my arm. It is really obnoxious! We also have been having problems with ants and that feels like an attack from satan! And I did an adding error in the checkbook and we are reaping the consequences of that too. So I have been feeling down in the dumps.

Sorry this update is less positive. But I know so many of you are faithful people of prayer. And I know that God alone can turn all this ugly stuff around. Thanks for praying for my family. It means more to us than any of you will ever know. We love you all.

Blessings, Peggy

Port's gone-9/16

Hello,

Well, yesterday was a busy day for me. I went in to get chemo. But, when Dr. Rigberg got a look at my port sight he decided against it. I was looking pretty red under the bandage. It was not oozing or spreading redness to a larger area. But none the less it looked worse rather than better. I had been on the antibiotic for over 3 days and improvement should have been noticeable. He then sent me to the place it was put in to have it removed. This was more painful because the skin was so irritated this time. Even with all the numbing stuff they gave me it could still feel each stitch happening. But, it feels less worse having it out than it did having it in. Now the prayer is for it to just heal up and have no more infection problems. I stay on the antibiotic that I am on until it is finished. If it does puff up and ooze I need to let them know. It actually puffed up right away. By the time I got home it looked like the port was still in. So I called the Dr. He said, since it happened so fast we know that is from fluid not infection. If I gets worse than this I will know the other is happening.

I'm really sad to see it go. I really wanted it to work. It was used only once and it was great. It made the painful process just a little easier and quicker. But that was the point to make it less painful not more painful. I go back next Mon. for my next treatment. We will have to do things the old fashioned way. But we will just continue to battle onward. Thanks for praying.

Love to all, Peggy

Port Problems-9/11

Hi All,

I was going to title this one "Love the Port" after using the port Monday for chemo. It worked great and it was one tiny little stick and they were in and ready to go. But, starting yesterday-Wed.-it started to ache. This morning it looked more red and felt even more uncomfortable. So, when I went to Dr. Rigberg's to get my Neupogen shot he was able to look at it. He wrote me a Rx for an antibiotic. He also wanted me to have the Dr. that put it in look at it. So I went over there this morning too. He said it looks suspicious but not all infected. He wants me to take the antibiotic Dr. Rigberg prescribed and see him in 10 days. He drew a line with a skin marker where the red area is. If it goes outside of that line I need to let them know. If it does get infected he said they will have to pull the port. No way in Jesus name!! I got this in and I want it to work the way it is suppose to now. So, please pray that the medicine will do it's job and that all is well with the port.

Other than all that...we are doing good. Larry is especially enjoying the politics! It's his favorite season. If you have any questions about all that, he will most likely know what is going on. I believe it to be one of his hobbies. He is also very busy at work with the Church buying it's first building. We have leased these past 11 years. It's huge!! It's an old Home Depot that used to be a Price Club(before they were a Costco.) They building has been empty for 7 years. Josh asked me this morning if the new Church is finished yet. We still haven't even finished all the paperwork yet! It's going to be a long wait for the little guy.

Thanks for all the prayers and the love!! We appreciate you all!!

Love and Blessings, Peggy

Port-9/3

Hi All,

School has started and it's the 2nd day of school for the girls already. Trinity is in first grade and she got Lexie's first grade teacher Mrs. Thomas. Who is our neighbor these last 10 years. She is a great teacher/friend and we couldn't be happier. Lexie has Miss Logamarsina. (I have no idea if I spelled her last name right.) Rumor is she is a really good teacher. Lexie is happy with all her class mates too. It's looking like it will be a good year.

I had chemo on a Thurs. this time. It messed me up so much in that I am so used to doing it on Mondays. He is letting me skip tomorrow and wait 3 extra days and get back on the Monday schedule. My bad days won't be on the weekend this way. This time my veins were really a piece of work. It took two nurses and 5 pricks before they found a vein they could use. My veins are just so over used that they are really scarred and hard to get into. Soooooo...Dr. Rigberg suggested that I have a port put in. It would be in my chest. It's under the skin and it's a vein that is always threaded. It's an outpatient procedure done at my radiology place where I get my ct-scans and such. They just use local anesthesia. Just pray that that goes in well with no complications and that it helps this battle to be a bit easier to fight. I'm hoping it is not too uncomfortable.

Thanks for reading and keeping up with me. I love being able to communicate this way. I love hearing the comments too. They are very encouraging to me. Thanks for the prayers. We are in this battle together. You all are part of this fight with me!!

Lots of love, Peggy

Scan Results-8/25

Hi All,

Larry and I saw Dr. Rigberg this morning for the results of my resent Pet & CT scans. It showed that all looks the same as last Mays scans. This is good news in the fact that last May showed that there was evidence of disease progression. There are the same 4 spots that they pointed out last time. The one in my collar bone area (which feels smaller), the one over my aortic arch which is the largest one and two other small one around the breast bone area. The Pet scan did show a small dot on my liver, but when they looked at the ct scan they could see nothing unusual. The Dr. did not appear to be too concerned about that. It's just something to look out for next time. He did not call it progression in any way.

I feel hopeful that the chemo I just completed was indeed helpful. He wants me to continue doing the same routine right away. I will start on Thurs. with more of the same chemo that I did for the past 3 months. I am not looking forward to feeling crummy again. But, I think I will tolerate it knowing that it is stopping it from growing. Now we need to pray that it will make it all disappear all together.

We had a wonderful time on our vacation to Virginia. It is such a beautiful state! The people are really nice out there too. We enjoyed mostly relaxing and not having to do anything or be anywhere. We just really needed to get away together and refocus. It was a great time! The only hard thing was the airplane or more likely the "airport". It takes so long to get through all the checkpoints they have now that we actually missed our plane. We ran to our gate and watched our plane pull away. We were very frustrated. But our God is so good!!! The plane pulled back in! That never happens! Someone on the plane needed to get off. So we were able to board. Thank you Jesus!! I think the Lord just wanted us to trust Him and relax. So that is just want we did!

School will be starting next week for the girls. Josh will start pre-school once again the following week. We will establish a new routine as needed as time goes on. Thanks for all the prayers and keep up the good work and keep those prayers coming. I am determined to beat this thing.

Lots of Love, Peggy

This chemo complete-8/7

Hi All,

Well, I completed this third different kind of chemo on Monday. I still feel yucky from it though. I will get a break from it all next week when Larry and I go to Virginia to a Foursquare Retreat Center. It's free for the pastors of the denomination. We will be blessed to be refreshed and it all comes right around our 12th anniversary. Hooray!! We leave this coming Tues. and return the following Monday. The kids will be staying with friends and family members while we are away.

As I said before the tumor in my neck by my collar bone is less prominent. I am praying that all the others are doing the same or even more so. I asked Dr. Rigberg on Monday if the scan conclude the same thing and that they are indeed getting smaller, what is the next step. He said, "Then we will do more of the same." He said it is a big deal that after all these tries we have found something that is working. Nothing else in the past has stopped it from progressing. Not, surgeries, not radiation not two other chemo treatment. Even though more chemo sounds awful to me...it is all still very good news. I am praying that this week and the week we are away that these tumors just altogether disappear. Pray with me that God would do these miracles and that the doctors will be surprised!!

Here is my verse again that I keep claiming....

"Any plant that my Heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted." Matthew 15:13

Lexie just returned from camp and had a great time with the other church kids. I asked if she cried this year. She said only once. She said that during worship one night she sensed that the Lord spoke to her and said that her mother is healed. And that deeply touched her. And me too!! We all just keep believing that God is at work in and around us and that all of this is to show His power and glory. We will keep trusting Him!!

We had a great time with family at my Grandpa's 90th birthday party. There were 48 relatives there. It was so good to see our Aunt, Uncles, Cousins and their families again. It had been a long time since we have all been together. We had a chance to visit the Sequoia's the next day since it was only 1 hour away. It was good to have a little vacation with at least two of the kids. Lexie was still at camp and missed this event.

Thanks for all countless prayers for my healing. We are praying for a miracle to take place and that Jesus is glorified through the process. Thanks for the faith on my behalf.

I love you all, Peggy

Hope-7-31

Hi All,

I was able to get another treatment in this past Monday. My blood seems to be hanging in there. All the levels are in a good place. When Dr. Rigberg examined the lump on my neck this time he said "It feels less diffused." He is not one to give out hopeful information readily. He is very cautious. So that was big for me to hear him stay that. If my blood hangs in there next Monday, then that may be my last treatment before being re-studied. So please keep praying!! Maybe we can pray these tumors away completely before my next Pet Scan. Together we are so much stronger.

We were blessed last Friday night by my step brother John and his wife Bonnie. They treated us to a concert at the Santa Barbara county bowl. It was Mercy Me and David Crowder. It was a lot of fun. The David Crowder Band is just wild and crazy. They even played the "guitar hero" guitar during one of their songs. They were so much fun. Mercy Me was way polished and very worshipful. The lead singer even shared about how his dad battled cancer and passed away when the singer was only 19 years old. It was very touching how he shared that God was at work through it all. He challenged us that we are going through hard times that God can do awesome things through it. It was very touching.

Lexie is off to Summer camp with the Church this weekend and the rest of us are heading up to Visalia to celebrate my Grandfathers 90th birthday. It will be a fun time to see many family members I have not seen in a long time. I'm looking forward to it and praying for enough energy to enjoy it all.

Love and blessings, Peggy

Summer Days-7/24

Hi All,

It's been awhile since my last post. Not much to report. I had a week off and that was nice. It just makes it that much harder to go back and get going again. I got started again on Monday and have felt real tired and achy this time. Today feels a bit better so I am able to get up and post something. I'm not sure if I have 2 or 3 more chemo's before they recheck me. Either way, it will be sometime in the month of August. I'm praying hard that things have stopped growing and are getting smaller.

The kids have been busy all Summer long with swimming, going to the beach, museums, golf n stuff, thrift store shopping and play dates with friends and family. I have had loads of help with them. I so appreciate it all. I have been getting meals regularly on Wed. from women in my bible study group. That helps so much. Wed. is such a hard day typically. I just want to sleep.

I just had a wonderful visit from my friend Angie that I knew from England, back 20 years ago. She was out visiting the area with her son Lucas. It was so fun to reminisce about the days when we lived in an english flat and worked at the Texas Lone Star in London. It sure did help to take my mind off my mild aches and pains at the time.

I just wanted to thank so many of you for your recent cards in the mail with notes of encouragement. The Lord has been laying me on peoples hearts and I have been so blessed by that. It is hard not knowing what is ahead in the near future. The doctor will not let me know until he gets the scan results for what is next. So I will continue to learn to be more patient.

Thanks for all the faithful prayers!! We serve a mighty God who is able to do abundantly more than we ask or can imagine!! I am so thankful for that!!

Love and Blessings to you all, Peggy

Halfway Again-7/9

Hi All,

Things are moving right along. I have had 5 infusions with this new stuff so far. So I have another 3 or 4 to go. My platelets held up good this time around so I was able to do the 3 in a row as the Dr. originally planned. The first group I only could do the two. So, hooray, I get a break next week.

I have been so blessed recently with help in various forms. My wonderful Mom has decided to bless us with a house cleaner while I am going through all of this. How wonderful is that! Having been going through this stuff for the last two years, well, things have been neglected here and there. It is so nice to get a fresh start and help to keep it up while this is going on. My good friend Chrisie of many years has devoted her Tues. to helping in any way she can. We have been having really fun Tues. since the Summer started. She works in the Elementary School system in Ventura so she is on Summer break too. My Step Mom Dorothy and my Dad have graciously taken the kids every Wed. that I have chemo for awhile now. Wed. are my crash day. I get really tired, achy and nauseous. The kids have been enjoying the pool over there on that day. Thurs. Larry's sister Lauri has been a big help watching the kids too. They just love to spend time with their cousins. We are so blessed to have family close by. I have been getting plenty of Monday help with the kids too while I get the treatments. Thanks to Kat, Aimee and La Quisha!! And the meals that have been coming in on Wed. are delicious and wonderful. We belong to such an awesome Church family that is so loving and caring. I am especially thankful for my husband who has been there going through all this with me every step of the way. It is by no means an easy journey. We appreciate all the help and prayer that you all have invested so very very much! It is all so humbling. We feel so very loved.

We will keep fighting the fight. And we thank you all for fighting this battle right along side us.

We love you all!! Peggy

Not Bald-ing, just Bald-6/30

Hi All,

Yes, it is true. I couldn't stand it any longer and I am officially sporting the "Bald Look" once again. I tried a different approach this time. I got a short cut. That was cute but still too long and messy. That lasted 4 days. Then I had Larry take it down to a 1/2 inch like Joshua's hair. That lasted almost a whole week. But just kept falling and falling and by last Friday it look very patchy. So I had Larry take it all the way down to nothing. It is much neater. Being Summer this time I am wearing scarves, bandana's and baseball caps. The two weeks of major fallout was harsh. I think I prefer just getting rid of it right away like I did last time.

If you were wondering about Larry's music poll. I don't think I have ever purchased a single anything from the artist "Lawrence Welk". Surprising as it might seem. Larry is such a funny guy. But, I have purchased just about everything "The Alarm" has produced. But it's been 20 years since any of that has happened. As of late, me and kids just love "Toby Mac". He's got it going on.

Our VBS week aka "Summer Slam" was awesome. I was able to be a 3rd grade group leader and really enjoy every minute of it. I did take Wed. night off and that worked out great. My friend Michelle was helping with the group just took over that night. Several kids accepted Jesus as there Savior and everyone had a blast Praising Him!!! We put on a high energy program and the kids just love it. Looking forward to doing it all again next Summer.

I was able to do Chemo again today. All my important blood levels were in the ok ranges. Everything seemed to go just fine. I'm hoping to be feeling good by Friday to celebrate our nations birthday. We are going to our 4th annual Santa Barbara Wolf family and friends day at the beach. Lauri and Dennis graciously go at the crack of dawn (or before) on the 4th and stake out our area. We stay all day and play and enjoy the fireworks. It is so much fun. Even if I am tired there is plenty for the kids to do and I will just rest. Looking forward to it.

Again thanks for all the blessings and especially for the mystery blessing we received this weekend! Thank you whoever you are! May God bless you back times 10!!!!

We Love You All!!! Peggy

Almost Bald Again-6/23

Hi Friends and Family,

This past week was nice to have off of chemo and all the daily shots that go along with it. However, it was not all too far from my mind with my hair falling out everywhere. Yuck!! Hats just seem really uncomfortable now that it is Summer and really hot lately. I tried to work with the remaining hair by going to get my hair cut in a cute short cut. But, it was still too long. The hair was coming out in handfuls and all over the pillow in the morning. The very worst part was in the shower, it would just stick all over me. Not very fun, indeed! So...as cute as the cut was, I had Larry get the buzzers out and cut my hair as short as Joshua's 1/2 inch cut. It's still falling out, but not as noticeable.

I hate to say the "L" word. But really the haircut does look that way. A good friend said, it's not the haircut, it's the attitude behind it. So, I hope and pray I don't look very "L"ish. But, really being all bald is a little more of a spectacle. I will go there when I need to. I will milk this look as long as it doesn't look to patchy. I just might where scarves. I haven't quite decided. Last time it was Winter and all the little beanie hats worked well.

My Platelets were at a good level this week. They recovered quite well with the week off. I was at 75,000 last week and today all the way up to 312,000. Thanks for all the prayers. Normal range for platelets (according to one internet site) is between 200,000-350,000. Below 50,000 is getting in the dangerous zone. We will see how this group of chemo's goes over the next couple of weeks.

Tonight our Church is doing it's annual Summer Slam (VBS). I have volunteered to help with one of the small group of children. It's one of the jobs that you are busy from start to finish with the event. It goes all week long during the evenings. I'm going to just do the best I can. I need to listen to my body and really call it quits if I get too tired. Right now I feel just fine. But, usually by Wed. I sort of bottom out. I'm just praying for God's will to be done. He knows what I am suppose to do.

Thanks for all the love and support. A special thanks to Judie S who dropped off a Green Tea Smoothie for me while I was getting Chemo today. Is that so cool or what?? I am so blessed to have the circle of friends that I have. God is so very good to me!! I love you all!!

Blessings in Jesus name, Peggy

Low Platelets-6/16

Hi All,

First of all...Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there. I hope the day was filled with fun, rest and family!! We had a nice day starting with Church. We did not have an evening service yesterday on account of the holiday. So we had my Dad and Stepmom Dorothy over. Along with My sister Sandy & Keith and Olivia. We did a simple BBQ and had a real nice time all together.

Today I went in all geared up for my chemo, armed with my water and reading material. And after reviewing my blood work for the morning, Dr. Rigberg says that my platelets were too low and that we will have to skip chemo this week to try to give the body time to build that level back up. So we will look again next Monday and see where we are at.

I was a little bummed because my week off was suppose to be next week. That was just perfect because I signed up to help with the Church's annual Summer Slam week (VBS). Now there is the possibility that I will be doing chemo next week and feeling way less energetic. And energy is just what a person needs when working with 1st thru 5th graders. I just have to keep giving it over to the Lord. He will make it all right in the end. Next week will just have to wait. We will deal with that then.

Thanks for all the prayers. God is so good and we have been blessed by so many people. The prayers, meals, help with kids, financial gifts etc... have meant so much to us. Thank you!!! We appreciate it all so very much and covet your continued prayers.

Lots of love to all, Peggy

Feeling Encouraged-6/3

Hi Everyone,

Not much to report. I started my new chemo's yesterday. All went pretty much the same. My veins continue to be difficult for the nurses to get into. It's hurts because she has to fish around in there to get a return of blood to make sure it's all flowing correctly. Yuck!

There is no new medical news with me. I am feeling encouraged just from the time to adjust to the new news. I have been surround with love and encouragement from so many friends. And more people than I even know about are praying for me. I keep hearing reports of people following the blog that I have not even met(...yet). That blesses me so much to know of the support that is out there. God is good!! My sister-law-Bonnie, had even sent me an email that God was putting me heavy on her heart. She sent me an email of encouragement even before she heard of my new news last week. Wow! It made me feel so special to God. She sent me several scriptures that the Lord had given her to pray over for me. I have been looking at those a lot this week.

Larry was out of town last week with the Church at the Foursquare Convention for Pastors in Houston. And to my surprise dinner showed up to my door 3 times while he was away. The week went smoothly and I was thankful that I did not have to do chemo's the week while he was gone. My energy level was higher for sure. Also all the kids got the "fifth disease" last week. I still have no idea where it came from. I am thankful that I did not get it. Not too harmful to kids a little more uncomfortable for adults and dangerous for people with suppressed immune systems. My step mom Dorothy even caught it from them. She is improving daily too. The kids looked like they had slapped cheeks with a low fever and a little tiredness. Even that was mild. The terrible thing is that once you know they have it, they are no longer contagious. So it is really hard to keep them away from others when you have no idea they had something brewing. Oh well! I am thankful the Lord protected me!

Thanks so much for all the encouraging comments. They are more helpful and healing to me that you might realize. Blessing back to all of you many times over!!

Love, Peggy

Discouraging News-5/24

Hello Everyone,

Well, we had our review of the recent scans with Dr. Rigberg yesterday. It looks like the current chemo (Hycamtin)that I am on is not helping. There is a spot under my sternum that is growing larger and also the one under my collar bone (which he was able to show me and I can feel it with my hand) and a couple other smaller ones in the chest region. So now we need to try a new chemo drug. I will start Taxol and Gemzar a week from Monday. I have done the Taxol before but was not able to do the full course because my white cells got to low when I did radiation. So he wants to try it again. That one is a hair loss one. So we will see what happens. Maybe I will go short again for the Summer.

I cried a lot yesterday. But, feel better about it all today. We were really surrounded by the love of so many friends and family that it was hard to stay down for too long. I was able to sleep in this morning and woke up to Lexie out back shooting baskets and singing "Our God is Mighty to Save" at the top of her lungs. It made me smile. I felt like that song was a word from the Lord to the family on this day. There is a line in that song that she kept singing that says "Savior, He can move a mountain, Our God is Mighty to save, He is Mighty to save!" Later in the morning I was talking to my friend Aimee on the phone and she out of the blue gave me the scripture about how Jesus conquered the grave. The other line of the song that Lexie kept belting out was "Forever author of Salvation, He rose and conquered the grave, He died and conquered the grave." So I knew that Jesus was speaking to us as a family that these tiny tumors are nothing compared to a huge mountain and He is able to do anything!!

Even when hope seems challenged there is still hope and we are all still hoping. Thanks for all the prayers and keep them coming. I was so disappointed that I will not be done with all this for the Summer. I was so looking forward to that time with the kids. I will be doing this new Chemo all Summer now. It looks like it will be June, July and August. I will have to just trust the Lord with it all and that the kids will somehow have a fun Summer. It's in God's most capable hands.

Blessings to all and Much Love too!! Peggy

Pet's and Cat's-5/14

Hi All,

No, no we are not getting a new pet that is a cat. I have a PET scan tomorrow and a CAT scan Friday. I just talked to my sister and she said her friends at work are praying for me. I thought I had better get the request out there so people can be praying. I am asking God for a clean report with no new signs of disease and improvement in the questionable areas.

I had another great answer to prayer this week too. My red cells have been getting pretty low lately. When I got checked on Monday I was expecting the number to be lower than 10 and needing some medicine to help that. But surprisingly the number was up from 10.5 to11.5. Wow! Also my white cells and platlets are doing just fine. And this Monday I get a break. I will have a week off. Hooray!! Give my body a chance to re-coop!

I'm not sure if the Doctor will be going over the results of the scans this Monday or the next. But, God willing, if all is well the plan is to just continue with the last month of chemo that I have scheduled to do. That means 3 more Mondays. I think I can, I think I can...I know I can, I know I can. I know because I am not going at this alone. God is with me and your prayers are powering that for me!!

Thank you to all of you! Especially you precious people I have not met yet! Love to all!!!

Peggy

Starting Round 3-4/28

Hi All, (And a special Happy Birthday to Dad Wolf!!!)

It was sure nice to have a week off of all the chemo and nuepogen shots. It made going in today kind of hard. But, during the time off our Church had it's annual Women's Retreat-Beautiful One! It was a great time. God is always on the move doing amazing things and this weekend was no exception.

I had a kind of down feeling come over me after I returned. Maybe it was the after camp "off the mountain top experience". Maybe it's the fact that my cycle is trying to start (which I'm thankful for after the chemo a year ago it nixed all my estrogen-thankful for all that is normal still). Maybe it's the finances. Maybe it's the fact that I had more chemo to face. Maybe it's just everything combined. I'm not sure. I know "I'm not suppose to feel this way" as a Christian. I also know that when I am weak He is strong. So why deny Him the opportunity. I guess I'm saying this here so you all can know how to pray more specifically.

The chemo this morning is getting more challenging to get into my veins. They are getting pretty scarred up from so much use. Just keep praying I will not need a port put in. In some ways they are easier but they have plenty of down sides too. My white cells continue to hold up with the help of the neupogen. Lately my red cells are going down from the starting 14 to 10.8 after the last round of treatments. At 10 they need to give me so other drug called procrit to help with that. Today my red cells were 11.3. So they are hanging in there. Sorry if this is all boring info. Just giving you all some more prayer points.

We are all continuing to get help from friends and family helping in so many ways. We appreciate it all from the meals to the childcare to the help with other household chores and on and on....Thank you all and may God Bless You back 10 times as much!!!

In Kids Church this Sunday the scripture to memorize was fitting...With God all things are possible! Matt. 19:26 Boy did I ever need to hear that one again!!

Love to all, Peggy

Finishing up Round 2-4/14

Hi All,

I am almost 1/2 way now. I had my 6th of 12 infusions of chemo today. I feel just fine at the moment. Thank you Jesus! Only 6 more to go. I have my week off next week. I am sure I will feel good not having to go through any treatments that week.

Last week was rough. Maybe all the fun I had with my friends the weekend before left me extra tired. But chemo last week left me feeling more tired and nauseous. I'm hoping this week I will be able to handle it all better.

Thanks for the prayers that you have been sending up on my behalf. I get compliments from the doctors and nurses of how well I am handling all of the treatments. I just give the glory to God.

I continue to ask for your prayers for my well being. Please continue to prayer for ultimate healing and long-life. We need God to come through in the area of finances as well. The past 2 years of costly & numerous co-pays, medicines, appointments etc... have drained our savings and have left things piling up. He is our provider and has always come through for us in the past. Just pray that God will help us in His own creative way. Also, just basic prayer of covering for the family.

It is always so humbling to be in need of so many prayers. But, it is so awesome on the other side to see the hand of God move. I am so thankful ahead of time for all that He is doing in our lives right now.

Love and Blessings to all, Peggy

Spring Break-3/31

Hi All,

We had our week off last week. It was perfect because I had my first break from the chemo. I had the whole week off. No poking needles...Hooray!! It was good to feel good while the kids were out. We really didn't do anything too special. Larry didn't have the time off so we did not go anywhere. But it was so nice the have relaxing mornings for a whole week!! I was able to go through all the kids clothes and hand-me-downs and get rid of the stuff they had out grown. What a monumental task. I did one kid a day. So many piles to go through. We really are blessed when it comes to hand-me-downs. And at this point, the kids love it!! Not sure what will happen in the teen years. But, we will get there when we get there.

My Dad and StepMom Dorothy took the kids overnight one night too. That was really a blessing to have a morning to relax and and just have a break from the busyness. The doctor said that I still need to rest even on the weeks I have a break. At least now I don't feel guilty when I rest.

Also, we got our garden planted!! Hooray!! We pulled out all the weeds. Larry moved some of the Strawberries that are now going gangbusters on us. Then he went and rented a rototiller. Then yesterday, He and the girls put in the seeds. I think we will be having some corn, peas, carrots, radishes, sunflowers and maybe even watermelon and cantaloupe if it works. We have not done the last two in the past yet. Later we will plant the Pumpkins since they don't need to go in until June. It is always so fun to watch them grow. The kids love the whole process!! I guess most of our ancestors were farmers at one time or another. It's just in our blood!

I started my 2nd round of chemo today. I'm feeling really good at the moment. I have noticed a pattern and this is typical. My challenging days are Tues and Wed. so far. I'm looking forward to going away this weekend the the Land of Raisens!! Selma California!! My friend Jamie is turning 40 and our friend Ann in flying out from IL on Thurs. and we will journey north for the weekend. It will be a really fun getaway and I am really looking forward to it. Pray for Larry. He is taking the kids camping to Carpentaria with his Sister Lauri and Brother Wally's families and other friends. Hopefully He will do fine with it all. He will just be spending the night Friday night. They will be back later Saturday.

As usual I feel blessed to have so many people praying for us. I know I am doing so well because God's people cared enough to pray for me. I feel so loved!! Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Lots of love, Peggy

Rollercoaster-3/14

Hi All,

It really has felt like a Rollercoaster these past two weeks that I have been doing Chemo. It's been a little hard going through all this again. I went to Church this past Sunday. One of the worship songs really touched me. I started to tear up. Then I start fighting with God about it all. Sitting in the front row with Larry, I just felt like might as well be crying on stage. But the Lord really wasn't bothered by my pride to act like I have it all together. He said it is alright to just be real. So I was weepy all day long it seemed. I'm not really sure how to explain it. Maybe God just wanted me to just get it all out of my system. I really did feel better the next day.

Chemo this past Monday was just as seamless as the last one. Only the two days following I really felt very tired. More tired than I remember. But, maybe it's just that I don't remember. Some stuff is just easier forgotten. Other than that, all seems to be going well.

I had a parent/teacher conference with Trinity's teacher Mrs. Tucker this week. Nothing out of the ordinary just the regular 2nd trimester check-in with the teacher. We talked and she had lots of great things to say about Trin's progress. She is doing great. I have been open with all the kids teachers about what is going on with me in case stuff comes up with the kids in the classroom. So we talked about how all this seems to be effecting her. She only had one thing that stood out to her months back. For a few days she came in real quiet and to herself. She is usually more energetic. Then one morning following her quiet days she came in first thing and raised her arms in the air and shouted "Hooray My Mom's Not Going to Die!" And then she went back to her normal self after that. We are thinking it must have been the time around the Surgery back in November.

It's hard to know how the kids are digesting all this serious stuff. I just keep putting them in God's capable hands. He knows what He is doing. I trust Him!! I know it is helping me to appreciate each and everyone one of these special people God has allowed me time with. Larry, Lexie, Trinity and Joshua are incredible people. Not to mention so many others so very close too. I am such a blessed person! I guess I could go on and on but I risk getting really boring. So I will sign off here.

Lots of love!! Thanks for all the great prayers!!

Peggy

My First Chemo-3/3

Hello Friends and Family,

Today began so very windy. Major East Winds blowing everything around. And of course it had to be a trash day. When I parked at the Doctors office I prayed that no big branches would fall off and hurt the car. Why not, God cares about the small stuff too...right?

I go in and the first chemo was virtually painless. The nurse got my vein the first time and the drugs did not make me nauseous at all. It took all of an hour and a half. I'm happy to report that there was nothing exciting happening here. However, when I got out to my car I was happy to see that God did answer my prayer with a YES! No big branches fell on the car! But, a flock of pooping seagulls did happen along. Yuck!!! My car and the one next to me were covered. Oh well!!

After this I went to LaQuisha's to get Josh. Here she reported that he ate a complete second breakfast...eggs, waffles, bacon, oranges and apple juice. I think the boy might be part hobbit. He was thrilled to come home and put on his swim suit and sponge bob flip flops and help me wash the car. No more bird poop!! I couldn't handle it one minute longer.

I will be going in Wed. Thurs. Fri. and Sat. to get a nupigen shot (not sure how it is spelled yet). This drug helps keep the white cell count up where it needs to be...hopefully. Still not sure how much these phramaceuticals are going to cost. We will continue to just trust the Lord!! Next Chemo will be next Monday morning.

Thanks ever so much for all the prayers!! Priceless I tell ya!!

Love to all, Peggy

2/26-The Battle Continues

Hello Loved Ones,

Hope this finds everyone doing very well. It is Trinity's "6th" birthday today!! Woo-hoo!! She is having a great day so far! She brought cookie bars to share at school. Also she's been playing with the one gift I let her open, so far, all afternoon. We will do the others when Daddy gets home from work. And she gets to pick her favorite restaurant for dinner. So far it's a toss up between Red Robin and IHOP. Personally I hope she picks the Red Robin. I love their Whiskey River Chicken Sandwich. And not just because of the Whiskey-;)

Larry and I went to the Dr. appointment this afternoon to go over the results of the PET scan I did last week. The test show that there seems to be a few small areas of re-occurrence once again. Thankfully it is all still isolated to the chest area. Dr. Rigberg said he wished we could have started the chemo earlier yet he understood our circumstances. They are what they are. The chemo regimen is still the same as it was. I will be doing an ovarian cancer drug called Hycamtin. I will be treated one day a week for 3 weeks and have the 4th week off for 4 months. The Doctors concerns are my bone marrow-white blood cell count. It went real low last time and if it goes too low they have to delay treatment until it gets higher. They have drugs that help this and they tend to be costly. He also said that the success rate is 30%. Not the best news...BUT we have God in our camp and lots of people praying!! I have had a lot of peace the last few days. I know God is by my side and walking us all through this valley. I have been totally dwelling on the 23rd Psalm lately!! Thank you all for all the prayer and support you have blessed us with. It means so very much! We will let you know in days to come of more practical ways to help as the needs arise.

Thanks again we can count on our friends and loved ones!! We love you all!!

Peggy and Larry

Round 2

Hi All,

Thanks for all the prayers during this waiting period. Some days I would forget about it all together. Others were not that easy. But, all in all here we are! We have successfully changed from Blue Cross to Health Net PPO. We haven't really used it all that much yet. I'm hopeful that all will go smoothly on the insurance end of all this now. I got my numbers last week and with that was able to give them to the Dr.'s office manager to start setting me up with getting approvals and appointments. Today I heard that Health Net approved my PET Scan. I am set to go next Wed. the 20th. Then we will meet the following Tues. the 26th to go over the results of the scan with Dr. Rigburg. I am assuming I will get going on Chemo the following Monday. I will update that info. once I have that information.

Meanwhile, just keep up all that praying you are so faithfully doing. It is helping this family get through this crisis without too much drama. We really want the Lord to carry the burden and to direct us and for us to clearly know what He wants us to do. Pray for good news on the PET Scan. Pray for peace, as we have been waiting extra time to get to things with the insurance change over. Pray for finances to work out and all doctor bills to be handled with ease. He is our Peace, our Provider, our Healer and our Salvation and so much more.

Thanks you all so very VERY much for all the prayers and support!! I keep praying back that the Lord will bless you much more that you have been a blessing to all of us!! We love you all very much!! Until next time!! Pray for good news!!

Love you, Peggy