Chemo #9-Thursday, Aug. 27th

Thursday will be Vince's 9th chemo! He is half way done! Thank you, Jesus!!! It's getting pretty hard for him at this point, not because he feels bad, but because he wants to be done with the treatments and get back to his normal life AND grow his hair back!! He is amazing and so brave, I don't know if I could get through all that he has endured. Talk about R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Everyone who knows him definitely has a new found respect for him, including Jim and I.

I have people ask me all the time about how many treatments he has left and when I tell them he has 9 more, which translates to about March 16th, they are stunned. WE are looking forward to that glorious day!!! It will be about an 18 mth. journey, but worth every minute. The doctor always tells Vince, "give me a year and a half of your life, and you can have the rest of your life to do what you want." How awesome is that!

Just a few more weeks will be one year since the day we found out about his diagnosis. In many ways it seems like yesterday, but when I start to think about all he has been through it seems like forever. My memory is quite vague at this point, until I look back and read this blog! LOL!

It makes me really appreciate what medicine can do for such horrible diseases. Vince recently asked me about the chemo and how the doctors and nurses dress in protective gear to administer the chemo, and if it gets on their skin it will pretty much eat it, BUT they can give it to him in his port and feed it to his body and that is supposed to be good? It boggles our minds, but I know that it has helped to save his life...it's so weird, huh? This is where my faith becomes even stronger, knowing that God is protecting my precious son and healing him each and every day.

Prayers are greatly appreciated, as always! You are all so special to us! Thanks for all your support!

And Jesus said to them, "Have faith in God."

Mark 11:22

Happy Sweet 16 Veronica!

Our baby turned 16 yrs. old on August 20th! She had a great time celebrating with some of her friends at our house! We (Vince and Mikemo, too) got her a new iPhone and she was so happy, but I ruined the surprise when I left the receipt in a Verizon bag (Jim and I got our new phones, too) and miss nosy looked in it and saw that there was an iPhone receipt from the AT&T store! She didn't tell us she saw it until after she got it in her pretty little hands though! LOL!

She gets her drivers license on Sept. 14th! She is a really good driver, so she should pass the test with flying colors! Tomorrow is the first day of school for her and my grandson. Gianni will be in 6th grade Jr. High! It's so hard to believe! Wow!

Veronica and her Daddo, so sweet:)

Mindy and Veronica, sisterly love!

Happy Birthday To Veronica, we LOVE YOU!

No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises! My body rests in hope.

Acts 2:26

Down To Earth Talk About Heaven by Pastor Greg Laurie

Today my heart breaks for another life lost to Ewing's Sarcoma. Michael Ederer was 19 yrs. old. His Carepage is listed in the right hand column of this blog, if you would like to read it. His birthday would have been Sept. 11th, one day after Vince's. My prayers go out to his family for peace and a comfort, that only God can give. I would like to share this video from Pastor Greg Laurie, who lost his son, Christopher in a car accident. just 1 yr. ago. He has such a wonderful perspective and I believe it will change so many lives for eternity. Please pray for Michael's family and continue to pray for Vince as he battles this ugly monster. I will update in a few days.

Click here to see his video that could change your life.

Prayer Requests:

Lilly-11 yr. old Ewing's patient, just had surgery 2 days ago.

George-Ewing's patient, having his 5 day chemo as I write this.

Tyler-17 yr. old Ewing's patient currently undergoing radiation on his leg.

Jarren-young boy with liver cancer-recovering from surgery

Asa prayed to the Lord his God, "O Lord, you can help a weak army as easily as a powerful one. Help us now, O Lord our God, because we are relying on you, and in your name we have come out to fight against this huge army. Lord, you are our God; no one can hope to defeat you.

2 Chronicles 14:11

Chemo #8, Day 3

I don't know why, but I am having writer's block. I just haven't been in the mood to post on this blog. I sometimes feel so blah. I know that it's actually a good thing, it helps me rest:) Vince has had more nausea this round than he has in the past. The doctor thinks that he may have a little bug because he was feeling like he had a cold before he got here. They have controlled his nausea with 4 different drugs and they make him so sleepy, but he said he likes it that way! LOL! Actually, I like it that way too, he is pretty happy! It's already day 3 and it seems like it's gone by pretty fast, even for me. Here is a photo of him on the drugs, can you see the smile on his face? He got up to go to the bathroom and couldn't quit smiling and giggling! It was so cute to see his teeth when he smiled! As I write this, he is telling me he is bored, LOL! We will go outside later an walk around, but for now he has to hang out in the room. Dad is on his way to visit us, so that will make things more exciting around her for sure! He keeps us entertained!

On the first day, the Therapy Dog came to visit Vince. His name is Johnny and he is a Border Collie. He was very sweet and he kept licking Vince's hand and putting his paw on it. This is a new program here on the Oncology floor, it just started about 6 weeks ago. Johnny's owner told us that they even encourage family members to bring their own dogs for a visit. For those of you who know Deric, can you imagine him coming to the hospital to visit Vince? Oh my gosh! He would be jumping up on the bed, off the bed, in a circle, bouncing up and down, and it would be crazy! Actually, it would be very fun, but exhausting! But, it was nice to have Johnny visit him.

Grandma Charlotte came to visit us yesterday and brought Chinese food! We can always rely on her to feed us! LOL! It was nice to have some quality time with her while Vince slept. She is the best mother in law that anyone could ask for! Love her so much!

Vince's friend, Chris came to visit last night and we drove to Wahoo's for dinner and it was so yummy! Veronica was here as well. Check out this photo of her choking me...that's how much she loves me! Hahaha! We do have some fun times considering all that we are going through.

Only 2 or 3 nights left! Yay! Thanks for praying!

Prayer Requests:

Kate-little girl with brain tumor

Young boy-recently diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma

Lilly-11 yr. old with Ewing's

Caleb-young boy with mental issues

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

--1 Peter 5:10

Chemo #8 Starts Tomorrow

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for a few weeks! That is such great news, because that means things have been going pretty smooth around here. I have cleaned, cleaned, cleaned, Veronica went to Big Bear w/Lya, for some much needed vacation time, Mikemo came home from Florida, we celebrated my sister in laws (Gina) birthday at Cliffton's Cafeteria in downtown Los Angeles, rode my new bike a few times with Vince and Veronica, had a great dinner at a Japanese restaurant with Vince, Mikemo, & Veronica, went to a "No Doubt/Paramore" Concert in Irvine with Mindy, Veronica, and her friend, Nicole. The tickets were Veronica's 16th birthday present, her birthday is coming up on Aug. 20th!

We ate at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank (can I hear an Amen!) on the way to the concert, and today we celebrated Mindy's 29th birthday with Red's BBQ and a Red Velvet cake from "Nothing Bundt Cakes"...whew! I feel like a new person! The last 10 mths. have been so intense and all this "normal stuff" has felt like a breath of fresh air! We even went to church on Sunday!

Vince goes into the hospital tomorrow at 10 a.m. for his 5 day chemo. He has been feeling really good, which is certainly a huge blessing! Mikemo is leaving tomorrow for Atlanta, Ga (Maria and Tyler, wish I could go with him, then I could come visit you!) Mikemo will be on a skate trip of the U.S. filming for Chocolate (a skate co.), for the next 2 weeks. He didn't get to skate in the X Games because he ended up getting sick. Hopefully, he will be invited back next year:)

Thank you again for all your prayers for Vince and our family! We are so very grateful for your never ending care and concern. We are looking forward to checking this chemo off the list!

Prayer Requests:

Lisa-pray that she feels the presence of Jesus and the hope that he has for her. She needs a special miracle right now for healing in her body!

Kate-a 6 yr. old with a brain tumor. Pray for healing.

Me-I am having a brain scan on Wed. to follow up on the tumor in my spine. Pray that they find a brain! LOL! No, seriously pray for a clean scan! Thank you:)

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

Psalms 29:11