TO THE TOP

This afternoon the University Of North Carolina Children's Hospital pediatric transplant coordinator Becky called to tell us that with Shantel's numbers she has been moved to the #1 spot on the transplant list. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as this is all very exciting but also stressful.
For those of you that know me know I'm not big on "unknowns". I like consistency and knowing what's going to happen. With all that has happened with Shantel and my Mom I'm pretty sure I better learn what God is trying to teach me!!

WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE

valentines day at cheesecake factory

BIRTHDAY PRESENT

One of Mom's Birthday presents was a two night stay at Myrtle Beach on their way to Florida. Their hotel was right on the beach and the view was awesome!! Mom and Dad had a great time walking on the pier, eating seafood, strolling on the beach and enjoying the view. It's always a good time when you can go to a tourist destination without the tourist!!!


enjoying the fresh seafood


AWESOME view from their hotel balcony

LISTED

Today we got the call from UNC that Shantel has been listed to receive a double lung transplant. Now we begin the waiting, the anticipation of "the call." After two years of talking about the fact that someday she would need a transplant, reality is here. All very exciting and very scary! It's a huge surgery, a long rehab and lots of variables. Keep us in your prayers as we start yet another "first" in our lives.

SWEET VALENTINE GIRL

We have become very creative when it comes to celebrating special occasions at Duke. So for Valentine's Day we decided to do a little lunch for Shantel and her friends (also Duke patients) Chelsea and Chris. Happily Chris was able to go home. Neither of the girls had any idea what we were doing. We just told them to not eat lunch and have whatever treatments, etc. done by 1:00. Now Shantel and Chelsea are not allowed to be very close to each other so it was a bit tricky to come up with how we could do lunch without them in the same room. Just so happens Shantel's room is across from the nurses station so we set Chelsea (in the blue shirt) up there and moved Shantel's table to her doorway and that way they could talk to each other but not be that close together. The tables were decorated with a red table cloth, a red rose, heart plates and napkins and gifts. The menu was wings from East Coast Wings. The girls were so excited and had a great time! I want to say thank you to the staff on 5300 for always going along with our wild and often times crazy ideas we come up with to keep life in the hospital as normal and fun as we can.

Our sweet little Valentine Shantel


Shantel's friend Chelsea

ONE HOT MAMA

Mom had a wonderful and busy birthday weekend. Nathan's little girl Rachael's birthday is the day after Mom's so there was plenty of "partying" going on! I fixed a shrimp dinner the day of her birthday and then there was a party at Nathan and Heather's and then a lunch at Olive Garden with Mom's sister and niece's. Great fun all weekend!
Doesn't she look beautiful!!!

Almost a Week

We almost made it a full week out of the hospital! Shantel is really having a hard time. When she walks, moves or coughs she struggles to breathe. She was readmitted today. Please pray the insurance will hurry up and sign the form needed for her to get on the transplant list. That's all we are waiting for now. On a positive note her two little hospital friends, Chris and Chelsea are also in the hospital so she'll have someone to talk with. She can got to the playroom and do things like karaoke with Chris. With Chelsea she has to sit in a chair outside Chelsea's door to talk to her. Even with the restrictions and being gowned, gloved and masked they all have fun!

Happy Birthday.......

TO THE BEST MOM EVER!!!!!

WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!!

Answer to Prayer #1

Today we spent an entire day at Duke clinics for Mom's first follow up visit since completing radiation and round one chemo. Of course we were all a little nervous. The day started with an 8:15 blood draw and then it was off to a CT scan followed by lunch then a visit with the oncologist and radiologist.
Dr. Hope Uronis is Mom's Oncologist. We saw her first. She started to give some basic information but Dad stopped her and asked for the bottom line results. She laughed and said most of her patients say the same thing when she tries to do dialog first. So bottom line......Mom's cancer hasn't spread, moved or grown. Her cancer makers went from 60 to 11 which is fantastic. They couldn't see on the CT scan the spot that was outside the gall bladder originally which is great news!
Dr. Czito is Mom's radiologist. We saw him next. He mostly said the same as Dr. Uronis but he added something rather interesting. He said it's hard to tell at this point just how viable the tumor is.......what that means is it could be dying, it could just be there.......they just don't know because it's still early.
They both were exceptionally pleased with the results and how well Mom responded and is doing. Tomorrow Mom has an appointment with the surgeon to see if there is any possibility of getting that gall bladder out and the drain tube that goes with it. Both Dr's. have said that is extremely unlikely but they are going have the consult to be positive. That's what's so awesome about the Duke Dr's. They cover every avenue thoroughly to make sure they don't miss anything.
Next steps will be made on Friday when Mom sees Dr. Uronis again to discuss the surgeons consult. More than likely it will be a blood test monthly to keep track of the cancer makers and more chemo. Of course that could all change if the surgeon says he can operate!
Thank you all for keeping Mom and our family in prayer. Please continue to pray for us and the Dr's. as they map out next steps. Right now Mom is feeling great and doing fantastic!! We know God is in the healing business. We also know God has a much bigger plan and our little ideas don't hold a candle to it!
I'll keep you posted :)