What am I GRATEFUL for?!!! I'll TELL you what I'm grateful for!!

I'm grateful for my sister, Laura!! I'm grateful for the donor that gave her hope!! I'm grateful for the doctors that have cared for her so well over the past few years! I'm grateful for the news she shared with me just a little bit ago!  Which is:

• They see NO leukemia!
• She is now "100% donor." The exchange has happened!
• She still has to receive blood because her blood type hasn't completely changed over. It might take a couple more months for her blood type to change. (She used to be type O positive and will become type A.)
• Her hematocrit (I don't know what that is) is 29. For the average person the hematocrit is in the low 30's...so she's almost there!
• No blood was needed this week.
• She doesn't have to go back to the doctor for two weeks... (which is very good!)
• In two weeks, they'll make a plan for her to continue check-ups in Albany with her doctors there. And, then, it'll only be every 3-4 weeks. 
• They told her for the 100 day stage (which is the stage she's in right now), she's "as good as it gets!"

Laura's highlight of the news today was that:

• SHE CAN RIDE HER BIKE!

Thanks for your prayers and all the love.

Ain't she SOMETHIN'?!

The Three Sisters

This past Thursday, Laura, Mary Celeste and I flew to Berkeley, CA to see Emily in a play called "Three Sisters."

Laura decided to jump on it when her doctor gave her permission to go see Emily's play. Mary Celeste and I were happy to be able to go, too!

I flew from Bellingham and met MC and Laura on Thursday night. Mostly, we ate good food, hung out and we enjoyed Emily's play... which has received great reviews and has sold out quite a few times.

Check this review out:::

And, this one...

 

 

Tomorrow Laura is supposed to get the results from the bone marrow biopsy that was performed a couple of weeks ago.  I don't totally understand what they're looking for, but we're hoping that the results will show that her body has accepted the new marrow and that she no longer has leukemia.

Please pray for good results. I'll let you know what I find out. GoFightWin!, Laura!!

Don't have the use of a real computer right now so this will be brief... More later.

Today at 2:00 pm, Laura will have a bone marrow biopsy. This is to make sure the leukemia has moved out. Before that time she'll have a bunch of lab work done.

Please pray for good results.

Love y'all!

Not much to report .... but didn't want to leave you hangin' for too long.

Laura's been walking a couple of times a day... Cooks all meals.... She only goes to the dr. once a week now and she went on Monday. Had to have some blood, but I was told that's just normal. Not a concern.

And, today! She and Lisa went to the north Georgia mountains with Mrs. Cannon for a couple of days. I'm so glad she gets to do something fun.

Thanks for thinking of her and for continuing to pray for her and for her children.

Love,
~chc

Sorry there have been few posts lately....

Here's what I know.
* Laura only has to go to the doctor once a week now.
* She's been walking about 2 1/2 miles everyday.
* She's been cooking all meals.
* She only has to have IV fluids every-other-day, but those will stop soon.
* Every time I talk to her she sounds good.

The doctor even told her that she could go back to Leesburg for a few days at a time, but she doesn't feel like she's able to do the 3 hour drive and it didn't sound like too much fun to spend the night in Macon to break up the trip... So, she'll wait a little while on that. She's ready to get back, though. She will be happy when she can be at her house.

Your continued prayers for her and her children are appreciated.

♥

Laura had a doctor visit yesterday. Lisa tells me that they still say she's looking good, but her cough is a bit of a concern. She had a CT scan for precaution. The results should be back on Monday. She also had a nasal swab (to test for the flu) and Respiratory Therapy, which all patients are required to have in order to prevent pneumonia. The therapy was very uncomfortable for her--it made her more out-of-breath. But it's either this or three pills a week, and that isn't something she wants.

She's going to continue with the IV fluids every-other-day instead of every day. They are also decreasing her Prograf levels because of her shakiness. We are hoping that might alleviate the shakes.

Your continued prayers for her complete recovery and overall well-being are appreciated.

Thank you all for all that you do to help Laura and to build her up. She is somethin' else!

Love y'all!

The Oscar's were celebrated in grand style on Sunday evening in Atlanta.

Even the press was there..

Invitees enjoyed the mild weather and the glowing sunset.

 
And, they pretended they were laughing just like Julia Roberts would do.

And, this guy showed up.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Laura Hall Kitchens for her GoFightWin! achievements.

I wish I had been there.

**********************************************

P.S. I haven't received the details from her most recent doctor visit, but I did get this tidbit: she needs to eat more.  When I receive more information, I'll pass it along. I'm kind of figuring that if she felt good enough to participate in an Oscar party, that's a pretty good thing. GFW!