I Will Fess Up...

Here it is!

The famous FBC Cocklebur!

It has been safe and secure in a hidden area of my house.

Although now I am seriously considering putting it

in the safety deposit box.

As I read Margie's post, a new surge of power came over me!

Hopefully, the mere pictures will energize you all.

Love,

Laura

Coumadin

Update:

Laura spoke with the people at the Coumadin clinic this morning and it turns out she is actually supposed to be on the Coumadin for at least a month.

That's not sitting well with her.

Next round of chemo is Friday.

Please pray that she won't have to be on the Coumadin forever.
Please pray that doctors will give her some good information and help her make choices that are good for her mental and physical health.
Please pray for those of us who love her -- that we'll be helpful.

If you can, make her laugh. That's supposed to be good medicine.

GOFIGHTWIN!!

Clif, Emily and Lisa were all at home for Christmas and the whole family enjoyed just being together.

Laura finished her shots yesterday and begins the Coumadin today. Tomorrow she goes to the Coumadin clinic and will find out what the next steps are.

The treatment of this cancer is getting old and she's ready to eat food and taste it and to eat whatever she wants to. With the Coumadin, her diet has new restrictions. It's not just the food, though, she's just tired of all the side effects from the treatment.

Don't get me wrong. I think she's still able to enjoy some of everyday. In fact, the other night, I had a great conversation with her and we laughed a lot.

Please pray for Laura this week...

• that the blood thinners she's been on will have taken care of the clot.


• that she'll have something in every day that makes her smile -- or even better, laugh.


• that she'll have something fun to eat that actually tastes good to her.

She's a sport. She's a fighter... and she'll get through this. Seems like she needs a break, though, from the rough effects of the treatment. That's what I'm hopin' for this week.

Here's to a year ahead with lots of good news!

Ain't nothin' simple...

Today Laura went back to the doctor be checked out and here's the news:

• She has a cold and so they put her on an antibotic.
• Also, she now has a blood clot located near her life port. She was suspicious something was wrong because her left arm was kind of tight and swollen. It's her weakest arm so she knew it shouldn't be bigger than her right arm.
• She had a Doppler Study which determined that she has a blood clot called DVT (deep vein thrombosis). It is not common but it is not unusual for chemo patients to get blood clots.
• They have started her on a blood thinner which results in her having to give herself shots for the next four days. The drug is Lovenox.
• After those four days she'll start Coumadin. She'll go to the Coumadin Clinic next Tuesday and they will check the clot and determine how much longer she'll have to take the thinners.

On a more pleasant note: all of her family is with her and they've spent lots and lots of time (at her request) taking pictures in front of the tree. Hopefully, I'll be able to post one or two before too long.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

Mystery Solved...

Thanks, Rosa!!

Love,
Laura and Carrie

Lance Armstrong Foundation

Some of you may have noticed that one of the comments left on the last post was left by "The Lance Armstrong Foundation."

Laura and I would like to know if any of you know how they found out about the blog.

If you know, please leave me a comment.

Thanks.

Laura's Day

Laura's finally feeling some good effects from the 1 liter bag of sugar water she got today. When she walked out of the hospital she didn't feel good.
This morning the inside of her mouth felt like she had chewed the sides up. They were raw. The roof of her mouth was solid white from the rash and her throat cracked every time she opened it. Her face was getting redder and the bottoms of her feet were blistered. Nothing tasted like anything and she had lost more weight. She was also cold and Albany, GA was reaching record breaking temperatures.

Anyway, they gave her the fluids and now she's feeling a little better.

Sylvia Vann made lasagna for their supper and she was able to taste it. Luckily, she made so much that Laura was able to freeze part of it and will have it again when the sores in her mouth are gone.

Steve has had a relapse of his sinus infection. He took an unusual before-dinner nap and felt much better after Sylvia's delicious supper.

Laura's hoping to be walking or riding her bike by tomorrow afternoon.

Please keep praying that the sores will go away. Our family enjoys food and it's so much more fun when you can taste it. :-)