Thursday

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

~Philippians 1:3-5~

Adrianna Cavanagh

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 10:59 PM, CDT

**September is Childhood Awareness month!

Day 2  Pre-Transplant:
Just laid down with Adrianna to try to get her to sleep, but it didn’t work.  Now she’s still tossing and turning, but I wanted to write a little tonight before I turn in.  I can’t believe she’s still up, given all the meds they have given her.
We’ve been adjusting pretty well, and so far Adrianna has not even missed a beat!  I know, unfortunately, that tomorrow or the next day will bring side effects, but we were happy to have several days to ease into this process, anyway.

Here are some of the rules of the transplant:
Adults must keep gloves and masks on at all times,  no using the restroom inside Adrianna’s room- must use public one at end of hall, no eating or drinking in room (except for Adrianna), nothing comes inside the room that has not been wiped down or sterilized, Adrianna’s food comes in wrapped up in a bag, all food or drinks must be opened inside the room for her, parents must eat in waiting room area or outside, no visitors except her mommy, daddy, and Nana
Meds:  swab her nose, ears, belly button, & behind with cream & powder under arms and in groin area-  this happens at 9 am, 1pm, 5 pm, and 9 pm, and then continues the next day.  Meds are given round the clock as always, but there are a little more meds this time around.
Luckily, Adrianna has been a champ at taking her meds by mouth.  However, when her mouth starts getting the sores (and we pray they don’t come, but they always do!), we are not sure if she’ll continue to take all these medicines like she has been.  They may have to put an N-G tube up her nose and down her throat to insert the meds and food if this happens…..
Before bed, Adrianna is given a sterile bath on the bed, then we clean her dressing where the central line is placed, and then we wrap her back up with a bandage that goes around her chest.  The central line area is still tender, so she screams when we have to clean it.
All in all, though, she’s really taken all of this quite well.  Her appetite is still great- she just finished her 2nd dinner- spaghetti-O’s- and then asked for some Goldfish!  This is a good sign.  As long as those mouth sores stay away….
She is on a continuous dose of chemo through Saturday, which is different b/c normally she has a break at night or during the day.  So it’s 4 days of chemo, then they give her 3 days of rest.
After the 3 days of rest, they will begin transplanting the stem cells!
It will be like she is being born again- all new cells running through her body.  They call it her “2nd birthday”.  She will be like a very fragile newborn baby all over again, only more fragile, and her immune system will be down for a long time.
I just learned that this is diff’t than her ANC number, which is what we were always worried about before, during regular chemo.
Now it will take her way longer to get her immune system up, regardless of the ANC.  The ANC is just a factor of her immune system.  It will take about 6 months to a year for her immune system to be high enough to go out in public.
She’ll only be allowed at the Hope Lodge (where they have air purifying system throughout), the hospital, and our home.
Her daddy came to stay last night and played with her all day.  She really enjoyed the Playdough Octopus set that one of my students had given her.  They played with that all day long.  I brought quite a few “new” things that she had not opened yet so they’d be more fun for her.  Along with lots of arts n crafts.  However, the nurses said in a few days, she will mostly be sleeping. They keep her on the Benadryl and other “sleepy meds” so that she won’t be so miserable when her counts are at 0.  Counts will take about 10 days before they start climbing above 0 again.  It’s gonna be a LONG, LONG 10 days, but we think we’re pretty prepared.  At least we know what to expect, and it’s not out of the ordinary!
Hope this helped.  I know a lot of people have been asking what transplant was going to be like, so wanted to clarify some things.
Cute story before I go:  Adrianna was asking who the King was in The Lion King movie and why Scar (the bad guy) wanted to be King.  I told her Simba and his dad were the kings.  Then she thought and said, “What is a king?”  I tried to explain that a king is kinda like a daddy, and he is in charge and tells everyone what to do, kinda like a boss.  She thought for a second and shouted, “No….Mommy’s the boss!!”  🙂
Gotta love ’em!
Thanks for your prayers & for all you cancer moms out there, thanks for all the advice as well!  Love to all!

P.S.  Please pray for Kylen Terron who is from Hammond, LA.  He is about 9 mths old and is in PICU, after having his transplant not long ago.  They think it may be a bacteria or infection, and are awaiting results.  He was doing a little better today- thank God!  Please pray for healing & strength for his parents. They are very nice people- my heart goes out to them!

Today, let’s focus our prayers on Adrianna and her family.  If you would like to read more and see pictures, please go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/adriannacavanagh.

God bless you in all you do today.

Anna Lee


Wednesday

“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.”

~Psalm 4:1~


Please pray for Tammy Helsel Rohner.   She’s very sick and unable to get out our bed.  Her husband, Heath, requests our prayers.

Mason and Adam Carter

Will you add Mason to the prayer link. He will have sinus surgery again on the 18th in McComb, Ms.  Adam has fluid in one of his ears. He is on meds and hopely it will clear it up.
Thank you,
Lawana

Colton Frazier

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 5:36 PM, CDT

OK everyone, we have new news.  Colton is going to stay here in New Orleans at the hospital for a couple of more days, (trying to get completely rid of his little fever) then he will be transfered to Touro Rehab in New Orleans where he will receive the BEST rehab and care he can get.   This is another step forward!!!
Adrianna Cavanaugh

Tuesday, September 8, 2009 4:05 PM, CDT

Just got admitted to hospital.  Adrianna and I got here this morning and got labs drawn, met with Dr. Yu, then went to get a pedicure for Adrianna. She had a blast picking out her color and talking to the ladies who did our toes!  She was so proud and kept asking what her daddy was going to say when he saw her toes.  She even said, “Daddy got his toes painted when he was a little boy!”  This had all the customers laughing!
She also had her last fast-food cheeseburger for a LONG time.  I’d say she’s in a pretty good mood and didn’t give me a fight coming to the hospital today.  Which was great, b/c I’m by myself today.  Joe will be here tonight and tomorrow and then my mom will come while Joe is at school.  Then he’ll come back for the weekends.  We’ll be playing musical chairs for a little while here!
Please say an extra prayer for my dad, as he has to go tomorrow to have another angiogram done.  He’s been having shortness of breath, and they are wondering if he needs stints.  Adrianna worries about her Poppa ALMOST as much as he worries about her!
Dr. Yu said the high dose chemo will actually start tomorrow during the day, just in case there were a reaction to it and she may need to be around.
So today they will just get labs drawn and get prepared for tomorrow.  We are in a normal room right now, but in the middle of the night they will give her a sterile bath, wrap her in a towel, and run her across the hall in the extremely clean and STERILE room.  This room has been swabbed and cleaned for a week now, waiting on Adrianna.
They have to put her clothes and toys in a high temp sterilization cleaner and for the rest of the 3 weeks, the adults in the room (mom, me, or Joe) will have to wear gloves, masks, and gowns- even during sleep!  We can give each other breaks, though, which is relieving.
We also have to store all of our clothes, etc. in the bathroom of the room and cannot eat at all in the room, or take a shower, or use the bathroom in there.  It’s going to be different, but it will be just another process in getting Adrianna healthy and better again!!!!
Please say lots of prayers that Adrianna does not get the mucocitis this go around, and if she does, that it’s not that bad.  That’s been my biggest fear- that she won’t be able to talk or eat during all of this.  She even said a prayer herself about it last night.
She also grabbed my prayer cross that a friend of mine had given me, and said a sweet prayer for Jace.  It was so sweet!!  Robyn said Jace said a prayer for her too, when the priest came to bless him!  They are so genuine and beautiful!
Adrianna’s in her legwarmers, boucing on the side of the bed right now, beggin for more cookies!  I better get going and let her enjoy her last cookies for a while too.  She’ll be on a strict diet after this.
More news tomorrow……..keep that prayer chain going!!
P.S.  Thanks SOOOO much to Tracie Howes (a former teacher friend) for having a b’day bash and being so kind as to have people give donations to Adrianna at her birthday party.  It was such a sweet gesture and we appreciate all the donations, and especially that now all these people know to pray for our baby girl, too!  So sweet- thank you, thank you, thank you!


Theresa Flores will have a kidney transplant October 19th.  Please keep Thereas, her family, the doctors, and the entire medical staff in your prayers.

KneEmail
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10
Mike Benson, Editor

A GOOD FRIEND of mine’s personal statement on Facebook says, “Don’t let your eyes adjust to the dark…”


He gives no explanation or elaboration, and for his friends who are unfamiliar with the Bible, the message probably makes no sense.  When I first read it, I assumed it was some inside joke between him and another friend.  But knowing the kind of person he is, it occurred to me that he was talking about spiritual, not physical, darkness.  In fact, his words effectively summarize what Jesus said in Matthew 6:22-23.


God created our physical eyes to easily adjust to dark surroundings, but He never intended for our souls to adapt to the darkness of sin and its effects.  To His dismay, however, too many of His children find spiritual darkness normal, and some even find it quite comfortable.  Is this true of you or me?  Have our spiritual eyes adjusted to darkness when:

  • Sin saturates the shows or movies we watch, the things we read, or the websites we visit?

  • We see others hurting or suffering and yet feel no compassion for them?

  • We misuse our mouths with bad language, gossip, harsh criticism, or other cruelty?

The world is often a dark place, and its shadows can easily creep into our lives and overwhelm us.  But God’s light will always eliminate the darkness of sin and as His lights, we can even make this world a brighter place.  “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).  Blaine Kelly


The eye is the lamp of the body.  So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.  If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23 ESV


Thank you for praying for these needs and for other needs that were not listed.

Anna Lee


Tuesday

“Let the peoples praise You, O God; let all the peoples praise You.”

~Psalm 67:5~

Maggie Lee for Good – Oct. 29

(in honor of Maggie Lee Henson)

http:www.maggieleeforgood.org
Continue to pray for the family of Colton Frazier as they make plans to move him closer to Kentwood.
Hollie K. sent prayer requests
  1. People not to become to weary/discouraged from lack of electricity (off about 10 hours a day lately)
  2. Flooding in streets and houses from constant rain (and problems related to flooding)
Pray for wise choices to prevent the spread of Swine Flu.   Pray for families that have been touched by this problem as they treat the patient and prevent the spread within the family.
Pray for the family of Demetria S. Mearidy of Tangipahoa who was killed in an accident and for the four other young ladies who were in the car with her.

Provoke

STUDIES SHOW THAT entire families who begin the day with hot food, encouraging words, and affection do their respective tasks more efficiently during the time they are apart…

The unfortunate ones who leave each other after a quarrel do not fare as well. Unhappy or stressed students make poorer grades in school and do not get along with others as well as children who leave home with a positive attitude. It is the responsibility of parents to instill in their children positive attitudes, as well as a depth of love and forgiveness that make for peace in families. This is best done by example. Be before them what you want them to become. (Frances Parr)

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works…” (Heb. 10:24).

Posted by Mike Benson
Have a great, short work week!
Anna Lee

Monday Afternoon

Will Easley

I want to let everyone know that Will Easley made it home on Friday. John went and spent some time with him Saturday and said that Will is doing good. He is still a little weak and still needs your prayer. I again want to thank all of you that have prayed for Will and his family. God bless and Happy Labor Day.

Cheryl Hughes Greene

Colton Frazier

Monday, September 7, 2009 12:17 PM, CDT

We visited Colton at 10 this morning.  He did open his eyes a little for us.  Still moving his legs a little.  They told us he was going to a regular room on the floor.  We are excited, then we will be able to stay in the room with him.  We are just waiting  to be moved.  Hoping he will be going to Hammond.  With today being a holiday, we are not getting anything done   So hopefully in the morning we will know a little more.

David’s sister, Bonnie, called and shared two prayer requests.  One is for a single lymph node that showed up questionable in a recent test she had.  Pray for Bonnie as she awaits more information.  Bonnie also requested prayer for her husband, Harold, who will be going for a checkup Thursday.  Both Bonnie and Harold have had cancer surgery in the last few years.  Your prayers will be appreciated.

Monday

“Then the Lord said to Paul in a night vision,

“Don’t be afraid, but keep on speaking and don’t be silent.

For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you.”

~Acts 18:9-10a, HCSB~

Madeline Nielson, daughter of Ronnie and Angie Nielsen of the Jackson, MS area,  has Swine Flu.  Please pray she will get well quickly and none of the other family members will get sick.



Colton Frazier

Sunday, September 6, 2009 10:24 PM, CDT

At the 10 am visit we sat him up on the side of the bed.  He did ok, just have to hold him up, but it helps to get him motiviated.  Guess that wore him out cause the rest of the day he was pretty  lazy He did move his legs more than he has been.  So guess  that was our baby step of the day.  Every little bit is good.  Another day to heal!!

People to continue to keep in your prayers today:

Mrs. Faye Price

Chuck Pittman

Mrs. Nat McKinney

Friendship

I CAN COUNT on one hand my most intimate friends, those with whom I would share anything…

I can hardly think of a boundary on our conversations. We reached that plane of relationship after long hours together and considerable risk. If a doctor informs me tomorrow that I have a terminal disease, they will be my first calls.

Most of my intimate friends live in other cities, and as a result I may see them only once a year. When we meet, though, we skip the chitchat and go right to the heart of what concerns us most. I don’t worry about being judged or second-guessed or made the subject of gossip. With true friends, I feel safe.

Friendship with God encompasses each of these levels of communication. God cares about the ordinary and everyday as well as the peak experiences. I bring to God my failures and sins (confession, repentance) as well as my triumphs and joys (praise, thanksgiving). I bring to God my worries and concerns (petition, intercession). The very attempt to hide something from God is folly, for God know all of who I am: the genetics as well as the environment, the thoughts and motives as well as the actions. (Philip Yancey)

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God,

and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:

and he was called the Friend of God.”

~James 2:23~

Posted by Mike Benson

Enjoy the holiday.  Have a great week!  Keep praying.

Anna Lee

Sunday


“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,

for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,

for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

~Romans 1:16~

Colton Frazier

Saturday, September 5, 2009 9:10 PM, CDT

Colton had a good day. Not really a lot of change but still doing all the things he has been doing.  He made some movements for David Fraizer today, made us all happy!  At 8pm they were finishing his bath, and all of us who know Colton, knows how many times a day he showered, therefore he was feeling real good.  He just layed there and looked at us so relaxed. Another day for him to heal has passed. Keep praying!!

Trust

abtrust.jpgIT’S IMPORTANT TO be careful where you place your trust…

Some barbers say “trust me” as half of your eyebrow falls into your lap.

Some dentists say “trust me” as they drill down deeper than Exxon.

Some postal workers say “trust me,” stamp your package “Fragile,” and then drop-kick it into the parcel bin.

Some manicurists say “trust me,” as they push your cuticles back to your elbow.

Some mechanics say “trust me,” then make your engine purr like a kitten…with strep throat.

Some friends say “trust me” as they borrow your favorite shirt, accidentally wash it in hot water, then hand you back a swatch.

A lot of people say “trust me,” but don’t quite earn your trust. They fall short of their promises, and leave you wishing you hadn’t placed your faith in them in the first place.

Aren’t you glad, though, that when God says “trust Me,” you can? (Martha Bolton)

“He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.”

~Prov. 30:5b, KJV~

Posted by Mike Benson

Make God first today!
Anna Lee

Saturday Evening

Leanna W. Gray
(August 19, 1959 – September 5, 2009)

Died at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, 2009 at her residence in Ponchatoula, LA. She was a native of Texarkana, AR. Age 50 years. Mrs. Gray was a deputy State Fire Marshall. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9 a.m. on Tuesday until religious services at 12 Noon Tuesday. Survived by husband, Philip A. Gray, II, Ponchatoula, daughter, Devan Lea Gray and her significant other, Sean Heaps, Ponchatoula, son, Chase Alan Gray and his wife, Tiffinay, Ponchatoula, mother and step-father, Melba and R. V. Wedgeworth, Texarkana, TX, sister, Gaylan W. Carter and her husband, Ashley, Texarkana, TX, brother, David Westerman and his wife, Teresa, Texarkana, TX, mother-in-law, Beverly C. Gray, Kentwood. Preceded in death by father, Walker Lee Westerman, brother, Rodger Porier, father-in-law, Philip A. Gray, Sr., Maternal grandparents, Berta and Louie Emfinger.

Roland Galloway
(May 8, 1925 – September 5, 2009)

Mr. Roland Galloway was born May 8, 1925 and passed away at 10:10 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2009 at his residence. He was 84, a native of New Orleans, a resident of Amite and a former resident of Empire, LA.

Mr. Roland a US Navy Veteran served our country during WWII.

Arrangements will be completed on Tuesday, September 11, 2009.

An on-line Guestbook is available at http://www.mckneelyvaughnfh.com

McKneely & Vaughn Funeral Home, Amite, is located at I-55N & Hwy-a6W behind Mr. Tom’s Car Wash and Bond Eye Clinic.

Saturday Addition

Colton Frazier

Hello everyone,

Colton had a good day yesterday for the most part.  He got in his chair at 10 am and stayed in it until 1:30 pm.  The therapist worked with him on and off during that period.  She said he did good.  We are in the process of getting him moved to another facility but it is a slow process.  We are looking toward the Slidell area.  This will be more of a rehab to continue with Coltons recovery.  We probably will not no anything further on the  move until late Tuesday. We are getting ready to go see him for the 10 am visit this morning, getting excited to see him.   Again we want to thank everyone for everything you are doing.

Love Chris, Lynn, and Colton