We hope your week has been good so far. Ours has been eventful and busy. It's never dull around here, you know.

With Monday being a holiday, the kids enjoyed getting out of the house and being with friends. We've also enjoyed spending time at the Athletic club attempting to be more healthy. They have PE this semester and the membership has come in handy.

Frank has been having what we call "yo-yo" days. He'll have a fever for an hour, chills, sweat, and then... not. Since he's pulsing the steroid, the days he comes off, are usually not as good as the days he's on the drug. He takes Dex every other day, hence the "yo-yo". His patch and pain pills still give him good pain relief as long as we stay on top of the timing like we should.

Monday night, Chandler started feeling bad and by Tues morning, she was running over 100 fever. I took her in to see our doctor. While we were there she ran 103 and after a few tests, they said she had the flu. I am so sorry she is sick, but am really mad at myself. I tried to get the kids their flu shots in Little Rock and couldn't get them. The place I went wouldn't give them to minors. After we got home, we were all so caught up with things I didn't take them. They didn't want them and argued they never get the flu. Mother guilt... nothing like it! She has stayed in her room most of the time, away from everyone, esp Frank and is feeling a little better all the time.

Frank did wake this morning with 101.6 fever and "gooky" eyes. When we called the doctor, he wanted a chest xray before we saw him today - just in case. We got in and out of Baptist pretty fast and as always had a good visit with Dr. Weir. He said he thinks the fever Frank's having is disease related. He called it tumor fever. The chest xray didn't show anything infection related, but did show a rib fracture. Frank could've told you that. It hurts.

We discussed radiation options vs some chemo vs doing what he's doing. Frank is going to stay on the Dex and Revlimid for the next few weeks and see Dr. Lee for radiation to a few spots that bother him the most. We meet with Dr. Lee, the radiologist this week.

Overall, Frank and I have talked about how pleased he's been with the mobility and freedom he's had to do some fun things he's wanted to do. Things that being in Little Rock wouldn't have allowed him to do. No one knows Frank's heart as well as he does, but from my view into his heart, he seems to still be at peace with the decision he has made. For me and the kids, that means a lot to us.

Chase has enjoyed his substitute teacher in my frequent absences. My niece, Lauren, came home from graduating college, awaiting her law school admission letter to help out where needed. We have been in need and Chase isn't upset at all about her taking my place. He hugs me real tight in the morning and say.... "Is Lauren coming over?". Who would blame him?? Not me. We are so grateful for the help and fresh perspective she brings to the table for Chase. Julie, my other niece, has been Chandler and Zach's Spanish since last Aug. She's been coming over once a week to grade work and have lab with them. Chase feels special now!

This weekend we will see a lot of Frank's family here in Memphis. Frances' aunt passed away this week and we will celebrate her life this weekend. Aunt Alice Ruth loved much and was loved my many and we will miss her.

Thank you for keeping us in your prayers. We are praying for:
*quick healing from the flu without anyone else getting it
*wisdom for doctors as they make radiation decisions
*God's grace over Alice Ruth's family as they grieve their loved one

We are praising God for all the blessings and answered prayer He has so graciously given us.

Heb 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.