"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised" Ps 48:1

I can't believe it's Sunday already. Sorry we haven't updated since Wednesday.

Frank did get to go to work Wednesday, (yippee) but that was the only day this week. Thursday his white count was 0.6 and his platelets were 21, so we went over to Baptist Outpatient Center. Too bad this can't be like a fast food drive through.... "yeah, I'll have a bag of platelets and a diet coke please".

Friday's labs were about the same, but he needed whole blood instead. So, we went back over to Baptist. Same song, second verse. He got 2 units of whole blood, with growth factor shots on the side. White count was 0.1 Friday.

Saturday was such a gorgeous day. Frank couldn't help himself and he and Chase cut the grass. He had to rest a lot during the process, but I know it felt good to be doing something he enjoys on such a pretty day.

We went to the final production of "7 brides for 7 sons" at school. Chase had fun and everyone did a great job. (the picture is Chase taking his final bow) Frank wore his mask the whole time and we stayed away from the crowds.

This morning, his fever is 100.1. He said he knew when he woke up something wasn't right. I'm home with him, Chandler and Chase went on to church. (Zach's out of town at a soccer tournament).

Let's pray his fever doesn't get any higher and that it goes away! We are praying for protection over his body in every way. Tomorrow will also be tricky... When Little Rock gets his labs and knows he's running fever, you'll be able to hear Dr. Barlogie all the way from there screaming "get him here stat!" But he never wants us to leave, so we have to weigh out those decisions carefully. We want to stay home until May 12th if at all possible.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.

Therefore we will not fear...." Psalm 46: 1-2a

Frank is getting daily labs at West Clinic. He's feeling good and went in to work today.

His platelets dropped quite a bit this time. They went from 60 to 33. I'm glad it's only Wednesday, because West isn't open on the weekends. His white count is 2.5 which is good for him. He had a growth factor shot before we left Little Rock so that has helped his white count a lot.

Please pray that his platelets will start to go up from here. If they do drop more, let's pray that we would know before the weekend so he can get an infusion on Friday and not go the weekend either in need, or in wonder.

Chase is the school play that opens tomorrow night. It's the musical "7 brides for 7 sons". We're excited to see him and his hard work pay off. Zach's out of town again this weekend for a soccer tournament ~ Go Lobos! Chandler is playing the piano Saturday for judges in her yearly festival. She's always gotten a superior rating and we are proud of her 8 years behind the keys!

Psalm 20: 4-5 "May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all Your purpose. We will rejoice in Your salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petetions."

2 Chronicles 20:15 "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's."

We're home! Yeah! As I got into bed last night, I just sighed at how good it felt to be in my own bed.

We didn't see Dr. Barlogie yesterday. We saw Dr. Kiwan. He's a hoot. It's funny, cause we've been going to UAMS since Jan 2003. In all that time, this is only the 2nd or 3rd time to see a different doctor.

He set us up for return on May 12th for PET scan, MRI, bone marrow biopsy and labs. The plan is for Frank to start the next treatment (like he just finished) that week, but he's not going to do it then. Frank wants to wait until after the kids get out of school. They can come with us then and it'll be a holiday weekend so he'll miss less work.

He is neutrapenic now. And his platelets are getting low. He's at West Clinic this morning getting labs drawn.

He's going to come home and rest today and stay away from people. (SuperMan learned a lesson from last time I think!) So, he's pushing me out the door to work instead. :)

Thank you so much for praying for him and our family. We are so encouraged and know that Frank is just a miracle because of it! Peg

Well here we sit, in our Little Rock home away from home.

We arrived last Monday, got "hooked up" on Tues and have been doing our best not to go stir crazy ever since. Finally, Saturday at 5:00, I got turned lose from my chemo bag and my spirits were immediately lifted. Carrying those pumps around just mentally makes you "feel" sick.

Now we have a few more labs to run and hopefully we can go home. Dr. Barlogie will let us know tomorrow. Our hope is to come home while I recover from this treatment.

I miss my family, I miss my friends, and I miss just hanging around all the people that make our lives special.

That sounds like such a downer, but it's the truth. Proverbs 12:22 says "The Lord detest lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful."

Honestly, I must tell you that being away from our kids, from work, and home is so hard!

Peggy and I are headed over to the hospital........so know that we miss you all and hope to be home soon.

Frank

2:00 pm Got labs today. Not too bad
WBC 3.33
Hgb 9.2
Platelets dropped a lot to 74
Potassium was low but I took it orally
CRP is good ~ no inflammation

Thanks for praying for me.

Happy 16th Birthday Chandler!

Oh, what was I doing 16 years ago today? I was laying in a hospital bed, tired but excited, wearing the most awful looking pink gown (that I'm sure I thought was pretty), watching the clock so I could hold Chandler again. Our life had changed forever. We were parents!


Never in our wildest dreams did we think we wouldn't be with our daughter on her 16th birthday. Life is full of unexpected turns... yet, no matter what challenges we face.. we are truly blessed. This may be weird, but the past few days, I keep hearing Chandler's voice on the video clip they did at church at Frank's 2005 relapse. She said she wanted to be able to share turning 16 and driving with both her parents. I am so very thankful to the Lord that she was able to that. Oh, please let it be so for both the boys as well. Oh Lord, hear our cry!

We did have fun with her on Saturday.... just look at that smile!

We had a busy day today. We didn't like the place we were. Frank thinks like a man... it had a bed and a toilet so what's the problem?? I admit I am a hotel snob. The carpet was pieced together where they had cut big patches out. Dirty, and old. So.... I win! (Actually, he wouldn't admit it but he was with me on this one.)

We checked out and packed the car in the rain, with tornado sirens going off. So, as we pull out of the parking lot ~ now homeless ~ yelling over the sirens.... We realize we have no place to go for shelter. Oh... we didn't think about that.

We ended up my hair dresser/friend's shop. So while we waited out the storm, I got a hair cut! Not too bad!

The hospital wasn't too bad today. We got in and out pretty fast. I'm so glad we had an afternoon time slot. Our nurse said they had all the patients in the hallway this morning for the tornado warning. I bet that was crazy! His labs are good. Just goes in for the bag change, shot and chemo and we're on our way... uneventful. Unless you get hit by a tornado.


We're in our new digs now. Much better!! Kroger had Healthy Choice on sale at Kroger for a buck fifty... guess what we had for dinner??


His spirits are good. He's starting to get tired. Mine are ok too. I'm missing home, missing the kids. Missing work. Our being seperated is magnified when we're gone for special days like a birthday. But we've all celebrated a birthday apart because of treatment. Chandler had her 2003 birthday with us here too. But she got a great present... Frank collected over 40 million stem cells on her birthday. We read it in the archives. That was fun to remember.


It's hard to believe we've been in this battle again since the end of November. Where have 4 months gone? We are so thankful for those of you walking this journey with us. It is an amazing feeling to know we are not alone. What incredibly patient people you are!

Prayer requests:
Strong recovery next week from this treatment.
Success from this treatment ~ visible on the MRI.
No sickness, no infection ~ from him or any of us.
Wisdom as we make decisions about school for kids next year.
God's sweet mercy on our children, every single day.
Energy for Nana.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

We are in Little Rock. I’m in the process of getting worse before I can get better…that is the way I see it anyway.

To update everyone… We had previously asked that everyone pray for the latest round of tests to show improvement in my bone lesions and that my blood counts would improve without the help of booster drugs.

The bone lesions did not shrink, but they did not get bigger. There were also no new bone lesions found in the hips and shoulders, so things are the same as they were last time. Dr. Barlogie said that it is not unusual for the lesions to remain stable, it is always better for them to shrink, but nothing to be alarmed about. So everyone lift up Praise!

Secondly, my white counts, platelets, etc DID improve from previous testing and I am “strong” enough to start treatments. We were concerned that since my episode with the flu, my counts might need a growth factor shot to stimulate them. It is always better for the body to recoup on is own. Again, everyone offer praise to God for touching my body once again.

So, here we are trying to be productive, going to the clinic every day and doing as we’re told. We miss the apt – the kitchen mostly because now we’re looking for ways to eat cheap while we live in a hotel room for 7 days. Lean Cuisines are looking good… let me tell you.

More later…..Frank

"Your comforts delight my soul"

What an exciting weekend we've had! We've been keeping a big secret at our house....

Saturday Chandler had a surprise party for her 16th birthday! She was totally shocked. I'll post a picture soon. It's priceless! (It's the 10th, but we'll be in Little Rock)

This weekend was one of the reasons we asked Dr. Barlogie for the April 7th return date. When we originally made plans, we would have been home for 3 days before the party, and Frank would've been feeling bad from the treatment. Then he got the flu. The delay in treatment would have had us in Little Rock during the party, so we asked for a few more days.

From conception to clean up, God blessed us with the gift of love. When we started planning this, our friends and family knew we were going have trouble getting this done. They tied my hands behind my back, and did this whole party for Chandler. We are so grateful and overwhelmed by all they did. It was a blast.

I didn't realize until the party started and I saw how happy we all were, how our moods have been down lately. It was the first time in a while we were celebrating something. I'm still riding that feeling this morning.

But it couldn't stay Saturday night forever. April 7th is here whether we like it or not.
Frank got up this morning and drove the Little Rock alone for his testing. They don't do bone marrow biopsies anymore so there is nothing invasive. He'll come home tonight and then we'll leave together in the morning.

I stayed behind to take Chase to the doctor for a checkup. And, of course, we'll all watch the Tigers play tonight at 8!

We are nervous about the MRI. They didn't do one the last time we were there. Frank said he was glad, because he wouldn't have come back any sooner no matter what it showed. So why sit on bad news if we didn't get the results we wanted? I agree, but I have to admit, I've been anxious about it. We are praying that it will show improvement on the lesions from the last treatment. That would be a wonderful and hopeful way to begin this next week of chemo.

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, your comforts delight my soul" Psalm 94:19

Go Tigers!!

Sorry we haven't updated. I was hoping Frank would. Maybe next time.

We were happy to be home so he could be sick in his own bed. Acutally, it's the couch. The couch in our kitchen is his favorite place to lay down. He ran 103 Tues and Wed. Thursday he ran about 100 and by that evening he was normal again. Yeah!!

He had labs drawn at West. White count was up a bit, because of the growth hormone factor shot, and everything else has dropped again. Platelets are 63. Please pray his blood counts will get better before going into this next treatment. He doesn't like getting transfusions.

He went to work Friday but stayed in the office. No sales calls in hospitals. There's sick people in there!! He found that out the hard way!

We watched Memphis play Friday with some youth leaders from church. Zach went out of town for a soccer tournament. Chandler's socializing tonight. Chase is hanging out with cousin Jimmy. Frank made a good soup out of the left over Easter ham.

Normal stuff!! And that feels so good.

We had an emotional week. But we've had good come out of it. We are praising God for some very specific prayer requests that we've had for our family. The kids are hurting and scared. But we are so thankful for the honesty that's started some great conversations. Who would of thought that they didn't think we were scared too? Cause we never told them we were! Oh, this journey that we're on.... we need grace, and mercy. I know I do!

I have never been more aware and appreciative of our community. I don't mean Memphis and Germantown. :) I mean friends, family, church, youth leaders, school administrators. God is using each one to minister to our needs. I know it's from Him. We are so very thankful for each one of you.

Please pray for Frank's body to get stronger each day. For each one of us to be secure in the presence of God and His love for us in our lives each day. For the kids to have a window into their own heart as we talk through things between us. That Frank and I would have wisdom and sensitivity as we deal with each one where they are.

Psalm 40:5 "O Lord my God, You have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list."

If you read the last page of the book to see how it ends, then here you go…
We are so happy!!

After going back and forth with everybody all day yesterday… we were frustrated to tears. Last night was rough. We both took something to help us sleep. He was chillin’ and shakin’ with 103 again. We put our ipod speakers in the bed with us and listened to worship music (and touched toes) until we fell asleep.

After the labs today, we talked with Deena and we finally got a plan.

His WBC dropped again from 1.7 to 1.2. Fever still high. So, we had an appt to see a Dr. Kiwan. I think he's the infectious disease guy. He was going to see us, determine from labs and MRI that is wasn’t disease process involved and then “petition on our behalf” for Dr. B to let us come home.

Frank and I prayed together in our room. We asked God for specific things and ask for peace about the decisions being made for us. And then headed over to see Dr. Kiwan. He still feels crummy, fever 101. .

All of the sudden, Dr. Barlogie comes in. We weren’t supposed to see him. We were thinking this was about to be a bad scene and that we’d have to beg to please go home. He came in and was as calm and sedate as I’ve ever seen him.

He looked at the chart, asked few questions and said… “what do we want to do?”
“go home”. “treatment will be after this?”
“yes”
“we could come back April 7th”
“yes, that sounds good”

Oh my! That was such a God thing!! We just stared at each other. God took the desires of our heart and just gave them right to him. No argument. No more tests.

So, Praise the Lord!! We are on our way home. We’re packing up the apt and turning in the keys. Labs at home. Special labs for tumor markers will be drawn and mailed to them.

We already have a return visit for April 7th at 9am. Yippee!!

Praise the Lord with us today!! Frank and Peggy

It wasn't too long ago, that I talked about the roller coaster of emotion, right?

We hope each of you enjoyed your Easter Sunday. Our's was a bit different, but still good.
Frank started running fever Friday just before we picked up the kids from their trip. His fever's been going up since then. He's on oral anitbiotics, antivirals, and Tamaflu. He's barely gotten off the couch all weekend. Well, he did actually sit up to watch the Memphis vs. Miss State game. :) But then he layed right back down.

I stayed home with him on Sunday. But the kids went to church.

Last night his fever went up to 103, so we made the decision to come on back and just play if safe. Best case senerio: it's the flu... come home. We gained peace of mind. Anything worse than that: we needed to be here anyway.

So, we left at 11:50 pm. We were unpacked and in the bed asleep by 2:15. Don't do the math. It'll embarrass.. um... the driver.

So, it's Monday and we're here. We got labs drawn. Good news!! It is only the flu. Influenza Type B. Whatever that is.

His white count was down to 1.7 ~ so technically neutrapenic. His platelets ~ 79. All else looked pretty good. He got a bag of fluid. His fever is still up.

Deena told us, she feels confident they would delay this next treatment until he's over this and has been fever free for at least 48 hours. She called Dr. Barlogie's nurse to let her know we were here.

We said our goodbyes and headed back to pack up the things we left in the apt for good this time. And she called back. She said Dr. B found out we were here and said "don't let them leave".

So... here I am. Frank is asleep. And we are waiting to see what Dr. Barlogie wants. Hopefully just a hug and we can come home. :)

Please pray that
*Dr. Barlogie will have perfect wisdom from God as he makes decisions about the timing of the next treatment.
*Frank's body will recover from the flu with no complications from it.
*That whatever tests they may want to run today can be done in a timely manner today so we don't have to drive back and forth so much this week. That way Frank can rest more, work some and I can get kids refocused on school and make up work before we come back for the week long treatment.

This poem was in the Streams in the Desert book I've been reading. The days devotion was saying that whining about our problems and pain doesn't get us anywhere. We can only learn and help others when we experience victorious suffering. Lord, help us today to draw strength from everything that comes to us!

He placed me in a little cage,
away from gardens fair;
But I must sing the sweetest songs
because He placed me there.
Not beat my wings against the cage
if it's my Maker's will,
But raise my voice to heaven's gate
and sing the louder still!

Good Friday

It's good Friday. It's an absolutely beautiful day here today. I just went to the web site and noticed the last entry is sort of a downer. We can't just leave that up for Easter weekend....

Frank and I did make the decision to talk to the kids over the phone on ski trip. We didn't make the decision lightly, but it has been confirmed by many that it was the right choice to make. Chandler even told me so face to face. That has given us a lot of peace about it.

It wasn't easy for them that night. There were many tears. But great good came from it. They were ministered to by the body of Christ is such a precious way. They came together as a family for each other. Not just the 3 of them, but cousins, and aunt too. And it taught them, as so many rallied around them, that they are never alone in this journey. And they did what we prayed they would do.... they had the freedom to "just let go" up on a mountain and work some things out. As a mom and dad, we want to be the ones to fix all their booboo ~ even booboo's of the heart ~ but life isn't that easy sometimes. Unfortantly at 12, 14 and 15, they know that all too well.

They are home now. And we are so happy to be together. My niece is here from DC too and we're going to cheer on the Memphis Tigers together. Yahoo.

Frank is all smiles today. He's been working, making sales calls and doing what he loves to do... be at Elliott. He's loved that job and the people he works with for 19 years. He jumped up bright and early when we got home to hurry into the office.

He got labs drawn from the our Memphis oncologist. WBC 2.3, Platelets 81. We want those to go up, so he won't have to get transfusions after this next treatment.

For the hugs, emails, comments, cards, and prayers.... we thank you.

"Cast all you cares on the Lord, for He cares for you"

It's been a hard day today. The roller coaster of emotions just seems to be the norm. We've been so excited to be coming home. Frank did beautifully during this transplant. We are so pleased with how things went.

We woke up, packed the rest of the apt and headed to get labs drawn and see Dr. Barlogie. While in with him, he looked at the MRI first. It showed no change from the last one.

Then he went to look for the gene array from the fine needle biopsy out of the new hip lesion from a few months ago. (fyi: the gene array is a detailed break down of the myeloma's DNA. Little Rock is one of few places that can do that, making it another reason it's #1 in the world for treating myeloma). He's been waiting on this for a few months. It helps them identify prognostic indicators, and determine low vs high risk, as well as aid their research in looking for a cure.

The results were disappointing for us today. They confirmed that Frank's relapse is aggressive. It's high risk and requires a more aggressive treatment protocol.

I cannot describe to you how a heart breaks for one you love dearly, and I hope you never have to find out for yourself. I love Frank so much. He was hoping to come home and just "get back to work and do normal stuff". But the treatment plan will be more than intense than we were anticipating.

He has been working on a new treatment plan for high risk patients. He told Frank he was going to put him in Total Therapy 5 research program. He was first treated under Total Therapy 2. With #5 beginning, we found out Frank will be a charter member.

We will return next Wed Mar 26th for a smaller dose of what he just had: Melphalan + VTD-PACE (all letters are a different chemo, so 8 in all). He will not need stem cell support to recover from this, so he can come home as soon as the chemo is finished. We should only be in AR for a week. We still have the same apt so that's good. (We just have to unpack the car and move back in).

He waits 6 weeks, then returns to do that again. Then 6 weeks later, goes back for another transplant like he just had. At that time, Dr. Barlogie talked about trying to harvest stem cells again so he'll have some more. Right now he has 17 million in 3 bags frozen. Then a year of consolidation chemo on a monthly basis.

This website is to keep us connected with our loved ones and friends. It's not about saying what we think sound good. We hope we're "keeping it real" as Randy Jackson would say... and on that note.... hearing all that was not easy. It hit below the belt. Frank was mad. Mad about the loss of control he feels over his life, and his ability to be a husband and father, and a good and productive employee. I am scared ~ about so many things... couldn't even begin to name them all. This was just not what we expected.

We turned off our phones and took some time. We drove home and had dinner at Bone Fish for my birthday today. (Happy Birthday to Frances, too). We called the kids. We decided to tell them even though they are skiing, and trust God's timing. They are on a church trip, on a mountain, and have the opportunity to work out their emotions there on their own, away from here. Our pastor is there, their dear leaders and best friends that love them, and family is there too. We had a real peace about going ahead with that. My prayer is that they do work some things out. Cry, scream, pray, do what ever it takes. I want God to meet them where they are in a real way for each one of them.

God's timing is always perfect. He shows us up for me all the time in ways I know are not a coincidence. 2 verses came to my heart today as we pondered all these things....

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

2 Corinthians 12: 9 Paul asked for his thorn to be taken away... "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

I believe this, and claim it for Frank and for our family.... will you join me, please?

Happy Saint Patrick's Day.

We are typing this from the hospital. We drove over this morning. It felt so good to be home for a couple of days. I felt a little guilty for living so close when we entered the waiting room to see the other patients we've seen everyday since Feb 26th and remember they've been here everyday ~ some even longer than us. It was the same feeling we had during that ice storm in Memphis several years ago. People were out of power for 2 and 3 weeks. But we had power. Some lady in Kroger just lost it when she saw Frank buying steaks and pototoes. She asked Frank how he was going to cook...and found out we had electricty. Not a pretty scene. anyway......

He's here getting the daily blood work. He has an MRI at 1 today. Then we'll see Dr. Barlogie at 11:30 tomorrow. One more night in the apartment.

We are praying for wisdom and God's hand to specifically guide the next phase of treatment. Quantifying remission is a little more difficult now. We have rested in the word itself so much, that we're having to readjust our thinking a bit. After talking with a nurse about how to know when Frank is in remission, she was explaining that we'll rely on radiology now to determine where he stands. But once you have a lesion, it can take up to 18 months before you see it change or heal itself without any disease process going on. So, it's more of a subjecive call on the doctor's part. So future MRI and PET scans will guide them in future treatment plans for Frank.

Frank is back to normal. High energy, ready to get things done, perky and cheerful. The house was so quiet with the kids gone on the church ski trip. Moses, our cat is the only one making noise besides us. We cooked dinner and watched one of Frank's favorite movies last night. Let me clarify... one of his favorite movies with no killing and fight scenes. We watched Alex and Emma.

"As for me, I will call upon God,
And the Lord shall save me.
Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud.
And He shall hear my voice.
He has redeemed my soul in peace
from the battle that was against me."
Psalm 55:16-18

Thank you for praying for us. We are so grateful and overwhelmed that this transplant went so smoothly. Thank you Lord!!

Hello and Blessings to all,

Today was really something. Sandy and I got up real early, stopped at Shipley Donuts, and arrived at the hospital around 7:30am. The donuts were a bribe for the staff on 7C and it worked, because we didn’t have to wait long. Before we knew it I had given blood, had my vitals checked, and was in a reclining hospital chair waiting on the results.

There was definitely a motivating factor for our actions. On Friday, my APN Deena mentioned that if my lab values were stable enough, she would let me go home until Monday. We had done all that we could, it was now up to the lab….and well, I got paroled !

I was so happy I ran out of the room and down the hall yelling “I’m free, I’m free, I’m free”. Then I turned around and went back because I had left my coat and my mother-in-law in the room. I found out later that no one had ever done that before. What can I say? I’m a trend setter.

So, today was really a good day. We left the hospital, packed up quick and hi-tailed it to Memphis. Great timing too, because we got home just in time to see the kids off as they left on our church’s Ski Trip.

After that the afternoon was filled with regular ol routine stuff, but if you’ve ever been away from home for a long time, you can relate…it just feels good to be in your own home.

So for now the plan is to rest up and report back on Monday for more tests and an MRI in the hopes that the values will impress Dr. Barlogie on Tuesday. If he likes what he sees, then I’ll be getting discharged!!!!

Frank

Yippee.... yippee.... Frank's doing SO good!

Last night his back was aching and pulsing. Zach would put his hands on his back to try and feel it. I've decided that's the man version of trying to feel a baby kick! Frank's saying.."there, can you feel it?" Zach's like, "it think so, is that it?" Very funny.
He's been aching all morning as well. That's good, because that means the bone marrow is generating cells ~ and it is!
WBC 0.61
RBC 3.33
Hbg 10.4
Hct 30.7
Platelets were 20.

She offered a bag of platelts since he was on the line of requiring a transfusion (20 is the cut off), but he said "no thank you" like he was turning down dessert at a restaurant. :)

If they drop any more he'll get some tomorrow, but Frank has a twinkle in his eye like he's trying to say he thinks he won't need them.

The CRP level we are concerned about went all the way down to 7.72 today! That's great!
That's the value that measures inflammation. So, whatever made it shoot up to 15, (which Deena admitted today scared her) seems to have been taken care of with the GI meds and antibiotics he's been getting.

We're still in IV antibiotics every 8 hours at the apt.

He's got a spring in his step. We've got the windows open, I'm cleaning, changing sheets, etc... (It sure is a lot easier to clean an apt) Frank's even making sales calls for work!

Frank's patience is tested at this point in the process. He's feeling better and ready to go home. Deena just laughed today and said, "I'm not letting you go until I'm good and ready..."
He told me yesterday he thought he's be home by the weekend. Telling him that wouldn't happen was like telling a little kid there was no Santa Clause.

We see the doctor next Tues. It would be wonderful to be home for Easter. That a great goal!

Thank you so much for your faithfulness to pray for our family. We are blessed indeed. And thanks for the comments you post and for the emails. They really do mean a lot to Frank..and me!

Have a great day.... much love from Little Rock...

We got an early start this morning. And you know what they say about the early bird.... we left encouraged!

Frank had fever last night but the meds they gave him must be working. His CRP level did drop some to 12.24. WBC went up a bit to 0.13. But the others seem to be dropping still.

RBC 3.41
Hct 30.9
Platelets 21

He got an infusor of Phosphorous and Potassium today. They were low.

We are going to do IV antibiotics every 8 hours here at the apt. I hook them up for him. He gets annoyed with the "bottle" connected to him all the time. But it's nice that he can get those meds here.

Deena was very encouraging today and said she thinks he's doing fine. She feels better about his labs.

The kids were happy to see us home by 11. Usually we don't leave for the hospital until then. We have the rest of day together now. :)

Keep praying that CRP level goes down. We are so thankful!! Have a wonderful day!

The criteria for going home is:
WBC over 2.0
Platelets over 30 for 3 days with no transfusions
CRP under 3.0
No fever

Todays "Streams in the Desert" talks about how God used strong winds to deliver the Israelites. It makes an analogy, of course, to our strong winds...

"Though winds are wild, And the gale unleashed,
My trusting heart still sings:
I know that they mean no harm to me,
He rides upon their wings."

Chandler went with us today.... We've enjoyed having them with us.

I only wish Frank was feeling better. His fever went up to 100 last night, but it broke about 3 am. No fever at the hospital today.
Chandler, Frank and I had bets on what his levels would be today.

WBC 0.06
RBC 3.56
Hbg 11.3
Hct 32.3
Platelets 27 (frank won)
His CRP shot up from 3 to 15. That got everyones attention this morning. They drew blood cultures from his arm and his port. Ordered a doppler study on his arms near his port, and put him on 3 different IV drugs. Did I mention the Infectious Disease Doctor is one the case now?

We are very thankful that they watch him so closely. Neither Frank nor I are too worried about this at this point. Frank seems to do this with every tranplant, and they never find the source. It just goes away.

His stomach is bothering him some, so they have him on IV Reglan here at the apt. Tomorrow, we'll have around the clock IV antibiotics to supplement what he gets there. His fever was high as 100 tonight as well.

They redid the CRP level before we left today and we called for the results. It went up slightly from 15.02 for 15.24. They were hoping for a decrease, but it's basically the same, so I think that's good news.

Frank is feeling pretty good despite all the commotion going on around him. The stairs are getting difficult but he seems determined... we skipped the first 4 flights today, but worked hard for the other 7.

We watched American Idol tonight and he still voiced his opinions. We are enjoying being together... all under the same roof. Chase drew pictures for him tonight put them on the bathroom mirror.

I do miss home. I miss Moses and Casey. But I feel extremely blessed. We get to snuggle with the kids whenever we want.

Psalm 33:20-22
"Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let you mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You."

Please join us in prayer that Frank's fever would go away. And that if there is anything to be found, they will find the source quickly. We pray for wisdom for each person that evaluates his case... from nurses, to labs, to pathology and so on.

We thank God tonight our many many blessings. The Carlton Gang

Happy Monday.

Zach went with us to the hospital today. I love it that they are each getting their own time with us there.

Frank did start running fever today. It was 99.7 at the hospital and about the same since then.

They started him on IV antibiotics to go along beside the oral ones he takes anyway.

WBC 0.05

Hct 34.6

Hgb 11.7

Platelets 39 Wow.. good transfusion.

The CRP level went up more to 3.04, so they were asking him about signs of infection other than the fever. His Magnesium was low, so he left with an infusor.

He stayed in the bed most of the day.

Neat thing... A friend of Chandler's piano teacher lives here. She's never met us, and cooked dinner for us and brouht it over. The kids loved it... we all loved it! So sweet. This is just another way that the body of Christ amazes me.

Please pray Frank's fever goes away and stays away!

Love to you all from Little Rock.... Peg

Well... we forgot to set our clocks back...did you? Chandler and I had hopes of going to the work out room this morning, but... you know what happens with the best laid plans?

Chase went with us to the hospital today. You have to be 12 years old. He was proud that he "made it".

His counts dropped a little more today.

WBC 0.03

RBC 3.86

HgB 12.2

Hct 35.5

Platelets 14 ~ so he got a bag today. Chase and I prayed with him, that there would be no reaction this time. (he had 2 last time) And we are happy to report that there was not!! Thank you, Lord.

The pre-meds they give him makes him sleepy, so that's what he's done since we got home.

His potassium was 5.2, high. And his CRP level was 1.33, a little high. That is a lab value that indicates an infection. It's only slightly elevated. If if went up, they would start looking for a source of infection. But they aren't concerned now.

We had a great evening last night. We drove around downtown to find a place called "The Flying Fish". Frank can't go in anywhere yet, but we grabbed a menu, and we hope to have a celebratation dinner there soon! We watched a movie and enjoyed looking through old photo albums I brought.

Please pray with us that:

~ Frank would stay free from infection

~ that the stem cells would begin to migrate out and bring up the counts in a few days.

We are blessed! Thank you! The Carlton gang

Happy Saturday to everybody.

Frank's doing well. Finally neutrapenic.

WBC 0.2

RBC 4.15

HgB 13

Platelets 28

It is amazing to me that he appears to be so normal looking, acting, etc... and know his blood counts look like this. His blood pressure is a little low, heart rate a little high, but all that is normal to them.

We did meet with Dr. Barlogie yesterday. He said everything was looking like it was suppose to at this stage in the game. The MRI showed stable lesions. No change from the last one. So, that's great news that they aren't any bigger. They'll do another one before we leave to check again.

Frank asked Dr. Barlogie about follow up treatment afer this, but he didn't have a solid answer yet. He threw out some ideas but said he wanted to think about it. He hugged and kissed us all, and enjoyed Frances' southern draw.

We still park in the farthest parking lot and still took the stairs... 11 flights in all.

Thursday ended up being a whirlwind of a day! Frank's mom got into town early afternoon. My plan was to go home, stay Friday to catch up on bills, etc and get kids packed up to come back here after school let out of Friday.

And then came the snow forcast.

So, I left Little Rock at 4, ate dinner, visited with friends, grabbed the kids, packed the car (thank you Kristy and Lute) and left at 8 to get back before the bad weather hit. We were back in Little Rock by 10:30. That hour and half home was the fastest hour and a half of my life!

We hadn't gotten to see the kids in over a week. It was good for us to be under the same roof. And we hope Momma got some rest. She slept late Friday morning, and loves the snow, so that's good!

And here is the picture we promised of Carrie Underwood and Chandler. Her, Alexis and Lisa had a good time.