BLOG OVERLOAD!

Ted did great on his first week back at work! We are still getting back in the routine of each day. Since I started a full time job back in August we had barely gotten it down when things changed again. So we are now settling in once again to both of us getting off to work each day!

This may be a blog overload, but we have lots going on with our families, and I should have posted each event separately because it's all big news, but I haven't been too good about blogging lately ... so I'll catch you all up a little here. We have so much to be thankful for!

The last few days I have been focused on a huge prayer request! My neice, Mary (17-year old daughter of my sister Kathleen), had a surgery today. She underwent an aortic replacement along with an aortic valve replacement. Everything went great! She will be in ICU for a few days, but is expected to make a full recovery!

When you have wonderful big families like we do, there is always something going on. Here are some more of our family prayers and blessings ...

Matt & Missy (my son and daughter-in-law) are expecting twins! They are due in October!

Reci and Marc (Julie's daughter and son-in-law) are also expecting a baby in October!

CJ (Julie's son) and Brooke will be married on June 13th!

Our very dear friends' daughter, Amy, and her fiance Jeff will also be married on June 13th!

Matt (Ted's nephew) and Amanda will be married on June 27th!

Katie (my daughter) will graduate from Midwestern State Nursing School on May 15th!

Taylor (my neice) will graduate from Baylor Univeristy on May 15th!

Today my mom had cataract surgery ... no complications!

Like I said, when you have a big blended and extended family, there's always something going on!

EXCITING NEWS!

Just wanted you all to know ... Ted is still doing so good and got the green light for GO today! He is planning to go back to work on Monday. They told him he is doing great and all the numbers look good. He is still going to physical therapy and getting stronger!

We are also excited about something else! Check it out here Hint hint ... Guess who's going to be a big sister??

50/50 BLOOD TYPE!

Things are really going well! Ted is feeling so good and looking forward to returning to work in a few weeks. His target date to return to work is March 16th.

The doctor told him that his blood test shows that he has taken on his new blood type 50 percent. It will be several months before he completely takes on Hans' blood type, but the engrafting is continuing to take place without any complications.

He still goes to Baylor twice a week and also goes to physical therapy. He is gaining weight and getting stronger every day. He has gotten out and done some yard work and does lots of housework, too. I am sure going to miss having him at home!

Please join us in prayer that Ted has an easy transition going back to work and also that he will continue to gain strength as his body accepts the cells 100%.

HAIR CUT

Ted got a hair cut today. Needing a hair cut is an exciting thing for a cancer patient! It's a sign that things are getting back to normal. Here is Ted with his new barber (his son, Neil.) His hair is coming in pretty thick and there's still lots of dark hair! Very exciting!


Last week wasn't one of Ted's better weeks. He went to the doctor on Monday and everything was fine. Then on Tuesday he was very sick all day. We actually thought he might be getting the flu, but he didn't have any other symptoms. Wednesday he was weak, but felt better. Then Thursday he went back to Baylor. They said he is still losing weight, but gave him some supplements to try. He felt a little better on Friday, and he wanted to try and get out. We went to an early movie (Taken) and made it through about 30 minutes and Ted didn't feel well, so we had to leave. The rest of the weekend we stayed in and took it easy. Today he went back to Baylor and everything was good. They said he would have good and bad days, and gave him more supplements to try. They reduced some of his medicines again, which is a good sign because they think the medicines might be the cause of his upset stomach.

He is feeling much better now, and is going to try and go back to physical therapy this week.

I have to brag on him a little. Even when he is sick, he just keeps going and trying to gain strength. He is unbelievable!

Also, we have some MORE exciting news in our family that I will post in a day or two.

And if that doesn't keep you coming back ... guess what ... we heard that Lori and TJ and the twins have planned a trip to see us the first week in May. We are going to have a "sip and see" party so you can all come over and take a look at them and Ted can do some "hands on" bragging!

We continue to be blessed in so many ways! Thank you for keeping us in your daily prayers!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I can't believe I haven't blogged in over a week. Ted is doing really good right now! He is doing the exercises that the doctor gave him to gain strength. He has got to be the most compliant patient they have ever seen. He is so determined to get better! He is eating really good and walks a little bit every day. In addition to going over to Baylor to have his numbers checked, he is also going to physical therapy. We went out to eat on Friday for Valentine's Day and on Saturday we went to church. Today we walked at the mall and enjoyed dinner at home. We talked today about how pleased we are so far with how things are going. He is doing so good!

I have gotten on my computer to post and most of the time I end up checking out the blogs that I follow, so I thought I would share some of those with you. Of course 2 of my favorites are of our grandchildren. Here is Campbell's Scoop and this one is Lyla and TJ. I also follow one of my good friends here and her husband also has a blog that always is a good read here.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

A LOT TO CELEBRATE!

We had a family birthday party for my dad for his 80th birthday. It was supposed to be a surprise party and my dad swears he didn't know a thing! We had a great time and told stories about him over the years. A good time was had by all!

As you can see, Ted was able to make it to the party! (He's on the far right.) It was a really busy weekend because it was also Katie's 24th birthday (Feb. 7th), and she was here, too. My youngest niece, McKellie, shares the same birthday (Feb 4th) with my dad ... and she turned 13! We had a lot to celebrate!

And, of course, we all celebrated the great news that Ted is feeling so good! He went to Baylor today and everything is still good. They are tweaking his medication a little, mostly the magnesium because it is still a little low, but the doctors are happy with the numbers. He is still having some back pain, and is doing some stretching exercises to work it out. Right now he is going 3 times a week, and they said if he keeps doing so well, they might lower it to twice a week!

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY!

Today is my dad's 80th Birthday! We went to Tony's (of course) to celebrate! (My mom is actually having a surprise party for him on Saturday, but since he doesn't read the blog I think I can reveal it here!) We all knew if we didn't get together for his "real" birthday he would be suspicious, so we got together today, too. He doesn't know that my sisters that live out of town and their families are coming in this weekend, so he will be surprised to see them. My father is the ultimate man! He is a loving husband, a fabulous father, a wonderful grandfather, a super great-grandfather! He loves all his son-in-laws, but he was especially happy to see Ted tonight. We love you Dad!!

When I said we were taking a picture for our blog, my sisters (Helen and Julie) said they wanted in with Ted, too ... so this one's for them.

Ted is feeling good. He is working through some back pain, but he is in great spirits! His numbers are still looking good. Today he had a PET scan. We won't get the results for a week or so. It is a full body scan to see if there are any cancer cells present, so we will be anxiously waiting, but feel very optimistic!