Keep Moving
Posted 2 minutes ago
Keep Moving. That is how Riley tackles the world. Better even might be "Keep Living."
She came home Friday night from the hospital. She has recovered like a champ. We left for NY Sunday and she just received her next infusion of Ella's WBC's. She will be returning to NY next week and every 1-2 weeks.
Not sure how long we can have the treatments, but we pray the FDA approves further treatments.
To explain what we hope this treatment does is like putting out pre-emergent weed killer on your lawn. We have been treating Riley so new tumors wouldn't grow but it won't theoretically kill what already had grown. She had surgery to remove the big tumors so now we expect the cells to have easier time of keeping new tumors away.
We are so thankful to God for his continued protection and awed at His plans. We look forward to spring, sunshine and spring sports. Riley has given up soccer this year, but has plans to start tennis lessons in March! She said she will be fine to play by then!
Thank God for Riley's Army beginning to move forward again. Thanks to the Board and Karen for keeping it going. We hope you will hear lots more about the good work in the months to come. Pray for Kimber as she takes on the task of helping us get back on track to help other families in need.
Praying, believing and expecting complete healing and continued growth with God as our Guide,
Kirk & Kelly
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Free Pancakes for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
Call your local IHOP to see if they are participating!
~Questions for today~
Only in America .......do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVER WONDER .....
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?
Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
Wool blankets and clothes shrink when you wash them, Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe,why do they call the airport the terminal?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only in America .....do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVER WONDER .....
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?
Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?
Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?
Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?
Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?
Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?
Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why do they sterilize the needle for lethal injections?
You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!
Wool blankets and clothes shrink when you wash them, Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?
Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?
If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?
If flying is so safe,why do they call the airport the terminal?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
After Riley's surgery...
Peace!
Posted 15 hours ago
What an odd sensation. Sitting here watching Riley sleep. Peaceful sleep - not because of pain medicine, but just because she is at rest. Our hearts are peaceful too. Only a peace that God’s love and mercy could give us today.
Riley got ready for surgery by staying up late so she could eat until midnight plus she figured she could sleep all day today. She finally went to bed at about 1 am and we were at the hospital at 5:30 this morning. Just before being put to sleep Riley’s eyes perked up and she said, “Mom, mom I remember - His word is healing and health to my whole body.“ That is exactly what I told her last month as she was being put to sleep with anesthesia. She remembered and it is true. Proverbs 4:22
Surgery went well and her pain is controlled. She looks even better today than she did last month! We are so very thankful.
Today we write about Riley’s cancer being gone and as Riley spoke back in August - We are showing His mighty power! I have prayed many times that His mighty power would be shown so clearly that even the nonbeliever would have no room to doubt, but I have come to know over the past few months that it is not all about God’s mighty power. We can know His power and still not believe in Him or His promises to us as believers. It is by knowing His power, along with His mercy, and desire to care for us, that we can fully come to Believe.
John 16:24 Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
The above scripture was in our devotional today. We are so joyful and so hopeful. Joy in Him and because of Him. No other reason could explain this day. This journey.
At Peace in Him, Kirk and Kelly
Posted 15 hours ago
What an odd sensation. Sitting here watching Riley sleep. Peaceful sleep - not because of pain medicine, but just because she is at rest. Our hearts are peaceful too. Only a peace that God’s love and mercy could give us today.
Riley got ready for surgery by staying up late so she could eat until midnight plus she figured she could sleep all day today. She finally went to bed at about 1 am and we were at the hospital at 5:30 this morning. Just before being put to sleep Riley’s eyes perked up and she said, “Mom, mom I remember - His word is healing and health to my whole body.“ That is exactly what I told her last month as she was being put to sleep with anesthesia. She remembered and it is true. Proverbs 4:22
Surgery went well and her pain is controlled. She looks even better today than she did last month! We are so very thankful.
Today we write about Riley’s cancer being gone and as Riley spoke back in August - We are showing His mighty power! I have prayed many times that His mighty power would be shown so clearly that even the nonbeliever would have no room to doubt, but I have come to know over the past few months that it is not all about God’s mighty power. We can know His power and still not believe in Him or His promises to us as believers. It is by knowing His power, along with His mercy, and desire to care for us, that we can fully come to Believe.
John 16:24 Ask and you will receive, so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
The above scripture was in our devotional today. We are so joyful and so hopeful. Joy in Him and because of Him. No other reason could explain this day. This journey.
At Peace in Him, Kirk and Kelly
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
~Please keep Riley in your Prayers today~
2-22 : Be Thankful
Posted 6 hours ago
Dr Lord,
As you ask, we come to you today again in thanksgiving. We thank you for this day, for our situation, and for where we are - as it is exactly where you designed us to be. We thank you for the gift of Riley and for her willingness to serve as a vessel for you. We thank you for the medical staff who has helped to care for Riley over the past 5 years and we ask that you continue to guide their work especially today as she goes into surgery. Guide the hands, minds, and hearts of your medical team that they may care for Riley as only you can. Keep her safe and comfortable and speak your word of healing to her while she is asleep.
More importantly we remember to come to you in thanksgiving for your most precious gift of Baby Jesus. We are thankful for the promises you have granted to us through Him and through His crucifixion. We come to you today asking and knowing that you will stay true to your promises - as you always have and always will. It is through Jesus’ stripes and crucifixion that we are healed of all our sins, iniquities, and infirmities. Only say the Word and we all shall be healed.
God please open our hearts and minds to the grace of your mercy and your willingness and desire to heal us all. Help us not to doubt you, but instead guide us in our thoughts, actions, and words so that we may speak the truth which always lies in you and never in earthly knowledge.
In your hands we place Riley today and forever, as we know that is the true safe place to be.
In your name we pray and we believe! Amen
Posted 6 hours ago
Dr Lord,
As you ask, we come to you today again in thanksgiving. We thank you for this day, for our situation, and for where we are - as it is exactly where you designed us to be. We thank you for the gift of Riley and for her willingness to serve as a vessel for you. We thank you for the medical staff who has helped to care for Riley over the past 5 years and we ask that you continue to guide their work especially today as she goes into surgery. Guide the hands, minds, and hearts of your medical team that they may care for Riley as only you can. Keep her safe and comfortable and speak your word of healing to her while she is asleep.
More importantly we remember to come to you in thanksgiving for your most precious gift of Baby Jesus. We are thankful for the promises you have granted to us through Him and through His crucifixion. We come to you today asking and knowing that you will stay true to your promises - as you always have and always will. It is through Jesus’ stripes and crucifixion that we are healed of all our sins, iniquities, and infirmities. Only say the Word and we all shall be healed.
God please open our hearts and minds to the grace of your mercy and your willingness and desire to heal us all. Help us not to doubt you, but instead guide us in our thoughts, actions, and words so that we may speak the truth which always lies in you and never in earthly knowledge.
In your hands we place Riley today and forever, as we know that is the true safe place to be.
In your name we pray and we believe! Amen
Monday, February 21, 2011
Update on Riley
Plans
Posted 1 day ago
Since our trip skiing Riley and I have returned to NY for another infusion of immunotherapy cells. The trip to NY has actually become quite routine for us. We wake up early and leave at 3 am to be to Raleigh for a 6 am flight to NY. We arrive a little after 7 am with enough time to make it to the hospital by 8:30. Riley has an IV placed and labs drawn and then by late morning she receives the infusion of cells. Next is 6 hrs of monitoring which I try to sleep through and Riley watches TV or reads. We have been blessed to be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald house with each stay-so that is were we head after monitoring to relax and sleep for the night. We awake early in the morning to head back to clinic for a quick exam and then we are off to the airport to leave again. We have tried to leave on an early flight but for 2 trips we have been delayed, delayed and rerouted, but regardless we still make it home by evening the next day. The kids do well since we are only gone from them for 1 evening. Kirk on the other hand says the routine is not so smooth for him, as he typically leaves work earlier then usual to accommodate the evening needs while we are gone and he goes to sleep with kids to make things “easier” thus falling behind on work weekly. Thankfully mercy has been shown to us and we both still have jobs.
This past week plans have been arranged to move forward with what we hope is Riley’s last surgery. On Tuesday 2-22-11 Riley will have the tumor in her left upper lung removed along with the left upper lobe of her lung. Some may wonder why we have to remove the whole lobe for what is relatively a small tumor. The reason the whole lobe needs to be removed is because the tumor sits so far into the lung which makes a wedge resection impossible. We hate to remove a whole lobe of her lung, however we feel it is what is necessary to finally get Riley to be cancer free. We pray and believe that Riley will be without cancer after surgery on Tuesday and so we are eager to proceed. After surgery we will head back to NY for another infusion of immunotherapy cells in hopes of cleaning up any small disease that may linger after surgery. The FDA has approved 4 doses of cells to be used over 5 weeks after surgery. We will discuss with our Drs in NY about continuing maintenance therapy with cells after her 4 dose cycle, however if that is to be done it will require another FDA approval.
Please continue to pray and believe with us in Riley’s healing here on earth. We continue to give thanks to God for all our blessings, for the gift of today, and for how He has brought us to where we are right now. We are exactly where He designed us to be.
Thankful and Believing, Kirk and Kelly
Posted 1 day ago
Since our trip skiing Riley and I have returned to NY for another infusion of immunotherapy cells. The trip to NY has actually become quite routine for us. We wake up early and leave at 3 am to be to Raleigh for a 6 am flight to NY. We arrive a little after 7 am with enough time to make it to the hospital by 8:30. Riley has an IV placed and labs drawn and then by late morning she receives the infusion of cells. Next is 6 hrs of monitoring which I try to sleep through and Riley watches TV or reads. We have been blessed to be able to stay at the Ronald McDonald house with each stay-so that is were we head after monitoring to relax and sleep for the night. We awake early in the morning to head back to clinic for a quick exam and then we are off to the airport to leave again. We have tried to leave on an early flight but for 2 trips we have been delayed, delayed and rerouted, but regardless we still make it home by evening the next day. The kids do well since we are only gone from them for 1 evening. Kirk on the other hand says the routine is not so smooth for him, as he typically leaves work earlier then usual to accommodate the evening needs while we are gone and he goes to sleep with kids to make things “easier” thus falling behind on work weekly. Thankfully mercy has been shown to us and we both still have jobs.
This past week plans have been arranged to move forward with what we hope is Riley’s last surgery. On Tuesday 2-22-11 Riley will have the tumor in her left upper lung removed along with the left upper lobe of her lung. Some may wonder why we have to remove the whole lobe for what is relatively a small tumor. The reason the whole lobe needs to be removed is because the tumor sits so far into the lung which makes a wedge resection impossible. We hate to remove a whole lobe of her lung, however we feel it is what is necessary to finally get Riley to be cancer free. We pray and believe that Riley will be without cancer after surgery on Tuesday and so we are eager to proceed. After surgery we will head back to NY for another infusion of immunotherapy cells in hopes of cleaning up any small disease that may linger after surgery. The FDA has approved 4 doses of cells to be used over 5 weeks after surgery. We will discuss with our Drs in NY about continuing maintenance therapy with cells after her 4 dose cycle, however if that is to be done it will require another FDA approval.
Please continue to pray and believe with us in Riley’s healing here on earth. We continue to give thanks to God for all our blessings, for the gift of today, and for how He has brought us to where we are right now. We are exactly where He designed us to be.
Thankful and Believing, Kirk and Kelly
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
~Here is the winner ~
Congratulations!
True Random Number Generator
Min: 1
Max: 53
Result: 27
Powered by RANDOM.ORG
Who said...
February 8, 2011 1:08 PM
katychick said... 27
i follow you gfc 1
tcogbill at live dot com
Monday, February 7, 2011
CSN Giveaway
~Oh my goodness~
It is almost time for swingsets. Man am I ready!
Did you know that you can even get swingsets at CSN?
You can find anything you would want at CSN.
They have over 200 different websites, that you can shop at!
Plus if you find it cheaper somewhere else, they can match that price~
There is a "seen it for less" line right beside the price...
If you have seen it for a better price they will match it!
CSN Stores has offered to give one CJCMOMMY's Stuff reader a
$35.00 promo code. That means that you can get something you want!
If you go over $35. Just add money to it!
American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa
Google Checkout
PayPal
eBillme – Shop and pay cash with online banking
Personal Checks, Cashier's Checks, and Money Orders
They are backed by the Better Business Bureau.
Ok... On with the giveaway!
Mandatory entry:
Visit CSN Stores come back and tell me in a comment what you would buy.
Extra entries:
Remember to leave a comment for each entry.
(each entry gets a separate comment)
Follow me in Google friends…2 entries
Subscribe to my email…2 entries
Grab my button and tell me where to find it. 5 entries
Follow me on Twitter.. Leave me your Twitter ID. 2 entries
REMEMBER to leave your EMAIL address with each entry.
~I must know how to contact you if you win~
This giveaway will end February 11th at Midnight EST.
A winner will be picked using Random.org.
I will email the winner and post it on this site.
The winner will have 48 hours to respond.
If no response, I will pick another winner.
I was not compensated in any way from CSN Stores. All opinions are my own.
REJOICE!!!
Posted Feb 4, 2011 9:59pm
Join us in rejoicing. Scans today showed no new tumors and the remaining tumor in her left lung has grown just a little. Our hope now would be to proceed with surgery to remove a lobe of her left lung which contains the tumor.
Kelly had a special time in NY since they had mass at the Ronald McDonald House Thursday night. They anointed the sick, but it was also the special feast day of St. Blaise. (St. Blaise was a bishop in the 3rd century. He was a physician in Armenia. He was arrested as a Christian and while being led to jail a mother set her son who was choking to death on a fish bone at St. Blaise’s feet and the child was cured immediately. Despite this miracle, St. Blaise was put to tortured and put to death since he would not renounce his beliefs.)
St. Blaise is also special to Kelly. Kelly was born 2 ½ months premature and was released home in late January. Although recently home, Kelly’s mother wanted her to have the special blessing and was taken to church for the very first time on the feast day of St. Blaise (many years ago! Ha ha ha)
After some delays and detours getting them home, we made it safely to the hospital and the doctors waited for us so we could have the results tonight!
Riley has been back to 100% for the past couple weeks. After scans she wanted to go eat and didn’t want to wait for results. She wanted to know why they couldn’t just call. After we got the results, as the rest of us were excited and smiling, she said “Can we go eat now?” At dinner she asked Kelly why we cry with bad results and get so excited for good. Riley told Kelly she just needed to learn to control herself. Ashlyn chimed in and told Kelly she needed to stop just thinking about herself (a concept we work on with Ashlyn quite a bit as you can tell!)
We are so excited and so hopeful. I searched for something in the bible that would be able to express it well. I found Psalm 16. The whole psalm is great, but especially verses 8-11.
PSALM 16
1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.
5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Thanks for praying and believing with us! We are blessed, thankful, and giving praise to God for all!
Keeping our eyes always on the Lord, Kirk and Kelly
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Anticipation
Posted 9 hours ago
Weeks have passed quickly. Since we last updated Riley has been to NY twice for an infusion and leaves again tomorrow for another. She is completely recovered from surgery and she feels absolutely wonderful which helps us remain peaceful. We are remaining hopeful, but we have found the last several weeks to be exhausting. Our brains and bodies feel like mush.
Riley will have scans Friday afternoon when she returns from NY. Please join us in praying for the miracle. Please believe with us! It feels like our journey with cancer is coming close to its end and Friday’s scans will suggest our ending. Praying and believing it will be the result we all desire.
A friend’s sign says it best. “Dear Lord, I can’t, You can, Please do. Thank You”
Rejoice today for the good news to come,
Kirk & Kelly
Weeks have passed quickly. Since we last updated Riley has been to NY twice for an infusion and leaves again tomorrow for another. She is completely recovered from surgery and she feels absolutely wonderful which helps us remain peaceful. We are remaining hopeful, but we have found the last several weeks to be exhausting. Our brains and bodies feel like mush.
Riley will have scans Friday afternoon when she returns from NY. Please join us in praying for the miracle. Please believe with us! It feels like our journey with cancer is coming close to its end and Friday’s scans will suggest our ending. Praying and believing it will be the result we all desire.
A friend’s sign says it best. “Dear Lord, I can’t, You can, Please do. Thank You”
Rejoice today for the good news to come,
Kirk & Kelly
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
