Just a quick update - still using borrowed computers. Ds made the prayerful and conscientious decision to reenter the hospital Monday, September 22, for another week’s round of chemo. This “booster†round is to keep him in remission until January. (His last chemo was four months ago). Staying in remission is imperative if he plans to do the transplant. Still no definitive decision other than he is still leaning towards January - the doctors are good with this, especially since he opted to have this round of chemo. In the meantime, he continues to live and do and be; still confounding the doctors with all he is doing. He still needs peace over the stem cell transplant overall, and God’s continued intervention and guidance. We greatly appreciate your prayers for us. This is a very hard situation and, as you know, has been compounded by other demanding issues. My apologies for the delay in getting this update posted. Please know that we greatly appreciate your prayers! We continue to hold on to the only One Who has all power.

Thank you! Thank you! No. Am using borrowed computers and trying to save time. Yes, older grades. Mostly high school, but some upper middle.

As some of you know from my updates on the Chat Board, my son is about to be a three-time cancer survivor and is facing a bone marrow transplant. Things are hard in every way. A friend added some of her for-sale books to ours, hoping to help us out in this way. ​I have spent the past almost two hours trying to get the four lists to post on the For Sale board, and they will not post. So I am writing this thread to say that, if you are interested in seeing my four lists, please e-mail me at: eaglei at ntelos dot net I will forward the lists to you. The books include these subjects: Algebra, Geometry, Grammar/Vocabulary, Science (including Apologia), lab equipment, Vocabulary, Bible/Religion, Spanish, Health, History, Economics, Literature, Geography, Writing, Calculus, Trigonometry, Miscellaneous. ​All of the books are not necessarily the most current edition, but most include the text and answer keys and provide a complete class. There is a lot of A Beka and the specific text numbers are included. I have typed up these lists on borrowed computer time, as my computer crashed some months ago. The format is not consistent. These books are from smoke-free, pet-free homes. In some cases, there is no price listed because the document I edited to add prices has somehow gotten lost in cyberspace. Whether there is a price listed or not, please feel free to make an offer! I really need to move these books in order to make payments, and I know that we are not the only ones facing tough times - so again, please do not hesitate to make an offer. Since I am using borrowed computer time, please be patient with me in responding - I promise I WILL respond in the order I receive any inquiries! It just may take me a couple days . . . Also, I am unable to upload photos at this time. If you have any questions, please ask! THANK YOU!

Just a quick update; I am on borrowed computer time. The two days of meetings and testing went well, but were overwhelming. All the test results came back very good, which means ds is in the best possible position for transplant - the “only†thing wrong is the leukemia. None of his major organs (heart, lungs, etc.) show any damage from all the previous chemo and radiation. The information in the meetings was overwhelming. We met with the head doctor and learned many more nitty-gritty details - and it is going to be VERY hard on everyone, but especially on ds. Encouraging news from this doctor (as opposed to the last one we saw) is that he put survivability at 60-80% and higher (the 80%-plus being for patients from households of faith). Ds signed the paperwork, but said he reserved the right to change his mind; said, with the new info, he needed time to think about it, pray about it, and talk with pastor. The doctor was actually good with this and commended him for not rushing this major decision. Ds needs to be “all there†and they would rather he be sure now, than to have doubts later. Since the paperwork wasn’t yet complete (on their end), that gave ds more time to study and pray on it. He has not reached a final decision, but appears to be leaning towards it. (His conversation, for example, will begin with, "When I'm in the hospital ..." - or - "Mom, have you thought about such-and-such during the time dad and I are gone ..." - or - "If thus-and-such happens while I'm away ..." - or - "I need to take care of this now since I won't be here for ..." - etc.) However, he has some additional questions, based on info this doctor provided and also has a slightly modified time line that he wants to present to the doctor. Dh and I actually think ds’ time line is preferable - it “feels†more right. Just not sure how the doctor will take it. In the meantime, ds continues to live and do and be, and to do things the doctors say he shouldn’t be able to do - like chopping down trees with an ax, or working up wood both with a chainsaw and an ax, and a myriad of other activities (mostly outdoors). He seems to be trying to put a lot of living into each day . . . as if he's storing it up for later when so many things won't be allowed . . . It is God’s grace and mercy that is keeping him. Now, ds needs peace over the stem cell transplant overall, and God’s continued intervention as well as guidance. As far as jobs/finances go, there have been no changes, except that another month is now upon us. I don’t know if I am so much “holding onto†as I am “clinging to - grasping onto†the only One Who has all the answers. My apologies for the delay in getting this update posted. Please know that your prayers and good thoughts are MUCH appreciated, and that there are times when we/I can feel them holding us up and helping us to carry on.

Dear Hive Members, I want to thank you all for your prayers and for the financial help you so kindly offered earlier this month. Our hearts were deeply touched with your generosity, and with your selfless desire to help. What a blessing you have been! I stand in awe at your wonderful kindness to us. This has been a busy week with more traveling for more mandated medical meetings and tests. Our heads are swimming with all that there is to consider. I will try to do a more appropriate update before long. I am on a work computer, so must keep this short. My family and I just wanted to be sure you knew how thankful and appreciative we are to you. Our prayer is that God would mightily bless each of you and your families. Sincerely, eaglei

July 1, 2014 Another quick update on borrowed computer time to thank you for your continued prayers and for the messages you've sent. We appreciate both so very much - and need your prayer support and encouragement. In the time since my last update, ds had the second round of chemo. Because he was doing so well, he had four days of chemo and was released! As expected, his CBC’s fell quite low and about a week or so later, he had to have a transfusion of two units of blood and one of platelets. It left him feeling quite ill for quite awhile - possibly a reaction to the transfusion, or possibly a virus. The fatigue that also dogged him is finally beginning to dissipate. He has spent the time working outdoors as much as possible (probably moreso). Last month we heard from the transplant hospital that they had located stem cells, which necessitated another trip for another mandated consultation. In brief, the doctor told us that there are over twenty million people registered in the donor register. The very easiest person to match is a white male. They were totally unable to match ds. In the doctor’s words, he has “very unique DNAâ€. Therefore, they had to search for an umbilical cord stem cell match. Cord cell matches do not require that as many markers be the same as the donor match requires. Cord cells require locating four matches as two comprise one set for using, and the other set for back-up. The cells they plan to use are from the United States and Italy; the reserve set is from Spain and Australia. There are pros and cons, but overall, umbilical cord stem cells are considered much better, as they are unimprinted cells. With a donor match, the likelihood of host versus graft disease is much higher, while infection is a bit lower. With cord cells, the possibility of host versus graft disease decreases substantially, while the likelihood of infection rises. To that end, the patient is kept on anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal medications for at least six months, maybe longer. With either type of donor, there are many restrictions for a year. This of course can vary either way, patient-to-patient. Statistics put survival following a donor transplant at 40-50%, and with use of cord cells at 30-40%. However, these statistics include everyone - including those who enter transplant with other concurrent medical issues. For a young, otherwise healthy man who has remained in remission for lengthy times, the survival rate increases. We were all a bit discouraged following that meeting, but have since learned that the particular doctor we saw tends to give the worst case scenarios (and frankly doesn’t have a very good bedside manner). Ds was back in the throes of wondering whether he wanted to proceed. Having spoken with a friend recently whose husband underwent transplant at the same facility, and learning some specifics from her, we all feel a bit relieved. Next up are two days of testing this month, a week apart. At some point following, ds will be admitted to begin the process. I have omitted most of the detail - it is too overwhelming. We would appreciate if you would remember us all, and especially ds, in your prayers. This is very difficult in many ways for all of us. However, we continue to hold on to the only One Who has all power. - - - - - - - I wasn’t going to add any more to this update, but since this is basically an anonymous listing, I thought I’d go ahead and ask for your prayers for us financially. We are no longer about to drown - we ARE drowned. Dh lost one of his jobs when the health care bill went into affect, and he lost half of his other job for the same reason. Right now he is not working at all. When he is working, he gets nine months of work with six or eight pay checks that come in a weird fashion. For example, he works two months before he gets any pay; then he gets paid a total of four times over three months - which means we go for several months each year with no pay from that particular job. The pay isn’t any better than what I make (and the two of us together didn’t earn enough to meet all the need since we are still paying on the first two times of cancer), so there isn’t any extra to put aside. The job he lost entirely was year-round and paid twice a month but at least we could eke by with the necessities. He has been unable to locate any other work so far. (We have no savings left, nor any retirement, nor any thing else we can use. Medical bills really do eat it all up very fast). Additionally, when the transplant begins, he will have to stay with ds 24/7. It’s the rule. No 24/7 caregiver, no transplant. I only work parttime, but I get paid every two weeks. I have been unable to locate further work, but have been praying up a storm, not just over this, but also that my current employer would put me on full time. (It’s a budget issue and health care issue with them also). My boss gives me extra hours when he can and has said he would like to put me on full time if not for the budget/health plan issues. Since my paydays come regularly, it is dh who will have to go with ds, which means he will have no employment until either January or August (with the current employer and because of the way the contracts run). His last check came at May’s end and with work, his next wouldn’t come till the end of October, so it is imperative that I keep working and that he go with ds. (We also feel he is the better one to simply be there for several reasons I’m too tired to type out). I am leaving out a lot of detail - I’m just too weary to write it all, and I am scared, too, as we are currently two months behind on the bills and I am frantic with trying to figure SOMETHING out that will help us. So I would really appreciate if you would pray not just for ds’ health and the success of this transplant (which is the MOST important), but also for us financially. I know God is able to meet this huge need (to Him it isn’t huge at all but to us it is enormous), but His timing sure isn’t ours - if it were, we wouldn’t be behind on the bills. Frankly, even though I see His hand in ds’ health situation, I am struggling with my faith in the financial arena. I would really appreciate your prayers. THANK YOU. I am still without a computer so I may not answer any comments or questions you may pose in a timely fashion. I am posting this from work after hours (with my boss’ permission). I will delete this last part when I next come into work, so please don't quote it . . . thank you!

May 15, 2014 Just a quick update (sent from borrowed computer time) to give more glory to God and to thank you for your continued prayers! Since ds’ release from the hospital in April, he has been cutting grass, doing other manual outdoor labor, walking, and eating voraciously - all things he should not be able to do. His May 12 follow-up appointment netted good news. The doctor said the bone marrow aspiration came back clean (in other words, in remission, as they expected); and, that the spinal tap showed no leukemia cells. All of his CBC’s were either normal or on the low-end of normal. Because he is doing so well, the doctor said he had no qualms in letting ds stay home for another week or so. (He was supposed to be readmitted for round two within a week to ten days of the release date). He asked ds whether he had a date in mind, to which ds promptly replied, “May 21.†The doctor said that sounded good to him. Additionally, he was supposed to be hospitalized for a few weeks; however, the doctor said he will be in-patient for three-to-five days (again, because he is doing so well). They will do three days chemo instead of five, and two days observation, then release him (all things, of course, going well). Since he is in remission, this chemo will be killing healthy cells (the intent is to keep him in remission pending the transplant, for which they have yet to locate a donor) so there is no likelihood of his gall bladder being inundated with toxic shock. Of course, if he were to spike a fever or any other certain symptoms, he would have to be hospitalized immediately. He will have weekly follow-up exams. As you can see, ds’ May 12 birthday held mostly good news, with the dubious distinction of also officially marking more than half his life in this battle against cancer - a battle he has thankfully not fought alone - God has been most graciously and powerfully with him - and your prayers have supported him and have reached God’s ear on his behalf. We cannot thank you enough, and we cannot praise God enough . . . We greatly desire your continued prayers, good thoughts, etc., for ds and for dh and me. We continue to hold on to the One Who has all power. Blessed be the name of the Lord. May 27, 2014 Just a quick addition here – The three days chemo turned into four days, but ds was good with that. He was released on the fourth day and is home now. He has to take a very potent antibiotic for two weeks until his blood counts begin to normalize again. Some very uncomfortable side effects include skin irritations, and of course, extreme fatigue. He is also enduring some pain, but he thinks that’s because of the MANY laps he walked DAILY while at the hospital. Again, THANK YOU for your prayers, support, etc. We need it! And we appreciate it.

First - Thank You for your prayer support! Words fail to convey just how important it is and just how much we depend upon it - and more importantly, how your prayers are being heard and answered. Second - My computer crashed and I cannot afford to replace it, so I am sending this out after hours from work (with my bosses’ permission). I will likely be rather incommunicado more often than not these days . . . Third - Much has happened since my last update when I posted that ds was taken to ICU. Here’s some of it. Friday, April 11: -- Nurse found ds passed out on the floor of his room, unresponsive. Emergency procedures begun. Ultimately transported to ICU. -- Blood pressure so low he was placed on four BP medications. -- Not breathing well; placed on ventilator. -- Febrile. Upper 102 range. Packed in ice. -- Mild pneumonia in both lungs. Antibiotics begun. -- Septicemia. Three broad-spectrum antibiotics begun. -- Inserted tube down his throat to his lung to lavage it. -- Blood/platelet transfusions as needed. -- Cat scan on head since he bruised his head when he fell. -- Blood cultures drawn. -- Sedation, mostly for his comfort. -- Critical condition. Saturday, April 12: -- Some change. -- More breathing on his own, but still needed ventilator. -- Two BP meds removed; BP still dangerously low. -- Still febrile, mostly 100 range; no longer packed in ice. -- Various enzymes either too high or too low. -- Bilirubin up; concern for liver. -- Blood/platelet transfusions as needed. -- Cat scan clear. -- Communicating lucidly, including writing notes. -- Sedation increased for his comfort as ventilator making him feel like he’s choking, can’t breathe. -- Critical condition. Sunday, April 13: -- Made “great strides†today; “clinically looking much better.†-- Breathing 100% on his own; ventilator still attached as backup, if needed. -- One BP med titrated down. -- Low-grade fever with periods of normal temp. -- Bilirubin still elevating; liver concern elevating. Could be side-effect of chemo - or not. -- Transfused with two units blood and one unit platelets. -- Began small, slow amounts of tube feeding. -- Results of blood culture in. Is septicemic due to e-coli. One broad-spectrum antibiotic removed; remaining two continue as they are what they would have medicated with from the start had they known it was e-coli. -- Still sedated. -- Critical condition but stabilizing. Monday, April 14: -- “Good progress today.†-- Late evening all BP meds removed; BP normal. -- Temp in 99 range. -- Concern growing over liver, and now gall bladder; scans ordered for Tuesday. -- Sedation slightly lowered; needed for “comfort†with backup ventilator tube not yet removed. -- Several IV tubes removed. -- Critical/stabilizing. Tuesday, April 15: -- BP remains normal on its own; however, is somewhat soft; if it trends downward, will restart BP meds. -- Temp 99 to 100 range earlier in day; later afternoon 98 range. -- Sent for liver and gall bladder scans. -- Gall bladder infection; initially wanted to place a drain in gall bladder for a few days to a week; reversed this decision as doctors are afraid that, being severely immuno-compromised, the placing of a drain could cause another infection; typical response would be gall bladder removal but cannot do surgery intervention because of immuno-compromised system; unsure whether infection is chronic or chemo-induced. -- Received phone call at 11:30 p.m. from a doctor telling us they needed verbal permission to do an emergency drain on the gall bladder. Dh and I not at peace with it. Doctor finally admitted we could wait till next day to decide as team of doctors not in agreement. This, however, was his area of expertise, and he was most concerned that gall bladder would burst. Dh gave verbal permission in event of further deterioration during the night - otherwise, no. Wednesday, April 16 -- Met with the various doctors who were now all in agreement - gall bladder must be drained as a preliminary step to gall bladder removal when ds more physically stable. -- Dh and I at peace with decision to give consent. Dh signed consent forms. -- BP still good, but with some soft areas. -- Temp on a febrile-to-normal yo-yo. -- Very jaundiced. Bilirubin very high (15.9 and trending up). [Gall bladder affects the liver]. -- Still unresponsive from medically-induced coma from the sedation. -- Later in the day, doctor with whom we had spoken the night before ordered platelets to be run while he inserted the drain. After a much longer waiting time than we had been told, doctor met with us in waiting room and talked at length. He was MOST concerned. After multiple attempts to insert the drain, he aborted, as each attempt failed. Each puncture provided another potential entry site for infection; also, with a low platelet count (even with the transfusions), there could be fatal bleeding. It was in ds’ best interests to halt the procedure; however, at the same time, it was NOT in his best interests, as he still had a seriously infected gall bladder. Doctor said they would try again the following day. We assured him that ds was in God’s hands and that God was in control; the procedure was not meant to be done just then. I asked him what needed to happen for a miracle; naturally, he thought I was daft. In a nutshell, all of ds’ systems had to regulate and he had to be released from ICU. Barring a miracle, I asked what needed to happen in a repeat attempt to insert the drain. We assured him people would be praying. He did not appear to understand any of this, his focus being solely on the gravity of the situation and his failure to rectify it. -- Critical. Holy Thursday, April 17 -- We were unable to travel over this day. (May I insert here that God’s grace and peace are incredible . . . when you can’t be where you want and need to be, He is everywhere . . . and He is sufficient . . . ) -- At 4:45 p.m., I received a call from another doctor who was phoning with the days’ events: -- Ds' gall bladder had drained on its own! Yes, you read correctly - his gall bladder opened up and emptied on its own! Praise God! The fevers abated; BP remained normal with no soft spots; the ventilator was removed; the bilirubin had fallen incrementally from 14.6 to 10.1; he responded by squeezing the nurses’ hand on command! All good news! All praise to God! -- At 5:45 p.m., the nurse reported that ds was awake, had verbally answered questions. Said jaundice would take time to dissipate. -- At 10:00 p.m., the nurse reported that ds was sitting up, had verbally answered questions, engaged in conversation, asked for pancakes (!), [request denied], had gulped down the cup of ice chips she brought him instead, had quickly drained two glasses of water, had asked for more (but had to wait as they didn't want to overwhelm him). Good Friday, April 18 -- Still a bit groggy from the sedation; also from pain meds which they started for the extreme pain in the gall bladder area (from the repeated punctures) and shoulder pain (as gall bladder pain also reflects in shoulder pain). -- Ate pancakes for breakfast! -- Doctor said they would keep him in ICU for at least one more day for observation. -- That afternoon, ds was transferred to a regular room. -- Nurse reported that jaundice was visibly disappearing. -- Side note: When ds was first admitted to ICU, we were told he would be there at least two weeks - one for whatever infection he had (confirmed when they isolated e-coli) and one for coming out of sedation. When they learned of the gall bladder infection, they said at least three weeks. Ds was out in one week - admitted Friday, April 11; transferred to regular room Friday, April 18. Easter Saturday, April 19 -- In horrific pain in gall bladder and shoulder sites. Unable to talk or breathe without pain. Unable to use spirometer for same reason. (Doctor wanted him to use spirometer to deflect possibility of atalexus [lazy lung] which can bring on pneumonia). -- Was explained to us that gall bladder infection occurred due to chemo working effectively, killing massive amounts of leukemia cells, dumping those toxins into gall bladder which overwhelmed it. Easter Sunday, April 20 -- Pain continues. Easter Monday, April 21 and Tuesday, April 22 -- Walking laps slowly; required to have supervision, but walking on his own steam. -- Pain continues. Wednesday, April 23 -- Same as above; however, when we got home from the hospital, ds had left a message for us that was very upbeat. He had been touched in prayer by the Holy Spirit in a way he had never been touched before; a deeper level of experience in prayer than he’d ever had before. -- Did one set of six laps. -- Pain decreasing. Thursday, April 24 -- Bilirubin still trending down; is at 4. -- Doctor says everything looking better and better. -- Ds requested that pain meds be stopped; doctor agreed. -- Did two sets of ten laps. -- As day progressed, pain essentially gone. -- First successful use of spirometer. Goal was 1500. Reached 2500 on first try, and with no pain. Respiratory therapist said no longer needed. However, ds opted to continue anyway. Friday, April 25 -- White count improving; was .4 yesterday; .6 today. -- Transfusions (red and platelets) as needed; one unit red today. -- Did two sets of ten laps. -- Pain continues to be essentially gone. -- Reached 3000 on spirometer. Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27: -- Improvement continues. -- Is walking sets of 15 laps. Monday, April 28: -- Doctor says blood counts looking good, are incrementally improving. -- Doctor needs to do bone marrow aspiration to prove remission. -- Doctor wants to do spinal tap, kidney biopsy, ultra sound on gall bladder. Tuesday, April 29: -- Biopsy on kidneys not needed. (This is a hang-over concern from 2008 when ds went through dialysis due to gentamiacin toxicity. Transplant doctor wants follow-up test as a precaution. CBC’s give no indication for concern). -- Bone marrow aspiration in afternoon to prove remission. Results in a couple days. -- Ultra sound on gall bladder in the morning. -- Results of ultra sound available in the afternoon. Doctor says, “Looks perfect!†Wednesday, April 30: -- Spinal tap in early afternoon. Originally supposed to be for proving remission. However, transplant doctor wanted chemo added intrathecally. Ds had been praying over it as they were not going to use anesthesia but rather light sedation. (Things are SO different in the adult ward as compared to peds). The chemo was not ready this morning, so oncologist rearranged things to accommodate anesthesia. With this change, and with the understanding that the doctors wanted the additional chemo because the leukemia cells had presented in the spinal fluid during the previous relapse and they want to make as sure as humanly possible that they do not present in the spinal fluid and that he stays in remission for the transplant, ds agreed to the inclusion of the two chemo meds. -- Doctor says his blood counts seem to be boosting themselves now. His platelets went from 27 yesterday to 80 today; hemoglobin from 7-something yesterday to 8.5 today; white blood cells “rising nicely, too.†-- Released from the hospital circa 4:00 p.m. Hallelujah! What’s next: -- Pending appointment on Monday, May 12, with oncologist as follow-up, and to determine re-admittance date to hospital for second round of chemo. (We have been told that it is very unlikely to have a donor match this soon). I cannot say enough how much we appreciate your prayers, and depend on them. God is hearing and answering. We are especially grateful to God for His mercy and grace. We humbly ask that you continue to especially remember ds in your prayers, as well as dh and I. We continue to hold on to the only One Who has all power.

I want to again thank you all for your continued prayers, and for the personal messages you have sent. Your prayers are reaching heaven. As reported in previous updates, ds' improvement and activity puzzled the doctors, though they remained nervous about his lack of any treatment and delayed decision re transplant. (Since my last update, he had been outside chopping wood - yes - chopping with an ax; and also spent a couple days - whole days - helping the neighbors with yard work). Here is what has since happened: -- March 26 - met with new oncologist -- March 27 - traveled to city about four hours from home to meet with transplant specialist -- March 28 - both doctors wanted ds admitted immediately - that day - ds said no; said he was still in prayer and needed to remain so until he had an answer, that he needed the time in church services that weekend; doctor pressed for a Monday, March 31 admission; ds said no, that if the doctor wanted to begin preliminary plans for admission, he may; however, ds would phone him on Monday with his final answer; the doctor agreed. -- March 31 - ds phoned with his decision -- April 2 - admitted to hospital about two hours from home; multiple tests completed -- April 3 - surgery to insert port and do bone marrow aspiration. Surgeon refused to insert port; wanted to do an external port which both oncologists rejected for health and safety reasons; surgeon adamant (which simply boggles the mind); finally, oncologists decided that ds (the patient!) should speak with the surgeon and tell him why he needs the internal port and not the Hickman (external port) [again - this simply boggles the mind - the PATIENT tells the DOCTOR why an internal is imperative . . .]; surgeon tells ds he now fully understands (!) and does the internal. Surgery goes well; however, concerns later arose, and ds transported to CCU for the night - a long, miserable night where he fought an unrelentingly hard mattress and a moderately high fever. -- April 4 - returned to regular room in adult oncology; chemo began. Here is the process: -- Five days of VERY INTENSIVE chemo, followed by four weeks of recovery - all in-patient -- MAYBE a week at home -- Repeat five days chemo, four weeks recovery, in-patient -- If bone marrow donor process NOT completed, repeat above cycle until process completed -- If bone marrow donor process completed, transport to hospital four hours from home -- Assuming all goes well, one month in isolation in hospital four hours from home -- Two months of out-patient treatment/follow-up with required residence in nearby facility (to hospital four hours from home) Concerns: -- Way too many to write about -- It is a very precise process and there are very serious potential side-effects with the current chemo regimen, and extremely serious side-effects, including death, with the transplant. Until today, things had been going well - still eating; not sick on his stomach; energy starting to dwindle, but still active as possible in hospital environment. Today ds was transported to ICU in critical condition - septicemia; pneumonia in left lung; high fever; low blood pressure; low oxygen. It goes without saying that this is a very hard time for our family; nonetheless, God is still on the throne and we praise Him for His hand of mercy and grace. We humbly ask that you keep praying for us. We continue to hold on to the only One Who has all power . . . Thank you.

I want to thank you all for your continued prayers, concern, thoughts, and for the e-mails you have sent. Each means so very much to us. God is graciously hearing your prayers. In my previous update, I reported that ds had told the doctors he wanted a second bone marrow test because he believed God was doing something - the doctors agreed and scheduled him. On March 15, he discussed the results with the doctors. The first bone marrow test showed an 86% saturation of leukemia cells; the second, 74%. This reduction, along with ds’ continued progress, is puzzling; however, it doesn’t change anything. The doctors, while boldly confirming that how well he is doing is attributable to God alone, say that the reduction is a temporary improvement; that, if he got the slightest infection, it could be lethal; to keep testing could potentially prove a miracle but he would run out of time before the amount of testing needed could be completed; that he’s walking along the edge; and, that the options remain unchanged. The doctors said if the goal is not curative intent, they will transfuse and assist as they are able till the end. If the goal is curative intent, then he must move forward with treatment, beginning with another transfusion; therefore, he was transfused with another unit of blood. He has been referred to a doctor who works with adult leukemia patients (new drugs/treatments are tested on adults, so he may have more options, or not), and is scheduled for a consultation this Wednesday. Ds continues to shovel show (another snow storm!), to stack wood, to eat better and better - and in general, to be as active a participant in life as he can. The doctors remain amazed and confounded at how well he is doing. Our pastor asked ds to give testimony yesterday. I took so many handwritten notes that it yielded two pages of typewritten notes! And still didn’t get it all! He said some really powerful things that I wouldn’t feel comfortable posting so openly. However, I thought you might like to read these few excerpts from my notes: -- there is only one reason he is doing as well as he is - God has intervened -- God trumps medical science -- how bleak a picture the doctors painted and the magnitude of what God is doing -- God strengthening me and making me able to survive until something is figured out -- He’s also strengthening my spiritual walk - seeing things I’ve never seen before - a slow process -- new doctors he will see = new ground to witness and to show what God has done -- all you can do is praise God for what He’s doing - there is no other explanation - and also praise Him for strengthening my spiritual walk, for which I do praise Him We humbly ask that you keep praying for us. We continue to hold on to the only One Who has all power . . .

I want to thank you all for your continued prayers, thoughts, etc., and for the personal messages you have sent. Each message has touched our hearts and seems to come at just the right time. God is hearing your prayers. PLEASE keep praying! As you can imagine, these past few months have been very difficult. It’s been a roller-coaster with changing information and then that awful news of relapse and the limited options. According to the doctors, there is only one course of action without the bone marrow transplant and that is steady decline. They gave ds up to two months - mid-April. By now, we should have called hospice. That hasn’t happened. As far as choosing the transplant, ds has been in much prayer over it and was about to answer the doctors last week, but that decision ended up on hiatus again. When he went last week for his check-up and potentially for a transfusion (which he did get - blood and platelets), ALL the staff AND doctors did a double-take and exclaimed at how good he looked. They were clearly astounded and told us that shouldn’t be. They expected him to look very bad and basically for us to be helping him in. Over the last two weeks or so, here is what has happened with ds. His appetite has picked up. While he is not eating three square meals a day or even six mini meals, he IS eating more each day. His strength is improving. His voice is once again strong. He is more active. For example, whereas he previously was barely able to make it to church but insisted on going, and could barely walk to and from the vehicle and to and from the church - now, he stands (STANDS!) after church fellowshiping with friends! This past Sunday, he stood outside for over half an hour visiting - and it was cold and windy. He stood firm and strong. Later, he walked across a mall parking lot to a store we were going to, walked around the store, and back to the car. Then, a few blocks from home, he asked to be let out so he could walk the rest of the way, part of it uphill. He was worn when he got in and took a nap, but he couldn’t walk like that a few weeks ago. (He’s been going out other places, too, when a few weeks ago he was basically finding it hard to even get up, much less walk). Additionally, we’ve had two big snow storms during this time. He was outside shoveling snow both times! About forty minutes this last time. The doctors basically said no way and looked at us for confirmation. They have clearly stated that none of this should be happening. Ds asked last week if a second bone marrow aspiration might be in order as he was requesting one - the doctors said yes and scheduled him for tomorrow. We don’t know if we are seeing a healing in progress, or God’s keeping hand until a transplant can be arranged, or ??? All we know is that SOMETHING is happening, it is good, it is confounding the doctors, and God is still on the throne. We humbly ask that you keep praying for us. I have no words to say how hard this all has been - nor how relieved we have been to see this progress. Still holding on to the only One Who has all power . . .

Yesterday was a very difficult day as we were apprised of the options. There are two: 1) bone marrow transplant, no guarantees; 2) death, weeks to two months. We are feeling a lot of things, and praying that ds opts for the transplant, that the required pre-chemo will put him in necessary remission and he'll remain there till transplant happens, that a donor can be found, that the transplant is successful - and that he lives long enough for all that to happen. Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, etc. We need them . . . Our hope holds in the only One Who has all power . . .

It's leukemia.

Stacia - Thank you so much for keeping my ds and my family in your thoughts and keeping the BaW-ers updated, too! The thoughts, prayers, well-wishes, etc., are definitely helping us. Just briefly, ds opted out of the blood work last week because the four sites from which they choose for drawing blood were not healed up sufficiently, and, he was feeling overall improved and felt he could postpone for a week. The doctors were fine with that because they know he does not make haphazard decisions. So, he goes this week for the next follow-up CBC's. We are expecting good results. I have not posted on the BaW threads since the first week! (I spent the last hour trying to catch up with all the posting you all did)! Too much emotional stuff and I have been so tired. Also, I thankfully got some extra hours at work so I've come home elated with that work but exhausted before I even begin the *home* work. Even with dh and ds helping, I can't seem to get caught up . . . I've had more days than I care to think of these past few weeks when I got zero reading done. Zero. That hurts! Here is what I've managed so far: 1 - Venetia, by Georgette Heyer. Loved it. Have yet to be disappointed with Heyer. She is becoming a go-to author. 2 - Healed of Cancer, by Dodie Osteen. Encouraging. 3 - The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears, by Mark Batterson. Encouraging. Currently reading (at dh's request): 4 - Four Blood Moons: Something is About to Change, by John Hagee

Hello, Everyone, Thank You for praying and Please don’t stop! God is still on the throne! In ds' words, he didn’t get the news he was hoping for - but - he didn’t get the news he feared, either. Hallelujah! Three weeks ago, the five basic blood counts that we particularly watch were dangerously low, and, they found a low percentage of mutating cells in the blood smear. The doctor was confident that “it†was back. That same doctor today was, by his own words, surprised at ds' CBC results. Two of the counts were lower but not significantly. Three were higher - two slightly so - but higher is higher. Additionally, no mutating cells were found, and this was confirmed with a smear. The doctor did not expect any of this. The doctor said he expected confirmation in today’s blood work that he did not find. He is surprised at the outcome, his level of concern has diminished, and he freely admits that nothing negative is definitive now. In fact, these counts favor a virus causing bone marrow suppression, resulting in subnormal counts. Viruses of this nature can take as long as three or four months before CBC’s reflect normalcy. Near the end of the appointment, he commented, “You have a lot of people praying for you.†So, in a backhanded way, he gave God the glory for today’s results. Here are the options: Option 1: A bone marrow extraction to quickly and definitively determine virus versus “it.†Option 2: Weekly CBC’s to track progress. Option 3: A spinal tap - low on the list as ds is not exhibiting any symptoms to warrant one. Option 4: Transfusion to help boost things, protect his heart, and make him feel overall better. Here is the plan: ~Transfusion. He will receive two units of blood tomorrow. ~Weekly CBC’s. ~Praying for guidance whether to have the extraction. In ds' words, he is praising God for the beginning of the healing. We are so grateful for your prayer support! We humbly ask that you continue to pray for ds as God brings him to mind. We are holding to the only One Who has all power. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Thank you! I sent a personal e-mail. Eastern. 2:00 p.m. appointment, but blood will be drawn earlier, possibly late morning. Thank you everyone for remembering - I choked up when telling ds and dh that you all had posted today to an almost three-week-old post that you are still praying. I know it touched him, too. Ds is not feeling well and is very concerned (we all are) and it has been a battle these past weeks - but our hope holds . . .

Thank you, Everyone! I am going to check each link you shared. I want to get started very soon, no later than Sunday. I am hoping for one a week, but we'll see . . .

Does anyone have a list of favorite Bible verses you are working on memorizing, or a favorite site that makes recommendations? I have googled and found WAY too many sites! I want to use just one site/one list - which one? The purpose is that I want to work harder this year on memorizing scripture, but I don't want to do it randomly; I want a plan, or, at least a semi-plan . . . a site that lists perhaps a hundred verses would give me the semi-plan - just choose one verse at a time. I'm not necessarily looking for the *standard* verses, like John 3:16. That's why I suggested perhaps a hundred verses, so that the ones I already know can be eliminated and I should be left with plenty from which to choose. Thank you!

Starting the year with (and currently reading) Venetia by Georgette Heyer. At dh's request, am planning to follow with Four Blood Moons, a prophetic-type non-fiction book; and, because it was so highly recommended by a couple BaW-ers, Betty Smiths' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Not planning to do any challenges, but will likely (hopefully) finish a few more Dusty Books. Also, I think I would like to read some books published in the year in which I was born. To that end, does anyone have a link to a site that shows the best sellers for each year, both fiction and non-fiction? I checked the New York Times site but found only fiction, and not in list form, but rather by week - I do NOT wish to click each weeks' link! I googled and did no better. I just want a nice, itemized list! I can't help but add how happy I am to see this thread for the new year! I eagerly check for it each Sunday and at times throughout the week. If for some reason I miss a Sunday, something just seems "off". Thanks again, Robin, for leading this thread so wonderfully! And thanks to everyone who posts - you seem like family!

Here is my year-end wrap-up - so glad I got it in before the new year starts! How many books did you read and did you meet or beat your own personal goal? I completed 77 books (53 fiction and 24 non-fiction). My goal is simply to read. What are your top 5 (or more) favorite stories? Top 5 least favorites? In no particular order: Favorite fiction books of 2013: ~The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, and its sequel, The Promise, by Potok ~Wonderland Creek, by Lynn Austin ~The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, by Rachel Joyce ~books by Georgette Heyer (Cotillion, A Civil Contract, April Lady, Powder and Patch) ~books by Anne Tyler (Breathing Lessons, Saint Maybe, If Morning Ever Comes, The Beginner’s Goodbye, Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant) ~Big Stone Gap Series by Adriana Trigiani (Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon, Home to Big Stone Gap) ~Cold Sassy Tree, by Olive Ann Burns, and its Unfinished Sequel, Leaving Cold Sassy, by Burns with a reminiscence by Katrina Kenison ~The Keeper of the Door, by Ethel M. Dell ~An Unsuitable Attachment, by Barbara Pym Favorite non-fiction books of 2013: ~Holy is the Day, by Carolyn Weber ~And God Came In: The Extraordinary Story of Joy Davidman: Her Life and Marriage to C.S. Lewis, by Lyle W. Dorsett Least favorite fiction books of 2013: ~Lizzie Searches for Love Series by Linda Byler (Running Around, When Strawberries Bloom, Big Decisions) Least favorite non-fiction books of 2013: ~So Many Books, So Little Time, by Sara Nelson ~Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives, by Wayne Muller ~Still Christian After All These Years, by Barbara Allen One book you thought you would never read and was pleasantly surprised you liked it? New Passages: Mapping Your Life Across Time, by Gail Sheehy. I can’t say I totally liked it, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked some of it, and found parts of it encouraging and confirming. Most thrilling unputdownable book? ~Holy is the Day, by Carolyn Weber Did you come across a story that you enjoyed it so much, you turned around and read it again or plan on rereading it again in 2014? I don’t currently re-read too many books as there are so many first-reads I want to get to! However, I re-read a book this year from a few years ago: Pain, Perplexity and Promotion, by Bob Sorge. One book you thought you would love, but didn't? Earl Hamner: From Walton’s Mountain to Tomorrow: A Biography, by James E. Person, Jr. The problem wasn’t the content, but rather the authors’ style of writing. Which book or books had the greatest impact on you this year? ~Holy is the Day, by Carolyn Weber Do you have a favorite cover or quote from a story you'd like to share? (Share a shelfie) n/a What book would you recommend everyone read? ~Holy is the Day, by Carolyn Weber Did you do any of the mini challenges? I did not plan to do any; however, I read eight books that would qualify under the Dusty Books challenge. I am particularly pleased that I learned to use a Kindle this year (necessary in my part time library job) and that I read ten books on it. What was your most favorite part of the challenge? Reading! And most definitely This Thread! This is my favorite thread and I am so thankful that Robin continues to so graciously and so well keep it going. Thank you, Robin!

Stacia, Thank you so much for posting this here . . . your thoughtfulness and concern has brought grateful tears to my eyes . . .

Thank you, everyone. We appreciate all your prayers so very, very much. Ds' appointment is on the 8th, and these days since Dec. 18 have been HARD, but we are not giving up. Ds is not feeling well overall, but the back pain has significantly abated and he is no longer taking the pain prescription for it. Christmas seemed to be particularly sad - everyone trying to act normal . . . We are clinging to the only One Who can help, and we would greatly appreciate your continued prayers . . . Thank you.

Responded through e-mail. - - - - - - - Thank you all for praying!

Never heard of this - will be looking into - thank you for posting it. He is 22. First diagnosis at age 12; second at 16. - - - - - - - Thank you, everyone, for your prayers. I know we don't know each other in real life, but may I be bold enough to say that if anyone wants to add ds to a church prayer list or group list, etc., we would definitely appreciate that, too. The prayers of God's people and His merciful hand got us through before . . . and we so very much need that prayer again . . . Thank you.

Am on my way to work, but wanted to respond to your concern before I leave - I am actually taking this in a positive way, that they are waiting three weeks. Rest assured, though, that ds is very much on top of his situation and will know whether there should be a change . . . It will be hard for dh and me to not look like we are constantly watching him . . . for, of course, we will be . . . Working very hard at being positive . . .