Emily’s Smiles through Difficult Trials

It was another long day, we got back home around 11:15 last night. Emily has had some nausea problems this morning, but is sleeping this afternoon. Last night the fever did decrease and she was able to have her other treatment.

She did well with the ride home, after we stopped at the first exit for Smithfields B-B-Q. It takes around 30-40 min to the first one that we know of. This has been the longest length of time between BBQ and that sweet tea she loves so much! Canady & Son Exterminating on Market St. delivered dinner a few weeks back for our family with all the fixins!!!!!! And a big gallon of SWEET TEA! ( just like the country song about the glass of sweet tea ) she likes that part. That meal could have lasted us for at least three to four days, but we managed to finish it in two. Yumm Yummm. We do not know of a Smithfields around the hospital area so yesterday her sweet tea was from McDonalds. Last night on the way home she decided it would be shrimp from Smithfields this time. After her big meal she slept most of the way home.

Our family and Church family, and friends have helped so much in preparing meals for us and it certainly has made the days easier. The hours can pass by so fast through the day, before you know it, its 6:00. Oreo was on her mind all day at the hospital yesterday and she asked for me to call and make sure Paw Paw was taking good care of her. She had to see and talk to Oreo before she went to sleep, Emily rested good during the night. She continues to have ups and downs but we continue to pray she will be playing, dancing. and all the things she is waiting so patiently to do. We send BIG hugs and THANK YOU’S to all who have helped in so many ways. GOD has the power and we believe in Him.
Love, Dawn, Eddie, Emily and Trey

Well, I’ve been waiting since 5:00 hoping to have a more accurate report on Emily’s day at Duke; however, I haven’t spoken to Dawn or Eddie since then so I’ll update with what I know for now.

Eddie & Dawn took Emily to Duke this morning. Her pic line had to be replaced first thing so that took a little while. They proceeded with the 1st phase of today’s treatment but had to stop due to a high fever. The chemo was replaced with antibiotics and they did some cultures to determine if there is an infection somewhere. Emily stays chilled all the time but this afternoon she was so hot she was shedding clothes! Definitely a fever to cause that! Most days she wants a sweater or fuzzy blanket over her at all times.

While Dawn & I were on the phone the nurse went in the room to administer more meds. At that time she wasn’t sure if it was more antibiotics or restarting the chemo. If the fever continued they quite possibly will spend the night in the hospital and they won’t do the chemo with a fever. I knew everyone was waiting on an update so I’ve waited this late to post this news. Let’s hope they are on their way home right now! Either way, as soon as I talk to them tomorrow, I’ll post more accurate findings.

Oh, Miss Emily was still in charge during all this. Her Daddy went to McDonalds to get her sweet tea and Wendys to get her chicken nuggets! That’s a good sign – she’s still got an appetite!

Please continue to pray for her comfort and that she will be back at home tomorrow!

Love,
Stephanie

Time has just crept right on by since the last update. Seems we’ve just been too busy! As I always say “No news is good news!”

Emily continues to spend her days watching TV, coloring, cutting papers and SMILING! She did have another treatment last Tuesday, 2/12 at Duke. She seemed to do well during it and immediately following; however, just before they were to head home she doubled over in stomach pain. They had to keep her a few more hours and that meant they didn’t get home until about 11 p.m. that night.

The Home Health nurse continues to come to the house and do her labs. But the nurse got sick in the latter part of last week and Dawn had to take Emily to Wilmington this morning for labs. They got the call late this afternoon that her platelets are high enough to do another round of this chemo. In the morning they will head to Duke for the treatment and then for observation a few hours, and hopefully home at an early hour with no harsh side effects.

This past week Emily has spent most of her time in her pretty pink room & bed where she can lay comfortably and watch TV. A couple of days she did feel like going to Nana’s house and rested comfortably there. She has had a couple of nights with bad headaches but Mommy & Daddy always know what meds to give her to make it feel better. It hurts when she tries to sit up so she gives orders from her bed, “I need another baggie”, “I’m hungry”, “Where’s my bag of markers”, “Is Oreo outside”. She definitely keeps you hopping all day long plus you have to make sure she doesn’t lay in the same position too long. Dawn tried to cook a roast last night but between hopping back and forth, I think it was ready about 11:00 last night. Guess you know what they had for supper tonight! We’re continuing to try and do meals twice a week just to help out. Give me or mom (Cheryl) a call if you’d like to help. Dawn & Eddie have so appreciated all the meals thus far. They extend a BIG THANK YOU from the bottom of their hearts, and stomachs! With Eddie at work all day and Dawn scrambling to assist Emily and Trey when he gets home from school, it sure has made those days a little easier.

Please keep Emily, Dawn & Eddie in your prayers tomorrow as they head to Duke for the day. It is uncomfortable for Emily to ride, particularly that far, so please pray for her comfort and safe travel for all.

Love,
Stephanie

“The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter. “
~Author Unknown