No Chemo / MRI
Emily, Dawn & Eddie had another long day at Duke yesterday. 
Emily really has not felt well in the last 4 days and they were not certain that she would feel like making the trip until they got up yesterday morning and made the decision to go ahead as planned. She had the usual blood draws done and her platelets were not high enough to do a chemo treatment. She also had her monthly pneumonia shot. They proceeded with the MRI of her head as planned and had hoped that she would not have to be put to sleep to do it since it wouldn’t take as long as usual, but her pain was so great that they had to anyway. She was given a little too much “sleep” medication and didn’t want to wake up so they ended up going ahead and sending her back into another MRI and did her entire spine since that area is what hurts at all times. 
Dr. G did get to glance at the first MRI and his initial reaction was pleasing in that the pressure in the brain appears to have decreased a little bit. He was going to get with the Radiologist and further review those results and the other results when they came in, either late last night or this a.m. Dawn & Eddie hope to get the results of both late this afternoon. The MRI results will determine whether or not they proceed with anymore chemo treatments. Pray that the results show tumors decreasing.
They made the usual Smithfield stop on the way home last night about 9:00 p.m. but Emily was still sleeping peacefully so she didn’t put in her request! 
Mommy & Daddy were starved so they ate enough for her! 
It is such a fast paced day when they go to Duke that there is neither time to eat or even remember to eat while they are there. Their emotions run high while watching Emily, in pain, go through all the necessary procedures, and probably couldn’t eat during this time, even if they remembered. Pray for their emotional strength as they await these test results.
As always, THANK YOU to everyone for your prayers. Dawn & Eddie feel the strength of these prayers and it uplifts them daily to carry on and do what God wants them to do. Please continue to pray that God will lead them in the path he has chosen and that His will is done and that through Emily, many lives will continue to be touched and hearts opened to the awesome power of our Lord.
Love,
Stephanie
At first she said she would stay inside, then she decided she would try. I put her in her motorized chair, and she was ready to roll. She drove to the backyard to let Levi out of the Kennel, and raced up and down the driveway and past Aunt Cheryl’s house. 
Stephanie saw Emily speeding down the driveway and stopped to chat and watch her race away from me. Thursday was another nice day but she didn’t feel like going out. 
