Chemo #10

Mama finished her 10th treatment last week.  I wish I had wonderful news to share, but God has taught us perseverance this treatment.  Mama went in and her wbc was below treatable levels.  There were 2 options.  The doctor could give her 50% her chemo dose or give her a wbc shot.  Mama did not want the shot, so she went with 50% treatment.  She has had a lot of trouble breathing, and her legs are giving out on her.  She wants to exercise, but this treatment is really hurting her.  Please be in prayer.  If her wbc is not up on Tues, she will have to get the shot, and will not receive her chemo treatment.  She has two treatments left!  May the Lord be with her as she perseveres.  "Consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds..." James 1.  Thank you for your prayers!

Jessie

Chemo #9

Mama finished her ninth treatment yesterday and is doing great!  She was able to exercise more before this treatment...and that always helps, thanks be to the LORD!  Her wbc count was back up.  She felt pretty good yesterday, and is not having as much shortness of breath.  Shortness of breath is a common problem she has had to deal with.  ONLY 3 MORE TREATMENTS!!!

Chemo #7 and 8

From Jessie:  Sorry it is so long between posts.  Time is spent in so many places.  Mama is doing well.  Chemo treatment number 7 went amazing!  Her vitals were the highest they'd ever been.  However, chemo #8 was not as great.  She had the lowest vitals of her entire treatment with #8.  However, in the highs and lows, God is still God.  He is still watching over her and protecting her.  Plus, over Christmas she received some great medicine...Randi's engagement!  Randi is marrying Andrew Warmath...a man that will truly be a blessing to this family.  I am excited to have another brother!  Looking forward to this wedding is a natural remedy.  When God brings two together in love that models His love for us, the church...it is truly something special.  We all look forward to the big day!  Mama goes in for treatment number 9 this week.  Please be praying for her.  She needs her vitals to go up to receive treatment.  She was able to exercise this week, which was fantastic.  That always helps!  Praise the Lord for His great goodness and grace on our family.

Chemo #5 and #6

It's Jessie.  Sorry for the delay in posts.  Over Christmas, I hope to add more info, but with teaching and coaching right now...it is crazy!  I have to be at work at 7:15am and don't leave the school until 7pm due to basketball.  That leaves me 3 hours when I get home to eat, plan lessons for the next day and grade papers. Oh yea, and there this thing called FAMILY!  So, I just wait to plan the lesson for the next day during my planning period...1st period on the day of that lesson...it is a Crazy cycle, but it's working.  For now...I will be so thankful for Christmas break...I time to get ahead!  And, teaching...it's awesome...not glamorous at times, but even though I'm in public school, I love it.  I really love teaching at public school.  These students need attention...and there is no telling what goes on at home.  But, more about that later.

Briefly, Mama's chemo #5 went well.  She had to have 25% less of a dose because her white blood cell count (wbc) was low...But praise the Lord - she still received treatment!  That's the important thing.  Chemo #6 was the same thing, except her platelet levels and hemoglobin was down as well.  On a positive note...Mama has had her best week - as far as how she feels this week.  Her nutritionist said she looks awesome and we are thankful for the wonderful protection God has over her life!

Sorry for the brevity, but wanted to give an update.  Chemo #7 is next week.  We're halfway!

God is good ALL THE TIME!

I can't believe this Thanksgiving is already over!!!! It comes and goes so fast. The time spent with family is always a blessing. I have so much to be thankful for. I was looking through some pictures on facebook and I saw a picture of Merideth and Maggie holding a trophy of when we won districts (i think). I miss playing on that team so much. It was a team that truly played for the Lord and you don't find that too often. I was watching this show called "boys of fall" it is a documentary by Kenny Chesney. They showed it on ESPN. I totally recommend it. So for those of you that are still playing on teams don't take this time for granted. You will miss it sooo much!!!! I constantly think about it. I loved my highschool basketball team so much and it is a memory I will never forget.

On another note could you please keep my grandmother in your prayers. We had to put her in a nursing home and she is not doing the best. Thank you!!!!! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend and GOD BLESS!

On to a new life

On Monday my mom had a very cool thing happen to her. She had her port taken out. For those of you who do not know what a "port" is, it is a device they put under your skin to have easy access to the blood stream. They also do this so they do not have to poke you every time you get chemo or shot, etc.

Knowing that my mom's port is taken out is huge for her. She is finally talking about the rest of her life again. Thanks for all your prayers. She has her next CT Scan in 6 months.

Keep continuing to pray for the Marshall family. It is not fun seeing your mom go through chemo. It makes times really tough. It is alway comforting knowing your friends are there for you even if you have never been through this before.

God Bless.

Nov. 2, 2010 - Chemo #4

Today Mama went in for chemo treatment #4.  Every time she goes in for a treatment, the doctors have to check her vitals and blood counts in order to determine if she is able to receive the medicine.  Sometimes people treated with chemo experience a drop in their white blood cell count (wbc).  This wbc drop weakens their immune system and prevents them from receiving another dose of meds.  Today was another evidence of God's greatness.  Mama's wbc count was just below normal and her red blood cell (rbc) count was NORMAL!  This is very good.  She received dose 4 and is doing well.  Tired, but well.  1 John 5:18 "¹⁸ We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them."  The evil one cannot harm Mama because she is born of God.  She knows Him and believes in Jesus Christ as His son.  A son that was sacrificed on a cross, and later rose from the dead!  Jesus conquered death, and He is definitely capable of conquering cancer in Mama's life.  Praise Him!  


Side-note:  Mama had some spots show up on her face last week as a consequence of the chemo meds.  They really got to her self-confidence, making her feel ugly...and c'mon girls, don't we all agree...if we had big spots on our faces, I'm sure we'd all be a little disappointed/unsure/shy/etc.  But, Daddy assured her she was beautiful.  And, any compliment from Joe Marshall helps your day get better.  The Lord shines through Daddy's optimism.  One of his spiritual gifts is encouragement.  He is a great encourager, and he has been Mama's #1 cheerleader...although he does have some tough competition when you consider GranGran and Granmama (Mama's parents), Uncle Jim, Uncle Shand and Aunt Patti (Mama's brothers and Uncle Jim's wife), us 5 girls!!! and many special dear friends like Mrs. Beougher, Mrs. Law, Mrs. Magnuson, Mrs. Benson, Kilpatrick family, Kom and McKemie family (who also know how to deal with colon cancer first-hand), Shubert family, and so many others!!!  We cannot thank you for your prayers enough!  Please, keep praying.  The Lord certainly hears our prayers.