Emery--Thursday Good News!

Emery will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow to wait here in Houston for her next round of chemo, which has been moved up to next Wednesday, the 27th. The docs feel that she is doing well and stable and can leave for a little while. This is really good news and we are happy that the whole family will get to have a break. There wasn't a lot of discussion about the size of the tumor, but it is apparently a little bit smaller. Everything else looks good--Emery is eating better, her weight is better, and she seems to be feeling better and happier. We've been getting more smiles from her, which we all love!

A nurse came in to teach Bonnie and David how to flush out Emery's central line with saline and administer heparin through the line to keep it from clotting off. Otherwise, she's going out on no meds and no major issues so they get to just be parents for a few days without all of the complications of being in the hospital.

Since the chemo was moved up (because she's doing well, not because they are worried about anything), David will just stay here till the second round is finished. If they don't have to bring Emery back and forth to the clinic for anything during this interim period, they may go to stay with their friends Lauren and Dan in Katy, TX (not too terribly far from here). If they have to be running back and forth, they might go to the Ronald McDonald House instead. We are not quite sure of all the arrangements yet.

I moved over to my friends Becky and Sean's a few nights ago and they have been so kind and gracious, driving me to the hospital, picking me up, feeding me and doing laundry, etc. They've been a lot of fun and it's been good to catch up after all these years. I really appreciate them so much for taking me in and taking care of me!

We've had so many visitors in the hospital, friends of friends, pastors from various churches who have a connection with Bonnie and David through family and friends, doctors and nurses who are related to or know other friends of the kids'--so sweet! We were surprised yesterday to have a visit from my dear friend Karen's brother, Ken, who is with a church in Alvin, not too far from Houston. We appreciated him making the trip over to check on us. I have not always been here when others have stopped by and there are too many to list without worrying about leaving someone out, but we hope all of you know how much your visits have meant to us. Thank you!

So it seems like little Miss Emery is on the upswing and we are feeling really happy about the way she is progressing. Hopefully this short respite will do all three of them good and they will get rested up for the next go-round of chemotherapy. Thanks again to all of you for your love, support and prayers.