Peace Pain and MRI

Thank you so much for praying. God has once again graciously responded to our needs. Anxiousness has faded, as has Kate's leg pain and with that peace has reigned in our hearts and minds again. Kate reported a little leg discomfort this evening, but the last four days has had no pain. This is truly a grace gift and direct answer to prayer.

Kate's doctor has ordered an MRI of the pelvic plexus for this Thursday. They could tell I didn't have peace of mind just treating the pain in Kate's leg, despite the fact that the MRI two weeks ago was clear, knowing this all started with pain in her leg last summer. We did this same type of MRI last fall when the pain in the leg just didn't seem to match up with the location of the tumors on the spine. They don't think there will be anything on this MRI either. I think they did it more for Kate's and my peace of mind. We will not have immediate feedback on this MRI.
REQUEST: Please pray that this MRI will be another affirmation that there are no tumor related causes for Kate's leg pain.

Kate has started back to school going to just her Art Class. She still tires easily and takes a morning and an afternoon nap. It's just good to be in the normalcy of school, even for a little while each day.
PRAISE that Kate has had the desire, health and strength to return to class.
PRAISE that Kate's counts on Monday were good to the point that the doctor has said it is no longer necessary to do weekly labs!

REQUEST: Please ask for wisdom and direction for tumor board when then meet and decide what direction Kate's treatment will take. One of the questions on the table will be whether to do some additional brain and spine radiation. Kate's radiation oncologist said from the point of her re-diagnosis that he would like to do this when chemo was over. Given her hearing loss and the fact the radiation may also impact the hearing, the decision to do radiation will be weighed carefully.

Lifted by grace,
Elaine

NEW FLASH !!! Dance Duo takes FIRST PLACE !!!

Tonight was the first annual Riverside High School Video Yearbook Talent Show. Middle School students were invited to participate. Maggie and her friend Jordan performed a lyrical dance, which they choreographed themselves to the song "Mirror". They did a beautiful job and we were all thrilled for them when they were awarded the first place trophy! We celebrated the girls' night with Jordan's family by going to J&T - our favorite frozen custard spot! Congratulations Maggie and Jordan!! We're proud of you!!

SPECIAL REQUEST

While we try to walk and live daily by faith, there are times in this journey when fear seems to instantly grip our hearts and it feels like the life is being sucked right out of us. Thus we are writing to request that you pray along side of us that Father's perfect love would cast out the fear that gripped our hearts today. Kate shared with me today that she has noticed some pain in her thigh over the past week. To Kate the pain seems similar to what she experienced last summer which led to her re-diagnosis. We put a phone call into her doctor. Many questions were asked assessing the pain. The pain is not severe and is not continuous. The fact that last week's MRI was clear is a very positive and encouraging factor. So we will address the symptom of pain and monitor any changes in the pain. We have spent time praying and are more peaceful this evening than we were this afternoon. Please pray that peace will fill our hearts and minds and that spirit of fear and discouragement will not take hold of us. Please ask that Kate's pain dissipate and resolve quickly. How blessed we are to be able to tug on the lines of prayer support you make readily available to us. Thank you!

Holding on to grace,
Elaine

My Three Girls

Celebrating Life !!!

I can't think of a better time of year to celebrate the gift of life than at Easter. We have continued to rejoice and be carried by the great joy of Kate's good MRI last week. Our Easter was indeed a celebration of the life we have in Christ, the life He has given each of us and His touch on Kate's life. Easter was a special family time spent with my parents.

Kate continues to gain strength each day and walks with a little lighter load after the news of the clear MRI. She appreciates so many of the little things in life, that can be so easily taken for granted. This past weekend Kate and Brandon had fun tux shopping for the prom. Prom is May 11th and the excitement is already heightening.

We noticed during the course of the weekend that Kate was pretty tired. She slept alot Easter afternoon. Given her busy social scheduleover the weekend, that was understandable. However, blood counts on Monday revealed her hemoglobin level had dropped a bit. Today (Tuesday) we spent at the clinic getting a transfusion of RBC's. We hope that will push Kate's counts back up and in turn increase her energy level.

We are trying to add pieces of normalcy back to daily life. Kate is doing a fantastic job catching up with her home bound instruction and actually received a report card - it still had some incompletes but she and her teachers are making progress in getting her caught up with her school work. We hope if Kate's energy level continues to improve that she might possibly try a class or two, just to allow her the normalcy of school and time with her friends. She still tires easily and needs naps, so she won't be ready for a full day of school for some time yet, but hopefully she can begin slowly with one class and work her way back to a longer day.

Maggie came home tonight from dance with one of her costumes for her recital. That won't be until June but as with everything in life, Maggie is passionate and excited about it already.

As for me I'm going to get back to subbing. I am looking forward to being back with our school community, who have been so supportive and such a source of encouragement through out this journey.

We are told to rejoice with those who rejoice. Thank you for all the messages, notes, and phone calls in response to Kate's good MRI. How blessed we are to be surrounded by friends and family who rejoice when we rejoice, weep when we weep and in all things pray! Thanking God for each of you!!

Celebrating life and grace,
Elaine

Easter Blessings

~EASTER BLESSINGS~
Jesus came that we might have life and have it abundantly.
We rejoice in the abundance of life He gives us
through His daily out pouring of love and grace in our lives.
He has abundantly blessed us through each of you, who
so faithfully journey beside us in thought and prayer.
May you and yours experience the abundance of
life, joy, and peace in Christ this Easter and always.

Rejoicing in Grace,
Elaine, Kate and Maggie

To God be the Glory

~MRI
The Dillon girls have great reason to celebrate and rejoice today! Kate's MRI came back clear! I received a call at 11:00 this morning from the nurse practitioner updating us on yesterday's scan of Kate's brain and spine. She said everything looked fine. Her words brought tears of relief and rejoicing. Once again God has poured out his grace and mercy and answered your/our cries on Kate's behalf.
PRAISE for an incredible grace gift!!!! Thank you for praying and for waiting upon the Lord with us.
PRAISE that Kate's energy and strength is returning. She was on the go all weekend with friends and activities. She even had extra energy to bake and decorate Easter cookies to take to the staff at the oncology clinic.
PRAISE for the energy and motivation Kate has for her school work and her senior project. She amazes me at the zest and enthusiasm with which she is approaching these tasks.

Where to from here?
Tumor board will not meet for the next two Monday's due to various members being out of town. When they meet again everyone will give their insight and project what is next. Again, as far as Kate's neuro-oncologist is concerned there will be no more high dose chemo/stem cell rescues, given the risk of a repeat encounter with the BK virus. Kate's radiation oncologist said early on after the recurrence of Kate's cancer, that he wanted to do some brain/spine radiation when all other treatment was complete. The concern that radiation brings is further hearing loss. This will be brought to the table later in April when tumor board reconvenes to determine what is next.
REQUEST- please ask for continued wisdom and direction for Kate's medical team.
REQUEST - please continue to ask for Kate's hearing, as the sensory neural loss could still improve some or decrease more in the next little while.

~TRACK MEET
Kate, Grammie and I, and even Grace were cheering Maggie on at her track meet this afternoon, a beautiful 75 degree sunny day. Maggie who puts a lot of energy and passion into all she does, did a great job. What a competitive spirit our sweet Maggie has:)
PRAISE for the health and vibrancy of life God has given Maggie.

My friends, your prayers carried us through the MRI and through the time of waiting. Be amazed and encouraged by the grace God has shown us in hearing your requests on Kate's behalf for this MRI.

Amazed by Grace,
Elaine

Reflecting on God's word

MRI's always weigh heavy on my heart and mind. I was encouraged and comforted by the devotion I read this morning. God knew just what I needed. The words I read today reminded me that as we face tomorrow afternoon's MRI, God never sends us into a situation alone. He always precedes us in any situation we encounter. He is prepared to meet our every need because He goes before us and knows exactly what we will need. I especially love the fact that not only does God go before us, but He also stands beside us and behind us, to provide protection and comfort. God is always present. How assuring it is to know that He is fully aware of what we are facing, and He is actively responding to our needs. There is nowhere that we can go and no situation that we face that we will not find Christ waiting for us to join Him.

These were good words for me on this eve of Kate's MRI. Perhaps they will also be an encouragement to some of you who are struggling with some difficult circumstances. There is assurance and comfort, knowing no matter what we face, we are hemmed in on all sides by God's presence.

Thank you for interceding on Kate's behalf for this MRI.

Surrounded by grace,
Elaine