Weak in the Knees.

I got the call from mom and listened to some of the news. I had to wait for the rest because Steph was calling her back. While waiting...I broke down and wept. I mean truly wept. Why?? Because our GOD is so amazing. He is working a miracle.

Let me give you a run down. They were checking the scans to see if the lesion on her ovary and the lymphnodes near her spine are responding to chemo. The doctor seems to think they are which is good news and bad news. The good news, you want cancer to respond to chemo. The bad news, medically speaking...it means that those two spots are most likely cancer. What is strange, is the fact that the doctor is not completely convinced that they ARE in fact cancer. Here's the plan.

Medically, she will continue with chemo but from what I understand we will be doing a maintenance program which means taking out the drug (not sure of the name at the moment) that has been making her so sick lately. This was music to our ears!!! They will rescan her in two more months to see if the areas are still shrinking. We are also TAKING CONTROL of our diets and eliminating sugar. It is what she needs to do and we are fully aware of the fact that it is very difficult to do in this day and age. We know that in order to be successful in this, we must stick together and make it TOP priority this summer.

Spiritually, Steph finally received a direction for prayer today. For so long we haven't had enough information to pray specifically and we really just prayed for her body to be healed. Today as the doctor talked about the "spots" on the scan he said that there is a chance that they are all just scar tissue. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS???? There is a chance that as she sits on that plane today...she could be cancer free!!!!! Here I go again...weeping. I stand so amazed in the Lord's work. I LOVED hearing that the doctors are a little baffled. For once I truly believe that it's NOT because they don't know what they are talking about. It's just...sometimes even doctors can't explain everything. The Bible can. Because of Jesus the blind have seen, the lame have walked and the hungry were fed. I believe that because of Jesus...Stephanie will be healed and restored to complete health. Our prayer for the next two months?

PRAY THAT THESE SPOTS ARE NOT CANCER! PRAY THAT THEY ARE SCAR TISSUE!

I will most likely have more news later, but for now I must go. I have a girls trip to the beach to plan! Which reminds me...I also have to do my Dancing with the Stars workout today too!!!

Thank you all for your prayers and support!! I can't say it enough...Thank you.

Baby Stellan

Remember in THIS post when I talked about the miracle baby Stellan? He is very sick. I have added a button to the side of our page that will take you directly to MckMomma's page. He needs our prayers. I am depending on God fully to heal my friend AND this baby. I know it may seem weird to some that I am so concerned for a child I don't even know...but his story has helped me through some really rough patches. His mother remains so faithful to the Lord even as she currently watches her child cling to life after being perfectly healthy just days before. He is a miracle and a constant reminder that God can and does perform miracles.

Here we go!

Today Steph will be scanned. We will know the results on Thursday. Please continue to pray and THANK YOU for leaving your wonderful comments. KEEP 'EM COMING!!!! They are so encouraging to all of us as we wait this week.

Steph texted me on Sunday as they were getting ready to take off. The boys were VERY excited about the flight. Levi couldn't believe he was in a real rocketship! Dan and Shelly, thanks for letting Levi ride in your rocketship. It was a real treat. They made it to Kathy and Tim's safe and sound. I received an e-mail from Kathy later that night and have a feeling the boys are being SPOILED to no end! I can't think of two boys more deserving of a good old fashioned spoiling!

Keep praying and, if you haven't already, leave a comment on my last post. I know it is so uplifting for Steph. Thank you so much for all your support. You are all so special to us!!!

For your entertainment, here is what we did Thursday while Steph was finishing up with chemo. Drew found the can of whipped cream and wanted to spray it in his mouth.

Drew: "BUT Nanny lets me do it!"
Me: "Well, sorry Drew, I just can't let you do that."
Drew: "BUT WHYYYYYYY?"
Me: "Because I have a better idea!"

From The View I Love the Most

From The View I Love the Most

From The View I Love the Most

I'm going to beg here....

Scot, Steph, Drew and Levi will be leaving tomorrow for Houston. If you have ever had to make a trip like this or waited at home while your loved one went, then you will understand the emotions that come with it. If you don't understand...I pray to God that you never will.

First, words cannot express the love and appreciation we feel for the people who are making this so easy for the Phillips family. Dan and Shelly...there aren't words. These two angels have made arrangements to fly Scot, Steph and the boys to and from Houston in their plane. This means no lines, no plane full of germs and no worries about getting to and fro. Kathy and Tim...again, no words. These two angels provide a beautiful and comfortable HOME for the Phillips family to stay. Not only that, but they also watch the boys during the appointments. This allows Steph to bring her boys (which is so important to her) and Scot can still go to her appointments with her. I am overwhelmed by your generosity and love. Thank you from ALL of us. Please join me while you pray and PRAISE God for these wonderful people He has put in our lives.

Above all, we are still praying that GOD WILL HEAL STEPHANIE'S BODY!!!

Please also pray for all of us as we wait. This is hard.


I also want to ask a favor. For some of you "blog challenged" folks out there...you may have to step out of your comfort zone. I am begging EVERY SINGLE PERSON who is reading this...leave a comment. Tell Steph how she inspires you, tell her you are praying or simply just say hello. I know so many people read this and I know she would REALLY love to hear from you. She hasn't come right out and said it, but I think she could use some encouragement. So I will give you the steps PLEASE just leave a comment.



Step 1: Click on the title of this entry (I'm going to beg here...)

Step 2: Type your message.

Step 3: If you don't have a google account, I have allowed anonymous comments so just select the "Anonymous" button.

Step 4: When you are happy with your work, click on "Publish Your Comment"

Step 5: Pat yourself on the back because you just brightened Steph's day!

Thank you in advance! I will not know anything until Thursday but will post as soon as I know something. Thank you all for your prayers...we feel them...everyday. We cherish them...always.

Coach of the Year!

That's right! Our very own Coach Phillips was named the Class 5A district 11....

COACH OF THE YEAR!!!!!

Congratulations Steph! We are so proud of you!

Miracles happen.

We have had a very busy week! Mom and I painted Scot and Steph's basement on Tuesday and Wednesday. Can I just say that painting with 3 kids ages five and under is NOT the easiest task! However, it was worth it because the basement looks great and the Phillips family loves it!
The kids had a great time playing and we felt SO productive.

On Wednesday, Steph brought us China Wok for lunch and then hung around for a bit before she had to run some errands. We chatted about little things, shared funny stories about the kids and discussed the new decor. For a moment...just a moment...I almost forgot that she is sick. Then I went to throw something away and hanging above the trash can is the Colon Cancer Alliance calendar. Normally I would be able to find the humor in the fact that they call it a "Colondar" but for once, dry humor was lost on me.

I went home and was very quiet. The kids were in bed early so I had a lot of quiet time that evening. I recently read an article about the decline in the number of people who believe in God. It was surprising to me, given our current economic situation, that the number is on the DECLINE. How people deal with the heavy stuff on their own without faith, is beyond me. It outlined different religions and denominations so I went to mine to see what the author had to say. One of the things he pointed out was that we believe in modern day miracles. Hmmm. No one sat me down at church and said, "To be a member here, you must believe in miracles." I just do. I started reading THIS blog when she was pregnant.

(I copied this off of her blog regarding baby Stellan) "In the womb, he was diagnosed with heart failure: premature atrial contractions at 20 weeks; supraventricular tachycardia, hydrops, and intermittent advanced secondary heart block at 23 weeks; and enlargement of the heart at 32 weeks. When the doctors told us at 24 weeks that our very ill baby would surely die, we chose to give our son completely to God, for He alone knows best. We have not stopped praising our Lord since then, for MckMuffin was healed and was born a well and whole full-term baby...with dimples!! "

I am quite positive that these doctors weren't just making all that up. He was a sick baby and GOD performed a miracle in his tiny body. I am POSITIVE that God is working a miracle in Steph's body as well. I KNOW that she will be healed. I just know it. I have never felt something so strong before. I know that so many people are watching. Keep watching. I have faith that you are witnessing a miracle.

I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.

I will meditate on all your works
and consider all your mighty deeds.

Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
Psalm 77: 11-14

Next week chemo will be on Thursday. They wanted her to go a day early so she will have a little more time before she takes off for Houston the week of spring break. Keep praying people.
Meditate on His works and trust with all your heart that He will heal Stephanie.

Ode to Stephanie

From Steph's Gonna Win

Today is Steph's 35th birthday! To honor her, I decided to put together a list of randomness about my dear friend for your entertainment. A little "roast" if you will.

1. When I met Steph she had bad hair...of course, I was rockin' some sweet bangs so I really have no room to talk.

2. She is the reason I won the 800 meter at All City in 7th grade. Not because she inspired me with wise words...but because she KICKED MY BOOTY at basketball practice AFTER track practice a few times a week!!!

3. She hates clam chowder.

4. She is the MOST loyal person I know. I mean it.

5. She dislikes the color pink, but will wear it proudly to honor those who have fought or are fighting breast cancer.

6. I still have her autographed basketball card from her days at SMSU. She got me a set of autographed cards of the Lady Bears as well as an autographed ball. I was BIG TIME baby!

7. At SMSU individual camp one year as she was addressing the whole camp over the mic. She saw Ned Reynolds (a local sports personality on KY3) jogging around the track above the court in the old Hammons building. She made us all yell, "KY3! BE THERE!!" Which would have been really great if the station's catch phrase hadn't been, "KY3, is the place to be!" I still chuckle at that one.

8. She vomited the majority of the 18 months she was pregnant with her boys.

9. She is a very private person so she is probably going to kick me in the pants for this. I am actually REALLY holding back here Steph, I promise.

10. They go to River Bluff Fellowship and Drew was the first "River Bluff baby" born within the congregation. They started a MASSIVE trend!

11. She and my mom have very poor navigational skills.

12. She has two of the CUTEST boys you've ever seen.

13. She knows basketball...I mean REALLY knows basketball. She also taught me everything I know about the game.

14. She has an amazing husband.

15. She is my hero.

Steph, I hope you enjoyed your day. I am so thankful that we got to spend a little time together today while our kids ran around like crazy people! When you are feeling up to it...Brian wants to take you out for Sushi ;-) Happy Birthday my friend. Love you girl!

Upward!

Today was our last regular season game for Upward basketball. The kids have a makeup game next week and then we are done! I am so thankful that Miss Jane asked us to participate. I can't believe how much the kids have progressed! Their coaches were wonderful!!! It has been so fun to watch each child gain skills and confidence in a Christian environment. We LOVED it!!!!

This is Drew running out of the tunnel. Obviously, they RUN out to music, a strobe light and fog!

Claire and Drew after the game.

The kids and Papa.

Thanks SO much to Miss Jane, Coach Julie and Coach Angie for everything you did for our kids!!!

bummer.

Yesterday was a beautiful day. The sun was shining and a breeze was blowing. A perfect day to take the kids to the Nature Center while Steph sat and enjoyed some peace, quiet and fresh air. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Why? Because chemo went all wrong. They are changing EVERYTHING up there right now. Thanks to the new "system" Steph didn't actually get hooked up until noon. The most disappointing part about it was the response they received when they expressed concern about having to wait for FOUR hours to be hooked up.



"Well, you're just gonna have to get used to it."



Really? Does anyone stop to think about the things that she is already having to "get used to?" Steph has gotten used to the ache in her bones after she gets her shots to prep her tired body for chemo. She has gotten used to being terrified of every ache and pain in her body. She has gotten used to wearing a fanny pack every other weekend that continues to send poison coursing through her veins. She has gotten used to feeling terrible every other week. She has gotten used to these things...or at least learned to deal with them. I really wish that being treated like cattle was not something that she and SO MANY other chemo patients had to get used to. These are people who are fighting for their lives! Why wouldn't you treat them like the heroes that they are? Why wouldn't you want to lift them up and encourage them every step of the way? I think I have an idea of why everyone is so disgruntled right now, but you don't really want to get me started on that topic! Anyway, it was very disappointing because things WERE going so smoothly on chemo days which made it just a little easier on our girl.



I did have a wonderful afternoon with the kids. We met Ashley (my sister-in-law) and my niece at the park and worked up a good sweat. Then we headed to the store to get popsicles and stuff to throw on the grill for dinner. Here is Cohen and Drew at the park!

Chemo Day.

Tomorrow is chemo day. If you happened to read my mom's blog you know that her attitude tends to be a little better than mine about chemo day. I am looking forward to tomorrow because we have plans to go on a nature walk with the kids afterward. Steph plans to sit and take in some fresh air, rest and I would imagine she will have some time with God. Please pray for Steph tomorrow. She is dreading chemo. Big time. Lift her up and ask God to give her strength to get through another treatment.

Oh and if you missed the Lady Chiefs game the other night...it was SO EXCITING! Our girls played so hard and that game could NOT have been any closer. They only fell to Nixa by one point. Congratulations girls on a wonderful season!!!