1st Opinion

Sorry this took a few days to get posted. Steph met with her oncologist from St. John's on Friday to discuss treatment. He said that technically her cancer is in remission. HOWEVER, there is a 90% chance that it will come back so we will proceed with chemo and possibly radiation at some point. He recommended using 2 types of medication for six months and continuing with one of them for up to a year. One of them is called Folfox and the other one has a name....I just don't remember it. I will ask Steph again and get it posted. There is a "chemo class" for patients and their loved ones that they offer. She is there right now with Drew and my parents so I will have more info tonight. I just felt like I have been neglecting my faithful readers lately!! I think they will be leaving tomorrow after Drew gets out of school for St. Louis to get a second opinion about treatments. We just want to make sure that the treatment she will receive will be cutting edge and the most aggressive. Stay tuned for more updates and my list of top 10 reasons why it wouldn't be entirely bad to be bald. Should be a good one!

back to the grind!

Steph went back to work yesterday. She is only going half days right now but it's a start!

Fundraiser

Thanks to Leslie and Greta we have a fundraiser in the works! Come eat dinner at the Mcallister's on Primrose Monday October 8th from 5:00-9:00. All tips plus 10% of ALL sales will be donated to the Stephanie Phillips Foundation. We will also be taking donations. So bring your appetite, your friends, family and neighbors and lets make this a huge success! It seems like only yesterday we were doing this same thing for Drew. I didn't think we would ever have to do it again....but here we are! So I TRIPLE DOG DARE you all to stop by and pack the place out. See you ALL there!!! Oh and THANKS MCALLISTERS!!!!

No Worky, Need Sleepy

Well, school was a "no go" today. She is just too tired. We are going to encourage her to stay home this week but she is so nervous about missing so much work because it means no paycheck. We told her that is why we are busting our buns fundraising so that she can focus on getting better! She went to a game last night at The Courts to watch her girls play and realized when she was cheering them on that it's too early to do the coaching thing too. It was really painful for her to yell. She was going today to take little gifts to all of the people she has dealt with so far at different doctors offices because they have been so wonderful and supportive. Nana (aka Joyce, Scots mom) is spending the night tonight to help with Levi. The dude seriously does not sleep! Hopefully she will get some rest tonight.

Sorry!

I realize it has been 5 days since I have updated the blog so I thought I would explain myself. We had a birthday party for our big ONE year old on Saturday. If you would like to see a picture of my little cake monster you can go to my personal blog at www.claireandcocosmommy.blogspot.com I also haven't had much to report. Steph and Scot have had a rough weekend. Between Steph having the flu, Drew throwing up at the football game, Scot having a flat tire and Levi having another ear infection they were all pretty exhausted today. Scot had to go to work so Steph took the boys to my parents and tried to get some rest today. She is planning on going to work tomorrow so hopefully it goes well! More later!

Sept.11

Steph and Scot went to an appointment today with Dr. Edwards. They are checking her blood levels because she has been extremely fatigued so they want to make sure she isn't running low again. We recently found out the MD Anderson is not in their network so going to Houston isn't an option. She has an appointment with an oncologist at Barnes in St. Louis on the 26th. We don't know which doctor yet, we will get more info in a few days. She is feeling MUCH better today just really tired. She and Scot picked Drew up from school today and took him home for the first time in a while. He ran around the basement and kept saying that he was sooooo glad to be at home. We are hoping that we can get him into a normal routine very soon. As you know Steph's goal was to return to work tomorrow. She has decided to wait a little longer to go back. Just a few more days of rest won't hurt! Keep praying for her as she prepares for chemo and radiation and pray that Drew can get adjusted to a normal schedule soon!

yucky

Steph had a rough weekend. Yesterday she was running a fever of 102. She called the doc and they said to take Tylenol and call in the morning. We are afraid she may have a "bug" of some kind b/c she has also been achy. So she is still at my parents house because Scot is very busy with school, football and Levi. Just thought I would post and ask everyone to keep praying for a speedy recovery and for Steph to keep her winning attitude. She has an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow so lets pray that he has great things to say!! More late! God Bless and keep the FAITH!

Mary Kay Ladies Rock!

So here is a link to the 2nd Mary Kay Lady who is donating to the Stephanie Phillips Foundation!
www.marykay.com/nikkiloveadkins
So Check out her site for all of your skin care needs! And guys, you are not excluded here. There's nothing hotter than a dude who moisturizes. But seriously, check it out!

out and about!

Today I was shocked when Claire and Drew's teacher said, "Steph, is looking great!" I was a little confused until I realized that she had come to school with my mom and Drew! Then we went and had breakfast and they were off to run a few errands. She is still pretty stiff and sore but she is moving! Oh, and during breakfast my mom told me I had a few typos yesterday. I HATE TYPOS and so I apologize. I promise I used the spellcheck but apparently Huston is a word. I also suffer from "ocular migraines" when there are strong weather fronts that come through which causes me to become partly blind for a while. I like a challenge so I try to go about my everyday business during these episodes which may cause my typing skills to be less than desirable. No wait, they become equivalent to that of a 1st grader. (No offense to my young readers out there of course.) So if I make a mistake feel free to point it out to your friends and have a good laugh at my expense. I just try to look on the bright side, I could be Miss South Carolina. Please check out the video on my personal blog www.claireandcocosmommy.blogspot.com It's on the top right hand corner. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. PS I just did spell check and it found more mistakes than ever! Hmm.

HOLY ENFAMIL BATMAN!

Just a little note to let you all know that Levi will be on formula until he is 2 or 3. Thanks to Sarah (I know her as Freeman) who was able to get 20 CASES of formula donated!!! WOWWWWEEEEE! Amazing. Thanks Sarah!

The Scoop

Steph had a rough morning yesterday. She has been pretty nauseous and I (Dr. George) seem to think that maybe it's the pain meds on an empty stomach. But she ate a little more yesterday than she has in a while (THANKS ROBBIE!) and I suspect she will eat plenty tonight too! (THANKS MARILYN!) She is feeling better today and HER plan is to return to work 1 week from today. She is ready to get this ball rolling. Are you surprised? When she talked with the nurse at the oncologists office today she asked Steph if she wanted to get a second opinion. She said that she did and she wanted to go to MD Anderson in Houston, TX. The nurse said she would get the paper work going. If I had and extra hour in the day I could list all of the wonderful things that people are doing right now to help make this easier on Stephanie and her family. You all know who you are and I can't thank you enough. I have the schedule made up for meals during the months of September and October. Again, please don't be offended if you aren't asked to cook yet. Trust me...your time will come!!

Stephanie Phillips Foundation

I realized that I don't have a link on here to the website with all of the info on how to donate to the Stephanie Phillips Foundation. We decided the day Steph was diagnosed with colon cancer that we are in this for the long haul. Being the mother of 2 boys (one who was born with a heart defect requiring surgeries and numerous doctors appointments) she has used all of her sick days. Gone are the days when teachers could pool their sick days and give them away. (Unfortunate because I have a wonderful mother-in-law who would be more than happy to donate some of her 290 sick days!) Scot is at a new job this year so he doesn't have much either in the way of sick leave. SO...when Steph isn't working, they are operating on ONE teacher's salary! That would be hard to do under normal circumstances! So many people have been so gracious and expressed the desire to help in any way they can, so we decided we would set up a foundation to benefit the Phillips family. This money will be used for things such as medical bills, travel (if they decide to do treatment somewhere else) and just everyday expenses. Steph has a fight ahead of her and we want her to be 100% focused on this battle. When Steph beats this and no longer needs it, we plan to continue fundraising and helping other families whose lives have been "hijacked" by cancer. Check out the website that my brother put together. www.stephsgonnawin.com He has ordered the merchandise and it should be available at the end of the month but we are taking orders now.

Attention All Springfield R-12 Employees!

Here is an e-mail I received from a teacher today.

I spoke with administration about doing this for Stephanie and Scot Phillips and got the go-ahead.I will be placing Mary Kay books in the teachers' workroom today. Any R-12 employee sales during the month of September will not only get you great products, but 100% of my proceeds will be donated to Stephanie's Foundation. In addition, anyone who books a skin care class (or any of the Mary Kay classes) during September will benefit Stephanie the same way. A skin care class averages profits ranging from $200-$400 for a 1 and 1/2-2 hour class. All of this will be donated to Stephanie. This is a great time to think ahead for Holiday presents or gift cards. You can also shop from my website 24/7 at www.marykay.com/mwahlquist.This could be huge...so let's make a Mary Kay Miracle happen for Steph!Forward this to any of your R-12 friends as well.

Thank you,
Michelle Wahlquist

Home....kinda

Well, Steph is out of the hospital but will be staying with my parents for a few days as she continues to recover. This way there will be someone there 24/7 and she will get to spend more time with Drew. For those of you who don't know, Drew has decided that he will just live with "Bubby and Cheryl." And for those who have seen "The Breakup"..... What my baby wants, my baby gets! And no, he isn't really moving in but right now we are choosing our battles. I am back home and refreshed. It's amazing what a little retail therapy and lunch at PF Changs can do! Let's pray for a speedy recovery so we can get treatments going.

Good News, Not as Good News

Well, the good news is that when they tested the 50 lymph nodes they removed only 2 of them had cancer in them. The not as good news, that still bumps her up to a stage 4 cancer. The plan now is to do radiation along with the chemo. I am currently out of town for 24 hours so I will post more info later I just know that everyone is anxious to hear what is going on. I'm on a quest to find a book today that was brought to my attention (thanks Stephani D.) that I think Steph needs. It's called "Crazy Sexy Cancer" and I can't wait to see it. I watched the documentary and still have it on my tivo. It was really good so if you see it check it out! I think it was on TLC. So, more later and "Hi from Arkansas!"

Doing great!

Thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law, I was able to run up to the hospital and see Steph. It was so nice to be able to hug her neck! She is doing really well, just tired. She was up yesterday and took a walk around the "block." She and Scot told me about what they actually took out during surgery. They took about 1/3 of her large intestine and a small section of her small intestine then took all of the lymphnodes around that area. They will be doing some testing on that tissue and we should know more today about what kind of treatment we are looking at. She seems to be in very good spirits. My personal favorite was when her machines started beeping and flashing "code 24" (meaning it was unplugged) she picked up her call button to tell the nurse. Rather than just say "My machine is beeping" like a normal person she said (while holding the call button like a CB radio and using her best trucker voice) "Yes, we have a code 24...we have a code 24." I love it! I am also going to have to address the fact that she is a cheater. Steph, my Dad, Brian, my mom and I were all having a little contest before all this started. We were trying to eat healthy and loose a few pounds. Well, I don't think she should get to count the 5 pounds in organs she lost on Wednesday. I mean come on Steph, there are better ways to loose weight. So anyway, I am trying desperately to keep up with e-mails so if I don't e-mail you back right away please don't feel bad. It's only because I'm e-mailing the really important people first. JOKING! I am just getting A TON of e-mails but they are all so wonderful so keep 'em coming!

I did just find out today that Steph is not allowed to have ANY fast food. They said that if she were to get Ecoli it would be fatal. So I guess the raw meat pancakes I made are out of the question. I guess I will just put them in Claire and Drew's lunch. More later! God Bless!

I spoke with my mom earlier and she told me that this morning Steph was up sitting in a chair. Does this suprise me? Not one bit! I am still working on getting a little more information about the surgery but it's hard to work in a complete conversation right now with anyone. Plus I haven't been able to go see her yet b/c Brian is out of town and I won't be taking my hooligans up there! I did want to let everyone know that we spoke with the people at Meal Makers here in town and they have decided to donate 10% of all sales for the Phillips family back to the Stephanie Phillips Foundation! Talk about a win win situation! Just mention the Stephanie Phillips Foundation when you order! Here is the website again www.mealmakers.net THANKS MEAL MAKERS!!!

I don't have any news yet on how Steph's night went. So far today our biggest challenge was to get Drew to school. We decided that he will be going back to his old school with Claire. However, today he said "Claire, I'm really sorry but I have changed my mind. I won't be staying at school today." I'm not kidding, that is exactly what he said. If you know Drew, you know that he is 3 going on 73. So he took the lunch I packed him and said he would go to Cheryl and Bubby's today but he might try again on Tuesday! I am so very thankful for the girls at Claire and Drew's school. They are all so amazing and didn't even hesitate to take Drew even though there is a waiting list. And the icing on the cake.....they are doing it at no charge. It is such a great feeling to know that our children are with such a wonderful and caring group of people 2 mornings a week. Obviously I can't name the preschool but you know who you are!!!! We love you all and can't imagine that there is a better preschool on the planet! Thank you so much.

PRAISE GOD!!

We just heard from the surgeon. He said they got all of the masses out and didn't have to take her kidney! He said numerous times that he was "Shocked" at how easily all of the masses came out. GOD HEARD OUR PRAYERS! They also put in a port so that she can start chemo in 3 to 4 weeks. That's all I know at the moment. We are all so excited about the news we received today and I feel this sets the tone for a VICTORY!! We won this battle...now it's time to win the war! Keep praying and I will post new info as soon as I get it.

wow....just wow.

So I sat down last night and started printing off e-mails of people who want to help with meals. I was overcome with emotion. They may never have to cook another meal until Drew is old enough to drive and pick up dinner from China Wok! It is truly amazing! I am thinking about putting 2 people per week on the schedule. This way they won't have company every single night. I know Steph would love to visit with everyone but I assume she will need to rest also. I just wanted to let everyone know that I am working on a schedule and don't feel bad if you aren't scheduled to cook until December! I will continue to add people to the list so contact me if you still want to help!

Please pray today for Dr. Chris Edwards who is doing Steph's surgery (as I type this!). Pray for him to have the wisdom and ability he needs to make this surgery a success. Thank you all so much!