...we don't make this stuff up.....

....Well, after much work, from lots of people...Jared got the okay for moving to the rehab unit ! That was on Friday and unfortunately by Saturday morning he had gotten sick enough that they had to move him back to the oncology floor. After running tests they figured out that he had...chemical meningitis...so he is being treated for that and he is feeling better already. He is able to keep up with his physical therapy but not to the extent that he would be doing in the rehab unit but something is better than nothing !! Sunday he was able to get from the bed to his wheel chair without help and was outside for a good period of time !!!!!! And today, Monday he was able to walk again in the hall with help and go outside again and see Molly...their dog! While it feels like we are going backwards we still keep pressing on !! We are hopeful that he can make it back to the rehab unit soon !! Jared's spirits have been better this last week than we have seen them in a while !!!!!
....Thanks to all the Texas State kids who did a great job of putting on an art auction and coffee house concert to benefit Jared and Christina. In light of all that had happened last week on college campuses it was a blessing to see these kids come together and give of their time and energy for someone they don't know!!!
....Thanks also to the staff at McKamy Elementary for round two of the garage sale...you guys
are the best !
....Our focus now is to get Jared strong...get him home for a little bit...meet with Baylor Hospital...and get going on the transplant!!! All in record time!! We hope that this is what the Lord has in mind too ! We know that the Lord will continue to lead and open doors for us.
.... and of course we ask that you continue to stand in prayer with us for strength and for the Lord to guide our every step !

Dianne

....We're Still Here.....!!!

.....Jared is still on the Oncology floor and that's good news ! He has had two treatments in his head port and they have gone well and he is working HARD everyday to regain his strength ! He is walking with help with the walker and can get himself around in the wheel chair pretty good ! His levels have been low so he has had to stay on the floor and not go outside but that should change any day now! He is anxious to "get going" and it is a slow process getting his strength back. We are hoping that he will be able to get into a rehab center very soon and that would really get him where he needs to be, if not then "we" will become the rehab center, one way or another we will get this done!!!
.....We want to thank all the staff from McKamy Elementary in Carrollton that put on a very successful garage sale Saturday in the "cold". They are going to give it another shot this Saturday, April 21 for any of the "locals" who are interested! The staff at school has been very supportive of Jared and Christina and we are thankful and blessed for all that they do for them.
......Terry and I are heading to San Marcos this weekend to see Jess and also to be a part of a fund raiser that some of the good folks from Texas State are putting on for Jared and Christina. They are having a concert and a art auction...more details later.
......Our prayer needs this week are for 1. Jared to continue to gain strength/quickly
2. For the rehab to work out
3. To find favor with Baylor Dallas where the transplant
could take place.
......Thanks again for all the prayers/cards/messages!

Dianne

Out of ICU again

Jared is out of ICU and back in oncology again. The short term goal (other than stay out of ICU) is to get walking. Physical therapy is working him everyday and today he took a few steps. Hopefully by next week we will see some good progress. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. So pray for renewed physical strength for him. We are moving toward getting a bone marrow transplant and not sure what all that will look like but one thing is certain the stronger physically he is the better. There is not a lot to say right now but we want to keep you updated so you can continue to pray intelligently. It has been an odd time and very wearing on Jared and us also though to a much lesser degree. We read an interesting passage in Isaiah50:10 "Who walks in the darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God." We have felt like that in the past weeks but we know He hears our sighs and counts our tears. We are thankful for that as we are also very thankful for your continued prayers and support. They are not in vain. Also if you think about it, pray for a neighbor named Pat, who is having some very serious but undiagnosed lung problems. Thanks. The Waters

....Thursday report.....

...well let's see, since the last update...on Monday Jared had a reaction to the chemo treatment, he was on day 3 of 5...they stopped the treatment and he ended up back in ICU where he still is today. He just got really sick and started running a temp and his blood pressure was dropping but he is stable now and eating some and resting a lot ! Someone said that we put a whole new meaning to highs and lows !! Our prayer concerns now are for 1. the doctors to have a really good plan ! 2. for Jared to not lose ground in getting stronger 3. they are going to do a chemo treatment today in his new head port and we would like that to go really well 4. for whatever needs to happen for him to get the bone marrow transplant would all come into place....that's all!!
Actually that's the short list !! We are walking this out day by day and sometimes hour by hour ! We continue to believe and hope that "somehow" the Lord will work this all out and Jared will come through...after all His eye IS on the sparrow......amen ! Thanks again for ALL the support !

Dianne

What a week !!!!

The good news !!....Jared has accomplished a lot this week !! The detox process seems to be going better...he walked with the walker twice this week in his room....he has been outside a lot...his appetite is good....he was able to get into the wheel chair and get himself around really well !!!..he even visited ICU which was a huge step....he had surgery on Friday to replace his head port and that went well and he started another five day chemo treatment on Saturday !!! Monday they may start chemo in the head port and he said his goal for this week is to be walking with the walker in the hall !!!! We could not ask for more from him !!
The bad news is that he had a seizure today. Just out of the blue. We will be talking to his Doctor in the morning and will know more then...that is probably the BIG prayer request for now.
We cannot lie, we are weary. Seems like the same old two steps up and one back! Your prayers make all the difference for us we are sure so keep them coming. And we hope to have more good news as the week goes on !!!!!!
Dianne