Happy Father's Day!

Hope everybody enjoyed their Father's Day.  Dr. Anna Franklin delivered Brad's Father's Day gift early last week when she gave us the news that Carly's scans were negative.  You should have seen the doctor's face when Brad said, "I'm going to kiss you," and did just that. Carly is thankful for her Dad's love and her Doctor's wisdom.

We are facing three days of chemo this week with a renewed outlook that the treatment works and we plan to finish strong. In addition to praying for protection of organs, low side effects, strength, comfort, and cancer cells never to return, please add healing of her body.  Carly would like to start playing volleyball for Memorial HS in August and practice begins the week after chemo ends in July.  Carly's legs are weak but she will meet with a physical therapist to get her strength and muscle back.


I wanted to share with you some of the little things that make us smile everyday:

• hitting all the green lights to MD Anderson
• a cashier opening a new lane at the pharmacy
• generous neighbors and fun friends supporting us
• finding french fries at the bottom of the bag
• holding the elevator for somebody at the hospital
• great doctors and nurses working with us
• Carly finishing strong

Love,
Claudia


Mark 10:27
With God all things are possible

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

I want to thank Maggie Pipkin for sending the attached photo, from Africa, to Carly today.  It came in while we were working our way through a long day of tests at MD Anderson; what a smile it put on her face.  It is nice to be loved.

The purpose of today's tests were to gauge the progress of Carly’s chemo treatments to date. What we confirmed was the fact that we serve an Awesome GOD – Carly was pronounced "CANCER FREE"!

She will continue the scheduled chemotherapy for the next two months, but should be completely done by the end of July.  I ask that you continue to keep her in your prayers as she finishes the treatment and starts her recovery.  As I have said before, we are so blessed to have an institution like MD Anderson, that serves as His hands and feet, in our own backyard -- Dr. Anna Franklin, we love you.

I cannot express the joy that we felt when we heard the news.  We want to celebrate with each of you that have offered up our beautiful daughter in your prayers over the past couple of months.  It is a blessing to have you in our lives.

Love you -- Brad

Twins

I had a few minutes of free time today so I thought I would give Carl’s followers a different perspective, other than Brad and Claudia's.  Carl’s staying strong;  she just finished her second round of chemo last week and has two more rounds, if all goes well.

She has some new wigs/beanies to style off for summer!  One of her favorites is a pink wig, and recently its been difficult to go to sleep early, on account that she records herself singing different Nicki Minaj songs in her wig at night. 

We appreciate all the support our friends have been providing us and please continue to keep her in your prayers.

Go Carl Go!

Big Bro Kevo

In a nut shell

I saw this pin and thought it summed it up pretty well -- Having a child undergo Chemo treatments is difficult, but honestly, our experience has been as good as it can be.

I have noticed a few things that I would have never thought about before -- one being some of the general comments cancer patients hear, from people wanting to help, but probably they DON'T want to hear (fortunately we've personally only heard a couple of these)

• It's only hair, it will grow back
• This might make you feel a little nauseous
• Somebody in our family had cancer but....
• You'll like the taste of this medicine
• I think it would be fun to wear a wig
• I don't know if this DVD player works

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.

Thanks again,
Claudia

Fun w/Friends

Three days of Chemo surely entitles one to a day at the lake with friends --
 

Carly finished part of her Second Round of Chemo Thursday, again without many side effects, and decided to spend part of her weekend relaxing in the sun.  She even spent part of her day doing "donuts" on the waverunner -- to me, she seemed a bit more aggressive in the turns, so I assume she was venting to a degree. 

We will be back at MDA on Tuesday to complete this Second Round and then will repeat a series of tests the following week to gauge the progress. 

Again, we thank you for your concern for Carly and for keeping her in your prayers.  We know God hears them.

Love, Brad