Monday, July 21, 2008

Back To Duke

Late this afternoon, we'll be driving back to Durham/Duke for a few much anticipated appointments for both Tricia and Gwyneth.

Tricia will be having her follow up appointments with the cancer team to discover if the past four rounds of chemo have been effective. The expectation has been that the treatments will have wiped the lymphoma out of her system, so we're keeping our hopes up. She'll also be seen by the transplant team again, and we're also hopeful for continued good news. What we're unsure of is how the cancer and post-transplant issues will continue to balance themselves, particularly with her meds and the efforts to ward off rejection. Some good news...Tricia has been told that she'll have her feeding tube, which she has had (and which has been incredibly helpful) for the past 18 months, removed...she is very excited.

Gwyneth will be seen again by the special infant care doctors. I have been very optimistic over the past few weeks, as it appears to my untrained eyes that her breathing and development seem to be progressing very nicely. She continues to be on and off the oxygen as needed, but I can really tell a noticeable difference in her work of breathing. She is also eating more and more, with greater ease and stamina, and she is beginning to discover that she can suck/lick on her hands and fingers if she can hold them still in front of her mouth for long enough.

All of this will be taking place from Tuesday to Thursday, and, without any major surprises, we should be back home by Thursday night. We'll be making good use of the time outside of the clinics to get some things done in the "big city" that we can't do on the OBX, and we hope to see a few friends as well.

BTW, I simply have not had any time to work on pics from the other evening, but I promise they'll be on there way in the next day or so!

Thanks!

Nate

67 comments:

Jennifer Burgett said...

Praying for great appointments and safe travels!

Mrs. Dan said...

Praying for great news and happy reunions! :)

Niki Nickel said...

Good Luck, Have a safe trip.

marcia said...

Will be praying for good reports from all docs! Hurray for ditching the feeding tube!! That will be a great moment to celebrate! Safe travels!

Angela R. said...

Hoping all goes will with both apponitments and that Tricia gets that feeding tube out as planned! Have a safe trip and I will be praying for good reports and that all goes well with both your girls!

God Bless!
-Angela

Patience Leino said...

Hooray for getting the feeding tube out! What a great step forward! We're praying for you guys as you make the trek back west today.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

Thanks for the updates. We'll be praying. :)

ditarae said...

Praying for good reports on all fronts over the next couple of days. Safe travels!

higgie08 said...

Thanks so much again for sharing your journey with us. I'm glad you have some positive things to celebrate! God is good.

Kim said...

Great news about the feeding tube!
Praying for a good report for your girls!

Caroline said...

You and your family are such an encouragement to me. You have faced challenges that most people in their lifetimes never will and you handled them with integrity and strength - given by God. I'm thankful that you have such a great platform to share your story via this blog. I pray that God continues to use this blog and you three to further His kingdom. Blessings this week at Duke.

Elaine said...

Prayers that the appointments have only good news and for safe travels. Great news about the feeding tube as well. Take care of your girls and of course yourself. Thanks again for sharing your families story. What an inspiration.

Christy said...

My prayers are with you. BTW what would Gwyneth's adjusted age be, I know chronologically she is just over six months but I can not seem to get my brain to figure this out. If you don't mind sharing, it would help to put some of these little milestones into better perspective. It is always so fascinating to watch babies discover new things.

christi said...

praying travel mercies and great reports form the doctors!

blessings ~

Anonymous said...

I'll be praying for great reports for both girls! They sure look happy and healthy in all your family pictures! Praying it's a wonderfully blessed week for all of you.

veronica said...

I hope great news is on your way! I am sure Tricia is looking forward to the removal of the feeding tube! It is definitely a great day in the Kingdom!

*Lissa* said...

Hoping for good news!

Bridget said...

Best wishes for good reports at Duke! You are in my prayers!

Love my boys! said...

Good luck over the next few days. We are thinking and praying for all of you. Have a safe trip!

Catherine

Love my boys! said...

Good luck over the next few days. We are thinking and praying for all of you. Have a safe trip!

Catherine

Andrea said...

Praying all goes well and you get the thumbs up all the way around.

RoseGirl said...

Praying that you all have a good trip, with no surprises - other than good ones!

Blessings to you all,

Amy
Southern CA
www.caringbridge.org/visit/rosegirl

Heather said...

Good luck with the appointments. I hope all goes well. Y'all will be in my prayers.

Amy E. said...

Love the pics from the beach. Will be praying for safe travels and for awesome results.

~j~ said...

thank you nate for the updates on your girls. praying for your time while there. Enjoy your big city visit and your friends while there.
j

Holladay Family said...

Your family is a blessing to so many other people. Thank you for being so inspirational.

Shari said...

Pray for you all!

Jenny, John, Jennah, Abby said...

Praying for shiney, happy news from all doctors!!

I'm laughing picturing Gwyneth attempting to keep her chubby little hands still long enough to suck on them!! lol... brings back memories of my girls when they were babies. So happy to hear news of all of her progress! Exciting times!

The Vande Castles

Sara said...

all the best for all of those appointments & enjoy your "big city" adventure :) safe travels

Anxious AF said...

Thinking of you.

Danielle in MO said...

Best wishes to both your girls.... I will pray for both!

Irma said...

As always, thank you for your ministry to the unknown internet masses. You are teaching faith and humility by example, and by practicing what you preach. Actually, you really haven't done ANY preaching on this site, which is why it works. You have helped me on my journey. Well done, pastor.

Kerry said...

Sending up some prayers!!

Suzie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Suzie said...

Sending prayers your way for a positive outcome. Good Luck!

Em said...

Praying for you guys as you travel and for your health concerns. Hoping it all goes well!

notetoself said...

yall are all in my prayers. be careful and have fun when you can!

mom2LEAA said...

prayers for good outcomes and fun off time in the city. Have a safe trip,
Cindy

abby said...

Good luck on both of the visits....I hope the cancer is gone for Tricia and that Gwyneth keeps doing great!

Jane said...

praying for GREAT reports and lots of fellowshipping while you guys are in "the big city!"

mckennah said...

i am amazed daily at your girls! still praying for your family :)

Jen in Al said...

Praying for your girls!!!!! jen in al

Annette said...

Praying for good reports from all doctors :) I cant believe that you will be so close to where we live yet again... Ive never met Tricia but did meet Nate :) I promise, those shirts are being shipped this week.

smithfamily.blogspot.com

Beebe said...

Praying!

Mc Clarey said...

Good luck! I hope all the appointments go well :)

Kelly Brown said...

I'll be praying for good news from your appointments for both girls!! Have a safe trip.

Kelly

Unknown said...

Our prayers are with you!

Blessings and His love,
Jill

Elizabeth said...

I just said a prayer that you all get to enjoy your time in the big city and most especially for excellent reports for both Tricia and Gwyneth.

I also meant to comment about the recent pic you posted of Gwyneth alone. It's so interesting to see how she has grown and is so obviously thriving since she is home with you and Tricia. She's so precious and beautiful, and I think some spunk may even be showing in her pictures.

KYnurse said...

Thanks for the update--keeping you all in my prayers--Renee

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update! I hope & pray the news you post next will be good!

~Sara in MD

Blessings From Above said...

Praying for great news all around during your trip to Duke.

Have a great trip!

Lisa_in_AR said...

Prayers for good results with the clinic appointments, and YEA Gwyneth for making some developmental milestones!!!
Congrats on getting rid of your g-tube Tricia!

Kate, Alek, Hank, and Cash (RIP RED) said...

Good luck...Randy heads back Wednesday 13 hour trip and he, his brother (the donor), and their father are all going. They are driving this time. I have to stay back and work, boy I wish I could be there with Randy. We are praying for good appts for both your girls. Save travels.
SMILE

Our Two Blessings From Above said...

Praying for all good news!

Edwards gang said...

We are thrilled by the progress both Tricia and Gwyneth are making! To God be the Glory, once again!! We'll be praying for safe travels and good reports from the doctors on all fronts.

Thanks for taking the time to update us. It is so good to be able to follow along, praying and rejoicing with each milestone in your journey.
Love,
The Edwards family

Renee said...

God Bless you Tricia & gwyneth, praying for the best, for you both! & God bless you 2 Nate the GREAT! :)

Anonymous said...

Good Luck. I will be thinking about you.

Unknown said...

Prayers for good follow-up reports and safe travel.

Sonja said...

Safe Travels Praying for good news all around
God Bless

Sylvie said...

We are praying for a good trip in Duke.
May God keep you and bless you,

Love,

Sylvie and family

Scott said...

Sounds like a good trip. We'll be praying for you guys!

Classy Fab Sarah said...

Praying for GREAT outcomes for all the doctor appointments!

MyAwesomeOliveShoots said...

Bless you and I pray you receive promising news for Jesus' glory!

Becky in VA said...

Love to all!

Momof2bz said...

Hope you have a safe trip and that the Dr's all have good news. We'll be praying for you. Enjoy your time in the "big city" :-)

Ree said...

I'll continue to keep you guys in my thoughts and prayers!! Gwyneth is getting so BIG so FAST!! She sure is a cutie and what a blessing!! All of the pics are awesome!!

Lee said...

I am praying for wonderful news.