St. Jude – Thursday with Tim and Julie

Final update for the week.  Summer is excited to have a few days off.  Hot Springs is just a few hours from Memphis, so her and “the Nates” are going to run over and tick a national park off of her list for Jr. Ranger badges.

Update for Thursday

Summer only had two appointments scheduled for yesterday. Labs at 11:00 and her weekly appointment with her oncologist at 12:45. She thought there was a good possibility she might have chemo after that, depending on what her labs would show. While we were waiting for her to be called in for her oncology appointment, we met a family from Mississippi. They were there for their son’s five year MRI and follow up. He had been diagnosed with brain cancer at 18, and is now 23. The mom initiated conversation asking us where we were from. She could tell by our accent that it wasn’t anywhere in the south. I guess we have an accent?!!! She told us her son had completed the MRI and that it showed NO CANCER. They were waiting to meet with his oncologist for the absolute confirmation. They were ecstatic! I found myself choking back tears for them. What a journey they have had. She said a lot of people have spent the last five years praying for for her son that this day would come, that God does hear all of us. I’m so happy for this family, and that God had our paths cross.

Summer came out from her appointment with good news. The infection she has been fighting was finally gone, and no longer had to be on the antibiotics. They also said her blood counts were good. When she asked about her chemo treatment, they told her they are pushing that back until Tuesday to give her body more time to rest and recover. They told her to enjoy her next four days off! Summer also added that the one downside to having the chemo pushed back is that it ultimately pushes her final treatment back some days too. She is anxious for that day to get here.

By the time we had driven back to Target House, Summer had her time off plans going. In a couple of hours more, the details were already taken care of. Today we take her to Carbondale. She will get to see Geno (her cat) for a day. Tomorrow, she and Nate and their friend Zee are heading to Hot Springs Arkansas for a two day spring break getaway. She wants to see a new place and have some fun. Nate is her caregiver next week while on his break, so they will return to Memphis Monday so she’ll ready for her appointments on Tuesday. Summer loves traveling, so this will be so good for her. I love and admire her energy and enthusiasm! She’s the best!!!