Monday Monday

Saturday we went to Tarrant to help a little more at the old Home Place. I helped paint ceilings and walls and Rick hung a fan and some of the younger guys pulled up most of the carpet and padding. The hardwood floors (that Mom used to make me get on my knees with the Johnson's paste wax every summer) still looked OK. They will need refinishing, but should turn out well. We all had to wear masks to keep from breathing in all the dust. I have more pictures but have not had time to download them yet. Saturday night, our son, Todd, flew in from Idaho. We have not seen him in 16 months. He is between jobs and is here to help clean out and fix up a house in Tarrant that we forclosed on several months ago for Mom. None of us have had time to see about it. We had the locks changed but someone had broken in. The A/C and hot water heater and all exposed wiring had also been stolen. It is going to be a real challenge to get it ready to sell. Sunday was a GREAT day! John Alan decided to give his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized by Jerry Jenkins of the Roebuck Church of Christ. We are so very proud of John for making this important decision. I went today for all the tests and to talk with Dr. Vaughan about the Bone Marrow transplant. I hope that all will turn out fine because I want to help Terry so much. Please, PLEASE pray that his cancer cell levels will stay low so they will let him proceed with the Transplant. Terry went today for the same tests I had, just at different times. They took 16 vials of blood to do a complete profile. It was a long tiring Monday for all of us.

Hanging In There

Wednesday was a hard day. Terry and Alyce met for over 3 hours with doctors from the UAB Bone Marrow Transplant unit. They were supposed to meet with Dr. Vaughan but instead saw a foreign doctor who was a bit hard to understand. He felt Terry needed to proceed pretty quickly with the BMT. He is scheduled for next Tuesday to have a number of preliminary tests and they would like to begin chemo at UAB by the middle of May with a tentative date of transplant on June 2nd. UAB called me and have emailed me numerous forms to complete and I am scheduled to meet with Dr. Vaughan this coming Monday. I will also be having blood tests, EKG and chest X-ray in preparation of being the Donor. If all goes as tentatively planned, I would begin daily shots at UAB on Monday, May 28th through May 31 and would have a catheter inserted in my neck. On June 1, I would be in the BMT unit where they would hook me to a machine that would process my blood, taking out the Stem cells and sending the rest back into my body. It would probably take 4 to 6 hours. Terry and I are both O-Positive blood type, but he was told that after the transplant, if I had a different type from him, he would then be that type. Even though preliminary tests have shown me to be a perfect match, if for some reason his body rejects my blood it could be fatal to him. They have to tell you all the negative stuff, but we are trying to think positive because we know that God is still in control and he is listening to the many prayers on our behalf. I tried to lighten the moment a bit yesterday when we met to talk about all this by asking Terry if he thought I should stop taking my hormone pills!! He may go from a bass voice to soprano!! Today they met with Dr. Yeilding and he said the Bone Marrow test showed still 7% cancer cells and that needs to be down to 4% before the transplant can go forward. He was going to consult with Dr. Vaughan and get back with them tomorrow. Sooooooooo for now we are "Hanging in there". If you would like to learn a little more about Bone Marrow Transplants, I found a web site www.marrow.org Please continue to lift us in prayer. We love you all.

Back to Work

Terry had the Bone Marrow test yesterday and because he had insisted on the same person doing it as the first 2 times, he did not experience the really BAD pain that he did the last time when someone different did it. He said it was uncomfortable but not excruciating. Afterward he and Alyce went by to see Mom and then home to rest a while. He hopes to feel like going in to work at his office for a few hours today. Tomorrow the UAB appointment and Thursday back to see Dr. Yeilding for the results of the blood test and Bone Marrow test. We are praying that there will be NO cancer cells so they can proceed with the next step to put this leukemia in remission. /// Oh, if you know anyone interested in buying a house with 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, large den, double carport on a large piece of property on a cul de sac for a good price, call Terry and Alyce. A picture of the house was on the last blog posted. It is very close to the Air National Guard on the back side of the Airport. Hope you all have a blessed day!!+++Karen

I Love Pictures!

Click on picture to enlarge, back arrow to return

And Still More!!

Click on picture to enlarge, then the back arrow to return. Thanks to all again for the help!!

Still More Pictures

More Workday Pictures

Pictures from Workday

Here are a few of the pictures from

TWD's workday(s) this past weekend. The blog is limited as to the number which can be sent at one time. More to come later!

Great Work Day!!

Saturday was a beautiful day and about 20 friends and family met in Tarrant to help Terry and family work on getting their rental house ready to sell. Alyce and Terry were there from 9am to 6pm with other workers coming in and out all day. We had donuts for breakfast and hotdogs for lunch with lots of work and fun catching up on old friendships or making new ones. We really got a lot of work done both inside and outside. Unfortunately, there is still much more work to be done so if you did not get to help this past Saturday, maybe you could help this Saturday. Terry and Alyce wanted me to give a BIG THANK YOU to each one that worked so hard to help out. It was just too overwhelming to tackle by themselves, but with your help they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I will try to post some of the pictures later this week. ////Terry has an appointment about 11am tomorrow (Monday) for another Bone Marrow test. Please pray that it will not be too painful and that when the results come back, they will be clear of any cancer cells. Terry and Alyce will meet with Dr Vaughn's team of doctors at UAB on Wednesday for 2 to 3 hours to learn all about Bone Marrow stem cell transplants. His blood tests and Bone Marrow tests must be entirely clear before they can do the Bone Marrow transplant. This has been a hard week emotionally but Terry had a high point on Friday when his friend Mike took him to Logan Martin Lake to fish in a tournament. Guess who won the tournament with most fish and biggest fish? You guessed it. Terry is too modest to brag but as his big sister, I will brag for him. God knew he needed a pick-me-up. We really need everyone staying positive and praying positive prayers for positive results. Love to all from all of us----XXXXXOOOOO

Work Day Planned

Terry is doing better and his blood counts are slowly coming up. Dr. Yeilding released him to go back to doing whatever he feels like doing as long as he tries to keep his hands clean and stay away from people with anything contagious. He still goes for his daily shot. When he sees the doctor again next Thursday, they will do another blood test and probably another bone marrow test. It is the kind of blood test that takes about 2 days to get the results. Meanwhile, I talked with Alyce today and we are planning a "Work Day" . Terry and Alyce bought the old Davidson home place in Tarrant and lived there several years until they built on the lake in Pinson. They have been renting the house all these years and have just gotten it vacated for the first time in several years. The house is in really bad shape and they need to get it fixed up quickly to try and sell it. If you could come for a few hours this Saturday, April 21st, your help would really be appreciated. We need workers inside and out. Please bring whatever tool/s you want to operate/use and maybe a lawn chair for resting with Terry. We need Blowers, weedeaters, rakes, garden gloves for outside and paint brushes and rollers for inside. We will begin at 9:00am, but come when you can. Location is 1176 Van Houten Street, Tarrant, AL. Directions: Traveling on Hwy 79 turn on East Lake Blvd. (Chevron on corner) continue on East Lake Blvd. a couple of miles and turn right on Van Houten Street. Go to top of hill, in the cul de sac. We will try to have food and drinks. If you have any questions, email me at kdbradshaw@aol.com or call me or Alyce. All of you who have been wanting to do something to help.........Now is your chance!!! Thank you for your continued prayers.++++Karen

Home Again

Terry did get to go home today around noon, after a lot of begging. A home health care nurse will go by their house this afternoon and teach Alyce how to administer the 2 antibiotics that he must have by IV every 12 hours. Due to sores in his mouth he will not be able to eat much until they are healed. So, Alyce is stocking up on stuff to make lots of milkshakes and soup for a few days. He will go back to the doctor on Monday. Meantime, he is feeling better just being home in his recliner. Thank you for your continued prayers and concern. Love to all, Karen

Feeling Better

They gave Terry 2 pints of blood and continued the antibiotic until about noon today. He has no fever and that is good. His doctor will decide if he thinks he can go home tomorrow morning. We are hoping that he will be well enough and still no fever by then. Kristina had a CT Scan this afternoon and should hear from that by Monday. Please pray for good news. +++Love, Karen

Temperature Rises

Monday they were slow at the hospital hooking Terry up for the blood so Alyce and Terry did not get home that night until after 10pm. He got his shot yesterday and blood levels had only slightly come up. He started running a low temperature yesterday afternoon and last night was up and down as his temperature began to rise. When he went to the doctor's office this morning for another shot his temperature was about 101. It was not from the port so it was coming from some internal infection because of his low immunity. They started an IV in the office with an antibiotic and transferred him across the street to the hospital about 1pm today. He will be there until all temperature is gone. Alyce had to go back home while he was still at the doctor's office to get his pajamas, toothbrush, etc. They are in his Lucky Room 653. Phone 502-6653. I know this is a real bummer for Terry because he was hoping to feel really good this week because the doctor had told him he could go to a fishing tournament in Eufaula after his shot tomorrow. That will not happen now. Please pray that the fever will quickly go away and he will get to go home soon.

Monday Update

Hope you all had a Blessed and Happy Easter yesterday. We had a great worship service with 3 teens being baptized. I cooked a big meal for my girls and families and we hid eggs for the children. After the last tail lights pulled away, I crashed in the recliner around 3:30 for some zzzzz's. Alyce said she and the kids went to church but Terry was not up to being around that many people. They went to the doctor this morning and his blood levels had dropped more so they put him in the hospital, Room 643. They were about to start 2 pints of blood and 1 bag of plateletts about 11:00am. They hope to get to go home about 5 or 6 this evening when the blood is finished. I believe God's Holy Spirit put this song on my mind today to bring me hope and comfort. It starts......."Because He lives, I can face tomorrow." Thank you for your continued prayers.+++++++ Karen

Gone Fishin'

Well, Terry had to meet the doctor at the hospital at 7:00am today to get his daily shot. So, since he was up early anyway and felt pretty good, he and his friend Mike bundled up and went to Guntersville to catch a few fish. His blood levels are still very low and he tires out easily but I don't remember many times that he felt too badly to fish (or at least would admit to it.) They did take him off one of the antibiotics and gave him something to help increase his appetite. Alyce was at the store when I called her because she said Terry's appetite is returning and he was craving chili for supper tonight. By the way, we learned this week that the daily shots of Lukien cost over $1,300 each. Thank goodness for insurance!! I want to thank all of you who have emailed or called to give me a word of encouragement. We still feel your prayers and are encouraged just knowing how many people are praying for us. We hope you all have a Happy and Blessed Easter!! ..........Much Love, Karen

Back Home

Terry did get out of the hospital on Sunday and the first thing he wanted to do was walk down on his pier to fish. He would fish a little while then walk back up to the house to take a little nap and then back down. They went back to see Dr. Yielding today and his white blood cell count is very low to about .400. His immune system is very low and he is on antibiotics. The Lukein shot he is getting daily causes extreme heartburn and he was in a lot of pain with that today. Alyce found out today that if we have to do the bone marrow transplant, it is not like it used to be. The donor only gives blood and somehow they use that to do a stem cell - bone marrow transplant. He would have to be in an isolation room for a while following the procedure. Kristina has a place on her head that concerned the Dermatologist and she is having a CT on Thursday to see if it is anything serious. Please pray that it will not be anything serious. Alyce and I have already tied double knots at the end of our rope and we are barely hanging on. Our Uncle Raymond Jones, our mother's brother passed away Friday afternoon. He was age 90 and had gone out to blow the driveway off with his blower. He had a heart attack and fell and could not be revived. He lived in Tarrant. His funeral was today. Our cousin Matt Grubbs who had the stroke in Ocala, Fl last month is now learning to speak and can barely move his right leg. He will be moved to LakeShore Rehab in Bham the middle of this month. www.mattgrubbs.blogspot.com. Mom had just gotten up when Rick and I went to pick her up for the funeral this morning. She did not remember talking to me 2 hours earlier when I called. Her dementia continues to get worse and the wound on her leg that has to be cleaned and bandaged by someone daily is getting larger. I am afraid that she will have to have it amputated in the near future. Our family is being bombarded with problems but we cannot give in to self pity. We must try to remain positive. I once heard someone say, "If God leads you to it, he will lead you through it." He is teaching us perserverance but we know He is still holding our hands. Please continue praying for our family. Much love, Karen