Wednesday, November 10th we were cruising along, still praying and uncertain of what the future held but getting in a more comfortable routine. Mimi and aunt Stacy had been helping us for weeks and we finally struck a balance of what we needed/wanted, when they cooked home cooking to bring to house since the smells make Chris sick, and giving us our time just to be the four of us. We were thankful Lisa’s stomach was finally feeling better following the liquid diet and strong medicines ahead of our trip to TX the following week.

We went to get additional CT scans at UAB in preparation to go to MD Anderson. Chris got pretty weak when we arrived at radiology after walking. Stacy was working that day and had texted so got someone to cover her room and walked down with us. Lisa requested a wheel chair. Thankfully the tech that was with Chris agreed to walk down to the front with us so we did not have to wait for transport and we got home early that day. Mimi had picked the girls up and gave Lisa a massage she had to help Lisa’s back/hip that had been having muscle spasms, again stress does crazy things. 

Lisa was adamant Chris was not to be left alone. Mimi agreed to stay. She and Chris sit in the den visiting, talking, and enjoying sweet fellowship. Lisa called and reminded Chris to take his medicine for appetite stimulate since she was heading home. Lisa got caught in a little traffic but when she was 2 miles from home Mimi called. There was something off in her voice. She tried to play it off that she was just waiting on me for dinner but Lisa was not buying it and she ended up telling Lisa that they had to call the ambulance but Chris was okay just to be safe driving home. 

Lisa arrived and the stress of everything hit her like a ton of bricks. Her muscles tightened from massage she just received as she saw the stretcher in front of our home. Rushing in Chris was alert and talking with oxygen. They were loading him into a transport chair to get him down the steps and onto the stretcher. Our girls stood watching, shocked, crying, and uncertain what to do. They said Lisa could ride in the front of the ambulance while Chris was in the back. Lisa gave them a hug and kiss and told them she was going with daddy. We were able to gain approval to go to UAB since they were on diversion since Chris’s oncologist was there.  The conversations eased both of our nerves as we traveled and we were thankful to be together. Lisa texted Gene, Darrel, Kelly, and Diego to let them know they were on the way to the hospital to alert them. 

When we arrived Lisa blew Chris a kiss at the back of the ambulance, handed him his phone so we could stay in touch, told him she loved him as the medics wheeled Chris in the ER and Lisa headed to the front waiting room. There was tears with uncertainty in the front waiting room; thankful for the people who prayed with Lisa. Chris had his phone so he texted when he was awake to help ease Lisa’s fears. Due to his cancer diagnosis and current infusion treatment he was put in a private ER room. After a few hours Lisa joined him. So thankful to get to be together! So thankful to get to hold his hand! Thankful to be able to read the monitor to check on him. Throughout the night there were ultra sounds of his legs, feet, lungs, and heart. Cardiac doctors came in to inform us the fluid in the lungs from the clots were putting pressure on the right side of his heart. Oncologist team came to tell us the clots in lungs were bigger despite the blood thinner he had been on. The night turned into morning. 

The morning nurses name was Anna and Jordan. They were better than the night team. We continued getting visits from cardiac, pulmonologist, and oncologist. Each time they assured us there was a room coming available in an hour or two. That evening Chris’s oncologist came to see us and everything hit us like a ton of bricks. He had to be blunt, he had to be honest but it did not make it easier to hear. He told us the infusions were not working and we needed to be prepared to either enter hospice or try the last ditch effort of chemo. We still desperately wanted out of the ER. Our doctor pulled his weight and made it happen finding us a room on the oncology floor. We moved to it; the nurses were great. We were thankful for a more comfortable place for Lisa to sit and sleep. We prayed, we cried, we talked … ultimately the decision was Chris’s on if he wanted to enter hospice or fight. Lisa told him she would support his decision no matter what and simply prayed for agreement in our decision. Ultimately, he opted to start Chemo on Friday evening. 

Chemo was long! Chris was malnourished! Before they could start chemo they had to give him nutrients to get him strong enough to take the chemo. We started in the late afternoon and the last chemo went in the next morning. The nurses worked though the night. After all the nutrient infusions Chris’s color returned. Chris was able to stand stronger. Chris is strong. Chris is a fighter. We were able to come home on Saturday, November 13th. Although it was just 3 nights in the hospital it seemed like longer.  We asked Grandpa and Deedee to keep the girls out of the house so we could get Chris in and settled before our girls saw him. They arrived within 10 minutes of us getting Chris in the house. We were so very thankful to be home! Loved getting to see our girls. Savored the moments with them. Then on Sunday had to tell them the hard truth that infusions are not working so that daddy started a new treatment. We know that God will heal daddy with a miracle on earth or with his home coming in Heaven. It was a hard conversation but we pray they have wisdom beyond their years and God’s peace on each of us.  

Just over 24 hours in the ER. Hard chair and tiny room but grateful to be together, holding hands, praying for mercy and healing. I have no doubt the hospital has had more prayers prayed than a church building. This trail is drawing us closer into God and helping us lean on Him more than we have in years.


So thankful to be out of the ER. I always have heard you never know what a smile maybe hiding. This picture was taken less than 30 minutes after we were told the infusions were not working. We mustard the smile to send our girls and family as we were clinging to the hem of Jesus asking for a miracle

Face-timing our precious girls, how we long to get home to them 

Momma was so thankful for a room with a shower, comfy place to sleep, and clean clothes!
Thank you Lord for the blessing of both. 

Chris was able to sit in a chair for 5 minutes and we were touched by a mentee that Chris has that sought out the hospital and managed to get a balloon to Chris just to let him know she was thinking of him. We are blessed to have sweet friends, family, and co-workers! 

Nurse Tyler was our favorite nurse. He genuinely seems to care for his patients and celebrated with us when we got to go home
    
 The girls were just as excited to see us as we were them! 

Family back together; momma’s heart is full of joy!
Grandpa and Deedee had come in town the day after Lisa texted Chris was being transported to the hospital to help out while we were focusing on Chris at the hospital. 

Family snuggle time is momma and dad’s favorite!  

Home in our bed still clinging to each other and our Savior … sickness of life or death helps you focus on what is really important