NIH contacted Savannah and told her that we need to be in Bethesda on Sunday, July 24th. On Monday they will start running the scans etc... and hopefully start the treatment on the 26th or 27th. We don't really know what to expect but it shouldn't be as bad as the last 2 treatments....(we hope), and 2 to 3 weeks instead of 3 to 4 weeks.
This week has been a crazy one.......
At the end of last week, Savannah's right arm started swelling and got some red spots on it. Some swelling is normal since they took out her lymph nodes when they removed the tumor under her arm but this was excessive swelling. It moved into her hand and fingers. Then, she started having bad pain in her middle finger and down her wrist and up her arm. By Saturday she was having to use only her left hand for everything and was in a lot of pain. Then the red spots started puffing up.
Between calls to NIH and everywhere else, we debated whether to go to the ER and wait 6 or 7 hours or just wait til Monday morning and see our PCP. We decided to wait. SO......Monday morning I called and got her an appointment. I also got Shelby and appointment because she has had some kind of coughing, stuffy head, thing going on for a couple of weeks. Turns out their appointments were pretty much back to back. Then, this morning, Bo called and said he needed to be taken to the doctor because his eyes were swollen shut and oozing gross stuff! So after a bunch of calls, a bunch of money, and a bunch of trips to the drug store.....all three kids are on the road to recovery and I'm pretty sure the doctors office has told their receptionist to screen all calls from "that psyco Dutton lady" that keeps calling!!!! The diagnosis?......Savannah - they don't know for sure (they're treating her for an infection of some kind)
Shelby - upper respiratory infection
Bo - eye infection
Well, enough about our boring ailments.
We need you prayer warriors out there to start or continue to pray for us.
Specifically for Savannah's healing, our health and strength, finances, safe travel and I could go on and on....... :)
It's so comforting to know that there are so many good people out there sending prayers up for us. We love you! Thanks!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
IL15 in the near future
After a few weeks of intense waiting, NIH called and said that Savannah has qualified for a new protocol. The first time, she had the Il2, then the IL12 in February of this year and now it will be the IL15 treatment. They have only used this on 6 other people, so really, they're still researching the benefits of the treatment. We don't have a start date yet but it will be as soon as they can get her scheduled.
One good thing about this treatment is that it doesn't require chemo. It won't make her so sick and therefore, shorten her hospital stay to 12 - 15 days. That's still longer than she'd like to be there. :( WE always try to look on the bright side though - If she has to go back to Bethesda for treatment, that must be a sign from God that she needs to revisit HOME GOODS and purchase a few more home decor items......right? :)
I will be going with her while Danny stays here to work.
Please be in prayer that this treatment will dissolve the tumors!
Thanks! LOVE to ALL!
One good thing about this treatment is that it doesn't require chemo. It won't make her so sick and therefore, shorten her hospital stay to 12 - 15 days. That's still longer than she'd like to be there. :( WE always try to look on the bright side though - If she has to go back to Bethesda for treatment, that must be a sign from God that she needs to revisit HOME GOODS and purchase a few more home decor items......right? :)
I will be going with her while Danny stays here to work.
Please be in prayer that this treatment will dissolve the tumors!
Thanks! LOVE to ALL!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Exciting times in Nashville!
We have heard from Savannah's doctors and the little spots on her liver are tumors. They were supposed to let us know yesterday (friday) what protocol she will be eligible for but we still haven't heard from them. My guess is that they are still researching options. Please continue with the prayers!!!!
Well, as most of y'all know, we can't do anything without a little drama.....
It all started a few years ago when Shelby started guitar lessons with Francis Harderson. She learned quickly and became quite a good little picker. That grew into her pursuit of the mandolin, then, the auto harp, the piano, the fiddle, the harmonica and she is now asking for a stand up bass, a banjo, a Dobro, a steel guitar etc.......(sigh!)......Anyway, I digress. Since she started lessons her favorite music to play has been bluegrass. Of course she LOVES country music too and has a dream to play the Grand Ole Opry some day. We had been promising her a trip to Nashville for a long time but money and life got in the way of our plans. Finally, I just ordered the tickets. I knew if we had them we would have to go. So...Monday morning, after MUCH anticipation, Susie (my friend), Savannah, Shelby, Bo and myself were headed for the country music capitol of the world!!!! Bo slept the whole way since he had worked into the night the day before and swears that he could still see the last restroom stop out the back window as we were pulling in for another stop.........I don't think so but.......whatever! He's a guy AND his bladder is much younger than Susie's and mine. :(
We arrived in Nashville and dropped Bo at his friends house. We didn't see him the rest of the trip!
We found a hotel downtown and checked in. Savannah and Shelby decided to do a little late night sight seeing. Next thing we knew Savannah was on the phone telling us they'd stumbled on a filming of a Rascal Flats video. Shelby had gotten out of the car and ran up as close as she could to see. She got pretty close and got some good pics on her phone. EXCITING STUFF!!!!(for her anyway :) A while later we received another phone call. Shelby was very calmly telling me they had a (little) wreck in Susie's car!!! Savannah was driving and they had hit a police car! No, not a "regular" car but a POLICE CAR!!!!! Good news is that it didn't do extreme damage to Susie's car. It scratched up the fender & grill but was still drivable. The police car however, was NOT! It was Savannah's fault but she shed enough crocodile tears and I guess the cop felt sorry for her so she ended up not even getting a ticket! Oh to be young and able to cry or flirt your way out of trouble again!.....
I think that put a bit of a damper on Savannah's week :( Susie was very gracious and just thankful the car was still drivable.
That night, Bo text'd us to say they were giving out armbands to fill seats at the CMT awards at a local cafe downtown. All we had to do was go to the cafe, go to the back and ask for the armband.......yah right! An hour or so later after standing in line with hundreds of other people we got 'em!
Next, we hit the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was really interesting. We all enjoyed it. Our favorite part was seeing Jared Neiman (sp?) in the gift shop. He was there promoting his cd and signing them. Very talented and VERY cute!!!!
We left there to check in at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. (If you have never visited this place....it's a must see!) I've been there a few times but Susie and Shelby had never seen it. I think I can say....they were impressed! Our Opry tickets were for the 9:30 pm show so we hung out outside the Opry at a little festival they were having until our show started. We got to hear Patrick Davis play while waiting and we liked him a lot. (You should look him up....very talented song writer and singer.)
The Opry was packed with stars due to the CMT awards and the CMA festival beginning on Thursday. (I didn't know that when I booked the tickets but it worked in our favor). The line up included Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Oak Ridge Boys, Darius Rucker, Jared Neiman, Bill Anderson and maybe some I forgot! ? It was awesome....very good show!
The next day we took advantage of the hotel and all the beautiful scenery, shops etc...and just had a lazy day.....preparing for the CMT awards.
We ended up having to stand in line for an hour and a half or so in the hot Nashville sun just to get inside to be a seat filler but as Shelby says...."It was TOTALLY WORTH IT! We were to the side and back of where the stars were sitting so we got our eyes full of the celebs as they walked back and forth, getting photo shots when they won etc... I think Shelby's favorite was when Rascal Flats and Justin Bieber stood down - right in front of us for a photo after winning their award.
All in all it was a great time considering I've never been in to country music that much until the last few years.....I guess Shelby's love for it kind of changed my mind. ? And now, she wants to attend school in Nashville even more than she ever did........sigh!.......it's SO far away.......I don't want to be a dream crusher but maybe she'll have a change of heart during her senior year. :) OH......and did I mention Bo is wanting to move back there also? If I have 2 babies in Nashville, I might have to become rich, buy a condo there and live there part of the time! I know they would enjoy that! :]
Made it home by the grace of God. I'm very thankful for that among many other things!
Mom and Daddy are starting home from Virginia today. They are bringing Rose and Lilly with them. We can't wait to spend some time with them. We just don't get to see them often enough. They will only be here this week. They'll be returning next Saturday. VBS starts the next Monday and goes through Friday...(20th - 24th). After that maybe I can "get myself together" and start my Spring cleaning.! Just a few months late! :[ another big sigh!!!!!!!
Love to ALL! Thank you for the prayers!
Well, as most of y'all know, we can't do anything without a little drama.....
It all started a few years ago when Shelby started guitar lessons with Francis Harderson. She learned quickly and became quite a good little picker. That grew into her pursuit of the mandolin, then, the auto harp, the piano, the fiddle, the harmonica and she is now asking for a stand up bass, a banjo, a Dobro, a steel guitar etc.......(sigh!)......Anyway, I digress. Since she started lessons her favorite music to play has been bluegrass. Of course she LOVES country music too and has a dream to play the Grand Ole Opry some day. We had been promising her a trip to Nashville for a long time but money and life got in the way of our plans. Finally, I just ordered the tickets. I knew if we had them we would have to go. So...Monday morning, after MUCH anticipation, Susie (my friend), Savannah, Shelby, Bo and myself were headed for the country music capitol of the world!!!! Bo slept the whole way since he had worked into the night the day before and swears that he could still see the last restroom stop out the back window as we were pulling in for another stop.........I don't think so but.......whatever! He's a guy AND his bladder is much younger than Susie's and mine. :(
We arrived in Nashville and dropped Bo at his friends house. We didn't see him the rest of the trip!
We found a hotel downtown and checked in. Savannah and Shelby decided to do a little late night sight seeing. Next thing we knew Savannah was on the phone telling us they'd stumbled on a filming of a Rascal Flats video. Shelby had gotten out of the car and ran up as close as she could to see. She got pretty close and got some good pics on her phone. EXCITING STUFF!!!!(for her anyway :) A while later we received another phone call. Shelby was very calmly telling me they had a (little) wreck in Susie's car!!! Savannah was driving and they had hit a police car! No, not a "regular" car but a POLICE CAR!!!!! Good news is that it didn't do extreme damage to Susie's car. It scratched up the fender & grill but was still drivable. The police car however, was NOT! It was Savannah's fault but she shed enough crocodile tears and I guess the cop felt sorry for her so she ended up not even getting a ticket! Oh to be young and able to cry or flirt your way out of trouble again!.....
I think that put a bit of a damper on Savannah's week :( Susie was very gracious and just thankful the car was still drivable.
That night, Bo text'd us to say they were giving out armbands to fill seats at the CMT awards at a local cafe downtown. All we had to do was go to the cafe, go to the back and ask for the armband.......yah right! An hour or so later after standing in line with hundreds of other people we got 'em!
Next, we hit the Country Music Hall of Fame. It was really interesting. We all enjoyed it. Our favorite part was seeing Jared Neiman (sp?) in the gift shop. He was there promoting his cd and signing them. Very talented and VERY cute!!!!
We left there to check in at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. (If you have never visited this place....it's a must see!) I've been there a few times but Susie and Shelby had never seen it. I think I can say....they were impressed! Our Opry tickets were for the 9:30 pm show so we hung out outside the Opry at a little festival they were having until our show started. We got to hear Patrick Davis play while waiting and we liked him a lot. (You should look him up....very talented song writer and singer.)
The Opry was packed with stars due to the CMT awards and the CMA festival beginning on Thursday. (I didn't know that when I booked the tickets but it worked in our favor). The line up included Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Oak Ridge Boys, Darius Rucker, Jared Neiman, Bill Anderson and maybe some I forgot! ? It was awesome....very good show!
The next day we took advantage of the hotel and all the beautiful scenery, shops etc...and just had a lazy day.....preparing for the CMT awards.
We ended up having to stand in line for an hour and a half or so in the hot Nashville sun just to get inside to be a seat filler but as Shelby says...."It was TOTALLY WORTH IT! We were to the side and back of where the stars were sitting so we got our eyes full of the celebs as they walked back and forth, getting photo shots when they won etc... I think Shelby's favorite was when Rascal Flats and Justin Bieber stood down - right in front of us for a photo after winning their award.
All in all it was a great time considering I've never been in to country music that much until the last few years.....I guess Shelby's love for it kind of changed my mind. ? And now, she wants to attend school in Nashville even more than she ever did........sigh!.......it's SO far away.......I don't want to be a dream crusher but maybe she'll have a change of heart during her senior year. :) OH......and did I mention Bo is wanting to move back there also? If I have 2 babies in Nashville, I might have to become rich, buy a condo there and live there part of the time! I know they would enjoy that! :]
Made it home by the grace of God. I'm very thankful for that among many other things!
Mom and Daddy are starting home from Virginia today. They are bringing Rose and Lilly with them. We can't wait to spend some time with them. We just don't get to see them often enough. They will only be here this week. They'll be returning next Saturday. VBS starts the next Monday and goes through Friday...(20th - 24th). After that maybe I can "get myself together" and start my Spring cleaning.! Just a few months late! :[ another big sigh!!!!!!!
Love to ALL! Thank you for the prayers!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
June 1st NIH visit
Savannah flew out to Bethesda yesterday morning for her monthly checkup at NIH.
Since Mom and Daddy are out there, visiting Jeff and Donna, they decided to drive over and stay with her during her visit. I'm glad they were there for her because the news was a little less than satisfactory.
The tumor on her adrenal gland has NOT continued to shrink. It hasn't grown either....it's pretty much stayed the same which makes us happy but the doctors were not as impressed. The scans revealed some tiny spots on her liver. They are so tiny, in fact, that they're not even sure what they are.
They scheduled an MRI for this afternoon so they could get a better look. Her team of doctors will evaluate everything at their Monday Meeting and then let us know how they are going to proceed.
There are a few options but right now we don't really know what they are. They did mention starting back at square one. We don't know what that means either but I don't particularly like the sound of it. :(
We know God has a plan for us so we're just riding it out knowing that everything that happens is for our good and will ultimately be His will. I keep saying to myself...."This is a test.....this is only a test!'
In the meantime, we'll still cherish any prayers you will offer up for us!
LOVE to ALL! Thanks!
Since Mom and Daddy are out there, visiting Jeff and Donna, they decided to drive over and stay with her during her visit. I'm glad they were there for her because the news was a little less than satisfactory.
The tumor on her adrenal gland has NOT continued to shrink. It hasn't grown either....it's pretty much stayed the same which makes us happy but the doctors were not as impressed. The scans revealed some tiny spots on her liver. They are so tiny, in fact, that they're not even sure what they are.
They scheduled an MRI for this afternoon so they could get a better look. Her team of doctors will evaluate everything at their Monday Meeting and then let us know how they are going to proceed.
There are a few options but right now we don't really know what they are. They did mention starting back at square one. We don't know what that means either but I don't particularly like the sound of it. :(
We know God has a plan for us so we're just riding it out knowing that everything that happens is for our good and will ultimately be His will. I keep saying to myself...."This is a test.....this is only a test!'
In the meantime, we'll still cherish any prayers you will offer up for us!
LOVE to ALL! Thanks!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Home from Nashville
This morning finds us back at home after a great 5 days in Nashville. I didn't think I was too tired until I started my bible reading and woke up with my face in John chapter 4.....and that was after 2 cups of coffee! It was a very fun trip. My new found friend, Maria, was a wonderful hostess and tour guide. We got to see rural parts of Thompson's Station, Franklin, Nashville (of course) and my personal favorite....Leiper's Fork. It was just a tiny little town but had very quaint old houses and shops, good food and my favorite..... charming, historic homes. Tennessee is really beautiful. I love it! No matter where you go you can always find (my) big Southern, Antebellum Plantation Homes.
The CM Marathon brought more than 30,000 runners and spectators to the Nashville area so you can just imagine all the attractions going on. We hit Broadway, Music Row,.....all the hot spots. Then we hit the Franklin Festival in the evenings. It's a really cool downtown area on a much smaller scale. Of course, anywhere and everywhere you go there is amazing musicians, bands and performers. Soooooo FUN!
O.K. (good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise) we will be having the yard sale this Friday, May 6th !!!!!!!!
Oh, almost forgot to mention...... If any of you have old, junk jewelry or broken jewelry that you want to get rid of, let me know. I need it for some art projects.
Of course I'll take donations :) but if you bag it and give me a price, I will see if my budget allows me to make a deal! :) Thanks!
The CM Marathon brought more than 30,000 runners and spectators to the Nashville area so you can just imagine all the attractions going on. We hit Broadway, Music Row,.....all the hot spots. Then we hit the Franklin Festival in the evenings. It's a really cool downtown area on a much smaller scale. Of course, anywhere and everywhere you go there is amazing musicians, bands and performers. Soooooo FUN!
O.K. (good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise) we will be having the yard sale this Friday, May 6th !!!!!!!!
Oh, almost forgot to mention...... If any of you have old, junk jewelry or broken jewelry that you want to get rid of, let me know. I need it for some art projects.
Of course I'll take donations :) but if you bag it and give me a price, I will see if my budget allows me to make a deal! :) Thanks!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Savannah's Results
Tonight we are THANKING & PRAISING God for his blessings. Savannah called earlier to let us know that her scans all came out clear and the existing tumor on her adrenal gland is a little smaller!!!!! Very good news!
She thought she would be getting home tonight but the bad weather in DC kept her plane on the tarmac for over an hour so she missed her connecting flight in Dallas.
Good thing her friend Nicole is living there now. She's going to pick her up and get her back to the airport tomorrow morning for her flight home. Oh, the drama!
Danny, Shelby and I are leaving in the morning for Nashville. We are visiting a couple of colleges that Shelby is interested in. No....she's not a senior....just a junior but being the over-achiever that she is, wants to get a head start on everything. It doesn't hurt that the big Country Music marathon & festival is going on this weekend either. Her friends are running the 1/2 marathon. She was training to run it too until she sprained her ankle. The doctor advised her NOT to run or even walk that far . He said it was a pretty serious sprain. Guess she'll just have to walk around the festival, listening to live concerts from up and coming artist, eat the great food, shop the booths, and watch for the celebs walking around. Hmmmmm,....tough job! :)
We will be staying with a new friend that we met at NIH while we were there in February. She was there with her dying friend, Teri. The minute we heard each others accent, we knew we had that "southern thing" in common so by the time we left, we had become good friends. She might even be a long lost relative.....she acts an awful lot like our family... :0 ....Oh my!
I probably should quit rambling on and get packed. What does one wear to a big - Who's Who in Nashville event? lol
Thanks for the prayers!
She thought she would be getting home tonight but the bad weather in DC kept her plane on the tarmac for over an hour so she missed her connecting flight in Dallas.
Good thing her friend Nicole is living there now. She's going to pick her up and get her back to the airport tomorrow morning for her flight home. Oh, the drama!
Danny, Shelby and I are leaving in the morning for Nashville. We are visiting a couple of colleges that Shelby is interested in. No....she's not a senior....just a junior but being the over-achiever that she is, wants to get a head start on everything. It doesn't hurt that the big Country Music marathon & festival is going on this weekend either. Her friends are running the 1/2 marathon. She was training to run it too until she sprained her ankle. The doctor advised her NOT to run or even walk that far . He said it was a pretty serious sprain. Guess she'll just have to walk around the festival, listening to live concerts from up and coming artist, eat the great food, shop the booths, and watch for the celebs walking around. Hmmmmm,....tough job! :)
We will be staying with a new friend that we met at NIH while we were there in February. She was there with her dying friend, Teri. The minute we heard each others accent, we knew we had that "southern thing" in common so by the time we left, we had become good friends. She might even be a long lost relative.....she acts an awful lot like our family... :0 ....Oh my!
I probably should quit rambling on and get packed. What does one wear to a big - Who's Who in Nashville event? lol
Thanks for the prayers!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Early this morning.......
Bless Danny's heart! He got up at 4-something this morning to get Savannah to XNA for her 7am flight to NIH. He let me stay in bed and listen to the rain and thunder.....total heaven...til I had to get Shelby up for school at 6am :(
As I was praying for her safety, I was thinking how an Ark might be a safer means of travel than flying through so much rain, lightning, winds etc......but God controls all that stuff anyway so....
Her scans and tests are this afternoon then she has her breathing treatment and clinic tomorrow. She will fly back tomorrow evening. Clinic is when they will tell her if the last treatment is working or how well it is working. We believe it will be great news but extra prayers never hurt anything. So, once again, we are asking for prayer that she will have NO tumors anywhere in her body. She could also use prayers to get rid of a pesky sinus infection that she's been fighting for a couple weeks.
We had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Wes & Melody (Couch) and their 4 little girls hosted our family Easter dinner after church. It was great celebrating the Resurrection with such precious family members!
Speaking of Savannah, she just called and has made it into Chicago. From there she will fly straight into DC and take the Metro to NIH.
PLEASE keep up those prayers! Love to ALL!
As I was praying for her safety, I was thinking how an Ark might be a safer means of travel than flying through so much rain, lightning, winds etc......but God controls all that stuff anyway so....
Her scans and tests are this afternoon then she has her breathing treatment and clinic tomorrow. She will fly back tomorrow evening. Clinic is when they will tell her if the last treatment is working or how well it is working. We believe it will be great news but extra prayers never hurt anything. So, once again, we are asking for prayer that she will have NO tumors anywhere in her body. She could also use prayers to get rid of a pesky sinus infection that she's been fighting for a couple weeks.
We had a wonderful Easter Sunday. Wes & Melody (Couch) and their 4 little girls hosted our family Easter dinner after church. It was great celebrating the Resurrection with such precious family members!
Speaking of Savannah, she just called and has made it into Chicago. From there she will fly straight into DC and take the Metro to NIH.
PLEASE keep up those prayers! Love to ALL!
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