First Post Treatment Scan Coming up!

Hi everyone!
It's been a long time since I have written here but I just wanted to let you all know Shawn is feeling GREAT! His hair is back, his strength is back and he looks very healthy! We are enjoying our summer catching up on things we weren't able to do over the winter and doing alot of relaxing and enjoying our family.

August 12th is his first post-treatment scan to make sure all is still clear. Please keep him in your prayers that day! He is trying not to think about it, but I know it's a bit of a worry in the back of his mind.

Football Season starts soon and he is head coach of C team again this year! I know he is looking forward to seeing "his Boys" again! I bought him a special t-shirt to wear the first night of practice! You will have to see it in person! It's a surprise but will be a great reassurance for the boys to see!

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer!
Take care,
Jess

Milestone

This week was a milestone for Shawn. On Wednesday he would have had treatment had his treatments continued! I asked him if he got nauseous at the thought or anything and he said "no, I am too busy at work to think about that". I guess that's good!
His hair is getting thicker by the day and we are very happy to see him get back to his old self! Wrestling with the kids, goofing around in the garage, working on his project car, etc.

If you every have the chance to help someone who is going through a similar situation, let me offer some advice.....tell them to take it day by day, statistics are only numbers that are based on records, what about the ones that are not recorded? It's just a temporary problem. Call them all the time just because, even if it makes you uncomfortable, call! They need to know that you are there for them! And if it's at all possible to believe, I stand firm by it, you will walk away from the entire thing feeling very Blessed and have a whole new appreciation for life! And last but Certainly NOT least, ALL things are possible through Christ Jesus!!!

Have a wonderful spirit filled weekend!
Jess

And Last but not the least.....

Well, we are finding that the last treatment, certainly isn't the least difficult. Shawn's having a rough time with this round. I keep telling him that he is being entirely too hard on himself and having too high of expectations on his recovery. After all, this could have killed him! I told him he will never have a better excuse to take time for himself to recover and relax so if he doesn't do it, I am gonna Kill him! ha ha

Just praying that he starts to feel more like himself soon!

Have a good evening.
Jess

FINITO!

Today went well, the LP was actually the fastest, smoothest one ever! Shawn wasn't feeling too well after, but I think it was mostly from the meds.

The great news we found out is, of all the people whose scans were clear 1/2 way through treatment (like Shawn's was), 86% will NEVER develope lymphoma again!!!!!
I am not an odds or statistics person, but That sounds pretty great to me!!!!!

Have a Blessed weekend everyone!
Love,
Jess

Today is the LAST of the LAST TREATMENTS!!!!!!

Today is the last of the last treatments for Shawn!!!!!! Hallelujah! It feels soooooo good to think we are FINALLY at the end of this VERY LONG journey!!!!

Thank you to the Trimarchi's for the "Last Chemo" bouquet!!! What a special surprise! You are so thoughtful! We look forward to seeing you all again soon!

We just wanted to thank you all once again, I don't feel like I can say that enough, for all you have done for our family. We are very blessed to know you all!
Each and everyone of you have shown God's love, so pure, so unselfish. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever experienced!

So, this is it!
See you soon!
JEss

"Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Eph. 5:2

Tomorrow is Shawn's final chemo!

I can't believe we have made it to the end. It seems a bit surreal right now, sad because I know what to expect over the next few days, Shawn will probably have a rough time after this chemo treatment, sad because we won't be seeing the wonderful staff at Johns Hopkins whom we have grown to love. But very joyful to say those words....LAST CHEMO! And very excited about our life, and our family getting back to normal. Joyful to see Shawn's strength and energy come back, joyful to see the worry gone from our childrens faces. Joyful to have a reason to celebrate! Joyful to have learned through this trial that we have some VERY good friends. Joyful to know more now than ever that God is ALWAYS GOOD!

Thank you all for following us on our journey. We couldn't have made it through with out you!

One final prayer request, Pray Wed. that Shawn's final chemo goes well, that he feels very little side effects. And pray that the Lumbar Puncture on Friday goes well also. That he recovers quickly and doesn't suffer any headaches.

Blessings to all!
Jess

Welcome snow, fresh and new!

Good afternoon everyone.
Today is a better day for Shawn. He managed to go into work and seemed to be feeling a little better.

I am constantly amazed at the fact that we have had so much support and love during this difficult time. And as I know some people would ask "why me?" I have to say "thank you God". This experience has really renewed my faith in mankind. It has also made me realize that everything is in God's timing, not mine. It's God's perfect timing. I mean, think about this for a moment, had Shawn not coached football, we wouldn't know many of you. Had it not happened when it did, we wouldn't have been in the middle of midget football season and we wouldn't have had the support of our football families and friends to get us through! Had we not lived where we live, we would not be so close to a world famous hospital with nationally known doctors! Shawn's emoployer is so amazingly understanding about him missing work, and not having the stress of that has all the more encouraged his healing. The amazing friends at Barley Snyder who have surprised us with these lovely surprise baskets, meals, house cleanings, etc....I just cannot say enough about how great you all are! You have made a very stressful situation a bit more tolerable and relaxed! You are all amazing!

I hope that you all realize that, it's not just the good times that God is good, it's also the bad times too! He is always GOOD!

Have a blessed day!
Jess

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)