Black Friday

Happy Black Friday everyone!
If you are a diehard shopper you are out right now with millions of others searching for that bargain. I, however, am sitting here in my jammies, drinking my coffee and being very thankful for a wonderful day yesterday. A day that NEARLY didn't happen for Shawn.

Shawn woke up feeling tired but ok. That quickly changed. He took a bath and then immediately got nauseous and started vomiting. This was the first time treatment did this to him. He was so disappointed and worried he was going to ruin Thanksgiving for our kids.

My father-in-law quickly came to the rescue, picked up the kids and took them to their house so they wouldn't miss a thing.

We hung low for a few minutes once things settled down for Shawn, he asked me to read Psalms 39 to him. I quickly got the Bible and started reading, but as I was, it frightened me because it was all about how " life is but a breath,.....and do what you need to do before the time ends.....". I was not wanting to continue reading but thought to myself "if it's important to him I hope there's something positive coming" because I can't read much more of this!!! Well, I finished, proud of myself for getting through without tears, and he quietly looked at me and said "sorry, that was the wrong one, it was Psalms 139!~ (which was much more uplifting and about how God knew about you and your life before he created you) WHEW! I thought he was going down a dark dark path! ha ha

Soon after that he said "you're gonna think I am crazy but I am hungry!" I quickly reminded him that I felt that way 4 times with each of the kids!!! So he threw on his bath robe, and we shuffled off to his parents to get there just in time for a wonderful Thanksgiving feast!!! Way to go Mom Long!!!!

Of course, the day ended with Shawn and his brother Shannon lounging on the couch watching the Cowboys win, (in photo) me getting my butt kicked in 5 Crown (card game) and my sister-in-law, Jenn, and I sneaking off for a little Pre-Black-Friday shopping.

All is well in the Long household.
Love,
Jess

Success!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Shot given this morning successfully!

Enjoy your day and know that we are thankful for each and every one of you!

Love,
Jess

Great News!

Hi dear family and friends,

Great news today! Dr. Swinnen told us that the LP showed no signs of cancer in Shawn's central nervous system! AMEN!!! So we just need to focus on the lymphoma! He said that everything seems to be right on schedule and Shawn seems to be responding well to everything.

The headaches he has been having are called "low pressure" headaches most likely from the LP or possible leakage of spinal fluid. Nothing unusual or to worry about and will go away with time.

Tomorrow I have to give Shawn his Neulasta shot which is the same price as a very expensive diamond ($3,288.77)! So pray I don't screw it up!

Next apts. are Dec. 11th- LP, then the 16th- chemo, and the 18th -LP.

Thank you for all your prayers!

Keep them coming!

Love,

Jess

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."

Psalms 50:15

Good news today!

Hello dear family and friends,

Dr. Swinnen just gave Shawn some very good news. The LP done last week showed no signs of the lymphoma in his central nervous system! Thank you God!

The headaches he is experiencing are most likely "low pressure headaches" from them removing spinal fluid during the Lumbar Puncture and perhaps leakage. They should go away with time.

We are sitting here in the treatment center and Shawn just saw a video of his dad with a shaved head! LOVE YOU DAD!

Thanks to everyone for all the prayers and support! We couldn't get through this without you!

Love,

Jess

Heading to Hopkins tomorrow

Hi everone,
Early tomorrow we head back down to Hopkins for Shawn's chemo treatment. Please pray that he doesn't experience the bad side effects like he did the first time! Also please pray for his headaches to ease up.

We are hoping to enjoy the Thanksgiving meal his mother is preparing on Thursday but if he isn't feeling up to it, he will stay home. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!
Love,
Jess

Consider giving the gift of Life!!!

I just spent the last few minutes doing something with the hopes of possibly one day saving someones life! I went to www.marrow.org and joined the national registry to be a bone marrow donor. And all it took was a few simple minutes of my time. It's free, they send you a kit to painlessly swab your cheek and a prepaid mailer to send it back to them!

Would you all please consider giving the gift of life? You never know whose life you could save!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!
Love,
Jess

"God has given us two hands- one for receiving and the other for giving" Billy Graham

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello Everyone!
Today is Sunday, don't worry, you aren't late for dinner, and we are celebrating Thanksgiving early here at the Long household. We figured since Shawn may not be feeling up to it on the actual holiday, we would do it while he is feeling good. He got to make his famous turkey dinner after all! YEAY! I can hardly wait to eat it!

We had a wonderful child free night, thanks to our family, and celebrated our anniversary having dinner at Outback Steakhouse. A restaurant that has always had a special place in our hearts since we ate there on our honeymoon. It was delicious! And a very special night.

Shawn bit the bullet yesterday and buzzed his head. The hair was going quickly and just finding alot of the evidence on his bed pillow and sheets was enough for him to do it. He looks really good! Has that Bruce Willis look. Even Claire said "it's not that bad, I thought it was going to look horrible!" ha ha So all you men out there, get the razors out and support the cause! Maybe we can have a "Shave-off" and donate the proceeds to Lymphoma and Lukemia Research!

Enjoy this beautiful day!
Love,
Jess

"The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace."
Psalm 29:11