Keeping and Laundry Room

Happy Sunday!  It is rainy where we live, but we are needing it so no complaints here.  It's a good day to read a book and look at decorating magazines.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I never need an excuse for that.

I am in the process of redecorating my home and thought I'd show you a few pictures of the keeping room (off the kitchen) and the laundry room.  We have a few rooms finished, but we still have quite a bit left.  It's never ending when your passion is decorating.  I absolutely love it, though!!! 

Keeping Room

Laundry Room

Excuse the mess in this picture!  The plates have ladybugs on them.  I just love ladybugs! They are so happy.

 

I'll show more pictures as I finish rooms. 
Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
XO,
Robin

Texas Trip, First Day of School, and a Prayer Request

Hi everyone!  Are you getting adjusted to school being back in session?  We are getting there, but the pick-up line is a completely different experience.  I pick up Emme first then over to Eli.  I still don't know what time to leave my house to get there early enough.  Oh, the problems of a mom. Ha!

Here are pictures of Eli and Emme on the first day of school.  If you follow me on Facebook then these are a repeat for you.  What I've learned from looking at everyone else's first day of school pictures is that I've got to step up my game on the sign they hold up.  What the heck?  Have you seen some of the signs???!!!!  Oh my.  I need to take art classes to even be on the same planet as you awesome, creative moms!  Oh well.  I was just happy we weren't late on the first day of school.  Oh wait.  We were. 

We had a blast in Texas last week.  Per my prior post, the doctors visits were amazing.  I already have more energy this week then/than (I never remember which word to use) I have had in a long time.  I'm not ready for a marathon, but I don't need to nap as much which is a big accomplishment.

Pictures in the car on the way there.  Our sweet friends, Jack and Brook Hudgins, gave the kids a box full of activities for the car.  They are so thoughtful!!!  One of Emme's gifts was a pair of slippers that she could decorate herself.  Girl heaven.

The kids spent the night with my nephew, Josh, and his wife Katie.  They have a sweet daughter (yes, my great-niece) named Charlotte who is between Eli and Emme in age.  They had a wonderful time.  Here is a picture of Emme and Charlotte.  Charlotte's shirt is hilarious.  It says "I was Charlotte first".  I didn't get it at first, but it is regarding the new Princess Charlotte of Wales.  So cute!!!!  Or cheeky, as they would say. Maybe.

My sisters took Eli to the Lego store while Katie and I took the girls to The American Girl Store.  Eli had so much fun there.  They bought him a very cool Star Wars Lego set that he finished building yesterday.  He has the patience for all those tiny pieces.  He didn't get that from me. 

Sooooooo, that leads me to the American Girl Store.  Oh.My.Goodness.  It was so fun.  The store is HUGE!  The girls just kept squealing with delight.  It was beyond cute.  We then took them upstairs to the doll salon (yes, I'm serious), but they were booked so we'll put that on our list for next time.  I was really hoping to get Emme's doll's hair brushed.  It looks like she's trying to grow dread locks.  The doll's hair is a hot mess.  Anyway, we looked around some more at the clothes and accessories until it was time for our Bistro reservation.  Talk about adorable.  The waitress brings a high chair, cup, and plate for the dolls.  The food was really great, too.  A perfect selection for kids and moms.  We are going back to Dallas in December for another office visit with Dr.Asbury, and we might swing by the store for tea and that salon visit. 

We also laid out by the pool, shopped, and just had a lot of fun.  It was a perfect end to the summer break, and I'm so grateful.

I don't want to go into great detail, but I would like for you all to pray for one of my dear friends.  She has to bury her stillborn baby boy tomorrow (he was 36 weeks so almost ready to meet the world).  I just can't even.  I really wish I could take the load for her, but she and her husband are going to have to walk this path together with the support of family and friends.  Since finding out, I've had a few other people I didn't know reach out to me about their cancer battles.  Sometimes it just feels like bad things are all around us.  I know it's not true, because we all have a LOT to be thankful for, but it just feels like that at times.  The song that keeps playing over and over again in my head is "Blessed Be The Name of the Lord".  It's a reminder of praising Him in the good times and bad.  I don't understand why bad things happen, but I do know that He is with us through all of them.  Here are the words to the song in case you or someone you know needs to hear them.

Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman

 

Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name

 

 

XO,

Robin

I'm Gettin' Healthy!

I know a lot of you have been texting to see how my doctor's appointments went this week so I thought I would write it all here to keep everyone up to date. 


I saw Dr. Beck (oncologist) Tuesday, and after I gave him a really hard time about my near death experience, he prescribed me 2 different chemo pills to be taken daily.  Easy enough!  I go back Monday for another blood draw to see if my tumor markers are dropping, which I fully intend for them to be!  After seeing Dr. Beck, my sister, the kids and I took off for the Big D.  Ahhhhhh, home of 106* and shopping galore.  Actually, they are having a cold snap tomorrow, and the temp should only be 98*.  I should have brought a sweater. :-)


Today consisted of 2 doctor's visits.  I had a thermograph scan this morning, which is a very non-invasive scan to see where you have trouble spots in your body based on your body temperature.  It is very easy, and I highly recommend it.  The 2nd appointment was this afternoon with Dr. Asbury to go over my results and come up with a plan to get me healthy.  She said I'm actually not that big of a mess considering what my body has been through the past 2 years (she said it much more professionally than that).  That was a great surprise.  She is focusing on getting my immune system to where it should be so my liver can fight off the cancer.  This plan of action consists of a lot of detox, supplements, and strict diet.  I've actually been eating the right things (thanks to my sister, Terri) so I'm a little ahead of the game.  I always thought the organic, non-GMO way of eating was a little silly.  Now I'm a believer!  It works, y'all.  I'm actually going to start incorporating some of my healthy ways into my family's diet, but don't tell them. 


I am very excited to get started on everything so I can begin to see how my body is responding.  That being said, Dr. Asbury stressed the importance of me making my health regimen take priority over everything else.  So I'm going to be saying no to a lot more.  Don't take it personal.  It's not forever!  She just wants me to take more time for myself now so I can have more time for others later.  I hope that makes sense.   


Now that the doctor's appointments are over, we are planning on having fun the rest of the week.  Emme and I are going to have lunch and shop at the American Girl Store with my niece and her daughter tomorrow.  I'm just as excited as Emme!  While we're doing that, my sisters are taking Eli to the Lego store.  Do I have the best family or what?  They spoil us rotten!  Friday's agenda includes a trip to IKEA and probably laying out by the pool.  I know.  Rough life. 


I hope y'all are having a great week.  Enjoy it before the busyness of school begins. 


XO,
Robin

Friday Favorites

I'm keeping today's Friday Favorites short and sweet.  This is one of my favorite posts, because I'm still here to write it!!!  Woo hoo!  This was taken today, and I still don't have my legs under me, but I'm still here!!!!! 

I want to send a special shout out to this guy, too.  Gabe has stayed right by my side through it all.  It hasn't always been easy or pretty, but we are stronger because of it. 

I just can't express how much your prayers mean to us.  They are not ever, ever taken for granted.  I promise you that.  One of my sweet friends sent me this message, and it brought happy and grateful tears to my eyes.  I wanted to share it with you:

"Oh Robin, so sorry to hear you had such a scary reaction! Goodness that must have been scary for you both! You are in our thoughts and prayers here...every single time your name and beautiful face pops into my head I pray. At all hours of the day or night. Sometimes I wish you could picture the dark night, with every single prayer uttered for you by all of "us" on fb, blogs, churches, etc. all lit up like a star. Can you even imagine the glow? You are so loved and so prayed over and we're not going to quit."

Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so sweet to us.
XO,
Robin

Antibody fail, bigtime!!!!!

That's an understatement, too.  You know how they list that "these side effects only happen to 1% of patients"?  Well, that was me yesterday.  I thought about not sharing the details, but I feel like y'all have been on this journey with me so let's keep it up!

Gabe and I got to the chemo room yesterday at 8:30 and they started all my pre-meds so I would hopefully not have a reaction.  Well, about 5 minutes into them giving me the antibody drug, I had a severe allergic reaction and almost died.  Literally.  My blood pressure bottomed out, then it shot way up and I passed out.  My head was on fire, and my eyes felt like they were going to pop out of my head.  I also broke out into hives. Goodness.  I woke up to see a lot of nurses and a doctor hovering over me.  Scary stuff, people.  Poor Gabe.  He never gets scared, but I could tell this shook him up.  BUT, God was right there with me holding my hand, too.  I'm obviously unable to continue with this clinical trial, but I'm ok with that.  There must be a reason God has kept me around this long, and I know there must be something else out there for me to accomplish for His kingdom and also another type of medication to take. I meet with Dr. Beck next Tuesday, and immediately after that my sister, the kids, and I are going to Dallas to stay with my other sister.  She has an appointment for me in Dallas to see a very qualified Naturopath doctor.  She went through medical school and finished with her Ph.D as an Internist then decided there has to be more out there than traditional medicine and has been researching ever since.  I see her Wednesday and Thursday so please pray that goes well.  She's told my sister from the start that cancer is not as scary as everyone thinks it is, and it can most likely go into remission if we can get the right things going in my body to help strengthen my immune system.

I can say I am at home today.  I feel like I've been hit by a train, but the hives are gone, and I don't have any other weird things happening - thank the Lord!!!!

As usual, please keep up in your prayers, and I'll keep you posted via this blog.  Also, I'm sorry if there are a few typos and errors.  I'm still not quite up to par!!!!!

XO,
Robin

Florida, Friends, and Fighting Cancer

Hey, hey, hey!  We returned last Sunday from a quick trip to Navarre Beach in Florida.  Our wonderful friends, Josh and Kendra Thompson, invited us and we said YES!  We love traveling with them.  You know what I mean.  Just because you're friends does not mean you travel well together.  They make traveling fun and so easy. 

I thought I'd share a few pictures from the trip. 

 

Emme was ready to go!!!

This is our view from the condo.  It's gorgeous and right out our back door!

We ate at Dewey's in Destin.  If you've never eaten there, you must try it next time you go.  They have a nice restaurant, and the original dive.  Eat at the original.  You won't regret it.  Gabe can't seem to order anything but the crab-stuffed, bacon wrapped shrimp.  Oh my.  I had the gumbo and it was amazing!!!!

This is Jagger NOT smiling for me!

We noticed on the trip that Jagger and Emme paired up more than usual.  She was always trying to "help" him.  Lord help us if those two get married someday! :-) 

This was my view most days.  We were on the beach, too, but the kids actually preferred the pool.  Go figure.

 

Ice cream is always a good idea.

This trip came at a perfect time.  We learned last week that my tumor markers have increased quite a bit.  I saw the doctor yesterday, and I am starting a clinical trial tomorrow with another IV chemo and an antibody drug.  Tomorrow will be a very long day so say an extra prayer for me if you think of it.  It won't be as bad once I get this appointment behind me.  Dr. Beck is also very hopeful that this will work to kill off my cancer.  I haven't seen him that positive...well, ever!  It's going to be a rough road, but I'm ready for the fight.  The rest in Florida did my body and mind some good.  I feel like God has His hand on my head directing my every step.  There have been mainly curves and blind spots on this road, but I always feel His hand guiding me.  Sometimes the answer is immediate, but sometimes we are in a holding pattern.  Regardless, He is there.  We are ready to fight, fight, fight! 

Thank you again for all your prayers, messages, and gifts.  You all are so good to us!!!!!!!!  I'll keep you posted, but it might be a few days.  The chemo might make me sick and keep me in bed a bit, but hopefully not.

XO,
Robin