~~~~The End To The Holidays~~~~

Well, the end of the Holidays is fast approaching and even though I have not been at work I have not managed to find the time to blog. Since I last wrote my father has VERY SLOWLY been showing improvements in his health and healing; it is like one step forward and three steps back.... literally. We went to see them on the 26th and he was having a yucky day... tired and just wanted to sleep.... I was able to get my mom who was also tired out of the apartment and take her out to dinner. I think that she really enjoyed that.

Since we visited them my mom has been taking him out of the apartment each day on little excursions; drive thrus, grocery stores, banks, or just for car rides to get him out and about. I really think that this is a great idea and that they BOTH need a change of scenery; it is good for the physical, mental and spiritual mind. At the last appointment with the transplant doctor my dad found out that his leukemia is in remission (PRAISE GOD!!!) and that he just needs time; LOTS OF TIME to heal. The transplant doctor said it would most likely be summer before he would be ready and strong enough for another round of chemo to bring him down to neutropenia and ready for the transplant. My dad has a really LONG road ahead of him but thanks to all of you and your prayers I know that he can make it down this long path. If God sees you to it, he will see you through it!!

I am looking forward to a much better 2009 in many areas of my life; but most especially for my mom and dad. 2008 pretty much stunk!

I am attaching a few festive pics from the holidays with my children!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2009 - The Best Is Yet To Come!!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Transplant Doctor Thursday

Well, today my father went to MD Anderson and met with his transplant doctor. According to the doctor, my dad still needs to regain his strength and heal. The transplant doctor will be ready for the transplant and have the donor ready and waiting when he regains his strength. So, I think that we all need to be praying for the Lord's healing power to come over my father and help him to get better; and most especially regain both the initiative and desire to push himself. From what my mom mentioned this afternoon he did not want a rehab doctor to come to the apartment to work with him, I have not asked him about it though. My mom is also exhausted; living in the city is not her cup of tea and she has given of herself tirelessly. She is with my father 24/7 except to do the laundry in the laundromat in their apartments, run to the grocery store and get take out if my dad is hungry. I truly applaud her and appreciate all that she is doing; since we have no family besides me, her and my father there is no one to relieve her except for me; and at this time of year with Duane gone so much for basketball, I am really busy and run ragged myself. I look forward to my holiday break in about a week to begin when I can visit with both of them.

WAH...... Sorry about the pity party - thank-you to all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers.... God Bless....

I pray for healing mentally and physically for my father, the will to want to get better and for my mother's strength and endurance.

:)

~~~IT SNOWED LIKE CRAZY HERE TONIGHT~~~

So, we woke up this morning to falling (and quickly melting snow). It was about 38 degrees when we woke up. We didn't have to tell the boys more than once (which never happens) to get up and out of bed; they were out the door in no time making one inch snow balls and an eight inch tall snowman! Unfortunately we all had to hurry and get to school and work. The day remained cold all day long and seemed to get colder, by 3:00 there were huge snow flurries falling to the ground. Right now it is 8:30 and it is still snowing lightly. After school D had an allergist appointment and afterwards RE was cancelled. We went to Carino's to celebrate my birthday day that is tomorrow. It snowed NONSTOP from 3:00 until now and from about 4:00-6:30 it was coming down really hard. After we ate the boys had a snow ball fight and were able to make HUGE snowballs. Driving along Hwy 30 by the mall and the college apartments college kids were making snowmen all over the place. They were normal size too - some up to six feet tall. I have to say I really am enjoying this snow! Listening to Christmas music and watching the flurries dance and float to the ground is pretty darn beautiful and relaxing. Below are some pics I took of our front and back yard.

This is the backyard - our fire pit circle and furniture are covered and on the right side even the palm trees have snow on them!

Tons of snow!!

I guess that our plants will be dead when this dried up!

In this picture you can see it falling!

The boys and I are secretly hoping that it will freeze tonight and school will either be cancelled or at least be delayed! Then we can relax in the beauty of all of this! What a great birthday present that would be for me!

I did talk to my mom and dad a couple of times today , dad wasn't feeling well and was throwing up this afternoon. He sounded better than he felt. Tomorrow is the big day and appointment with the transplant doctor, I am looking forward to hearing what he has to say and I will keep all of you posted!.

God bless all of you!

What a weekend!!!

Well, this was a nice weekend at the Fikac household, had just a little bit of down time and time to recoup before the next week begins, got the Christmas lights up, the house finished (decorated), the weeds pulled in the backyard, presents bought and wrapped, and the garage cleaned out. I feel like I accomplished a lot; I was even able to take a short nap. WOW!

Duane's team got third in the Reisel tournament and he was able to spend some time with us today; this coming week will definitely be crazy though; Monday - basketball, Tuesday - basketball, Wednesday - church and doctor, Thursday - basketball, Friday - basketball! I am just about basketballed out and the boys are only practicing at this point. My boys don't begin their games until January and we are traveling to other towns for them on Saturdays.....

I talked to my parents a couple of times this weekend. My dad is definitely getting his appetite back even though he only eats half of what he orders. He told me that he is beginning to dream about food and is getting the energy to go to places to eat (while in his wheelchair of course). Yesterday he was craving a roast beef sandwich with horseradish sauce from Quizno's so that is what my mom went and got for him.. he ate half of a six inch sandwich. I can tell that he is getting stronger in the tone of his voice; and his wild sense of humor is returning each day! My mom is doing well, adjusting to taking care of him. His nurse who was helping him shower is no longer coming so my mom has been helping. But, his other nurse still comes each day to help dress his wounds and make sure he does not fever. This Thursday they are really excited because he has an appointment with the transplant doctor to see what the next step is for him in regards to his transplant. They will also find out if there are any "blasts" in his bone marrow; since his blood was okay.

Once again, God bless all of you who actually read this blog. I know that your thoughts and prayers were what helped my dad to survive.. Until next time, bye bye~!

YEAH - A Great Day For Mom and Dad

Well, today the "fasttracks" started at MD Anderson. My parents were up early and at MD by 8 this morning for blood work, then they waited around most of the day to visit with his doctor. His blood counts came back normal!!!! I am really not sure what normal means, but I do know that this means that according to his blood work his leukemia is gone for the moment! BUT, they won't know for sure until they take some bone marrow out of his pelvis to see if it is in his bones. I believe that they are doing the bone marrow aspiration later this week. He will have his port removed tomorrow because the doctor feels that it is just a breeding ground for an infection; I must say that WE AGREE!!!! Especially since that is what screwed him up in the first place (his round of chemo was supposed to be easy but three months later here we are; weak and FINALLY healing). Thanks be to God! Anyways, the doctor said that if his marrow comes back clean then he will set up an appointment with the transplant doctor to get that part underway! YEAH!!! I do think that will be months away though. Still not sure how long it will be until that begins, one day at a time for now. I am positive that my mom and dad are exhausted after today; and they are resting well right now.

I cannot say this enough; THANK-YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, God is wonderful and with all of your help he has helped my father through this. God bless each and every one of you.

Oh yeah, Snook won tonight !!!!! YEAH!!!!! Goodnight, until next time... ttfn...