I am happy to report that Shawndra is much better this week. My apologies for the delay in posting. Honestly, I purposely waited until I had good news to report.
You know Shawndra is feeling better when she's cracking jokes and wanting to eat a greasy hamburger. :) It appears her bowels are functioning again, as evident by consistent, significant ostomy output and very little PEG output. Yeah! Her nutrition is still limited to liquids though. At home she'll be receiving TPN via her porta-cath. Sorry, baby, I don't think a hamburger is going to go down very well, but, I will blend that meat patty up to pure liquid, if you so desire!
What brought her out of the 20 hour/day sleep regimen was two units of fresh, red blood. Her hemoglobin was down to a very low 7.5 g/dl, where 12.1 to 15.1 g/dl is a woman's normal range. Tis the season for compassion and miracles, and I want to thank everyone, so very much, for taking time to pray for Shawndra, and our family. God is listening...
On Thursday, while still in the hospital, Shawndra will be infused with a different chemotherapy called ERBITUX. Her decision to continue chemotherapy was difficult, because at this point, there's a careful "quality of life" balance. If all goes well, we should be home on Friday.
Ella met Santa Claus Sunday! My sister, Kristine, is a Sunday school teacher at Prince Of Peach Catholic Church. After mass, Krissy's class, which Ella attends, and five other classes, sang songs. Afterwards, Santa strolled in and surprised them. (I'll post a photo the next time I see Krissy.) On seeing Santa, Ella's jaw dropped. Then she looked at me, pointed to Santa, and mouthed "Santa Claus"! It was a joyful moment to see how excited she was.
- Doug
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
45 comments:
So glad that Shawndra is doing better!! What great news.
Wishing the Turner family a peaceful holiday period! xxx
so glad to hear she will make it home for the holiday's. Praying for peace and comfort for you and your family.
Prayers from St. Louis
Praise the Lord! What a blessing and an answer to prayers to hear that Shawndra is feeling better! I am praying for a wonderful holiday for your family! Shawndra-we can't wait to hear from you again!
Christie in GA
Shawndra,
So glad to hear that you are feeling better and that spunky personality we all love is back in full effect. I pray that you continue to feel this good. Great news that you will be home for Christmas, that is the best gift anyone could ask for. My daily prayers for you continue...
Always ~ Michelle B.
Way to go, Shawndra! Thinking of you often, girl. Get yourself home and have a wonderful Christmas!
Great news. Praying for a wonderful Christmas for all of you and continued progress.
Pam - VA
YEAH, Thank you for the wonderful update. What a perfect Christmas gift - Home for the holidays!!
Shawndra, girl, you won't have time for that greasy old burger anyway, you've got decorations to hang, Christmas cards of Ella to get out & cookies for Santa to bake..., I bet this year will be even more fun with Ella, she's at that magical age where ANYTHING is possible - but ya know, shes right, ANYTHING is possible!!
Praying that the new chemo will do the trick & you can get back to eating burgers or whatever you want & being pain free!! Keep up the hard work so you can blow that popsicle stand!!! God Bless, Vickie Wieberg
Shawndra-
Welcome Home Soon! Glad to hear your feeling better! You truly a fighter! Our thoughts and prayers are with you always! Keep Believing!
The Mudge Family
YAY!! What great news for all of you - Christmas at home with the fam :)
I will continue to pray for strength, comfort and happy days ahead for you and your family! You ALL continue to inspire us!
God Bless!
Terra
This is such good news! I am so glad she gets to return home this week, and just in time for Christmas!
Thank you for keeping us posted and I will continue to pray for Shawndra and your family as always.Take care~
Deb
OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD...PRAYERFULLY THE NEW CHEMO WILL GO WELL FOR SHAWNDRA AND U WILL ALL BE ON YOUR WAY HOME ON FRIDAY....DEAR SWEET ELLA CONTINUES TO BE YOUR LITTLE ANGEL ON THIS EARTH.....HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH CONTINUED PRAYER, YOUR ANGEL OF PRAYER IN KC, MO...JEN MILLER
I am so happy to hear that you will all be together at home soon! My thoughts have been with your family often these past few days. I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with amazing miracles!!
Julie
I am happy to hear that you will all be home together soon! I am sure that the new chemo decision was VERY hard. I realize all too well what obstacles it poses to "quality". I will say an extra prayer that this decision brings nothing but good things.
The Santa encounter must have been awesome. I was just browseing photos of kids screaming on the jolly ol guys lap. What a vast array of emotions that guy has on little people. It is so festive outside, I would love to see this again next week for a white Christmas. We'll see if the weather cooperates.
Peace and Love to you all and praying the next post comes from the warmth of your own home.
I just love the "name" (or misname) of that church. Sounds like Kristine lives in Georgia!
Glad there is good news to report. Shawdra, you have a remarkable spirit. God tells us the a merry heart does good like a medicine, and you seem to have a good habit of looking on the bright side, with lots of humor.
Praying for all the best for your family during this holiday season and beyond. Hugs to all of you!
I just thanked God for the improvemnet. Enjoy being home and in your bed. This is a great example of why people should donate blood.
Beth Patterson
That's such fantastic news!!!!!
The prayer chain reaches more and more people and we wish you all can be home together in a few days.
Doug, thanks for taking care of this fantastic woman your wife is, and what a great guy and father you are.
God bless you all.
The Schmiedt's in Florida
Thanks for sharing such great news! Keeping you all in my prayers!
Shawndra, so glad you are feeling better and will make it home soon to spend the holidays with your loving and supportive family.
I'm sorry if anything I said previously was offensive in any way. I did not intend it to be. It's just that it makes me so angry to see people having to fight this beast. But I know that your strength and the strength of the Great Physician will carry you through this and you will be HEALED! Not to mention all your prayer warriors.
Doug, thanks for the updates on Shawndra and Ella stories. You are amazing.
Christy Harrell
Shawndra and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Baranczuk's (from skating)
Shawndra,
I am so glad to read that you are feeling better! I have been praying for you daily and thinking of you often, wondering how you are doing. Friday will be here soon and hopefully you will be resting comfortably at home and being entertained by precious Ella! I know that being home and being with her will brighten your spirit! Keep fighting, girl, and know that many, many people are praying for you and your family as well.
Jennifer Teegarden
I am so happy to hear that Shawndra is feeling better! I hope you enjoy a wonderful Christmas together.
Love,
Wendy
So, so happy to hear that Shawndra is feeling better!! You are all in my thoughts and prayers always, but especially during this holiday season. I wish you all peace, the joy of Christmas through Ella's eyes, and the comfort of knowing you are cared for by so many.
My love to you all.
Michelle
That is the best news that she is feeling better! Thanks for keeping us posted, Doug! Many prayers that things go well enough for you to be home on Friday!
Can't wait to see the Santa pictures.
The McRaes
What a wonderful update! Shawndra continues to brighten days for all of us; I'm sure I'm not the only one who was cheered by this post.
We will pray that you spend Friday at home; that your beautiful spirit continue to shine, fight and teach; and that you feel the love and prayers that are coming your way from all corners of the world.
Hugs and hugs and hugs and hugs,
jg
What wonderful news. I love the image of Ella mouthing the words, "Santa Claus" to you. It has been challenging to wait for news, but this news is well worth the wait. :-) Joyce
Please have Shawndra have her mutation's checked before she recieves Erbitux. Ask her Dr. about this, because it doesnt work for people who have a negitive mutation...Sue
I'm praying for a beautiful Christmas at home, for you and your family.
It is good to hear that Shawndra is doing better. I am praying that you all have a peaceful and magical Christmas!!
I am glad to see that things are going better. I will continue to pray for your recovery. Your strength and courage is amazing!
Happy Holidays!
Haley Dunn
Independence, KS
What wonderful news! Merry Christmas to you all.
Claire
Happy Moments - Praise God
Difficult Moments - Seek God
Quiet Moments - Worship God
Painful Moments - Trust God
Every Moment - Thank God!
I love this saying. We have an awesome God! SO HAPPY to hear the good news.
My continued thoughts and prayers will be with you and your blessed family.
Merry Christmas!
Melissa (LSMO)
So glad to hear Shawndra will be home for Christmas!
Shawndra I hope you continue to stay in good spirits and feel better!
Praise the Lord!!! I know He is listening. Much love from Arizona!
What wonderful news... and I have been checking in often to get the news! Glad her spirits are up as well as her energy.
Praying for a peaceful Christmas for you all... Mandy Hamlin Featherston
I read about Shawndra on my friend, Siobhan's blog. I'll post on my blog too. Sending lots of good thoughts and prayers up for her and the family. Hey Shawndra... hang in there! Make it home for the holidays and keep going strong! Will check back in again soon!
So glad to hear that things are better. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers! Our wishes to you for a very Happy Holiday season! Merry Christmas!
Kristal and Phil Rayson
Greetings from Chicago!
Kevin passed along the great post last night. I was so happy to hear that Shawndra is perking up and feeling much better!
I hope to see you all again once I am back in town.
Love, dustin
Greetings from Chicago!
Kevin passed along the great post last night. I was so happy to hear that Shawndra is perking up and feeling much better!
I hope to see you all again once I am back in town.
Love, dustin
Glad to hear that Shawdra is doing better. Crossing my fingers and praying that she's home soon. God bless you all and have a very blessed and Merry Christmas.
Wonderful news that Shawndra will get to come home for the holidays. I pray the new chemo treatment does its job and with little side effects. As always your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Praying for peace and comfort this season and always.
Kristen
I am SOOO happy you are heading home. Hoping for a wonderful Holiday with your beautiful daughter and wonderful husband!!
Stay cozy!!
Kitty
During my prayer time, I found this and thought of you!
"O Lord, by gracious to us; we wait for You. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble." -Isaiah 33:2
Praying that no new is good news and you are still homebound soon! We'll keep checking back for an update and keep praying for you to find the comforts and peace of home very soon!
Terra Shover
I just discovered your site thanks to a friend, and I'm wondering if there an address you could post for those of us who'd like to send a handmade greeting card? My heart is with all of you!
Dear Shawndra, Just wanted you to know that I woke up this morning & began thinking of you & praying that the chemo today, works well & gives you no to minimal side effects & that all goes smooth & that you'll be on your way home tomorrow!!
Please update us when there is time because Im sure I can speak for us all, that were thinking of & praying for Shawndra!!
Can't wait to hear from you!! God Bless, Vickie
Post a Comment