H is for Happy. And Houston. And Hotel.

Can’t wait to share the good news from Houston … Major support from Houston’s super renowned and knowledgeable (not to mention kind and instructive and helpful…) Dr. Osborne for the clinical trial we have a spot in. We are so thankful! The trial we can do isnt even available out of his hospital so it’s a blessing that our own Dr. Osborne and her team member, Dr. O’Shaughnessy, are part of the research team in Dallas. It’s super complicated and way too hard for this Aggie or Red Raider to explain but in laymans terms I will get access to 3 drugs simultaneously that, Lord willing, will block my cells’ access to their beloved estrogen. He confirmed what she said about the aggressive and crafty nature of my cells who are able to grow and multiply even though we’ve removed their access to estrogen (with hysterectomy and medicine). And, another bonus of the trial is that I get more frequent scans than insurance would normally cover. Blessings blessings blessings. In Scotts simple words, ‘it couldn’t have gone better.’ And have I mentioned I love my Dr. Osborne in Dallas?! I texted her with an update and she texts me back asking me to come in today to sign consent paperwork and do necessary pre-trial clinical work on Monday (EKG, eye exam, bloodwork…) so she can get me started on the meds, Lord willing, as early as next week. And these aren’t meds that are readily available nor ever been approved to be used together so this is a HUGE BLESSING! And the Houston Dr. Osborne said he thinks there’s a 50-60% chance of a positive response – a positive response would mean cancer stops growing even if doesn’t shrink the tumors. We feel very thankful and HOPEful today. And even have confirmation about next steps if these don’t work – his ideas the same drugs that our own doctor had mentioned. And, as both have said, if/as the Lord sustains my life on these meds that gives more opportunities for more advances in medicine that could be available to us. Have we mentioned we are thankful?!

Sweet and precious moment for me to watch Scott shake Dr. Osbornes hand and thank him. Then, he got teary eyed as he said, “and we are thankful for you and other doctors who have devoted their life to medicine and school and this career which provides hope and life for my wife and our family. I don’t know if you hear that enough so I just want to thank you.” Such words have never been so true. And same goes to you Jen and Trevor and Jenny and Bethany and Trey and Chris and Kamilia and Jeff and Cindy. I just called my surgeon and oncologist by their first names as I consider them among my other friends … I am wild and crazy and living on the potentially-disrespectful edge! We feel so humbled and honored to participate in this study because, Lord willing, we can help women and families in the future. As I prayed w my PNG (pink not grey cancer sorority sisters) yesterday we all choked up knowing that many have died before us while doctors and others sought the treatment plans we have available now.

On a much lighter note, let me warn you not to mess with my Mel by messing with her friend, Jen. Mel and Gulley and I met as Diamond Darlings at A&M (for you non Aggies don’t trouble yourself with trying to figure that out) and while Mel is all popular and extroverted online (aka Big Mama) she is in reality a woman who chooses friends carefully and slowly (not sure how she chose me because though much in common there are many differences!) and likes to keep those she loves near and dear. She is much more of an introvert than her compadres of Gulley or me. But let me tell you – she is one LOYAL friend. And, if by chance, you are one of those near and dear friends and you need anything (like roof over your head for trip to Houston) she is on it. Before I asked or mentioned hotel to anyone (have I mentioned the Lord’s provisions for us?!) she had offered her dad’s second home in Houston and was gonna overnight the keys since he’s not there (because a lot of people from San Antonio have a vacation home in Houston, right?!). I’ve been a guest of her Mimi and Bops on more than one occasion through the years so knew the Villa Marino would be just perfect and restful and fun. Unless of course the keys don’t arrive as promised by 10:30 before we leave town. And Mel didn’t want to just get her tracking number and look it up online but took her not-so-happy hiney back to the mail store to inquire about her precious package. And she may or not have, as Gulley described it, ‘gone postal’ and let them know through many tears that you can lose her Christmas package but don’t you know better than to lose the keys for her friend Jen who has CANCER!?!? In college, when my dad was real sick, Mel one time used my dad’s story (as if it was her own dad) to get out of a speeding ticket. While I had done the. same thing with same story (except it really was my dad!) and I still got the ticket! She’s smooth like that. I had the temptation to call the store and warn them to find the package or she would make them pay. And they paid alright. For my hotel room with the heavenly bed across the street from my doctor’s appointment. And let me assure you that was a small price to pay compared to would have happened if she unleashed her thousands upon thousands of Big Mama faithfuls on to the company that wears brown and shall remain nameless. As I wrote to Mel and Gulley and Bops earlier today…
“Dear Unnamed Postal Service, we thank you for our heavenly bed and convenient access to our doctor. We are glad you took the fair warnings from the crazy lady in Alamo Heights who, may or may not have told you, is big time and could have ruined you. There could have been a national moms boycott of your services. The cost of this hotel was nothing compared to the price you’d have paid. We thank you. And whether or not you know it you should be very thankful that you listened to crying crazy lady in the store. Thanks for making things right and thanks for the big hug and support you gave that crazy lady who loves me so much she would cry at the threat of me not having everything I need.”

We have happy hearts and big thanks to doctors and all the friends and family that make sure we have ‘everything we need’ from Christmas presents to personal shopping to a decorated house to meals to slumber parties for Linc while we are away to offers for nanny or housekeeper to the ministry of presence after hard news to place to stay and even unexpected check to help with insurance and deductible costs! And, in between all of that, countless texts and emails and messages of encouragement on blog. And, the sweetest of all, prayers and pleadings to our heavenly Daddy who has promised ‘to supply all of our needs according to the riches of His grace in Christ Jesus.’

– Sent from I45 north during crazy rain with excitement to get home and, once again, surrounded by those we love and who love us so well!

Ps Pic is of me checking in to doctor and offering insurance card for zillionth time. And because we love Scotts Aunt Sue (Smith who is also battling stage 4 breast cancer) we loved that the name of the generous donors are Lester and SUE SMITH. We love you Aunt Sue and are fighting and praying right alongside you.