My Brother...revisited

This post was originally posted on December 1, 2007. Almost exactly two years ago.
When I was working on my blog book, I ran across this post and decided to add it again. It is Jason...all the way!

I know he isn't feeling good right now, but he will bounce back better than ever. Jason, you are in my thoughts and prayers and we love you very much! I thank God for a brother like you!

Saturday, December 1, 2007
My Brother

I love him. I really do. I am laughing hysterically at this very moment.

As I am downloading my pictures tonight, I see his "mugshot" on my computer screen.

Like father, like son!

Note to self: When you go shopping, do not leave your unmanned camera at the Williams' house. You never know what will turn up on your memory card!

My latest project

Julie inspired me to get my blog put in book format. I have been wanting to do it for way too long, but just didn't have the time to sit down and work on it. So...here is the first of the two books I need to get my blog in print!

I can't wait until it comes in the mail! I am sure that Tanner will enjoy reading a book with pictures of him inside! How cool!

Tucker at Six Months

My little Tucker is growing up so fast! I don't know why, but I feel like he is growing much faster than Tanner did? Does each child after the first grow up faster? Oh, it just seems like yesterday that I was pregnant! I can't believe that God has blessed us with two wonderful children!

Tucker turned six months old on November 2nd, but things have been so hectic with trips back and forth to Charleston to see Jason and Lindsey and then just day-to-day living, that I have been unable to find the time to blog. Imagine that!

When Tucker turned six months at the beginning of the month, he was learning to crawl...by ever-popular froggy leap...made possible by babies everywhere. But now, he is crawling everywhere! I placed him in the middle of the family room the other day and when I turned around...he was in the foyer at the front door within a matter of minutes! It seems as though he started crawling overnight...which means no more tennis shoes lying around, as Tucker is drawn to their strings (and soles) as a chew toy!

Tucker also has two teeth on the bottom. His top gums are really swollen, so I know it will not be long and he will have more on top...all the better for biting! Tanner never had a lot of trouble with his teeth...but Tucker has been very uncomfortable turning the whole teething process. I don't know what I would do without teething tablets and Motrin!

At six months, Tucker is the happiest, sweetest and most easy-going baby that I have ever been around. Tanner was a good baby, but Tucker is so laid back! He rarely cries and always is smiling and wanting to play with everyone that talks to him. Tucker, you are an absolute joy!

Unfortunately, I do not have my camera with me...which contains pictures of Tucker (I can come back and add them later), but here is a picture taken with my cell phone at the hotel in Charleston.

My Husband

Today is my 6th wedding anniversary. Six years together offers candy and iron.

We didn't treat ourselves to any sweets (other than some cheesecake from Outback...which was delicious by the way) or some new wrought iron porch railings...but I can say that the last few years have been sweet and made us stronger as a couple.

I have learned a lot about my husband over the last few months. He has been my rock. He has been my comforter. I have watched him agonize over how we were going to be able to make ends meet...considering he has not found a job since August. But, I am proud to say that we have made ends meet and we are "making it"...even when we shouldn't be "making it". I know that all the credit goes to God...because without Him, we wouldn't have the strength (or the means) to get through each day. However, my husband is just the tangible proof that God is real and can do exceedingly and abundantly above whatever we can fathom in our finite minds.

Along with being my rock and my comforter, he has been my provider. He has made sure that we have money to pay the bills and that nothing will keep him from taking care of his family. He has been working tirelessly for over a month for at least 10 hours a day, six days a week helping a man from our church...processing deer meat. Daryl has said to me on more than one occassion, "I have no pride when it comes to my family...I will do whatever it takes to make sure you are okay and these kids are okay." Don't get me wrong, we are ever so grateful that this man allowed Daryl to work and make extra money ('cause Lord knows we need it). However, it is hard work and it is not a job that one would desire to do after you have worked hard for a college degree. I know that he comes home exhausted each night...but rises again the next morning, to do it all over again.

I have always known that my husband has a giving heart, but over the last few weeks, his selfless nature has shown itself through the clothes infused with the smell of deer carcass piled in my laundry room floor. Because of this, I am so thankful for my husband on this sixth year of marriage more than ever before.

Just as Jesus Christ sacrificed his life to save mankind, my husband mirrors that image of Christ by giving of himself so that we can live without fear and enjoy the comfort of knowing food is in the cupboard and a roof is above our heads. First, because of God's grace...but secondly from my husband and his diligence to always provide for his family.

I love you, Daryl. Happy 6th Anniversary!

Donation Day

This morning started early...about 5:30 am to get ready and be at the hospital at 7:30 am to give the stem cell donation for Jason's transplant on Friday. Everything went extremely well, considering I was nervous about having the temporary catheter put in my neck...that I ended up not needing as my veins were big enough to go through my arms! Praise God!

The hardest part of the donation was lying with my arms still for 5 hours...but I did a lot of sleeping, so the time passed pretty quickly. Daryl was a trooper...he stayed right by my bed making sure that I was comfortable and getting my drinks and food for me. I am sure it was a long day for him, too.

Modern technology amazes me. Daryl asked the nurse in hemapheresis and he said that my blood left and entered my body 4 times! Once I was finished, there was a nice bag of blood/stem cells waiting on Jason! God is so good!

Believe it or not, I would go through all this again...even for someone that I didn't know. Irregardless of what some may think, I didn't do it for recognition and I don't want any praise for doing what I did. I consider it an honor and privilege to be able to help someone...it just happens to be my brother. I am humbled that God could use me to do something so extraordinary. I appreciate every one's well wishes today and prayers as I went through the donation process...it was a rewarding experience. My prayer is that each cell that came out of my body is enough to save Jason and get him better...as I know he wants to move on with life and be healthy again! I know he will be better...before we know it!

Wow God...you continue to amaze and bless our family everyday!

Two Shots Down

This morning I received the second of my Neupogen shots to prepare my body for Jason's bone marrow transplant. Yesterday I did pretty good, except for I had a hard time sleeping due to my right leg hurting really bad. So, needless to say I didn't get to sleep until 4 am this morning.

After we got back from getting my shot in the clinic and seeing Jason, I decided to stay around the hotel room and rest, while Daryl took Tanner to the SC Aquarium. I knew my body couldn't take all the walking, so Mama and I stayed in the hotel room and she helped me with Tucker and give me a chance to rest. I am definitely thankful that I stayed in the hotel for the rest of the day, because my back and legs feel as though they have been hit with a baseball bat. My leg thigh bone feels like it is huge and about to burst! However, this is a good thing (per the nurse in the BMT clinic) as pains mean that my body is producing some stem cells! They gave me some pain medication at my appointment, so hopefully I will be going to be a lot earlier tonight (actually, as soon as I finish this post)!

In regards to the aquarium...Tanner came in and said, "We had a great time!" He brought me back a stuffed red-eyed tree frog and a picture of him and Daddy in front of a big fish tank. I was disappointed that Tucker and I didn't get to go, but my body needed the rest.

I am scheduled for my temporary catheter (PICC line) on Thursday morning at 9 am. Please pray for me, as I am extremely nervous about having this procedure done. I don't like being cut (especially on purpose) or having to be put to sleep/be given drugs that make me loopy. We all know that I am a control freak and like to be in control of my own body! The nurse that gave me the Neupogen shot this morning gave me a thorough explanation of the procedure, which made me feel a little better...but just pray for me as Thursday approaches. I can handle shots, IVs, birthing babies and pain...but the thought of having a tube in my neck makes me nauseous.

Continue to pray for Jason and Lindsey, too. They need your prayers a whole lot more than I do. Also, pray for Mama. I know it must be hard to deal with both of her kids going through all this craziness. However, I know where Jason gets his determination and willpower from, because my Mama is the strongest person I know! Let's not forget to pray for Daryl, as he dealt (and continues to deal) with my emotions over the last few days. Also, Daryl's parents as he is caring for Jason and Lindsey's three children while they are in Charleston.

Thanks in advance for every one's prayers and support. Keep visiting Jason's caringbridge site and signing his guestbook. He and Lindsey enjoy reading all the encouraging words.

Charleston: Arrival

We made it to Charleston last night (Sunday) around six o'clock and settled into our hotel room. Once Mama and I made a trip to the grocery store to stock the hotel room, we drove over to MUSC to check on Jason and Lindsey (and deliver some cereal and milk that we picked up at the grocery store). Jason looked great, so we took a few minutes to chat and then we headed back over the hotel to relieve Daryl, who had the kids, so he could finish his homework assignment.
You can check Jason's journal for the latest update on his progress.

Today was my first appointment at the BMT (Bone Marrow Transplant) Clinic to receive my first Neupogen injection. The Neupogen injections will increase the WBCs (white blood cells) that my body makes, in turn causing bone marrow cells/stem cells to seep through my bones into my bloodstream. I will be receiving these shots over the next few days to prepare my body for the transplant donation on Thursday.

When I went in for my shot this morning, the nurse told me that the shot would sting a little bit...and boy was she right! It wasn't painful, just annoying...and the stinging lasted for about 15 minutes after the shot was given! She told me if I was going to have any side effects, I would feel them around the second to third day of the shots. The side effects include bone aches (in the back, legs and sternum) and headaches. The aches are caused from the bone marrow seeping through my bones and into my blood. Modern medicine is absolutely amazing!

I also learned today that I would have to give the donation through a temporary catheter that would be placed in my neck and sutured into place. I must admit that I am a little nervous, as I do not like being cut on purpose...but who does, right? I am just praying that God would calm my nerves and that the procedure not be as bad as it sounds. I am willing to go through a little pain to make my little brother get well. Plus, I have birthed two babies...so I am no stranger to pain!

After the doctor's appointment, Daryl and I took Tanner to see the USS Yorktown. Tanner had a blast sitting in the cockpit of an airplane, walking on the flight deck and touring a piece of American history! It was also neat to get a glimpse of what Daryl's life was like when he was aboard a carrier in the Navy. He was our personal tour guide throughout the Yorktown...and he did a fantastic job. It pays to know someone on the "inside". (Click here for pictures)

Please continue to keep our family in your prayers and especially Jason and Lindsey. He is doing tremendously well, but it is only because of God's grace and your prayers. God is good...all the time!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!!!

Six Years Old Today!

My oldest nephew, JC turned six years old today! I can't believe that I have a nephew that is six...for Heaven's sake, it seems like yesterday that I was six years old!

JC is one of the funniest, fun-loving and sweetest kids I know. As you can see, Tanner absolutely adores JC and wants to do everything that he does. JC is definitely the leader of the pack. All the little ones follow him around and imitate everything that he does. I have enjoyed watching him over the last few months as we gathered to see him play baseball, football and go to Kindergarten! He is such a smart who has managed to pick up his Daddy's sense of humor and wit!

I hope that this birthday brings you everything you want and a little more! I love you very much!

Does this outfit make me look fat?

I love "wearing" little Tucker...it keeps my hands free and he enjoys Mama holding him and keeping him close while I run around the house loading the dishwasher, folding laundry and making the beds.


I am just thankful that I don't have to carry around a baby in my belly that weighs as much as he does right now! However, I love looking down and seeing that bald head bobbing around, content...and QUIET!