When sorrow looks down, FAITH looks UP!
So as you all know Alyssa's tumor grew. Some of you have asked how much. n the last 6 months it has grown a total of 4 mm. So, we are doing an at home treatment of zofran *for nasea* and temadar. I am so proud of her after our first night of hell the second night was pre bliss. Alysssa has made a best friend at school named Aysia. She came over and they took their meds together. They even "cheered" their drinks before hand. God sent the James famiily "back" into our lives...see, when I was single Rodney lived in the same apartments as me and we were friends. And now he and I both have families and our little girls have become fast friends. And so have his wife and I. I can't thank them enough for changing the way our daughter has looked at her illness.
We will be on chemo for an entire year. 5 days of pills, 23 days off 2 weeks after the 5 days blood drawn to check platelets in her bone marrow and white and red blood cells, and 4 weeks after the last pill up to birmingham to see her oncologist to have a full neurologocical exam. So, we only go to b'ham monthly. In that alone, it's a blessing. She only gets "pricked" twice a month. I see God.
We are being put on the EFMP program. For you non military it's the exceptional family member program where the military won't move you while a family member is undergoing a treatment that is needed to sustain life. This is needed.
If the tumor responds, we continue. If it does not meaning it grows, we have other options of chemo, but we feel that we will go ahead and do surgery because unlike others w/her tumor hers IS operable. And, she is now at the aget it is safe.
So, we do thank you for your prayers, we covet them. please continue to do so.
A little update on us. Sis started Kindergarten and loves it. She can write her entire name and her phone number too :) Isaac is in preschool and Gunnar gets mama all to himself :) I was hired at a local jewlerly store and I work on saturdays and special occasions. I'm sure I will love it!! I am also Alyssa's substitute teacher and the art and music director's assistant :) I'm right in my element!!!
Thanks again for all the love and support. We love you all.
IN HIS GRIP!!
THE KEY FAMILY!
With God all things are possible!!
God IS writing OUR life story!
Wow, it's been a long time since my last update and I do appologize. We do not have internet...we are saving money...but I do hope to update more often as Alyssa's tumor has grown, so I would like to keep you updated. Yup, we have started a new treatment, I know we said we would do surgery, but we trust God to tell us and we don't feel he is telling us to...so, we wait. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD! BE STILL!!!!
She did really well yesterday - it was her first treatment of avistan. So far no side effects and she is also taking the temidar with it. Please continue to pray for us...
We decided to pull them out of school and so far homeschooling is fun :) they love being with Mommy and I love seeing them take in the lesson!
We are also making these adorable Angel pins called Sweet Alyssa Angels. We sell them for $14. We donate $7 to Brain Tumor research and we keep the other $7 for us to keep for chemo, gas, food etc. Thanks to Jana Hamilton and her Mother we are doing really well. THANKS GIRLS!!!! I would love to eventually give all the proceeds to research and I believe God will allow that to happen!!!
Yesterday was an exciting day at Childrens! Jay Barker was there signing autographs and the kids were loving it. Alyssa gave him an Angel and she was so touched! He is a great Christian Man...he even wrote Romans 8:28 in his siggy! We were stoked! That is OUR life verse! WOW! Awesome!
Well, we are getting ready for Awana, time for me to go listen to Sparks...just a quick update...you all are so precious. If you'd like to order an Angel, please email me! sweetalyssasangels@gmail.com or text me 334-730-8991
In HIS Grip,
The Key's,
Tony, Erika, Alyssa Leann, Isaac Anthony and Gunnar Matthew
I can do all things through CHRIST who strenghthens me!!! Phil 4:13
LIVE FOR HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO IS HE???????????? JESUS CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe it's 2009!! Wow...how time flies when you are having fun!!!! Alyssa is STILL doing GREAT! We aren't sure when her next MRI is as of yet...I'm sure Dr. Reddy knows, I just haven't asked. We are enjoying time home w/Daddy...he is off right now as there are no classes right now, it's been very nice. Lots of stuff getting done around the house, playing w/the kids, hanging w/friends and just enjoying one another...
Sorry such a short update, but atleast it wasn't months :)
We love you and are so blessed to have you on our prayer team!!!
GOD IS WRITING OUR LIFE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In HIS Grip,
The Key Family