A PRAYER PLEA FROM MADDIE'S PARENTS

Friends and Family- Well we hoped to have Maddie's counts back up on Monday (28 Jan), but after having her blood checked Monday morning at the clinic we found out her white blood count was low along with her ANC. Maddie is neutropenic and the High Dose Methotrexate chemo is postponed until her counts come up. Maddie had a bone marrow aspiration and the initial results showed that she was still in remission and that her marrow was still very early in it’s recovery phase. Although we were hoping her marrow was recovering on schedule we are thankful she is still in remission. We returned home after the tests and surgery on Monday, and around 10 PM Maddie spiked a fever of 101.7 deg. Maddie was rushed to the hospital by her mom and Bea. She was immediately hooked up to two different IV antibiotics. Within a few hours her fever dropped and she was still in good spirits. Throughout this whole ordeal Maddie has been smiling and playing... simply amazing strength of our little girl! This was also the same time we were tapering and phasing out 21 days of prednisone, a drug that had her constantly eating and cutting her sleep schedule drastically. We are definitely not fans of the prednisone, but it is a necessary part of her chemo. The nights have started to get a little better, allowing Maddie and her mom to get some sleep. Maddie is in the hospital now and will continue to get the antibiotics until her counts return. After the blood counts do return we will possibly be able to take Maddie home in Charlotte for a day and then we will go back to the hospital for her next round of High Dose Methotrexate. It is always scary giving her these powerful and terribly toxic drugs, but we are trying to stay strong with her and keep her on the protocol. Please keep up all the prayers, Maddie will need them to get her counts up and go into this next round of chemo. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to add Madeline to their prayer lists and have been tracking her progress as she fights to get better.

Love, Liz, Madeline, and Brandon

MADDIE

What an awesome smile!

You would never know that she is so ill and going through such an ordeal.
Her Christmas at the hospital.
I know that smile and amazing disposition is a blessing to her parents
Please remember this precious angel and her parents in your daily prayers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNN

Hope you and Dominic enjoy that chocolate cake!

ZACH UPDATE

He had a cool cammy cast but he was more than ready for it to go. This was actually my first broken bone. Pretty good for six boys and more than 20 years of motherhood. We have had 2 surgeries for Marty, 2 for Elijah and now 1 for Zach.
That nasty yellow scaley looking stuff is his skin. Notice how long his pinky nail had gotten.
His left wrist was a bit smaller than the right one now.

"Take my little hand."
Zach sportin a really cool pinky ring.
The pins came out very easily and with little pain. Now he will have physical therapy to get back strength and mobility.

A CAMP LEJEUNE VISITOR

Les, with Lejeune Fish and Wildlife, found this baby seal during his daily tour of the beach at Camp Lejeune yesterday morning.

He was just resting and sunning himself.

He was checked out by Les and found to be in good health.

After checking him out he got some pictures of this sunbathing baby. Les has the coolest job! Notice he is posing for the camera.
Thanks for the pictures Janine and Debbie!

CHRISTMAS WITH NICK & ZACH

Elijah's car after he decided to drive on a dirt road after it had rained. He got stuck and had to get pulled out by a nice man with a truck.

MY TRIP TO RALEIGH

Left to right, Susan, Erica, Me, Sequoia and LeChelle. We had such fun!

MY NEPHEW MIKE

Mike is currenty in boot camp in Georgia but the Army gives them a two week break for Christmas. I know, break, what break, that is unheard of for Marines. But I am really glad he got this time with our family. He has had a very difficult life and this is his opportunity to do something to better himself. I am very proud of his determination especially given the difficulties he faced throughout his life. I always thought he was a remarkable young man who deserved better.
Isn't he handsome!

He will be going to Iraq some time this year which terrifies me so hopefully Jim and I will make his graduation in February. Thanks for the pictures Robin.

We love you Mike and are very proud of you!

DANIEL & ASHTON'S CHRISTMAS

Daniel's piano recital. He looks like he enjoys performing.
The little princess.
Cool racetrack! I am sure Dad enjoyed it as well.
Shoes fit for a princess, a throne and septor too. Look out now guys because every princess needs servants to order around.
Awesome, Gabe and Caleb got Bumblebee as well, along with several others.

How cute! This shaving kit is much more fun than the real ones. He will be shaving for real soon enough.
Ahhh, My Little Pony.
How sweet!
It looks like they had a great Christmas.
We love you and miss you!

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