Friday we went to the clinic for chemo day. Donnie is up to 173 pounds, so he is still gaining weight, which is a positive. Also his color continues to improve, and his stamina is improving little by little. His white cell count, red cell count, and platelets were quite low, so one of his chemo medications called Abraxane was not given to him. He did receive his chemo medication called Gemzar (and his 3 IV pre-medications before chemo).
There was another snafu with his tumor markers (this time his blood was not picked up by the courier to be taken to the hospital for testing), so we still do not have any results. They drew his blood to test for it again. This is the 3rd attempt. Sigh. We should have results this Thursday. Also, Thursday, he will have blood drawn again to be sure his blood counts are improving.
So, this completes his 3rd round of chemo. We are thankful that he is on a break from chemo over the Easter holidays. He will have a little more energy to sing on Easter for our Lord, and he will be able to enjoy our family festivities that afternoon at our home. Very, very special memories for all of us!
On Friday, Jeff (son) and Kaia (grandchild or grandprincess/mermaid) came to visit Pa (Donnie) and MiMi (Tina). Kaia is crazy about Pa, and Pa is crazy about her! They have a very silly and special relationship 🙂
This morning (Saturday), Donnie and Jeff went to Shoot Straight for a “shooting fix” with about 8 or 9 of Donnie’s “gun enthusiast” friends from the Florida Hospital Altamonte ICU (where he worked 5 years ago).
Donnie really enjoyed himself, and I was told there were lots of amazing weapons to check out and shoot all around!
He got home around 2 pm, and was DONE. He ate a quick lunch and went to bed. I will probably see him again on Sunday morning. He is glad that he can enjoy some different activities occasionally that he loves doing. He is thankful for great friends that made this day happen! Thanks Tim and Colleen!!
We will let you know how his lab results look on Thursday. We continue to thank God for His blessings on Donnie, almost too many to count: Donnie’s continued physical improvement, his ability to enjoy life again in small spurts, and the precious time he has with all of us, only to name a few.
Please continue to pray for strength, improving blood counts, and complete healing if it be God’s will. We both thank you for your undying prayers on our behalf. God has been gracious. We love you and appreciate you all!!
Love, Donnie & Tina
8 replies on “Bang! Bang! Shoot ’em up!!!”
So glad to hear that you’re enjoyimg yourself! Praying for continued improvement. Love You!
I’m not going to say I’m jealous that I didn’t get to go, but… Oh well, I guess I just said it!! LOL!
I think I heard that the smell of gunpowder is very therapeutic for males…
It is God’s will for my brother to be a survivor and a testimony to others.
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Gal 3:13
We have been redeemed from all sickness. Cancer is a curse and it is of the enemy…. it is NOT of God!
We continue to pray for Donnie and thank God daily for the continued healing He is doing in his body.
Thank YOU God for your AWESOMENESS! We know everyday is a Miracle from God!
The enemy has to take his hands off my brother in the Name of Jesus! He hung on the cross and put an end to the curse.
I will stop preaching now. 🙂 …..I get so passionate because I love my brother so!
I know he has a lot of wonderful people in his life and I thank God for each of you and the blessings you bring to my brother and his family. You all are so awesome! The love you share and express is beyond words… Love is a the key ingredient 🙂 Blessing to each of you!
Donnie, you are amazing! Tina, you are a pillar of strength!
Brother, we look forward to hearing you sing on Easter…..:-) We will be there with bells on our toes 🙂
Love you both!
Sis
Happy that he was able to finally go shoot. Still praying.
Such wonderful news. We are praying for Donnie’s continued improvement. So glad he got to go to Shoot Straight with friends, I know that made his day. Also thankful for his break from Chemo over the Easter holiday. God Bless you both, you really are an inspiration. We continue to pray for a complete recovery.
praise God that you were able to do all these fun things Donnie ..You certainly have fantastic friends and family…keep on enjoying them donnie God’s got his hand on you…god bless you and Tina. you’re in my daily prayers. thank you Lord for taking care of this beautiful couple…they mean so much to a lot of us…thank you for family and friends..god bless you both! love you Linda
I am so glad to hear that Donnie is able to participate in some normal activities. Prayers continue for both of you as you travel through this time. We serve an awesome and amazing God
So thankful he’ll have Easter weekend off from Chemo. Looking so forward to his singing! Love you guys.
Tommy & Suzie