I haven’t been posting any Raven Updates lately because I haven’t been receiving any. Unfortunately I am only a “step-grandmother.” Since I have chosen to separate from her “blood” grandfather, I am reminded of my place in the “family scheme.” And, furthermore, since there is no chance of “reconciliation” with aforementioned grandfather, I am pushed even further out of the loop. I don’t want to sound bitter or resentful, because I am not. (Don’t get me started on the pain and heartache that I am feeling, though.) I am thankful that I was able to be there for them through the toughest part. I am thankful that Raven is on the road to recovery as of the last time that we spoke. My main focus is, and has always been, those kids. (She has a 4 year old brother.) Therefore, I don’t want to start whining now. I thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers through her ordeal. Again, this was proof that prayer works. I continue to pray for them, and hope that their mother is able to continue supporting them. as well as herself. Needless to say, I will update again if I get a knock on the door or a call on the phone…

From Wednesday… sorry for the delay. My PC is in the shop.

I just spoke with Rose this morning… Raven had been in the hospitall all last week due to fever and some back pain that they were afraid might have been an infection. Apparently she was just having another rough week, as she was sent home on Friday. When she was at the doctor’s on Monday, her counts were the best they had been since this all started back in September and she did not even have to have her typical shots. She will be going to a summer camp on June 24th; it is called Sunshine Camp, and is for kids with cancer. Rose said that she is terribly excited about this. They ran in to a rough spot, though, trying to find her a bathing suit… she is so terribly skinny, yet tall in her body. They finally found one yesterday, so all is right with their world. She will be having surgery in July to remove the feeding tube, main port and to close the trachea hole – all of which have been postponed from previous appointments for various reasons. That will be followed up by one final chemo treatment – a 2 day ordeal. She has not had much of an appetite this week, but seems to be doing fairly well. Thank you all again for continued thoughts and prayers.

Kelli

This week was a 2-day Chemo treatment for Raven. She wound up having to have a blood transfusion yesterday due to her hemoglobin counts being so low. I told her that she should feel like a whole new person now! They also consulted a nutritionist yesterday, who will be prescribing an appetite stimulant for her, as well as trying to retrain her body to remember to be hungry. (She is now 55lbs… ideal weight should be 70lbs.) She is also having trouble with the hole in her throat from the trachea. It seems that the chemo treatments are refusing to let it heal. They will be operating on it on May 10th to close the hole. (Her mom says that Ray has been whistling at her through the hole when she gets mad at her… ) She has only 2 more treatments remaining; a 5 day treatment in 3 weeks, then her final 2 day treatment 3 weeks after that. She will be going back to school for the rest of this week, which she is terribly excited about. Again, thanks for the continued support from everyone… it has done my soul a lot of good!

It is at the PC hospital getting its innards reworked. (My IT guys house)

Trivia and personal stuff will continue after this short (I hope) break.

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Raven started her 5 days of chemo this week. Thankfully, her counts were back up, so she did NOT need to have a blood transfusion this time!!! After this week, she will have 4 remaining treatments, only 1 of which will be another 5 day treatment!!! Rose said that she started feeling much better over the past weekend, which means that her counts apparently came up in the nick of time! The tumor itself has shrunk significantly; enough so that the doctor was even surprised. She will be finished with her chemo treatments before the end of the school year. Speaking of which, Raven took her CRCT’s last week and scored a 76, which means that she will pass into the 3rd grade. Her teacher told Rose that she had nothing to worry about; with the amount of time that Raven was out of school and still managed to score a “C” on the tests… she’s doing just fine!

Thanks for thoughts and prayers,

Kelli

It is time once again to thank all of you for your prayers for Raven, her mom Rose and for Kelli. They wanted me to thank you for all the prayers you have so freely given them in the last weeks while Raven has undergone radical radiation and chemotherapy treatments. I could say the words, but I truly believe that Kelli said it best herself:

Checked the site once I got here… I am absolutely overwhelmed! You know (I’m sure) how much I truly appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers. I am amazed at how far away they are coming from, too! PLEASE stress to everyone (if possible) that their sentiments have been a factor in my ability to cope with all of this; it reminds me just how blessed I truly am. I haven’t

really

been overwhelmed yet, but there have been quite a few times that everything has gotten to me a bit. The support that we have gotten from people that we don’t even know brings me to my knees. We’re gonna be okay!!! Hell, better than ever!!!!

Love You!!!!

Kelli

With that said I need to once again ask for your prayers for another young man going through his own radiation treatments. His name is Sean and he is a friend of Sophmom’s son. You can find her post here: Search, Hope and Sadness.

While we are adding folks to the circle, please let me add Miss Vickie who is always reaching out to folks for others and never for herself. She now is undergoing treatment for her own ailment: Missy, Vickie’s term for MLS. This loving person really could use the power of prayer to a quick recovery and an easy time during her treatments. We love you Vickie!

Prayers do work… All you have to do is try.

We had a rough night last night… Ray came close to having to spend the night in the hospital. Apparently her blood pressure was too low to receive one of her shots, but they were able to moderate her and released her around 7:00 pm. Her chemo doctor has changed her pain meds to liquid dilaudid and liquid morphine. She is really having a hard time keeping her spirits up, even though she is so close to being through. (Her last radiation treatment is next Wednesday, 2/07/07, and only 7 chemo treatments to go…) She is very frustrated, tired and VERY hungry. She is tired of being poked and prodded and plugged up. She cries a lot now, and so does her mom, Rose.

Please continue thoughts and prayers… we can sure use them now more than ever.

Kelli

Well, we’ve got 7 more radiation treatments to go. She will still have chemo, though, but I am not sure for how long. Her weight has dropped to 54 lbs. (ideal is 71lbs.); her mouth sores are still hindering food consumption; the pain medicine she was on wasn’t cutting it, so they gave her something new yesterday (I can’t remember what the heck it is!). She did try to eat some mac and cheese last night, though. She is able to eat ice cream and shakes – anything cold. She wasn’t able to go to school at all last week. All of this has really taken it’s toll on her and it shows now… but she hasn’t let it beat her down. I’m sure once we get past this, she will bounce back to a new and improved Ray! (That’s what I’m praying for.)

Kelli

Raven came home Saturday; her fever finally leveled out, and her doctors were satisfied with her counts, etc… So now everything is back to “status quo.” (That’s the closest we can get to “normal” for now…) She’s going to be staying with her dad this week, along with her brother, so that (her mom) can get a week’s worth of work in.

Raven seemed to be doing pretty well when I saw her Saturday – just worn out. The hospital stay was good for her, though, allowing her to regain some much-needed rest and fluids.

Until next time…
Kelli

Raven had 4 days of chemo and 3 days of radiation last week; 5 days of radiation this week. She still seems to be handling it all very well. The main problem she has for now is mouth sores (a side-effect of the radiation).

Christmas was ridiculous, for Raven AND Gage! Thanks to multiple donations, and what little I was able to add, they were opening presents for days!

(Yes, I know that’s not what is important, but it was important to me this year!)

New Years was very calm. The kids and I rented some movies and stayed at home!

We all had a lot to be grateful for, but I cannot express how happy I was to flip the calendar to 2007…

Kelli

Raven started radiation this past Monday. She seems to be doing okay so far; they said the first week or two would be okay, but she may start experiencing side-effects after that.

Raven also has to have a shot every day that supposedly is to preserve her taste buds (one of the side-effects of radiation is that it damages the taste buds). Raven said that shot is quite painful. She is still continuing the chemo on top of the radiation; this week was the 2-day treatment, the next being a 5-day treatment in three weeks.

Until the next update, Merry Christmas to all of you, and thank you all so much for your support and prayers.

Love, Kelli