Friday, December 16, 2005

16 Dec 2005

Cheryl is home. She came home Thurs. evening. We are administering intraveinous anti-biotics at home to clear up the bacterial infection found in her blood. It has to be done twice a day, it isn't difficult and gets Cheryl home. No word yet on the bone marrow biopsy, or on the stem cell donor match. Keep praying the marrow is cancer free and one of my siblings will be a match.

Thenks,
The Cummins

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

14 Dec 2005

To All,

On Tuesday 13 December, while at home recovering, Cheryl's temperature spiked and we had to take her back to Madison. We were to travel there on Friday for testing and another Bone Marrow Biopsy. As such, they took this opportunity to perform all the testing on Tuesday and not make us come back on Friday. Once they completed the blood draws, X-Ray's and Bone Marrow Biopsy on Tuesday they sent us home and said they would contact us with any results. Note - the X-Ray's showed a dramatic improvement on the Pneumonia - very good news.

On Wednesday, 14 December, the doctor called and had me bring Cheryl back to be admitted into the hospital, due to the fact that she has an infection in her blood. They were able to identify it and the only antibiotic they could administer was via Intra-veineous (IV). They will keep her for the next 36 - 48 hours to stableize, then send her home. Once home, Home Health will come and teach me how to hook up this same IV solution / antibiotic and will allow her to recover from home. No news as yet, on her Bone Marrow biopsy.

Her room phone number is 608-###-####. I am certain that she could use a friendly call to pick her up, as she is currently at the hospital alone. I needed to come back to work to get some urgent business taken care of.

Regards and God Bless

Gene, Cheryl and Family

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

6 Dec 2005

To All,

Praise GOD!!!! Cheryl is coming home today. Once again her body has started producing it's own White / Red blood cells and platelets, sufficient for the doctors to release her and allow her to complete recovery at home. Needless to say, I and the kids are ecstatic.

She also is going home with Pneumonia, but the Doctors believe she will be able to recover better from home...they are sending her home with antibiotics. She will be happy to have visitors, but please note that if you have been sick or think you might be sick please wait until you are fully recovered. As you would expect, Cheryl is still very vulnerable to other illness's.

Her sister is graciously coming back on Friday 9, Dec 05 until Tuesday 13 Dec 05 to assist.

Cheryl has another Doctors appointment set for Friday 16, Dec 05, where they will do another Bone Marrow Biopsy. Please pray that this Biopsy result will be a total remission of the cancer.

We will not know what the next step is until after this Biopsy. They have started testing her brothers and sisters to see if they are a match for the Stem Cell transplant. Please pray that one or more will be a perfect match.

Thanks to all of you who continue to support us through Prayers, Cards, Phone Calls, Meals, Transportation and gifts. Your generosity and unselfish gifts have been greatly appreciated.

Love in Christ

Gene, Cheryl and Family

Wednesday, November 30, 2005

30 Nov 2005

To All,

Well, Cheryl and the rest of the family survived Thanksgiving and the fact that Gene and Emily cooked the Bird. It was real nice having Cheryl home, she came home on 23 Nov 05 as soon as she finished with round two of her Chemotherapy. On Friday, 25 Nov 05, she was able to see the Dress Rehersal of the Nutcracker Ballet performance that Emily and Michael were in. Normally this is a closed rehersal, but due to her circumstances, the dance company made an exception, Cheryl had the whole theater of seats to choose from (this really boosted her moral).

On Friday Cheryl also started giving herself injections of growth factor, used to stimulate bone marrow growth. This injection has made her bones and joints hurt, which is what we were told would happen.

Monday, 28 Nov 05, I took Cheryl to her scheduled Clinic / Doctor visit where she received three units of blood and one of plattlets, then we came home. On Tuesday, 29 Nov 05, around noon Cheryl's temperature spiked to where she had to call in to the Doctor. They then had me bring her back up right away. She is now admitted into the hospital where the Doctor is working to reduce her fever, increase her White / Red blood cells and Plattlets.

Currently, her platttlets are only about 9% of the lowest acceptable level and her White blood cells are only about 2% of the lowest acceptable level. She has recieved another 2 units of blood and 4 units of platelets as of admission. At the present time, we are uncertain of how long she will be in her.

We would like to thank our CHURCH Family for all the wonderful support we have recieved, you all are so generous and wonderful. Many are praying daily for Cheryl, the kids and me and we feel Gods blessings. In addition, we had several people call and offer their time and vehicles to shuttle Cheryl to her clinic visits, as of now that is on hold, but we will be back in touch with you. Also, many of you have provided food, cards and other motivating support.

We would also like to thank those of you not in the Church, but part of our Family and Freinds that have continued to support us with meals, cards, rides for the Kids to various functions and your prayers. All these things are coveted and warmly recieved.

Right now I would ask that you continue to pray that God will allow Cheryl to get well enough to come home and eventually be cured of this cancer.

I will be sending out updates (shorter in the future).

May God bless each and everyone of you in a special way

Love in Christ

Gene & Cheryl

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

22 Nov 2005

To All,


Well, the past week has been a bit rough for Cheryl. However, the prayer and kindness of those around us has made a significant difference in our morale. THANKYOU one and ALL!!!

Cheryl will be finishing up round two of Chemotheropy around noon on Wednesday and Michael and I will rescue this damsel in destress and wisk her off to our sanctuary in South Beloit. She will be home for Thanksgiving, HurraH!! Oh, will she be in for a surprise as Emily and I are going to cook the Turkey Dinner. This will definatly be a holiday to remember.

Well, back to the update regarding Cheryl, assuming she survives mine and Emily's cooking, the future is as yet unsure, we know the following:

1. She will no longer be able to donate her own stem cells

2. They will look to donors with-in her brothers and sisters (bountiful harvest - 5 total - thank God!!)

3. She will need to go Madison two maybe three days a week for the next 2 or 3 weeks for bloodwork....and possibly more.

4. The next seven to ten days following thanksgiving will be a time she needs to be careful about visitors and if / when she goes out. This will be a time when her imune system will be at it's lowest.

Many of you have been helping us through prayer, acts and kindly and timely gifts. Many of you are still asking what we need and how you can help. I promised you I would let you know and now here is a way if you have the time;

As pointed out in item three above, Cheryl needs to make two or more trips to Madison during the week for follow ups, such as lab work, blood samples ect. There is a possibility these days could end up being rather long, especially if they decide she needs to be given blood packs, plattelets ect, some of this must happen on the spot, some may be scheduled for the next day.

I need to get back to work as such, we are looking to see if anyone has the time to drive Cheryl up to Madison for her appointments. We don't have a set schedule yet and some of these may end up as last minute appointments, but anyone who could assist us in driving her up, we would be very greatful. (Of course you would drive our car and we would pay for the Gas).

If you belive you could help us please let us know via this e-mail or by calling us after Thanksgiving at our home number of 815-624-0572.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support through this long process, we intend to stay the course and look to GOD as our strength in these times.

Love in Christ

Gene, Cheryl, Emily and Michael Cummins

Thursday, November 17, 2005

17 Nov 2005

To All,

Cheryl went back in for a check-up with the Doctor on Tuesday. The good news is that her White Blood Cell, Red Blood Cell and Plattlet counts were better than the Doctor was hoping for. While she was there they also did another Bone Marrow Biopsy. This takes approximatly 24-48 hours to get the results back. When she left the hospital 1 1/2 weeks ago, the Biopsy came out clean.

However, we got a call from the Doctor tonight and her Bone Marrow again showed growing cancer cells over 10%. Needless to say, we are headed back to the hospital on Friday to start the Chemotherapy treatment again. We will keep you posted.

Please continue to pray for healing.

Faith in Christ

Gene & Cheryl

Sunday, November 6, 2005

6 Nov 2005

To All,

Praise GOD!!!! Cheryl is coming home today. Once again her body has started producing it's own White / Red blood cells and platelets, sufficient for the doctors to release her and allow her to complete recovery at home. Needless to say, I and the kids are ecstatic.

She also is going home with Pneumonia, but the Doctors believe she will be able to recover better from home...they are sending her home with antibiotics. She will be happy to have visitors, but please note that if you have been sick or think you might be sick please wait until you are fully recovered. As you would expect, Cheryl is still very vulnerable to other illness's.

Her sister is graciously coming back on Friday 9, Dec 05 until Tuesday 13 Dec 05 to assist.

Cheryl has another Doctors appointment set for Friday 16, Dec 05, where they will do another Bone Marrow Biopsy. Please pray that this Biopsy result will be a total remission of the cancer.

We will not know what the next step is until after this Biopsy. They have started testing her brothers and sisters to see if they are a match for the Stem Cell transplant. Please pray that one or more will be a perfect match.

Thanks to all of you who continue to support us through Prayers, Cards, Phone Calls, Meals, Transportation and gifts. Your generosity and unselfish gifts have been greatly appreciated.

Love in Christ

Gene, Cheryl and Family

Thursday, November 3, 2005

3 Nov 2005

To All,

We are rejoicing today.....Cheryl will get to go home on Saturday 5 NOV 05!!!!!!!

Her white blood cells are high enough that she can rest and rebuild at home now, preparing for round two of her Chemotherapy.

I missed the Doctor this morning, but according to Cheryl the doctor is going to send her home for approximatly 2 weeks to rebuild her health. (please note there are no hard and fast dates for any of this as it will depend on her body and healing).

After her body rebuilds to a certain level then they will bring her back in for round two of three of Chemotherapy (the last two are more potent than the first one).

We are all very excited to have her back home, even if it is for a short time.

Cheryl had lost enough of her hair that she allowed them to shave what was remaining off today. It is a very strange feeling for her.

I will tell you more as soon as we know more.

Love in Christ

Gene & Cheryl

Sunday, October 30, 2005

30 Oct 2005

To All,

Praise GOD!!! Cheryl's fever has finally broken and her temperature is back to normal.

It was a very rough night for Cheryl, around 2am she was in great pain and short of breath, higher fever peaking over 103. The only way she was able to stand the pain was to sit up on the edge of her bed with her head resting on the hospital tray/stand. This is how I found her when I arrived at 1PM today.

The doctors and the nurses were working her over trying to isolate the issue and around 4pm finally figured out the cause. She has a virus on her heart, where the tissue on her heart is inflamed and thus fluids built up in the sack around her heart, Pericarditis is the proper medical term. They gave her some more medicines for this plus something to kill the pain (morphine), and about two hours later her fever broke.

She is still having trouble breathing, they put her on oxygen as her intake was very low. They also gave her more blood products today, platelets and blood.

She is very weak, physically, but her spirit is very strong.

Thank you for all your prayers regarding her fever. God has answered the prayers of the faithful.

Much Love and Thanks

Gene & Cheryl

Saturday, October 29, 2005

29 Oct 2005

To All,

We were blessed Thursday by a visit from Pastor Bob and Pat (Senior Pastor from our church). It was great to have them share and pray with and for us.

The hospital nurses are starting to get jealous of Cheryl and all the mail she is getting here at the hospital. Some of them say she gets more mail in one day than they get in a year. The cards and notes of inspiration are wonderful. Thank you for the shower of encouragment.

We ask now that you would focus your prayers on the following issues for Cheryl and the Cummins family in general:

1. Cheryl has never lost her fever and in fact it spikes up and down all the time. The staff haven't figured out what the cause is and/or the correct treatment to stop it.

2. She has developed some type of red / pink rash on her head and upper body that is painful and spreading. They are not certain what is the cause and are trying to find a cure for this as well.

3. Her blood has yet to start rebuilding on it's own and they are still giving her whole blood and plattelets. They have started her on a growth factor called - Sargramostim - which is supposed to help this. Please pray that it does.

4. Our relationship with our children. They are struggling to see our love for them as Gene is focusing most of his attention on attending Cheryl's side. We are fortunate to have Cheryl's parents here now (they follow on after a visit by her sister). They plan to stay for a while and it is a great help.

Thank you for your continued prayer, cards, phone calls, words of encouragement and more.

Love in Christ

Gene and Cheryl

Thursday, October 27, 2005

27 Oct 2005

To All,

Cheryl has been receiving many wonderful cards and today she had visits from four ladies from church and three ladies from the dance company. Thank you all so much.

Update:

They completed the testing from her second bone marrow biopsy, subsequent to the chemotherapy, and determined that it appears clean (which means her cancer is now in remission). End of phase I and begining of Phase II.

Praise God!!!!

They will now give her stimulants to start building her health up by increasing: White blood cells, red blood cells and platelettes. Once these reach an acceptable level, they will discharge her for a period of time to recoup and rebuild from home.

Once she has reach a certain point (yet to be defined) she will come back to the hospital for the Stem Cell transplant, which, God willing, will be a cure and not just remission. This is Phase III. In this phase she will go through one possibly two more treatements of Chemotherapy.

At the present time she is very weak, but the visits help cheer her up.

If you are thinking of coming to visit her, please check to make sure you are not sick or haven't been and please limit your visits to approx. 1/2 hour, God is still working on restoring her health.

Even I was quarantined from seeing her for two days while I got over a sinus infection and now I must wear a mask to see her.

Again, thank you for all the cards and gifts.

Regards

Gene & Cheryl Cummins

Monday, October 24, 2005

24 Oct 2005

To All,

Cheryl finished the last of the Chemotherapy at 2025 on Saturday 22 OCT. She has been very weak and her immune system is non-existent. They didn't perform the Bone Marrow Biopsy today, they are planning on doing it on Wednesday. We will not have the results until around Friday.

Sunday night was a bit rough for her, her temperature spiked and she has an infection. as of 1644 Monday 24 OCT they had pumped approximatly 4 units of blood into her as her blood preasure is very low.

Just and FYI:

If the bone Marrow Biopsy is good then she will move to phase II - rebuilding her immune and blood systems. Part of phase III is the stem cell transplant which she has been approved for. In phase III they will harvest some of her stem cells for the transplant, re-administer a heavier dose of Chemotherapy than the first time and then proceed with the transplant.

If her bone marrow biopsy isn't clear then they will repeat phase I; 7 more days of chemotherapy then on to phase II.

As of now, 2007 Monday 24 OCT, she is carrying a low grade fever and has eaten something of her last two meals. She is still very tired.

You should see her room, it has cards from lots of people pinned/ taped and/or standing all over. She has a whole wall of childrens cards from Awana and she just got a bunch from the 2nd & 3rd grade Sunday School students, not to mention all those from freinds and family. What a joy it brings to Cheryl and really all of the family.

The whole church body, my work and Emily's dance school have reached out to help us and it is wonderful.

Even the church youth group, gave us gas cards and McDonald coupons for our travels (I promise to pay these back if we win the McDonalds Monopoly).

We welcome visitors. However, if you are sick or just getting over being sick, please wait to come see her until you are completly healed.

Will write more as we know more. Please keep the prayers going that will be the strongest tool to Cheryl's healing.

Regards

Gene

Thursday, October 20, 2005

20 Oct 2005

Hello all,
Gene built this list so I am not sure who all "made the list" If you want to be left off the list just e-mail and I'll have Gene take your name off.

It is day 4 of the chemo thereapy, all that means is that bag number 4 has been started as an iv I have three more. After the 7 have run their course then I will have another bone morrow biopsy-yes they are extremely painful, but now being clued in about the drugs, I will definately be sedated for the next one. The Dr. said the biopsy on Mon the 24th, tested to see that it is clear of anything, leukemia, blood cells etc. The Chemo isn't smart just strong, it kills the good with the bad. Depending what the biopsy shows I may be in for another 7 day Chemo, or they will begin building up my own blood cells. It is truly a wait and see story.

Meanwhile i am feeling well, I actually feel better than I had before I came in here-go figure they are pumping my body with poision and i feel better. I need to rest at night better, although I did rest well last night. I am tired this morning and had a little feeling of nausea, but the medicine took care of that.

I don't have much of an appetite, but maybe that will change when Sandy bings the See's candy.

The kids are doing as well as can be expected. They want to be up here more,and still maintain their regular schedules, which is wise, but with it being an hour drive Gene doesn't want to bring than up stay awhile and run them back home so they can get to dance. We will have to figure something out.

I was fitted for a wig for when I lose my hair, haven't lost a significant amount yet. I don't know what is wrong this place thaty had no Ronald McDonald wigs so I had to settle for something different. Hope it's as cute as a Ronnie wig.


Well, I am going to try to get this sent. I am not too great with the computer but see how this goes


Love,
Cheri