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