5 more day!!!

There is not much new to report. James is doing well as they increase his dose everyday. No problems, PRAISE THE LORD! We just have five days until we fly home and we all can't wait. We miss Jon, Joe, and Josh a bunch and we miss our friends. Thank you, everyone, for all your prayers!!!

Monday and Tuesday

Our appointments each day are going quickly, thanks to having already been trained in the past. James is doing very well with each dose increase. He is more tired, more thirsty, and needing to go to the bathroom more - but this is all to be expected on the treatment. His blood work looked great today and he's feeling okay.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to tour the Holocaust Museum after our appointment.





This is a boxcar that was used to transport Jews to the concentration camps. As many as 200 people would be crammed into each car.


This is a fishing boat that was used to smuggle Jews to Sweden

Today, we went on a boat ride of the port of Houston. It is not the most scenic ride, but it was fun to ride on the boat. It was beautiful weather and a perfect day for it.






They had some beautiful mosaic walls. On this one, James is showing you where his tumor is.



All of our trips that we've been taking each day are things I found when googling "Free things to do in Houston." I was surprised at how many fun things there were to do for free. I think having something to do each day (as well as having Aunt B and Johannah here) have made a difference for James. He is doing so much better this time. We are praying that it continues that way!!!

Sunday

We started our day with a trip to the clinic...

....then enjoyed the message from Pastor Butts at Westside Baptist Church.

James and Johannah "crashed" in the afternoon...

...before we headed back for another wonderful service. They have a superb group that plays in their orchestra. I was impressed.

First day of treatment

I wish I could say that today went smoothly, but it didn't.

After meeting all the nurses in the IV room....

....it took all three, many sticks, a boat-load of tears, and a trip to the bathroom for a "let's talk about this" break. The problem is that this port is implanted quite deep and was almost impossible to access. I am certainly not looking forward to it being changed in a week.

First day of treatment.

Aunt Laura never behaves :)



This is the bed that Johannah and I share. It is a blow-up mattress with a small leak somewhere. After a few hours, you just kind of sink in like she is here. With both of us on it, it becomes quite funny. We have woken everyone with laughter in the middle of the night more than once.

Galveston

We had a great day picnicing in Galveston, playing in the water, and finding shells!!!! Tomorrow James should start on treatment. We really appreciate everyone's prayers.

First Appointment

This is what we did on the very first day we ever came to the clinic in 2004....took a picture on this bench.

Then we met up with lots of friends in the waiting room...

...Marilyn, who has been our "phone buddy" for 4 years...

...Catherine, who has been a HUGE help in pulling this trip together....

...and Margaret, who sends us our supplies...and who also LOVES James.

Then James met with all the doctors...

...Dr. Szymkowski first, the doctor that will follow James regularly...

... Dr. Weaver.....

....of course, Mrs. Burzynski, who is best buddies with James

(notice they are the same height now :)....

...and, finally, DR. BURZYNSKI!

Because James is older now, they let him sign his own "assent" form (Mom still signed the consent form). I thought this was so neat, signifying that he has a part in the decision making of his own treatment.

Last night we had the privilege of being a part of Westside Baptist Church. Here is James in the "Patch the Pirate" Club.

No appointments today, so we are headed to Galveston.

Leaving for Houston

We left Charlotte around 11 a.m. today and headed to Houston to start James on the antineoplaston treatment. Greg Cook, a businessman from Illinois, flew us in his private plane from Charlotte to Houston. THANK YOU, MR. COOK!!!




The Raymonds came to see us off. We couldn't ask for better friends!!!

James will have his first appointment in the morning at 9:30 a.m. We appreciate your prayers as he gets started on treatment, that it will go smoothly and he will not be sick.

Love ya all!!!

Heading to Houston

Many things have already gotten into place for our trip to Houston to put James back on the antineoplaston treatment. God has already answered many prayers. We have a pilot that has offered to fly us in his private jet for free. We have several offers for accommodations. The FDA has approved James going back into the clinical trial. But.....there is one more big hurdle to get over. We need a doctor here in Charlotte to agree to care for James once we come home. James' oncologist, Dr. Bryant, is willing but is needing approval from the review board of the hospital...and the review board is needing more info from Houston...and that info has been difficult to get. So, we are asking everyone to pray that it all gets taken care of in time for James to get a central line placed before our departure date of March 15th or 16th - which is the dates the pilot has set aside to fly us.

It has never ceased to amaze me at how much God has done for us and how greatly He loves us.....I'm sure this problem is not different.