We all had a wonderful and eventful Holy Week. Kelly in particular has been feeling very well. So thankful for all the prayers, we can really feel them! 

     She had several bad days after her first chemo treatment but rebounded nicely. She has gained much of her appetite back and is in great spirits. She has even been getting outside and exercising most days. My mom is such a blessing as she has completely devoted herself to caring for Kelly. She has developed a schedule of supplements, oils, and making sure she is getting complete cancer fighting nutrition and more. We are also so thankful for friends and family and all the suggestions we've received for her care and healing.

     Last Wednesday we were blessed to have the Mass kit of Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen in Jackson. A Mass was said using the kit and many of St. Mary's parish were able to attend this special occasion.

     There is also an additional Mass that has been added to the weekly schedule on Tuesday nights at 6:30 followed by a rosary for Kelly. We are so humbled by the outpouring of love and support that has been shown by our parish and community. 

     Easter Sunday our whole family was in town. We had such a wonderful day together filled with laughter and lasting memories. The cherry trees were blooming and it was truly a perfect day for Easter; a day filled with new life and hope for the future. 

     Kelly has been enjoying the hats, pajamas, blankets and a prayer shawls that have been gifted to her. She is coping so well with all that the cancer, chemo, new diet and lifestyle changes are throwing at her. 

     She has had so many wonderful visitors in the past few weeks including many friends, family and even our cousins from California made a visit today! We are thankful for each of you and all of your prayers. 

     Kelly's second round of chemo is a week from today, Wednesday April 6th. Please pray that she and we all may continue to persevere in prayer and be strengthened by our faith in our risen Savior in the upcoming weeks. 'Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.' Happy Easter season to all! #PrayersForKelly #KellyKicksCancerintheOvaries #TealTeamKelly

'But my trust is in you, oh Lord;

I say, “You are my God.

In your hands is my destiny...”

Let your face shine upon your servant;

save me in your kindness.

Take courage and be stouthearted,

all you who hope in the Lord.'

- Psalm 31:15-17,25

     Today was Kelly's first day of chemo. I wanted to share last night's reflection from our surrender novena (prayer) we've been doing nightly for Kelly and our family.

•  'You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry, close your eyes and say to me with faith: "Thy will be done, You take care of it." I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset, but close your eyes and say "You take care of it." I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than my loving intervention. By my love, I promise this to you.' Oh Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything.

     It was so fitting that this reflection should fall on the night before Kelly's first chemo treatment. At her appointment (pre-chemo) we learned that her CA-125 (ovarian cancer marker) has already dropped from 8000 to 6070!!! That's a 25% drop since she was diagnosed. This is HUGE news. Her doctor was surprised and thoroughly impressed. The Haelan 951, oils, diet plan, and ESPECIALLY your prayers are already showing such encouraging and positive results! God is so good and we are so happy to have some positive news in all of this.

     Kelly tolerated the chemo well today and we are so thankful! Please pray that she continues to tolerate it well, that her side effects may be minimal, and that it works in conjunction with everything else she is doing.

     Thank you all for your continued support and prayers as #KellyKicksCancerintheOvaries!!! #MiracleinProgress #PrayersforKelly

#TealTeamKelly bracelets courtesy of Sally :)

Chemo room.

Chemo room view of the Nashville skyline.

     This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions as we learned that my sweet sister has stage 4 ovarian cancer. So thankful that most of our family has been able to be here this week for all of the appointments and consults, through the tears and laughter and prayers (and birthday) we've shared together this week. Kelly's entourage has gone everywhere we've been allowed. 

     

     We met a wonderful, caring, compassionate gyn-oncologist, Dr. Numnum, on Wednesday in Nashville and feel fully confident that Kelly is going to receive the best possible care. We also felt God's presence when we discovered our mutual connection. He and his family attend church with our cousin Thomas and his family. Their two daughters are also in the same class and are good friends. We were all blown away with God's goodness at this revelation. We already felt so at peace with him and this was the icing on the cake. 

     Kelly also began taking Haelan 951 on Wednesday. It is a fermented soy based product that has many studies showing its cancer fighting properties. Self described as a frothy brown, putrid, and rancid tasting liquid, Kelly has been a trouper taking it twice daily. To encourage her we all do push-ups for every sip she takes.

     Thursday was a big day and brought fresh tears when Kelly got her hair cut short for the first time since she was little. Of course she is just as beautiful with short hair as long and will be just as stunning without hair. This same day she also got her port inserted and was in loving hands through this as well. She has been so brave and positive through all of these trials and is truly my hero. 

     Yesterday we had many visitors and several from St. Mary's pray over Kelly after saying the rosary. We felt a strong sense of God's presence and strongly believe in God's grace in this year of mercy that He will be with Kelly and heal her from this horrific cancer that afflicts her body. 

     Monday we return to Nashville and Kelly begins chemo on Tuesday bright and early. Her treatment initially will consist of 9 weeks of chemo once every 3 weeks. They will then assess how well the chemo has worked and proceed to surgery to debulk the tumors. This is where we are at currently. 

     Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support for Kelly and our family on this long road ahead! We pray that Kelly's suffering may be offered as an instrument of divine intervention and strength to those who need it most. #PrayersForKelly #KellyKicksCancerInTheOvaries

 Before and after shots.

Part of Kelly's entourage. 

Heading in to get her port.

Sam lecturing to us about cancer diets :)

Kelly taking Haelen 951 and some of her groupies :)

A few of Kelly's cards and flowers. Thank you all!