December 26

Hallelujah! We are home! Got home Wed. About 11:30. Spending Christmas at home is completely awesome! Watching Erin get out and play for the first time in years has thrilled mike, Casey, and me beyond words. There aren't words to express the pleasure it gives us to see her once again enjoy herself thank you, Lord, for your immeasurable blessings this Christmas season!

December 5

Went to Abigail Davis' birthday party today & to church this morning. Happy 9th Birthday, Abigail! We love you! Abigail had her party at the church, so we bowled & played games & had chocolate chip cookie cake Yum! I'm doing great; it's the first time I bowled with my new lungs. It was AMAZING, but I still just throw the ball down the alley. LOL! Mr. Clark wore puppy ears cause Abigail had a puppy theme. Mommy put up the Christmas tree today, & we hunted Chrimstmas decorations all day long yesterday. WHEW! we were tired last night. We went & saw the new Harry Potter movie when we were home last week, and I got to see my puppy & kitty!!!!

Thanksgiving Day 2010

Got to go home for Thanksgiving!!!!! Biopsy turned out great; no sign of rejection! Praise God! Trying to get my prograf levels worked out, so I have to be back in Houston Monday morning for labs & clinic. I am HOME for Thanksgiving! Saw my family today: Both sets of grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins, even my great aunt & great uncle & my mimi! 21 people were at my house today for dinner-WONDERFUL! Hanging out with Casey & Camille today. I ate a lot of good food today! We decorated the Bradford pear tree out front today with lights for Christmas! I am going shopping for a new bedroom suite tomorrow and a new set of mattresses. So glad to be home with my family & puppy & kitty! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

November 17

Erin had surgery yesterday. Drs did a bronchoscopy to check out her new lungs & biopsy them. He said they looked great, and we are just waiting on word from the biopsy to be sure no signs of rejection, but we are already praising God in advance for all of the wonderful things he has done & will do! She also had her Gtube & port removed; she was sorry to see them go because they were wonderful while she had them. We sooooo did not want to get either one, but when we did, they were both very useful and appreciated. She has a Ph probe in now to measure acid reflux, and that will come out tonight. Mike & Casey drove home last night. We stayed in the hospital 8 1/2 hours yesterday! Whew! Long day! Longer day for Mike & Casey! Erin is feeling great! Erin has clinic Monday, and depending on her lung function Monday, dr will decide whether we get to home for Thanksgiving or not. Believing God!

November 12

Erin is doing great! She has a little tendonitis (we think) in her ankle, so that has slowed her down a little bit. She is scheduled for her 6 week bronchoscopy Tuesday; the doctors will check for any sign of rejection & take a biopsy. They will also remove her port & possibly her Gtube. We are looking forward to seeing our Casey & Mike this weekend. We got to visit with our dog Buddy last weekend. Erin & I were both ecstatic! Depending on the results of the bronchoscopy, we may get to go home for Thanksgiving.

November 4

Well, Erin is 4 weeks & 4 days out, and she blew 61 today! WOW! She's NEVER blown 61 in her entire life. The highest Mike & I ever remember her blowing before is 42. She is feeling wonderful! She went trick or treating; she's walked around the Galleria. We are so grateful to God for all of his blessings. We are believing that he is blessing these new lungs & our family every day. It's turned cold here in Houston. Seems like we've almost come full circle cause we got here to Houston when it was cold last year. We went to Beth Moore's Bible study the other night, and Ms. Beth hugged Erin & told everyone she had a transplant. We thought that was super cool! We are very grateful to everyone who is participating in the 5kWalk/Run Saturday. Thanks to all! Looking forward to seeing our Mike & Casey this weekend; we so miss them. Hopefully we will be home right around Christmas!

Back to the Apartment!

Well, Erin got out of the hospital Wednesday, and she's feeling great! Mike & I are exhausted! We took her to Texas Roadhouse Wed. night to celebrate, and yesterday was spent at hospital doing labs, pfts, clinic visit & pt. She blew a 50!!!! She's NEVER blown a 50 in her entire life. It was Awesome! There is a pic of her smile on facebook. WE then drove out to Katy to find Mike some shoes. The doctor said she could do whatever she wanted. This morning she had a bronchoscopy, and she had some fluid between the chest wall & her lungs, and she had some mucuous in her lungs. Now, she's on a breathing treatment and another med. She slept most of the day after the bronch. Wishing we could see our Casey perform at the game tonight. We love her & miss her very much! Monday Erin will have labs, Xray, clinic visit, surgical follow up (to check on stitches), and pt. A full day!!

Columbus Day

Erin is in a regular room on the 14th floor at Texas Children's. All tubes are out; epidural is out; no oxygen. She is looking great with a pink complexion and red cheeks. She walked down the hall 3 times yesterday. She will maybe get out of the hospital to go back to apartment Wednesday. Probably could have gone back to apartment today, but today's a holiday, and we are waiting on meds to come by mail from Waynesboro. That's fine with us; we are in no hurry! Had LOTS of company this weekend: Aunt Caroline, Donna & Mike Stevens, Judy, Leroy & Pax Luke, Dale & Teresa McKee, Robert & Nicole Cooley. It was GREAT to see everyone. Thanks, you guys, for taking time out of your weekend to come by & see us! We love you!

In A Room

This morning Erin got remaining 2 chest tubes out. Uncle Mike & Aunt Donna drove all night, so they could see Erin this weekend. Judy, Leroy, & Pax Luke also drove all night to see Pax play ball & visit Erin. Aunt Caroline drove from Dallas & is spending the night with Erin in the hospital. Erin also got put in a regular room today on the 14th floor. Erin was so excited to see all of her company. Thanks, to all the churches who have prayed for us. Today we got letters from Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Raleigh, MS. Thanks to these churches and of course our own home church Calvary Baptist Church in W'boro. We received news that several different churches had special prayer services for Erin last Sunday. While Erin was in surgery last week, it comforted me so much knowing that so many were praying for my little girl to our Wonderful Amazing God.

So Glad to Be a War Eagle!

Wow! We are simply amazed at the support our Wayne Co War Eagles are giving to our girl! Tonight at the ball game there were Erin signs everywhere, and the cheerleaders were wearing purple ribbons. How awesome is that? Well, we didn't get out of PICU today. We were supposed to, but there weren't any beds available. We are skipping PCU and going straight to a regular room tomorrow. Erin had 2 chest tubes removed today, and she is back to her normal self. Thanks to Sara & Kyle for visiting today. Looking forward to our weekend company. Erin still has 2 chest tubes in, and the epidural is still in, but she's on very little pain medication. Good luck to our Casey at State Band Competition tomorrow. We miss you & wish we could be there to cheer you on!

just a little bump

Well, we experienced a little bump in the road with some medication, but the doctor says he is very pleased with Erin's progress. She is having to limit her fluid intake until the chest tubes are out. She may get 2 chest tubes out tomorrow. She got out of bed several times today and sat up for a little while each time. Her appetite was not great today and she didn't feel that well either, but now her spirits are improving. Her friend Maddie went to the Carrie Underwood concert last night and got Erin a Carrie Underwood t shirt. When Maddie's mom Tina gave Erin the shirt, I saw Erin smile for the first time in days. Carol Tondre and her son Connor came by today to visit Erin; Connor has been waiting on the transplant list for 14 months, so please pray that he gets his lungs soon and that they are the ones God means for him to have. Mike finally got some rest last night; he slept a full 10 hours, so he feels much better. He's being a great daddy feeding Erin and helping her in & out of bed. Everything is going great except we miss our Casey and her smiling face. I posted a picture of Erin on facebook if you would like to take a peek. She looks gorgeous!

Fresh Air!

This morning Erin woke up with a great appetite. She ate pancakes, hashbrowns, & sweet tea. She got out of bed and stayed up for about 20 minutes. Doctors are really pleased with her progress. She may have one chest tube removed today and her central line may be taken out today. Her regular port will be accessed and used as her central line. In other words, they are decreasing her meds greatly. The catheter may come out today. They are reducing her fluids, so that the chest tubes can be removed. (less fluid in her body means less fluid in her lungs). She was wide awake this morning. A drastic difference from yesterday. She was still showing a lot of effects from the pain meds yesterday. She had Carrie Underwood tickets for tonight that Dr. Lefler in Dallas so kindly gave her. Thank you, Dr. Lefler! Maybe next time LOL. When Erin first got the call to come to the hospital; she was jumping up and down so excited then she stopped & said "Dang, I was supposed to go see Carrie Underwood!" Of course, 2 new lungs won out over Carrie Underwood! Sorry, Carrie! Anyone who knows Erin knows her favorite food is a loaded baked potato, so today our friend Tina is bringing her one along with lunch for me & Mike! Have I told ya'll how God has blessed us with so many new friends who have taken care of us here? It is truly amazing how HE works! Erin is sleeping now. So, Erin's Jason's Deli baked potato is on its way! Casey, Bro. Whit, Granny, & Papa left today, so it's just me & Mike. We have been going upstairs every night to Ronald McDonald house to sleep (It's just one floor above the PICU), so we are extremely close. Please continue to pour out your wonderful prayers to our Almighty God!

OUR MIRACLE

Hi! This is Erin's mom! ERIN GOT HER LUNGS!!!!! About midnight Saturday night the beeper went off, and we got to the hospital about 1 in the morning. Erin was ecstatic and cool as a cucumber. Her memaw asked her if she was scared, and she said, "No, I have 1000 people praying for me at home." After a long night of preoperative procedures, Erin went into surgery at 6:46 still as calm as could be. The first incision was made at 10:14, but the lungs did not arrive until 2 hours later. Mike, Casey, Granny, Papa, & Aunt Donna Rials arrived about 7 AM. My mom, mimi, and brother Russell & Sharon were already here visiting for the weekend, so my mom & Russell accompanied us to the hospital. Friends & family hung around the hospital with us supporting us through this arduous day. Thank you to Whit Lewis, John & Jennifer Williams; Clark, Tina, Elizabeth, Madelaine, & Abigail Davis; Andy Cade; and Stacy Wells for spending the day with us at the hospital. Thank you to EVERYONE for all the texts, emails, & phone calls that were sent that day and since then. At about 6:45 Erin came out of surgery with a gorgeous new set of lungs. Oh, How Great is Our God! Erin has been breathing on her own since yesterday morning. She is completely off oxygen (except at night). She's eating & drinking with a great appetite. She's sitting up in bed. The next 36 hours are still critical. In the next few days, the doctors hope to remove her chest tubes and epidural. She will be doing breathing treatments twice a day for the next couple of weeks. Doctors say she may go back to our apartment in Houston as early as Monday. WOW! We will still have to stay in Houston for at least another 3 months. Mike, Casey, Erin, & I will NEVER be able to express to everyone the gratitude that we feel for all who have supported us through this time in our lives. God has greatly blessed us & we give HIM all the praise & glory! We continue to ask you to pray for Erin's health and want you to know that Erin is just beginning her life as a new transplantee & will need many prayers as she begins this journey. Do not ever question the ability of our God to perform miracles!
.

September 26, 2010

Had fun today with the Davises and ate at my favorite restaurant-Jason's Deli. My loaded potato was really good! I really, really, really, really..... miss my kitty & puppy. I went to church this morning. I met a new friend this weekend; her name is Bailey, and she is quiet and shy. My memaw and my mimi are coming this weekend and maybe Aunt Caroline or Uncle Russell. I've gained a little weight, and my lung function is 14.

September 19, 2010

I'm tired. I'm out of the hospital. I got out last Wednesday. I ate 2 loaded baked potatoes today. Kelsey, who is my BFF, and my family came to Houston for the weekend. Kelsey & I went bowling Saturday. I hung out with some new friends today, and I went to church this morning. I met Beth Moore this morning too!

Back in the Hospital

Erin is back in the hospital; she's been there for the past week. Her lung function was down, and she had lost weight. Today she's feeling better; her lung function is 14, and her appetite is back. Her daddy, Casey & Aunt Donna Stevens came down for the weekend. They went back Monday. She's been passing the time in the hospital challenging everybody to games of Mario Kart, and she's been winning! She's also done some schoolwork and slept. She has also been working on art projects. Thanks to everyone for the cards, presents, phone calls, fb messages, & MOST OF ALL YOUR HEARTFELT PRAYERS! She will be here at least another week. She is still missing her puppy & kitty; however, she is tolerating the hospital in TX better this time because now she knows some people, and they have been entertaining her. The nurse asked her the first night if she had any special needs, and she replied, "Yes, I need lots of attention!" Gotta love that! LOL and Yes, we are still waiting for lungs!!

Monday, August 30

Rain! Rain! Rain! Rain! I am watching TV & lying down. I did a little bit of algebra today which was boring. I want Buddy & Ms Kitty. I slept most of the day because it is raining. Momma & I hung out with John & Sherry Bolduc for lunch at Chacho's (a Mexican restaurant). This weekend I went to the beach with Aunt Caroline & mommy. First, we went to Moody Gardens, the aquarium in Galveston, and I got a stuffed sea turtle with a hoodie on that says "Moody Gardens." That aquarium is bigger than the one downtown here. WE saw 3 different kinds of eels. Next, we ate at McAlister's, my favorite restaurant. Then, we got Dippin Dots, another favorite of mine. After that, we checked into the motel and I did a breathing treatment and took a nap. When I woke up, we went to the beach and I got tired and I got sand in my pants. LOL! Then, we went to the pool. We were so tired that we just ate Sonic for supper. Then, me & Mommy came back to the apartment yesterday & napped for the rest of the day. I love you, Aunt Caroline, and thank you for a great weekend!

August 24, Tuesday

Hi! (cough) (coughing deeper) & laughing. I made an A today on history! (I think) & I'm a little sicker. I have lost weight. I'm going to the beach (Galveston) this weekend with my aunt Caroline & my momma! I ate KFC for supper; they forgot to put my potato wedges in with my chicken. It wasn't good! I want my puppy & my kitty. It rained & thundered here today, and it woke me up from my nap. I went to pt today, and I did schoolwork! I also went to McDonald's and got an M & M McFlurry & some sweet tea! Momma has to cook tomorrow & go buy groceries and buy a flashlight, bucket & net to catch sand crabs with. I'm off my IV meds for now. I have to take a glucose test to check my blood sugar levels, & I have to have a bone scan & a blood gas done. WE haven't scheduled those tests yet.

Back to Houston Saturday

Hey! This is Steph! I am going back to Houston Saturday to stay with Erin, and Mike will be coming home. I have really loved being able to spend time at home with Casey. I miss her sooooo much when I'm in Houston. I've been working for the last two weeks, and I will miss everyone at work too. Going to church with the CBC crew has been great, and it has been great to worship in a small church again. Casey has celebrated her 16th birthday, and Erin has celebrated her 14th. Thanks to everyone for all of the birthday wishes! Casey will be in Amanda Mills & Hunt Blackledge's wedding Saturday. Other than Amanda, Casey will be the most beautiful girl there. Erin is still hanging out waiting for a pair of lungs. Her 02 stats have been dropping lately at pt, and she is back on IV meds; her lung function is 15 (so a little change but not much). Please continue praying for Erin & our family. We continue to thank all of you for your continued prayer, encouragement, & support. God has been so AWESOME to us by continually blessing our lives!

July 29

Today is my memaw & papaw's 50th wedding anniversary! Happy anniversary! I love you! Mommy has gone home until august 14; daddy is here with me in houston. Daddy is taking me to the zoo tomorrow. My lung function was 15 today so not much change.

July 5

I took a nap today. I helped Momma clean house. Daddy and Casey went home today. We had a watermelon party out by the pool, and Naomi and I watched TV and played the Wii. I want a milkshake! I am txting my bfffl Ashley. I have pt tomorrow, and I don't wanna go.

July 1

I got up and went to the doctor. Nothing has changed my lung function is still 15. Got my port reaccessed. I went to pt. There was another girl there who had just been transplanted who was up to 4.0 on the treadmill. I was disgusted because I couldn't do it, and she could. I'm ready for my new lungs. Then, I slept almost all the rest of the day because it was raining outside. I miss my best friend Ashley; she's at camp this week, so I can't talk to her. My daddy is coming to see me this weekend, and Casey will go home with him.

June 24, Thursday

I went to pt today. I did my lung function today too. It was 15. Momma & Casey went to the Half-Price Bookstore. I slept all day after I got home. I miss my puppy & kitty.

June 24

I'm back on home IV for at least another 2 weeks. I haven't felt really well this week. I am so glad Casey is here. I have missed her. I have to do pft's today and go to pt.

June

I GOT TO GO HOME THIS WEEKEND!!!!! I got to see my daddy & my puppy & my kitty. My kitty slept with me, and my puppy slept with my mommy & my daddy. I got to see my bff's Ashley & Kelsey. I got to see almost all my grandparents. I went to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant. I got to swim in my own pool, and I got to sleep in my own bed!!!! Casey is coming today. I am so ready to see her!!! I got to spend part of Father's Day with my daddy. It was really hard to leave home yesterday to come back here.

June 10, Thursday

I went to the doctor today. My lung function is still 16. There were no transplant offers this week, so we are still waiting. My sister Casey is in Washington, DC with my aunt Carolyn & Uncle James. She went to the Air & Space and the Natural History Museums today. She also went to Congressman Gene Taylor's office. We went and watched Paxton Luke & Farrah Sullivan play softball this weekend. My mommy got to see her friend Judy. They are coming back this next weekend, so we will probably go see them play again. I got to see my puppy & kitty on the webcam last night. Thank you to the youth at CBC for cutting our yard at home. There is a cystic fibrosis walkathon in laurel this weekend at Mason Park at 9:30 AM. If anyone is in Laurel, go by & support cystic fibrosis awareness.

Wednesday, June 2

Had an AWESOME week & weekend. Amber & Alora Landrum came & spent the week with us. We went to the Galleria; that is pronounced is Guh-lair-e-uh. That's what the GPS said anyway. We went swimming. Alora went to pt with me. Caroline took us all bowling Saturday. My daddy came Thursday. Caroline got my mom's car washed for her; then it rained the same day. Everybody went home Sunday. I am missing my sissy,my daddy, my puppy, & my kitty. Greta Gober (i call her Goober) one of my child life specialists from Bmgham is here today, and we are going to eat lunch. She is going to pt with me tomorrow. The Luke's are coming this weekend. Paxton Luke is playing ball in Cypress, so we are going to watch her. I am feeling ok. I went swimming yesterday. I go to the doctor tomorrow.

May 27, Thursday

I went to doctor today. My lung function is still 16-so no better no worse. I also went to PT. They bumped up the speed on the treadmill, so I had to have some oxygen. Amber & Alora Landrum are staying with us this week, and my aunt Caroline and daddy are coming this weekend. I saw my puppy last weekend. He was so sweet. He kept us up all night long cause he was so glad to see us. I was actually 1st on the list for a set of lungs this week, but the lungs were no good, so I didn't get them.

May 12, Wednesday

I had a famous bowl from KFC for supper tonight. It's one of my favorites. I am feeling pretty good. I'm on home IV still right now. My lung function was 16 last Monday. I have to do a lung function again tomorrow when I go to the doctor. I have to go to PT again tomorrow too. I am excited because my daddy and Casey are coming tomorrow. I wish I could see my puppy & kitty. My kitty got a haircut today, and she looks funny. I saw her on the webcam.

Saturday, May 8

I am listening to "White Liar" by Miranda Lambert on my Itouch. I just got finished doing my breathing treatment. Yesterday I went bowling & I beat the snot out of Momma. I miss my puppy & kitty; I talked to my puppy last night on the webcam. He is sooo cute. Momma says he has the cutest brown spots she's ever seen. I played my Nintendo & I'm on level 8 on the new Super Mario Bros. and it's hard. I'm feeling good, I guess; I'm back on IV meds for 2 weeks. Now, I'm listening to "Why Don't We Just Dance" by what's his name? Josh Turner.

May 5, Wednesday

I got some new shorts at Academy Sports. I hung out with Casey, Daddy, & Granny this weekend. We went to Joel Osteen's church. Aunt Donna & Nana Jean stayed one night with us this weekend. They went to a wedding in Galveston. I went to PT yesterday and beat the respiratory therapist at a game of Wii Baseball! My oxygen dropped a little on the treadmill. I went to the doctor Monday, so now I am back on IV meds for the next 2 weeks. I still miss my puppy & kitty and want to see them!

May 2, It's May already

Wow! It's May already! This is Erin's mom Stephanie giving a weekend update. Mike & Casey & Granny came to visit this weekend. Erin has felt pretty well off and on. Donna Stevens & her mom have also come down for a wedding in Galveston, so we saw them yesterday too. Last night we went to a worship service at Joel Osteen's church. Singing & praise was awesome! Joel delivered an inspirational message as always. We went to dinner and church last night with some wonderful friends (John & Jennifer Williams). Tonight Donna & her mom will stay with us and go home tomorrow. Erin also has a dr's appt tomorrow morning; she's kinda worried she'll be put in the hospital. We are thanking & praising God for a wonderful weekend! Oh, yes, I am excited that in 2 more weeks Casey will be able to come stay with us for a longer period of time!!

April 26, Monday

I went to see How to Train Your Dragon Saturday. It was ok. We finally found a WalMart, and I got a new Nintendo DS game with one of the gift cards the softball team gave me. Thank you, Softball Team & Coach Neel. I also got a new bathing suit and went and sat out by the pool yesterday. I don't feel good today; I didn't sleep good last night. I got to see Buddy (my puppy) and my kitty on the webcam; Daddy was putting their Frontline on them. I miss my sister, but I get to see her and my daddy this weekend. Good luck, Casey, on your tests this week.

Friday, April 23

I am sitting here watching HOUSE bored to death. I want to go home; I want my puppy and my kitty. I don't feel good today. Mommy saw a snake under her behind through the slats in the pool chair. I played with a puppy named Cocoa a little chihuahua. I ate KFC for lunch today (a famous bowl). It was really good, and I ate every bit of it.

April 15

Went to pt today; my stats stayed up until they bumped up the speed on the treadmill. I did a lot of strengthening exercises. I talked to another boy who had a lung transplant 2 weeks ago; he is doing really well. I am really excited about my aunt Caroline coming to see me this weekend. We are going to the museum and to eat at Olive Garden. Casey made colorguard. I am very happy for her.

I went to PT yesterday, and my O2 stats stayed up, which was good! Mommy cooked me spaghetti for supper last night, and I had it leftover for breakfast this morning. LOL I talked to Casey last night on webcam, and she kept putting funny faces over her face on the computer. She is so funny! I saw my puppy (Buddy) and kitty on the webcam too. My Aunt Caroline is coming to see me this weekend. I am really excited about seeing her.

Missing My Family

Thank you to everyone who came by my booth today at the Whistlestop. I just talked to my puppy on the webcam, and I miss him. I saw my sister too; she feels horrible still from having her wisdom teeth out Friday. Daddy was exhausted from working hard all day at my booth. Thanks to everyone who helped at the booth today and everyone who donated supplies to my booth. Ya'll are great! My mommy fixed me a home cooked meal today, and it was good. We went to the movies with John & Jennifer last night & saw Letters to God; mommy cried the whole time. I am so tired, and I want to go home.

Thank you God for Our Friends

My mommy and I had fun today. We ate a good supper with our very good friends-the Landrums from Waynesboro. We are glad they are getting to go home tomorrow. We sat by the pool for a little while, and I texted my friends. I went to the doctor this morning. My lung function is still 16, but I am off my IV meds for a while hopefully. I miss everybody especially Buddy (my puppy). I will have a booth at the Whistlestop this weekend; everyone please go by and tell my family hello.

God is Good!!!!

I have met some really AWESOME people out here. John & Jennifer Williams are two of them. They gave me tickets to the rodeo, so I got to watch my very first rodeo with bullriding, calf roping, and barrel racing. I also got to see one of my favorite country groups... Rascal Flatts, and I got to see Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber. John & Jennifer also gave me tickets to see an Astros game at MinuteMaid Stadium today, so I got to watch my very first Pro Baseball game. I got a practice ball, a game ball signed by Juan Uribe, and a tshirt that hit my mommy in the head. LOL! It was toooooo cooool! (the game not her getting hit in the head). LOL!
God has been so good to me to provide so many wonderful people to look after my mommy & me while we are out here.. We also met the Landrum family from back home, and we hung out with them last week at the Galleria & Dave & Buster's & the Aquarium. I got to visit with some old friends too-the Eppes-Ms. Lisa, Mr. Kerry, Jenna & Kyle; they were in Houston this week too. My sister CAsey, my best friend Ashley, and her family spent spring break with me. It was so great to see them. Thanks to everyone for all of your prayers, texts, and mail you've sent me.