One more intensive treatment

Colleen has been nauseated off and on this week. She went to the clinic on Friday and received platelets. Her chemotherapy has changed to Tuesdays this phase. Her last scheduled intensive chemotherapy is scheduled for Tuesday. She also has a spinal with chemotherapy scheduled. Please pray that this last treatment will go well, that Colleen will have few side effects such as nausea, and that the cancer will remain in remission. We received a phone call from the mom of a young lady who sponsored a fundraiser for Colleen. She heard about the incident this summer when people were staring at Colleen at the pool, and felt compelled to help. It is simply heartwarming when complete strangers reach out to help. We are so thankful for each and every one of you  who have encouraged us in anyway throughout this trial. It has been so encouraging throughout the last 9 months. So many of you have been such a blessing. I wish I were a more eloquent writer or speaker- I just cannot find the words to express our gratitude.No words seem sufficient to express our thankfulness. Every card, prayer, and word of encouragement is forever etched in our hearts. We will forever be grateful to all of you and our God for giving us the strength to endure this trial. God does not promise us an easy life, but he does promise to walk beside us and help us through. We will forever remember every act of kindness and will continue to love and encourage others who are weathering trials. We are so glad to be reaching maintenance. After tuesday, Colleen's blood counts need to recover and then she will be able to return to school. She will continue to receive occasional spinals, monthly intravenous chemotherapy and sometimes oral chemotherapy for the next 2 full years but she will feel well most of the time and be able to return to a semi-normal life. 

Now that we are anticipating entering maintenance, we have decided to begin the process of giving back. Len is fundraising this week for the childhood leukemia foundation. Please consider donating to this wonderful organization. Colleen has been participating in monthly activities sponsored by this agency and has truly enjoyed them. She is fundraising for the leukemia foundations Hollywood nights. On Friday, she will be able to attend movies with some of her friends. It is a movie marathon at the Emagine theater in Canton. 

Please consider donating to the wonderful organization. If you would like to donate please copy the link below and paste it into the address bar. It will take you to Colleen's site where the fundraiser is explained in detail. 


http://events.leukemiamichigan.org/site/TR/Movie/General?px=1038364&pg=personal&fr_id=1330

Isiah 40:29 God gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might he increases power. 

Isiah 40: 31 Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength, They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage on another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 

Thank you, The Stewart Family