the following is an update on Cassidy Clark. It has been awhile since I posted any news regarding her condition, but this weeks is a very important week in her treatment and I wanted you all to be aware so that you can be praying for Chad, Cassidy, McKenzie, Savannah and Jen!

melissa

Dear Friends,

It is with a prayerful heart that I write this note tonight. As you know, we met with the Radiation team yesterday and also with our BMT doctor. We were glad to know that the radiation Cassidy will be receiving is the lowest possible dose. This means that the chances of her developing any secondary tumors down the road are lower than what we had first thought. For that, we are very greatful. She will still suffer some of the short-term effects of total body radiation-nausea, tiredness, mouth sores, intestinal tract problems and so on. Unfortunately, we received more news than that good news. Her BMT doctor (Dr. Boliton) informed us that her latest Bone Marrow Biopsy revealed that her remission is very "fragile" and the need for us to begin the transplant is urgent. She is scheduled to be admitted on Sunday evening. Monday through Thursday, she will have radiation twice a day. Friday and Saturday, they will give her body a rest before hitting it with a massive dose of Chemotherapy on Sunday. Monday, she is scheduled to rest. Tuesday, she will be getting "prograf" which is what they are giving to help her body not reject the new bone marrow. WEDNESDAY is the BONE MARROW HARVEST and TRANSPLANT. Please be in prayer for McKenzie as well as Cassidy. Wednesday morning, Kenz will go under general anesthetic while two surgeons use two large needles to extract her bone marrow. She willl receive 50 needle pokes in each hip bone. She will wake up and go home the same day with some soreness. They will begin implanting the marrow into Cassidy the same day. Over the next several days, Cass will be given a form of chemo that will work against graft-host disease. The first 100 days will be the most critical by far. Please continue in your ferverent prayers. Please pray for Chad...he's been through a great deal and this is hard for him.

We were looking again at some of the paperwork and it amazes us at how much of a match Kenz and Cass are. They have the same blood type and are both void of an infection that 80% of the population has. God is a Miracle Worker. We were talking yesterday on the way home from the hospital about all of the unlikely victories in the Bible - David and Goliath, Gideon and his 300 men, Joshua at Jericho, Daniel in the lions den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo in the fiery furnace. So many times God has done the "impossible" for His own. We know that Cassidy is in His hands and He loves her even more than we can. He wants His own glory and good for us. We trust His hand. We also know that "the ferverent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." It is with this thought in mind that I beg you to pray FERVERENTLY.

Cass continues to humor us with her antics. Today, she said to Nanie that she is excited to go to the hospital because she gets new toys. She will miss her sisters and they will miss her. Pray for Kenz and Savannah during this time as well. We appreciate your love and prayers more than you can imagine. Thanks for your notes and kindness.

Because of Christ,

Jen

time flies

Wow! I can't believe things seem to be passing so quickly with this pregnancy! This being said, I know the "rougher" stages are still ahead. I am thankful that all things baby are developing well! Every few weeks I have been checking to see how big the baby is supposed to be at this point. It seems like just yesterday i was reading that the baby had reached about 6 inches long. This morning when I checke, it was saying the baby is about 12 inches now. (well according to the norm that is) That totally explains why I keep feeling kicks and nudges from top to bottom these days! So far I have managed to not gain any weight above my prepregnancy point. This came after an initial loss and then a gradual gain. My fingers are crossed that I am able to keep all of that under control over the next 17 weeks.

With each passing week I get more and more excited. The past couple of weeks I was able to go shopping with mel h and pick out fabrics my the crib bedding set. I am so in love with the materials we picked out and can't wait to see it all put together! (Here is where I need to point out that melissa h has graciously decided to make my crib bedding set for me....she rocks!!) After a day of shopping with melissa I came home and found a package. It was my first baby gift, an adorable little boy outfit from aunt sherri! (well technically it was my 2nd baby gift because aunt sherri spoiled us christmas with bag of baby essentials and meds!)

There are still MANY details we need to work out and and lots of things we need to gather before he arrives. It is funny how quickly you forget about all the little things a baby needs! I am very excited about the process and can't wait to meet baby boy grizz. Hopefully by June we will be able to come to a decision as to what his name will be! lol