Happy New Year to AllDonnie ended up leaving on Monday afternoon for Houston and had his first round of this new chemo yesterday. He got home around 7 last night.
He is feeling ok so far. Only time will tell.
I hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year.
Be thankful for another year of blessings.
Keep praying
love to all
Robin

update

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas. Ours was very nice. We made so many wonderful memories as a family. Although most people are happy the holidays are over, I as sad once the holiday passes. It is a time of family and togetherness that is different than any other time of year.

Donnie is feeling ok. He isn’t going to Houston today as we originally had thought. When we went to the dr we asked if he could start his new chemo on the 29th instead of the 23rd so he wouldn’t be sick for Christmas. Dr. said that was fine. He said to call and get the appointment time. Donnie started calling on Monday the 22nd. After calling for 2 days they finally called back on Christmas Eve and told us that he had missed his appointment, that it was on the 23rd. That is so frustrating to us. He delayed it a week for Christmas and now, no telling how much longer it will be delayed again. He had to wait until this morning to call to reschedule because the dr has to rewrite the order for chemo. Hopefully, they will call back soon and let us know something and hopefully it will be this week.

Keep praying

Love to all
Robin

update

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas. Ours was very nice. We made so many wonderful memories as a family. Although most people are happy the holidays are over, I as sad once the holiday passes. It is a time of family and togetherness that is different than any other time of year.

Donnie is feeling ok. He isn’t going to Houston today as we originally had thought. When we went to the dr we asked if he could start his new chemo on the 29th instead of the 23rd so he wouldn’t be sick for Christmas. Dr. said that was fine. He said to call and get the appointment time. Donnie started calling on Monday the 22nd. After calling for 2 days they finally called back on Christmas Eve and told us that he had missed his appointment, that it was on the 23rd. That is so frustrating to us. He delayed it a week for Christmas and now, no telling how much longer it will be delayed again. He had to wait until this morning to call to reschedule because the dr has to rewrite the order for chemo. Hopefully, they will call back soon and let us know something and hopefully it will be this week.

Keep praying

Love to all
Robin

I wish I could wake up and this was all a bad dream

Well it again was a long 2 days in Houston. Donnie had his scans on Monday and Tuesday we got results. It was not the results that we wanted to hear. The tumor itself is stable but he has lymph nodes that have grown significantly. They are changing his chemo as they feel that the chemo he is on isn’t working anymore. He will start the Monday after Christmas. He did not want to start it next Monday because he did not want to be sick for Christmas. This is a stronger chemo with harsher side effects. He isn’t looking forward to it. But he will not have to come home with a pump anymore. He will have a 3 hour treatment at the hospital in Houston every 2 weeks. He will lose his hair again (he’s definitely not crazy about that) but that is mimor.
Plus, the scan showed that he has more blood clots. He has migrating phlebitis. It causes the blood clots to show up in different locations. It is common in patients who have gastric cancers. The bad news is that he has blood clots in his lungs (pulmonary embolism) . He will be on blood thinning shots twice a day indefinitely.
I don’t even know what else to say. My heart is breaking.
Please keep praying
Love to All
Robin

update

Donnie went back to the dr on Thursday. Seems the shots weren’t helping things as much as they should. He was put back on 2 different antibiotics. Seems to be doing a bit better now.
He has gone to Houston for chemo tomorrow . We will go back next week for his scans and results. I am almost positive that he will have to go back the following week (the week of Christmas) for his next chemo.

Well not much else to report
Keep praying
Love to all
Robin

Donnie update

Well Donnie went to the Dr on Monday and it wasn't good. He has blood clots in his left arm this time and his right leg. So back to the shots again. He doesn't like those but it is a neccessary evil. The dr told him that this is something he will have to contend with more often now.
Donnie said that he guesses that he is just going down hill now. I hate to hear him say that.
He said his leg doesn't hurt as bad as his arm though.
Say prayers that the shots will start working soon and give him some relief.

Love to all
Keep praying.
Robin

Thanksgiving

I hope that everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Ours was nice. We left Wednesday afternoon and drove to Mississippi to Donnie's brothers house. We first stopped to see his Mom. She was in the hospital with pneumonia. Also her potassium levels keep dropping and they are sure why.
We had a nice visit with her but we hated that it had to be in the hospital. But on a good note, I think that they are releasing her tomorrow.
We went to the church on Thanksgiving to have lunch. We got to see alot of Donnie's extended family. It was a nice visit. Then we went back to the hospital to bring Mom lunch and visit some more. We had a nice visit with his brother and his family as well and came home friday morning. Saturday, I was in bed all day. Think I got a stomach bug again. I swear if one is going around, I am going to get it.
Felt a little better today.
Donnie is complaining with his arm hurting again but this time it is his other arm and that red line is showing up again. I think he will have to make another dr's appointment for tomorrow.
Not much else to report.
love to all
keep praying.
Robin

Happy Thanksgiving

Hello All and a early Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
Donnie's arm is doing better. He said it's still a little sore but almost all better. He was sick this weekend. He was supposed to leave for Houston Sunday night but didn't feel well enough to go. He went yesterday and had chemo this morning and home tonight. He is quite tired. that is a short trip and a long ride. He will have his pump until Thursday. we are leaving tomorrow afternoon to go to his family's in Mississippi. I hate that he can't have the pump removed before we leave so we are looking for someone to remove it while we are there. We should be home by Friday at the latest. So worst case, we turn the pump off thursday when he is done and he just doesn't have it until we return home.
This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and for every day that God blesses us to spend together. Each day is a blessing. I am thankful for my friends and family that stand beside us in Donnie's fight. I am thankful for the many people that don't even know us who are praying for Donnie.
Sometimes it is really hard for me to find things to be thankful for. I get on my self pity and want to know why Donnie is fighting this. But the most that I can do is take each day as it comes. If I try to take on more than that it is too much. So one day at a time. It's all any of us can do. I enjoy and relish in each moment. Good or bad and thank God for that moment that I get to spend with the love of my life. He is my soulmate and I am so lucky to be his wife. He amazes me every single day.
I would like all of you to say a special prayer today for my friends Pam and Trevor Vampran. Trevor is fighting a cold and they will be unable to come home from St. Judes for Thanksgiving. It is hard for them being so far from home. Pray that they find comfort in each other and enjoy their holiday the best that they can wherever they are. feel free to visit Trevor's page and leave them holiday wishes.
www.teamtrevor.com
Happy Thanksgiving
Keep praying
Love to all Robin

Donnie update

Good Morning,
Donnie went back to the doctor yesterday and the infection in his arm is looking better. He is trying to schedule his chemo for next week now. We were worried about when he would have it since it is the holiday and if we would have someone availible to remove the pump when it was time. I told him I thought I should learn how to do it so we wouldn't have that problem. He said it was a good thing that I could learn so if I ever needed to do it to someone else I would know how. He just doesn't want me doing it for him. He laughed and told me since i wasn't a professional, I wasn't doing anything with needles . He thought it was funny. Anyway:)
His arms is feeling a little better and not hurting as badly as before. Thank God! I was worried for a while that it wouldn't get better.

Anyway, not much else to report.
Keep praying
love to all
Robin

Donnie update

Well, Donnie’s arm wasn’t any better today so he called and made an appointment with his oncologist here. He was supposed to leave for Houston this afternoon for chemo tomorrow. Dr Castine told him to call and reschedule. He said if he drives over there that they won’t do his chemo with this infection that he has. He had an ultrasound done on his arm to see if there was blood clots. (this type of infection causes the blood to clot) there was some clotting but not in the main artery. He gave him another antibiotic to take with the bactrim he is taking now and gave him a shot and sent him home with the shots to take for 4 days. (he doesn’t think he will be able to give him self a shot in the stomach so we will have someone come and do it for him.)
He will then have to take 325mg of aspirin every day for the next 3 weeks once he is done with his shots.
I am hoping and praying he will be able to get his chemo next week. Last time it got delayed his tumor grew.
That is all I know for now. I will update later when I know more. love to all
Keep praying.
Robin

Donnie update

Hi All,
Sorry for not posting sooner. Things have been busy and I still haven’t been feeling all to well. I haven’t felt much like writing.
Donnie went for chemo last week and seemed to be doing ok from it. Tired but still feeling decent.
He went to Houston Wednesday for work for a manager’s meeting and called me yesterday to tell me to make him a dr’s appointment. He was having some pain in his arm and it was red and swollen and very tender to the touch.
He had a dental procedure done on Monday and they had to give him an iv to put him to sleep. When he got home last night from the airport he pointed out that he had a red line down his arm. I knew that wasn’t good.
So he went to the dr this am. His oncologist here doesn’t see patients on Friday so I made him an appointment with the family dr. Seems that he has an infection in his veins in his arm. The dr told him that people with cancer and taking chemo tend to get infections in their veins. He put him on an antibiotic and told him to use warm compresses and if it doesn’t get any better in a couple of days to go back.
Hopefully the antibiotic will clear it up quickly. I know that it has been causing him a good bit of pain. Nothing else to report now.
Love to all
Keep praying
Robin

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Things have been quite crazy here.
Donnie had his chemo Tuesday and the pump removed today. He is feeling ok, he is just tired.
I on the other hand have been sick in bed with that dreaded stomach virus. I was supposed to leave Monday afternoon for Atlanta for a work convention. I couldn't go. I don't think I have ever been that sick. I lost almost 6 pounds this week. And that is not the way I wanted to lose it either. Feeling better a little bit each day. I was home in bed Monday and Tuesday but back to work on Wednesday. Hopefully by tomorrow I will feel more like myself. We found out that Donnie's next scan isn't until Dec 1 with results on the 2nd. Not on the 18th like we originally thought. I hate waiting . I want some good news and I want it soon!!!
Anyway, I am off to bed.
Keep praying
love to all Robin

shirts for sale

I have esophageal cancer ribbon shirts to sell for 25.00 a piece

they come in women's fitted and regular tees. just let me know if you are interested.

our latest update

Well here we are in Houston. I wish I could say that the news was what we wanted to hear. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either
After Donnie's last petscan (1 month ago) his CEA "tumor marker" had gone from 3.5 to 7.2. We found out today that when he came 2 weeks ago for chemo that his CEA at that time was 9.1.
Today it is 8.9. So it has gone down some since 2 weeks ago but up overall in the grand scheme of things. The dr. decided that he feels this chemo is still working so wants to try 2 more rounds and then scan again.
I don't know what else to write today. My heart is heavy. I want some GOOD NEWS for a change
Keep praying
love to all
Robin

off to houston

we are leaving for Houston shortly.
Donnie has bloodwork at 10. then he sees the dr at 12 for results and chemo at 1.
I will try to update tomorrow afternoon.
Please pray for good results
Love to all
Robin

update

Just wanted to update on Donnie. He had chemo last Tuesday and is feeling okay. Not great or anything but he is struggling with the dreaded mouth sores. Been pretty bad this time, he said it hurts to talk even.
We go back next tuesday, they will do the blood test to see if his tumor marker is going up. Then we meet with the dr to decide what we should do next.
I have been told by people that they don't know what to say to the last blog. I wasn't looking for anything. I was just venting. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read it.
Love you all
keep praying

Roibn

One year

Today makes one year since we got Donnie’s diagnosis. Looking back, we didn’t know where we would be today. Part of me can’t believe it’s been a year already and the other part feels like he has been fighting this cancer for so long. I just want him to beat it already.
It has been a rollercoaster of emotions. We have had our good days and our bad. And Donnie never ceases to amaze me. He amazes me every single day. If someone can beat this with willpower alone, it would be Donnie. His attitude is amazing. He makes the most out of every day and never complains at all. He has taught me so much. He has accepted his cancer and is fighting it. That is a pretty enormous task. I don’t mean that he has accepted it and is going to let it win. He has accepted “this is what is, I am going to do all I can” I wish I was a strong as him.
I can’t honestly say I have accepted his cancer. I don’t think I have even grieved the diagnosis yet. I know people don’t do it purposely but I sometimes feel like my feelings aren’t validated. Does that make sense? Like I am not supposed to be upset or angry because of Donnie’s cancer. I guess part of our human instinct is that when someone tears up to say “everything is going to be ok” or “Donnie is strong, he will beat this,you have to be positive” People don’t want you to cry because it makes THEM feel uncomfortable or it upsets THEM. Again, I know that people don’t realize that they are doing it . But it sometimes seems that it’s not ok for me to be upset or angry. I think I have every right to be upset and angry and even damn pissed off about it. I should have the right to kick and scream and cry if I want to ( as long as I don’t do it everyday) but I have been made to feel like those aren’t valid emotions that I should have. That I have to be strong for Donnie at all times . So in turn, I hold onto to it all and keep it all in. And I have been holding onto it and holding it in for so long, I don’t know if I can let it go. I don’t know if I am even capable of that.
If I voice my fears people say, but he looks so good! This is a very deceiving cancer. Donnie feels pretty good a lot of days and there are some days he feels pretty yucky. Sometimes he is able to play golf and some days he wants to stay in bed. He pushes through like noone I have ever seen. He goes to work every day and if you met him and didn’t know him, you would never know he was sick and somedays he will tell you , “if the dr’s didn’t tell me I was sick, I wouldn’t know” But the truth is that he is. He is fighting quite a monster.
He keeps busy and just lives every day to the fullest. We could all learn a thing or two from Donnie.
I don’t mean for this to be a negative posting in any way. I think that people just don’t know what to say. I always say that I should write a book on what not to say and what to say to a cancer patient and their families. Sometimes, (most of the time) you don’t need you to say anything. Just be there. Listen and let them know that you love them. I know it doesn’t seem like much but it means more than people know.
I will summarize by saying what a HUGE day it is at this one year mark. Donnie is defying the odds everyday. I pray everyday that he continue to defy those odds and I still pray for the day the dr comes in and says “We don’t know what happened but it’s gone, we can’t find it” Until that day, I will enjoy and live every day to it’s fullest and make the most wonderful memories with my family and my husband and count the many blessings in my life. And I will Thank God for those blessings.
I pray every day for my miracle that will cure Donnie but sometimes I worry I got my miracle already. HIM.
I never met a Hero until my husband became one.
Love to all
Keep praying Robin

update from Houston

Hello from Houston. Well I can say it has been a very long 2 days. Donnie had all of his tests yesterday and we saw the Dr. earlier today. I wish I could say that we got better news. The dr said that the cluster of lymph nodes seems to be growing again. His tumor marker went up from 3.4 to 7.6. That is indication of the disease growing. The tumor in his esophagus is stable at this time. The dr wasn't sure if the growth was due to the fact that we have been pushed back 2 weeks and it has been a month since he had chemo or if this chemo has stopped working. He isn't quite ready to give up on this chemo. Just incase, it was because of the delay. So the plan is this. Donnie is having chemo now and will have chemo again in 2 weeks. After that 2 weeks they will do another blood test to check his tumor marker again. If it is still going up, they will change the type of chemo.
So that is my update. I sure wish it was a better one. I am pretty sure that we will be staying again in Houston tonight and driving home in the morning. It has been a long day and he won't be done till later.
Love to all and keep praying
Robin

update

Not a whole lot to update here. BUT we are going to Houston this weekend. As of yesterday MD Anderson was fully functional again. So he will have pet scan and x-rays and blood work on Monday and he will see the Dr on Tuesday for results!! We need lots of prayers to get a good result!!!!! love to all
keep praying
Robin

update

It has been quite a stressful week for me. Because of Hurricane Ike, we had to AGAIN reschedule Donnie's appointments at MD Anderson. When things get off track for our schedule and things get changed, it stresses me greatly. I hate feeling that we aren't doing anything. When his treatment is delayed I worry that this cancer is growing again and we aren't fighting it. To be honest, it scares me to no end.
These hurricanes don't help my stress levels either!!!!
On a good note, Keith's pet scan looked good. I don't know all of the details but it was a good scan. He doesn't go back until next month so that has to be good.
Donnie seems to be feeling pretty good. The only good thing when treatment is delayed is he has a little more time to bounce back from the chemo .
I will post again later. Everyone stay safe.
Keep praying
love to all Robin

update on us

All I can say is WHEW! What a crazy week it has been. I can say that we were fortunate to have only a small amount of damage. Especially after seeing some of what our community has been thru. We lost 2 huge trees in the back yard. Thankfully they fell towards the road and not the house. Destroyed my fence though. I think I am going to need a new roof after all the shingles we lost. I will call the insurance company on Monday.
We finally got power back this evening. (Thank the Lord) It went out early Monday. I will say that Donnie is especially thankful. That chemo causes him to be so hot. He was quite miserable from the heat.
He had driven over to meet Keith (his brother) to get his generator and some gas.
Keith has undergone his radiation treatment and had his scans yesterday. We will be praying for cancer free results.
We were supposed to leave for Houston on Sunday for Donnie's appointments on Monday for scans and Tuesday with the doctor but Donnie rescheduled them for next Monday and Tuesday because he was afraid we wouldn't have power and he didn't want to leave the kids here alone without power.
So hopefully Ike will stay away and we will be able to go next week.
Well I will update later
Love to all
keep praying
Robin

another update

Well, Donnie made it to Houston and back but not with any help from me. I started feeling tired on Sunday and Monday morning woke up with a stomach virus. It wasn't any fun and Donnie ended up going to Houston by himself. I hated that. Anyway, he didn't even get to see the dr. He saw the physicians assistant again! Said some of his levels were down and wanted to give him something in his iv when he got his chemo.
Now Donnie being Donnie, he didn't ask any more questions. I would have had several more. But it made for a very long day at the hospital. He stayed last night and got home around 6 this evening. He was quite tired (rightfully so) and is off to bed. I feel terrible that he had to go by himself. He on the other hand, swears he is fine. Always the tough guy.
I am feeling somewhat better today. Definitely not back to par yet but ever so slowly getting there. Hopefully Donnie won't get what I had. I had the kids disenfecting the house like crazy before he came home.
Well nothing else to report here. Looks to be an early night for all of us as I am off to bed myself. I hope that tommorow is a better day.Hopefully the Hurricane will stay away!!!

Love to all
Robin and Donnie

08/24

Just wanted to update. Donnie is feeling much better. Meds seem to be working and he is eating pretty well. But we leave again for Houston tomorrow afternoon and we will be back Wednesday afternoon. Not much else to report.
Love to all
Keep praying Robin

update 08-22-08

Donnie has still had a rough week. On Wednesday he finally called the dr because he just couldn't swallow and was running a low grade fever. He was able to get in to see the dr here in Baton Rouge yesterday. They checked his blood counts and they were ok. His throat was still yuck. The sores had started to heal. They weren't sure if it was infection in his throat or not. Gave him 4 prescriptions. Antibiotic, and 2 different mouth rinses for the sores and the pain. I'm not even sure what the other was. I think he slept ok last night. He hasn't been able to eat or sleep much at all this week. He said he felt a tiny bit better this morning. I hope he feels better before we go to Houston on Tuesday for chemo. And hopefully he will be able to get some rest this weekend.
But he is such a trooper thru it all. He amazes me every day of my life. His strength is unbelievable.
Keep praying
love to all
Robin

update

Just wanted to update. Donnie went to MD Anderson yesterday for his chemo treatment. He is home now with his pump still receiving chemo until tomorrow afternoon and then it will come out. Since he didn't see the doctor this time, we will see the dr when we go back in 2 weeks. He is feeling ok so far but tired. It was a long trip back and forth so close together.
Update on Donnie's brother Keith . For those of you who don't know, Donnie's brother Keith was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer a few weeks ago. He had surgery to have his thyroid removed and will start radiation in a couple of weeks. He is feeling better and recouperating from his surgery.
Not a whole lot else to report right now. I will update in a couple of days.
Love to all
keep praying.
Robin

update

Well, we found out this week that Donnie will not be seeing the Dr on Tuesday when he goes to Houston for his chemo. The Dr office called on Tuesday and said that they changed his appointment from Tuesday to this Friday (today) and his chemo would still be Tuesday. Donnie wasn't up to driving to Houston today to come home and go back for Tuesday. So it will be 2 weeks after this chemo treatment before we get to see the dr. I think it is the 26th. That is frustrating. MD Anderson is a great hospital but we have had more problems with scheduling than I can count. So anyway, I will update more later.
Love to all
Keep praying
Robin

Donnie Update

Just an update on Donnie. Not a whole lot of news to report. He has fared ok from his chemo last week. He has started experiencing the dreaded ulcers in his throat and his mouth will soon follow. He doesn't complain though. I think he is the toughest person I know. He takes day by day and tackles each hurdle and keeps on going. I am sure that is why he has been as successful as he has battling this dreaded disease. As we approach the 1 year anniversary of his Diagnosis. (Oct 1) I look back at that fateful day and didn't know where we would be today. Reaching the year mark is huge with this kind of cancer. But I still just try to take day by day and not try to look too far into the future. Each day is a gift that I cherish.

We have an appointment next Tuesday with the dr at MD Anderson when we go back for his next chemo. I have lots of questions. Hopefully I will come back with some answers.

As you can see from some of my recent pictures. Donnie is growing his hair back. For whatever reason this chemo has not caused it to fall out. Donnie is quite happy about that as he never did like being bald. Although, I thought he was a handsome bald man!!! He got his first haircut since October!!!

Update on Keith (Donnie's brother) He is recovering from his surgery well and right now, they think that they got everything. He will have to have radiation but he goes to the dr next week so we will know more then. Please keep him and his family in your prayers as well.

Not too much else to report here. just getting back to the real world after having such a wonderful family vacation. it's hard to come back to reality after being able to getting away from the everyday things we face.

I will update next week after we get back.

Keep praying

love to all

Robin

Benefit for Lexi Brignac

Benefit for Lexi Ann Brignac

Beautiful little Lexi Ann was born on April 15, 2006 to two very happy parents, Scott and Christena Brignac, and one proud big sister, Kyla Blair. Big sis, Kyla, is as girly a girl as you can get. Lexi is our little tough nut. She is very much a little girl, but fearless. Little did we know how important her stubbornness and determination would be needed. God has a plan and prepares us with the tools we need for our lives. Lexi just has a rougher row to hoe than most. On June 18, 2008, Lexi was diagnosed with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). She is currently undergoing treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Log in to www.caringbridge.org/visit/lexibrignac to follow Lexi on her journey.

ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
FINDING CURES. SAVING CHILDREN.
www.stjude.org

In honor of this brave little girl, family and friends are hosting a benefit for Lexi Ann:

August 9, 2008
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
at
Hebert Steel Co., Inc.
39179 Hwy 74, Gonzales, LA

Jambalaya Dinners, Raffle, Gift Table, Bake Sale and More!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

There will also be a blood drive there. Please come out and donate blood!!!

update

Well, we got back Saturday from our week in Destin. It was really nice. The house that we stayed in was beautiful!! Great view of the beach. Donnie had chemo the week before we left and was feeling better by the time we went. I had some great relaxing days. Donnie and the kids ran around a lot more than me. He and Shantel went parasailing and Courtney and her friend Danielle went too. The pictures are priceless. Justin and Sara and Shantel went snorkeling. We all went on a dolphin cruise. Caley loved the boat. She kept throwing her hands up in the air and yelling. She was the star of the afternoon. People on the boat were taking pictures of her!!! I don't blame them, she is beautiful. Donnie and I rented one of those scooter cars and drove up and down the beach one day. It was my favorite thing, just me and him riding. It was a beautiful day for it. Kids didn't get to swim much. Too many jellyfish but they were able to swim a day or 2. They had the pool and plenty of other kids to hang out with > I think they all had fun.

I know I did. I wasn't ready to come home. you know back to reality and the real world.

Donnie's younger brother Keith had surgery on Friday. We just found out he has thyroid cancer. It was definitely a shock. Cancer is such an ugly beast!!!! The good news is that they removed his thyroid and hopefully he will be able to do the radiation and it will be gone. He has the "good" kind of thyroid cancer. I know it's hard to believe it could be good but this one is 97% curable! So hopefully it was caught within time and taken care of. Please add him and his family to your prayers.

Donnie is in Houston now. He has chemo in the morning.

I will update on his progress soon.
keep praying,

love to all

Robin

Good News

Well we are in houston and have done all the tests. The resuts aren't official yet because the radiologist had not read them but the dr read them and he said things look better and it looks like this chemo is working so we stayed another day for him to have chemo today. He is scheduled for 3:30. It will take 4 hours but I am so happy that things were better. I was nervous!!!!!!! We will be home late tonight sometime and back to work tomorrow.
Keep praying.
love to all.
I will update more later
Robin

Update

Caley dancing and singing at Rockin on the River

Justin and Donnie playing pool

Sorry my posts haven't been as frequent. It seems we are always on the go. Caley turns 1 on Wednesday. I can't believe it!!!!! She is growing so fast and getting better at walking.

Donnie has been feeling pretty good and as you can tell from the picture his hair is starting to grow back. He was happy about that!!

We had a good 4th of July. We BBQ'd and played ladder ball. It was a nice day with family and friends.

Shantel and Caley and I went to Rockin on the River and had a great time today. Caley danced and danced. She wore herself out and was asleep before we left the parking lot.

We leave for Houston tomorrow. Donnie has appointments Monday for scans and blood tests and we will meet with the dr on Tuesday. Keep praying for good results.

Love to all

Robin

another update

Just wanted to give a quick update. Garage sale was a success. We got rid of alot of stuff!!

Donnie has been feeling pretty good. Last round of chemo didn't knock him down quite as hard as some of the previous. But you know how Donnie is, he will work right on thru it even if it does. He has been quite busy at work so he is pretty tired but other than that, seems to be handling this last round pretty well.

I am anxious waiting for his next appointment. We go July 7th for tests and results on the 8th. I am hopeful but nervous still!!

We are going on vacation with the kids next month. We have a house in Destin we will be gone from July 19-26. We are going with Lisa and Todd and their kids and Gina and Todd and their kids. It should be alot of fun. We are going to enjoy some lazy days hanging out as a family. I think that we need that right now.

Caley has started walking. She is getting around pretty good. She still tries to run and falls but she is getting better. If she wants to get somewhere fast she will still crawl. She is so cute doing the "Frankenstein" walk that they do until they master walking.


Well nothing else to report here.
Love to all
Keep praying
Robin

update

Just a quick note to update. Donnie seems to be feeling ok so far with this treatment. He had the pump removed yesterday and is so glad. he hates carrying that thing around and I don't blame him. He is tired. As usual he isn't sleeping very well. Other than that, nothing new to
report.
Garage sale has been busy. Will still be there tomorrow if anyone is interested in coming by!
Keep praying
love to all
Robin

Garage Sale this weekend

Just wanted to post so everyone would know about our garage sale!!!



HUGE GARAGE SALEFri and Sat. June 20 & 21
Villa Galvez off Hwy 44
LOTS OF STUFF
Toys, Household, Baby Stuff
Kitchen, Books, Pool Table
Holiday and sooo much more!!
7:00 a.m. till………..

We will also have
Team Donnie Shirts
And Stop Cancer shirts
Available.

Thanks!

on the road again

Just a note to update. We will be leaving this afternoon for Houston. Donnie has bloodwork tomorrow morning at 8:00 and chemo at 10:00. It will be a long 2 days. It will actually be a long week. We are preparing for our garage sale that will be Friday and Saturday. Started working on getting stuff ready this weeked. We have a WHOLE LOT of stuff. It will be alot of work but I hope it turns out well.
I will update after we get back.
Love to all
keep praying
Robin

update

Just wanted to update. Donnie had a decent weekend. He was able to play golf so that made him happy. Doesn't seem like he has been able to play much so I am glad he got to go. He feels ok with the exception of the mouth sores from the chemo. Makes it hard for him to eat. He said if that is the worse side affect he has, he will take it. It could always be worse.
Me and Caley went to the bone marrow drive for Trevor Vampram on Saturday. He is a student at St Amant Hight School who is fighting leukemia. I think it was a success!!!
Not much else going on. Donnie goes back to MD Anderson for chemo again on June 17th which is next Tuesday. Going every 2 weeks is hard. He doesn't have time to "bounce back" from one and he has to go for another. I suspect it may get harder on him as we go along the more chemo that he has.
Well nothing else new to report.
Will post when I have more news.
Love to all
keep praying
Robin

Somebody stop the world

I know that I posted this back in January when I wrote it but I have really been feeling this way alot lately. thought I would share again.

Somebody Stop the world

Somebody stop the world,
I want to go back.

I want to go back ,
Before cancerTurned our world upside down.

I want to go back
this wasn't supposed to happen to us,
not to you .

I want to go back ,
To our carefree daysAnd future plans.

I want to go back
before doctors and chemo and losing your hair

I want to go back,
When you were so strong
You seemed invincible

I want to go back,
When I didn't cry every dayfor fear of losing you.

I want to go back ,
To where people didn't avoid meBecause they don't know what to say.

I want to go back ,
To when we still had forever
And weren't living on borrowed time.

I want to go back ,
To a point in my lifeI wasn't so angry with God.

It wasn't that long ago,
Though it seems like forever
Somebody stop the world,
I want to go back…………………


AuthorRobin

Ascension Magazine

I don't know if any of you saw the May edition of the Ascension Magazine but this is the letter that they posted for me along with a collage of pictures from that benefit. Special thanks to Mike Strong for covering and promoting the benefit for us.

The Reynolds family would like to say Thank You to everyone who contributed to making “A Day for Donnie” an overwhelming success. Ascension Parish has proven once again that they are second to none when it comes to supporting one of their own. The day could not have been a success without the help of the many volunteers who donated their time and the many individuals and businesses who made donations. Thank you to all of the cooks for spending their day cooking such delicious food. Special thanks to Billboard, Coozan, Raisin Cain and Trent Bourgeois w/ Fly By Nite for providing such great entertainment for the day.
We would like to thank all of our friends, family and our community for their generosity and the love and support that has been shown to us during this difficult time. Words can’t express how much it means to us. We are truly touched by everyone’s kindness. God Bless You
Donnie, Robin, Shantel, Justin, Courtney and Caley

Again we would like to express our thanks to all of our friends at the Gonzales Country Club for putting together the Team Donnie golf tournament and our friends at Q-Balls for putting together the Team Donnie pool tournament.
We are blessed to live in a community that is so willing to support their own.

Thank you to all of our friends and family for supporting us the way you do.

God Bless

Robin

Update

Donnie got home last night. He and Kim left Sunday afternoon for Houston. Kim works shift work and was kind enough to offer to bring Donnie when he is off. It helps that I don't have to miss as much work. I still hate him going without me . But anyway. It was a long trip for him as usual but he got his bloodwork and chemo and is home with his pump. He will get that taken off tomorrow. Seems to feel ok so far but probably still too early to tell. Hopefully, it won't get him down too bad. He will then go back June 17th for his next round.

Courtney got her drivers permit this morning. She is thrilled to say the least. I am sure she will be offering to drive me everywhere. She isn't a bad driver but still has her moments that she makes me nervous.

Well nothing else new on the homefront. Will update when I have more news.

Keep praying
love to all
Robin

another day

I met an amazing family this weekend. Although, I wish the circumstances that I met them would be different. I went to a blood drive for Robbie Savoy. He was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer too.The good news is that it was caught much earlier than Donnie's. I met him, his wife Judy and his oldest daughter Nicole. It was awesome to see so many people come out to support them in their blood drive. It is also very hard to see such great people have to go thru this. They are no stranger to esophageal cancer as Robbie's brother died of it last year. Still I feel their pain and their fear as they fight the fight. Robbie reminded me alot of Donnie. I don't know him very well at all but I know enough to know that he is a good man. And again it makes me angry that he and Donnie have to go thru this. I have my faith but their are days I question why people so good have to face such an awful disease. It just doesn't seem fair. There are serial killers walking the street in perfect health but good people are suffering. I know that God has a plan for all of us. It is just hard for me to see it right now. I just know that all I can do is take one day at a time and cherish the time that I have with my family. If I try to think ahead any farther, it is too much to bear. I am realistic of how hard a fight this will be as this cancer is not going to just go away quietly. But again, one day at a time is all any of us can do.
Donnie has gone to Houston to MD Anderson for chemo. He didn't go alone. One of our friends went with him as to help so I don't have to miss as much work. He will be home tomorrow night. He will do 4 hours of chemo in the hospital and come home with his pump for 2 days. I pray every day that this chemo is working and we will get good reports next month when he goes for his next scan. I will update when I know more.
Love to all
keep praying
Robin

another update

Donnie fared pretty well with this round of chemo. It never really got him down. I expected him to feel pretty bad this past weekend , but thankfully he felt pretty good. We went to the Jambalaya Festival on Saturday to listen to Billboard. We only stayed an hour. It was toooo hot. Then Saturday afternoon we we to a couchandelait. * a pig roast, I know that I butchered that spelling* After that came home and watched movies. Sunday we went to the festival again from 2-4 to serve Jambalaya for our friend Pegram Mire. I was suprised but Donnie made the whole 2 hours and I think he enjoyed himself as well. Monday we bbq'd and had a few friends and family over. It was really nice. Leave for houston again Sunday as Donnie has chemo again Monday. I will update when I have more news.

Keep praying.

love to all

Robin

Donnie update

Donnie update
We left Sunday afternoon for Houston and spent the night. Up early Monday morning for bloodwork and then chemo and then to see the dr. Nothing new to report from the dr. Blood counts were ok. A couple were off a bit but nothing major. We left around 3 coming home and got home 7:30 that evening. We were both tired. That is a hard drive to make back to back. Not to mention sitting in the hospital. He had his pump (still receiving chemo) until this morning . He is feeling ok but tired. Last time he really didn't start feeling bad until 2 days after the pump came out so I expect he may be down and out this weekend. Nothing else new to report. We go back to Houston June 2nd for his next round. Keep praying
Love to all
Robin

Update

Nothing much to update here. Donnie is feeling pretty good. He looks good too. His hair is growing back. He has another chemo scheduled for this coming Monday the 19th. We will leave Sunday and hopefully be able to come back Monday night. (That is as long as it doesn't take us 13 hours in the hospital again)
We have had a busy couple of weeks with Justin and band and the end of school. We had the spring concert and we had awards banquet Tuesday night. Justin won most improved in Wind Symphony. I was so proud and he was so excited. He played at graduation last night but I didn't go. Too much rain. The rain is awful!!! We have had some really bad weather yesterday and today.
We went to a crafish boil on Saturday (picture of Donnie and Caley) and Sunday Donnie bar-b- qued for me and Todd and Gina came over. It was a nice relaxing day.

Well hate to be boring but not much to report this week.
Love to all

I will update again soon.
Robin

Update

Well, it has been a long long week but Donnie and I are both starting to feel better. I think I am finally on the mend and he has felt pretty decent the last few days. We don't go back to Houston for his next chemo treatment until Monday May 19th. We will leave on Sunday and if we aren't in the hospital all day this time, we will come home Monday night.
Not much else going on. Justin had Spring Band Concert Tuesday night. It was really good but it was long. They did the farwell to the Seniors. I can't believe Justin is going to be a Senior next year and Courtney will be driving. Where does the time go? They grow up so fast.
Nothing else new to report.
Love to all
Keep praying
Robin

Update

Just an update on how things have been since we have been home. Both of us very tired from our trip. I am still struggling with being sick. Shantel and Caley are both sick too so things are in bigtime dissaray at my house. Tina came over last night to remove Donnie's pump. He was definitely ready to have it taken out. It was tough on him being attached to that thing for 2 days but better than the alternative of a day hospital stay. He seems to be feeling ok. he is tired but can't sleep. first few days for fear of pulling the line out of his port and last night he just couldn't sleep. He always seems to go thru this right after chemo. he is really tired and goes to sleep but awakens every hour throughout the night so he isn't getting good sleep. I am going to remind him to take some tylenol pm tonight , maybe that will help him get some rest. Hopefully the rest of us will start getting over the sickness although, I don't feel like mine is going anywhere anytime soon. We are supposed to go to Donnie's Mom's in Mississippi on Sunday if he is up to it for memorial at the cemetary. I don't know if we will make it. It really depends on how everyone feels. It has been such a long week. Jacie's first dance recital is Sunday as well. I would hate to miss it. If we don't go to Mississippi , I will definitely go to watch her dance. If I miss it, I can't wait for the video. I am sure she is going to be a star. i will update again soon.
love to all
keep praying
Robin

Crazy Week

Well our week started out crazy and hasn't gotten much better. Donnie called MD Anderson and left a message to find out if they were going to schedule his chemo. They called back at 2:00 and told him he had chemo THAT day at 6:30. We knew their was nooo way we would make it there by 6:30. I called, they said to go ahead and come on in even though we wouldn't be able to get their until around 8. We dropped everything and took off for Houston. I called again from the car and spoke to the girl in the chemo department , she spoke with the charge nurse and said YES, come on in. Got there and the same girl I spoke to told me that they had cancelled his appointment and rescheduled for Wednesday. Needless to say we were both furious. Told them "No, we just dropped everything and drove 5 hours, we are not waiting until wednesday" they reshceduled for Tuesday. Got there Tuesday morning 8:30 am for bloodwork. Then had a 1:00 appointment with Dr and 2:30 chemo. They didn't actaully start his chemo until 6:00. We didn't leave the hospital until 10 that night. It was a long long day. On top of that. I was getting sick. Didn't know if we should stay or go home since he was attached to a pump to continue chemo for 48 hours. Found out that we could get it removed here so we left Houston yesterday morning coming home. After we got home, I felt even worse. Went to the dr. I have bronchitis. Can this week get any better? Anyway, so far Donnie seems to be feeling ok. I was a littel worried because of what I have found out about this chemo is it is pretty bad ass and would make him really sick. I don' t know if it is delayed or he is just such a trooper but he seems to be ok. We go back on May 19th for his next chemo treatment and will go to Houston every 2 weeks after that. That is all i know for now.
Love to all
Robin

update

Just found out Friday that the insurance company is what is holding Donnie's appointment up. They said it could be up to 30 days before they make a decision on his chemo. I am so frustrated by our inability to control anything to do with his treatment. We are completely at the mercy of other people who have no sense of urgency whatsoever.

Stop Cancer T-Shirts

We still have Cancer T shirts for sale $10.00 each. Pink/Green/Grey
Also Team Donnie shirts still availible.
Let me know if you are interested.
Thanks,
Love to all
Robin

So frustrating

Here we are almost thru another week and still no news on Donnie's treatment and when he will start. They stressed that he needed to start it last week but can't seem to schedule it. It is so frustrating to KNOW that you NEED to be doing something and can't do anything about it. I wish that there was something that I could do to speed things along. All I can do is pray. I don't understand the hold up at all. I will post when I know more.

Chemo Update

Well we have an update of sorts from the doctor. Donnie spoke with his doctor here yesterday. Seems like he didn’t understand the Dr from MD Anderson or he didn’t explain it correctly? We were under the impression that he would have to take a four hour chemo every 2 weeks. Well that isn’t exactly how it works. He has 2 choices. He either can have a 3 day in patient treatment OR he can go for four hours and come home with a chemo pump for 2 days. The insurance will be an issue from what Donnie’s dr here is telling him. Donnie is going to call back at MD Anderson today and see if they can get it approved. I think they have a better chance than here. It is approx 15-20 thousand a treatment!!!!! And he would have to have 2 a month. And exactly what do they expect you to do if the insurance doesn’t cover it??? It is crazy. I have said it many times, I truly believe that there is or could be a cure for cancer. But there is no money in the cure, there is money in treatment. So I don’t know where we will be going from this point but I will keep praying and pushing forward.
Thank you to everyone for their love and support.
love to all
Robin

Update ( or non update)

Well we still don't know anything. Seems they have the orders here but are trying to find out if insurance will cover it. We should have just had them schedule in Houston for last week. This has been crazy. I wish I had more to post. I will update as soon as I know more.
love to all
Robin

Another Day

We are still waiting. Seems like we have been waiting forever. First we were waiting on MD Anderson to fax the orders, now we are waiting for the dr here to schedule the appointment. It has been so frustrating. I hate waiting (as if anyone didn't know that) I hate feeling like we aren't doing anything to fight this. As much as I hate to see him have chemo, I know that it is to fight this awful disease. I will post again when I have more news.

love to all

Robin

Update

Okay, here is what I know. Donnie is trying to get his appointments for chemo here. Then he will only have to go to Houston ( MD Anderson) for doctors appointments and scans. The doctor told him that he really needs to get his first one this week so we are moving quickly, we will just have to see how quickly they move. He is feeling ok. Other than being tired from the benefit. It really wiped him out but he wanted to be there all day. I think that he tried to thank every person that worked , came in, helped in any way personally. We are both so grateful and appreciative of everyones help and effort. I will post another update once I have more details. Love to all
Robin

A day for Donnie

Words cannot express how overwhelmed I am by the support shown to us from our friends,family and our community. A day for Donnie was a huge success. I think we ran 100 miles inside the recreation center yesterday. There was so many people there that I saw that I saw for 1 minute it seems like. I felt like I wanted to individually thank everyone there but it was such a crazy day, I never seemed to be able to. It couldn't have been done without a wonderful group of people who are my friends and family. Although I am not related to all them , they are ALL my family. I don't know what we would do without them. I can't thank everyone enough for the time that they donated to make the benefit a success. The people who came and worked booths, the people who donated sweets, crafts, the people who cooked, the bands who donated their time. I am completely overwhelmed and just can't express my gratitude enough. I hope everyone knows how much yesterday meant to us. Mostly for the support of everyone. I am truly touched by the support that has been shown for Donnie. It is a true testament to the wonderful person that he is. Thank you everyone for your time, your friendship, your support,your love and your prayers. We are truly blessed. love to all Robin

Finally, but not good news

Finally heard from the doctor. Donnie doesn't qualify for any trials. the tumor is still growing. No new lymph nodes though. they are suggesting a certain kind of chemo. He may not be able to get it here and will still have to go to MD Anderson to get it if he can't get it here. It will just be an overnight trip every 2 weeks. I don't know much else until we talk to the dr again. I am getting everything second hand from Donnie. I just can't even wrap my brain around anything right now. It has been a long week and the benefit is tomorrow. Hope to see everyone there. Please keep praying. we need it so much right now.
Love to all
Robin

Update or Non upate (they didn't call today)

I wish I could say that MD Anderson called today like they were supposed to but they didn’t . Waiting is so brutal.
I can’t walk in my house anymore. People have donated soo much stuff for Donnie’s benefit. It is very touching and quite overwhelming. We don’t know most of the people that donated. But you know, people can relate. Cancer touches so many people and it is such a dreadful disease. I just can’t believe there isn’t a cure. We as a country can come up with something for male pattern baldness, viagra, ridiculous other drugs for minute things. You cannot tell me that there isn’t a cure out there somewhere. But then again, there is no money $$ in a cure. there is MONEY$$$$$$ in treatment. I dont’ know but that is what I believe.
Hope to have an update for everyone that MD Anderson called tomorrow with a treatment plan.
And I hope to see everyone at the benefit.
Love to all Robin

Tomorrow

So today I prayed. I prayed for God to guide the doctors to find a treatment for Donnie. I don't even know what else to say. I am anxious about tomorrow and waiting for the call. I will update once I know something.
love to all
Robin

Still waiting

It seems like forever since we came back from Houston. Waiting is awful. I hate feeling like we aren't doing anything. We still had a good weekend though. Donnie played golf on Saturday. I am glad he was able to and the weather didn't make things too wet. It did ALOT of raining Friday night. Justin and Sara went to prom last night. They looked so nice all dressed up. I can't wait to get their pictures back. Courtney spent the night with Danielle and Shantel and Caley came over. Shantel went home around 10 and Caley stayed the night. She is growing so fast!! She will be walking before we know it. We had a good time with her. One thing, I think her Poppy spoils her/ LOL. Of course he does. I think we all do.
Anyway, just waiting for the doctor to call on Wednesday. Still getting ready for the benefit. I am hearing that the word is spreading like crazy. I hope so, I know how hard everyone has worked on this.
Love to all, I will update when I know something
Robin

Our trip

We left Monday morning for Houston, got to MD Anderson at 11:00. We did the registration and then met with the Dr. He was nice. I liked him well enough. He seemed very thourough. He ordered a chest X-Ray and bloodwork for that day. We were there until 5 p.m. Monday was a very long day. Tuesday we had lunch with some of our friends from Houston and then went up to the hospital around 7 p.m. for his catscan. We finished up around 11 p.m. Wednesday we got there at 12 for his petscan and finally finished up and left for home around 5. Traffic was terrible. We finally got home around 11 last night. We were quite tired!!!
The dr said that on Tuesday's they have their conference and the Dr's would all meet and review all of Donnie's information. His newest results, all the films and notes that we brought with us and then decide what course of treatment they might be able to offer so hopefully they will be able to call us Wednesday of next week. We get to play the waiting game again. I hate that game, I am not any good at it :(. He said that right now, surgery still isn't an option, maybe chemo , then chemo/ radiation and then we would see if it had shrunk enough to operate. The bad thing is the lymph nodes near his pancreas are almost impossible to get to with surgery. If chemo doesn't shrink them, he doesn't think they will be able to get to them. Something along those lines. I am very thankful that we have family to stay with in Houston. That makes things so much easier. It is definitely easier to be around family than in a hotel room somewhere. Feels more like home.
You know as Donnie was waiting for the doctor or having tests done, I would work the puzzles that are laid out on tables all over the hospital. I guess they put them out to help people pass the time, to help you keep your mind off of why you are there. Maybe it's just to feel like you are doing something. As Donnie got his last pet scan, it seemed to take forever. I walked thru the "park" as they call it and just looked around at all of the other people going thru the same thing that we are going thru. I can't describe the feeling. Knowing we aren't alone, that people out there know exactly how we feel and sad that all of these people were feeling exactly what we do. It brought me to tears as I thought "How did we get here? How did we get to this place where Donnie is fighting for his life? This isn't supposed to be happening to us. We are supposed to have the 'happily ever after'. " I wanted someone to wake me from this nightmare and tell me that everything would be ok. If only it were that simple.
It has been a long long week. I am glad it's almost the weekend but still have a ton of stuff to do so I don't think I will be getting much rest.
Anyway, still working hard on the benefit. They have been quite busy while I was gone. I can't believe it is next weekend. I hope we have a good turnout.
I will update when I know more.
love to all
Robin

In Houston

We had a very long day at MD Anderson yesterday, met the Dr had xrays and bloodwork. have an appointment for a catscan tomorrow night at 9. I know at night is crazy but we will do whatever and then wed at 2 he has a petscan . we will go home after that and then on Tues next week the drs will confer and call us wed with what they think our treatment should be. wish it was sooner but atleast feel like we are doing something now.

Mom, Lisa, Missy, Melissa and Brenda are working hard on the benefit, I don't know what I would do without them.

Got to go, love to all, Keep praying
Robin

Packing

Well we had an okay weekend. I had to work yesterday but we had Caley Bug last night and had a good time with her. She didn't want her MiMi to sleep tho!!!! Probably better, will help me sleep better tonight because I am so tired and sleep deprived. Went to see Uncle Windle and Brenda today at Mom's. They are in from South Florida. David cooked Crawfish Stew. It was excellent. Still working on organizing all the benefit stuff that has been donated. I am truly touched by the support people have shown to us.
Got to go finish packing and cleaning up to get ready to go to bed. Going to be a long day tomorrow. I will try to do an update tomorrow night if I can get online.
love to all.
keep praying.
Robin

Finally

Donnie finally has an appointment at MD Anderson with a Dr on Monday. He also has an appointment Tuesday for another catscan. then I don't know what will happen. I guess we will come home and wait for them to tell him when to come back and what they are going to do. I feel better that we got an appointment but anxious for him to start some sort of treatment to fight this horrible beast. But at the same time I am not looking forward to how bad the treatments will make him feel. All for the greater good though.
I will update as I know. If I have access to the internet while I am there, I will update this blog. It will be easier than trying to email everyone.
Love to all
Robin

Update

Donnie spoke to MD Anderson. His appointment will be first of next week. Not sure what day. Will know tomorrow. I hate to feel like they are putting us off but glad to know he will see someone next week.
Keep praying
love to all
Robin

MD Anderson

MD Anderson called today. She told Donnie that she would call him back tomorrow with a date and time of his appointment. I pray it is soon.

Still working on benefit stuff. Still needing volunteers for the afternoon> If you are willing to work 2 hours for us. Please let me know what time you would be able to help out. Thanks and keep praying
love to all
Robin

Today

We still don't an appointment. It is so frustrating to feel like we aren't doing anything. All the while, I wonder how much this thing is growing as we just wait. Today was okay. Not as depressed as I have been lately. Waiting is hard and it's taking it's toll on me. I think Donnie had a good day. He went to play golf. Then we went over to some friends for a crawfish boil. He got to bring Caley and show her off. You know how much he loves that. He was quite tired though. I think waiting is taking a toll on him too. We just HAVE to get an appointment and get some help to fight this awful disease. I hate seeing him sick. Tears my heart out. It is not fair. He doesn't deserve this.

Update

Per the dr's office. It could be next week before they call us for an appointment at MD Anderson. We are exploring alternatives that might get us there quicker. Keep praying and spread the word about the benefit.
love
Robin

Update

Not much to update. We are still waiting on MD Anderson to call. Waiting is so hard.

Donnie Update

Just to update. We still have no news on an appointment from MD Anderson. I hope they call us Monday!

Donnie update 3-13-08

Well, wish I could say we had an appointment but haven’t heard anything yet. Donnie called today, they are still waiting to hear back from MD Anderson. Waiting is torture. I feel so helpless. I wish I could be doing SOMETHING!!! Donnie seems to be feeling ok> I am sure he is anxious , as I am, to continue some treatment to fight this dreaded disease. I just don't even know what to do with myself! Keep us in your prayers. love
Robin

Update 3-12-08

Still waiting on news for an appointment at MD Anderson. Waiting is terrible. I feel so helpless, there is nothing that I can do! I can't imagine how hard this must be for Donnie. I will post an update as soon as we have an appointment.

Donnie update 3-10-08

Well I wish I could say that it was better news. Donnie had a doctors appointment this morning and the doctor told us that the tumor is growing again. there are some more lymph nodes affected as well. I don't even know what to say. I feel like I have had the wind knocked out of me again. Donnie's doctor thinks that we should go to MD Anderson in Houston and see what kind of clinical trials will be availible to him there. So we are waiting for his first appointment to be made and will be traveling back and forth as often as needed to get him the care he needs. Please keep praying for him.
Love to all
Robin

A Day for Donnie

A Day for Donnie
Hi everyone! We will be holding a benefit("A Day For Donnie")for Donnie Reynolds on Saturday, April 12th at the Gonzales Recreation Center.

Donnie was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Donnie is 43 and married to
Robin(Barrow)Reynolds. They have 3 children and live in Prairieville. Proceeds will help the family with mounting medical bills and living costs.
There will be bands, food, beer, games, live auction, silent auction, face painting, country store and more.
We welcome any donations of handmade items for the country store, sweets for sweet booth & auction items for silent & live auctions.
We are asking for volunteers to help with booths. If you are anyone you know would be interested in donating some of their time to help please let me know...via myspace or email me at lisamatherne@yahoo.com.
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Also if anyone is interested in joining us for our benefit meetings let me know. We welcome anyones input & ideas.
We will also need security for the entire day. If you know of any officers who would be willing to donate a couple hours of their time , we would really appreciate it. We have to have 2 officers there at all times.
Please come out and help support this family and also help raise awareness of this disease. It is the 2nd deadliest cancer and it starts with Barrett's Esophagus which is caused by acid reflux. Know your risks.
Get Checked!
Any other services or goods or ideas are all welcomed!
Also on April 19th there will be a benefit for cancer survivor Eric Waggenspack(policeman for Ascension Parish)at the Prairieville Flea market. There will be jambalaya, music & more.
More info. coming soon!

Trip report 3-3-08

Well we got back from our trip to Vegas yesterday afternoon and we were exhausted!!! It was really a great trip though. We left Wednesday morning and our plane got into Vegas about 1:15. Checked into our room at the Planet Hollywood and it was fabulous. Our view overlooked the Bellagio Fountains and the Eifel Tower at the Paris. It was BEAUTIFUL!!! After we got all settled in, I told Donnie I had a present for him. It was one of our wedding pictures that I had framed and wrapped up for him. Also inside was our wedding invitation but on the inside I had pinned a new wedding invitation to our wedding renewal the next day in the Valley of Fire outside of Vegas. Once it started dawning on him what it meant, I dropped to one knee and asked him if he would make me the happiest girl in the world again and marry me again the next day. He was sooo surprised!!! And of course, he said YES!! We pretty much stayed around the hotel that day and went to see the show Stomp Out Loud at our hotel that night. It was fabulous!!!!! We had such a great time. The next morning, we got up early, ordered room service and had a wonderful breakfast. We got ready and the limo picked us up and we headed for the Valley of Fire. The ride was about an hour or a little more. Was fabulous views the whole way there. Donnie napped some in the limo, he was tired but still felt pretty good. When we got into the Valley of Fire park all we could say was WOW!!! It was gorgeous!!!! We got out and the photographer took lots of pictures of us. ( I can't wait to see them, we should have them in about 2 weeks) Every so often a car would pass thru and some would stop and tell us congratulations. Some even took pictures of us. Then the minister came and we hiked up to a rock at Rainbow Vista. It wasn't a long hike just a few minutes. The ceremony was beautiful. As soon as the minister started talking, I started crying. It wasn't my intention, just couldn't help it! Not bawling, mind you, just tears. The ceremony was short and sweet and perfect. They set the video camera up and recorded it and the photographer continued to take pictures. I kept wiping my face thinking. " i am going to have snot all over my face in these pictures" When we were done, we asked the photographer to take a picture with our camera so we could have something to take home with us and he took several for us. When we were done a tour bus pulled up right as we were getting into the limo and these ladies jumped out and ran around to the door of the limo and started singing a song to us. We couldn't understand them, I don't know what language they were singing in. It was sweet and funny. When they were done the told us congratulations, I understood only that. Afterwards we went back to the hotel, changed and then went to the wax museum at the Venetian. It is so cool, alot of the celebrities are so real it is scary. Then we walked thru the Venetian some and went back to the hotel and rested before we went to our show that night at the Wynn. It was called La Reve and was fabulous. Quite an amazing performance. Friday we took a cab and went exploring at the Wynn and the Palazzo and the Venetian. Not much else until we went to the show Legends in Concert at the Imperial Palace. The show was great but it came with a buffet and the food was horrible! But if that is the worst of our trip, I won't complain. Saturday we went to the $250,000 game show spectacular at the Hilton. It was hosted by Jamie Farr and it was a lot of fun even tho we didn't get pick to play any games. that night we went to the V Variety Show in the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood. It was a decent show. Next morning got up bright and early, 3 a.m to get to the airport and fly home. I did see Nelly coming out of the hotel when we were outside waiting for our ride. If it wasn't him, it was his twin. Overall, it was a fantastic trip. I was worried the week before we left because Donnie was so sick. I was afraid he wouldn't be able to do the things that he wanted to do. The whole week ended up being quite a surreal experience. (for me atleast) Other than Donnie being tired some and us resting. It was almost like we had stepped back into time before he was sick and were truly able to connect as a couple again without all the madness of our lives and his illness. The word cancer wasn't uttered all week. We were just us, being together. It feels we haven't truly had any "just us" time since his diagnosis and I thank God for allowing us such a wonderful time together. It is something I will always cherish.
I know this was long but I wanted to share. I hope if you take the time to read this far that it wasn't too boring.
Love to all Robin

Donnie update 2-24-08

Well Donnie has had his last chemo for a while. The doctor feels like it isn't growing right now and since you can only have so much chemo. He wants to wait and see what it does. He had his chemo last Wednesday and it was his worse one yet. It really took it's toll on him. He was in bed for 4 or 5 days. He started feeling better around Tuesday this past week and each day seems to get a little better. He goes for another scan the first week of March and I pray that we get good results.
Due to the generosity of family, Donnie and I will be leaving for a trip to get away just us this coming Wednesday. We are going to Las Vegas. It is where Donnie wanted to go and he is very excited about going. I hope that he feels up to doing what he wants to do. even so it will be nice for me and him to just get away and just spend some time alone without all the worries of home and chemo and all that other stuff. We will be staying until Sunday.
Well, I'm out for now. Love to all Robin

Donnie update 2-4-08

Donnie seems to be feeling a little bit better. He had such a rough time with the last chemo treatment. But he did feel well enough to go play golf Saturday. Completely wiped him out and he was tired but I am glad he was able to go. I am glad he is finally feeling better and I hope he gets back most of his stregnth before his next round.
He goes next Monday for his last chemo treatment for a while. He will have another scan about 3 weeks after , then it is a wait and see game. I sure wish I could turn back the clock and make this all go away!!!

Not much else new here. I will keep everyone posted as we know things
Love to all
Robin

Donnie update 1-21-08

Well we went to the doctor today for Donnie's test results. They were good. Not as good as the last but still good. The tumor is still shrinking. There was alot of medical mumbo jumbo that is hard to explain but the tumor is shrinking and there are no other spots showing up. Apparantly, a tumor can be shrinking and you can have other spots show up on your liver or your lung or whatever. So that is good news. He has chemo Wednesday and then in 3 weeks he will have another treatment. After that they will do another scan and then he will be done with chemo for now. Regardless of what the results are. I also found out today that you can only have so much of certain kinds of chemo. They are saying that it is "stable" so then they will just monitor him for a while and let his body have a break from the chemo. They may start another type of chemo later this year or just depending what the scans show. So, hope everyone understands this, I know it is confusing, I know it is to me. Keep praying that the next one shows it is all gone. love to all. Robin

What they don't see

What they don't see…….

They say
You are so strong

They see
me doing what I have to for my family

They see
me put on a brave face

They don't see
how many tears I cry

They don't see
me fall apart daily

They don't see
the terror in my heart

They don't see
how much my life has changed

They don't see
how this has changed me

They don't see
the loneliness that I feel

They don't see
how their avoidance hurts me

They don't see
fear in their children's eyes

They don't see
because their life is still intact

They don't see
because they still don't appreciate what they have

They don't see
how scared I am

They don't see
because they don't look

They don't see
because they don't want to see

They don't see
because they don't ask

They don't see
how much it hurts me
That they don't see

Author
Robin Reynolds

Donnie update 1-9-08

The good news is Donnie is feeling better. The last round of chemo was really hard on him. It was as bad as the first! He is feeling better now and goes Jan. 16th for his pet scan. We will go on the 21st for his results. We are praying for results as good as last time. I have had a cold or something and have been fighting the crud since New Years but am feeling better . I am glad. It is too hard to have to stay far away from Donnie as to not get him sick. I was tired of sleeping on the couch!!!! But it's worth it if he doesn't catch whatever I had.
Pool tournament is Jan 25th. Not much else going on right now.
Keep praying
Love to all
Robin

Somebody Stop the world 1-8-08

Somebody stop the world......
Somebody stop the world,
I want to go back.
I want to go back ,
Before cancer
Turned our world upside down.

I want to go back
this wasn't supposed to happen to us,
not to you .

I want to go back ,
To our carefree days
And future plans.

I want to go back
before doctors and chemo
and losing your hair

I want to go back,
When you were so strong
You seemed invincible

I want to go back,
When I didn't cry every day
for fear of losing you.

I want to go back ,
To where people didn't avoid me
Because they don't know what to say.

I want to go back ,
To when we still had forever
And weren't living on borrowed time.

I want to go back ,
To a point in my life
I wasn't so angry with God.

It wasn't that long ago,
Though it seems like forever

Somebody stop the world,
I want to go back…………………
Author
Robin

What cancer CANNOT do

What Cancer CANNOT do
Cancer is so limited. . .
It cannot cripple Love.
It cannot shatter Hope.
It cannot corrode Faith.
It cannot destroy Peace.
It cannot kill Friendship.
It cannot suppress Memories.
It cannot silence Courage.
It cannot invade the Soul.
It cannot steal eternal Life.
It cannot conquer the Spirit."

For my friends 1-6-08

To My Friends
Just be yourself, be near, and persevere with me.
I know this word cancer is frightening to you. It is to me also. . . .
You ask what you can do for me. There are many things, but perhaps the most important are these.
Please do not stay away because of fear. I'm afraid also. I need you near to know that I'm not alone.
There are times when I will want to talk about Donnie's cancer, sometimes not.
But, most of all, just be yourself, be near, and persevere with me.
I know it will not always be easy for you, but I thank you for caring and for being my friend!

Benefit Pool Tournament 1-4-08

Benefit Pool Tournament for Local Family
Q-Balls Pool Hall is hosting a Benefit Pool Tournament for Donnie Reynolds.
Donnie was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal Cancer and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Donnie is 43 and married to Robin Barrow Reynolds. They have 3 children and live in Prairieville. Proceeds will help the family with mounting medical bills and living costs.
The Pool Tournament Benefit will be held at Q-Balls starting at 7:00 PM Friday, January 25th.
The entry fee is $10.00 and there will also be a Calcutta. The players will play for the Calcutta and the entry fees' will go to Team Donnie. It will be single person play, double elimination, race to two game tournament (loser breaks). The rules are BCA play.
Team Donnie Shirts will be available for $10.00
Jambalaya will be served for $5.00 a plate
Please come out and help support this family and also help raise awareness of this disease. It is the 2nd deadliest cancer and it starts with Barrett's Esophagus which is caused by acid reflux. Know your risks. Get Checked.
If you need further directions to Q-Balls you can contact Mitch Kramer @225-910-0105
Donations can be sent to Donnie Reynolds Benefit
43017 Earl Bercegeay Rd.
Gonzales, La. 70737
Donations can also be made at any branch of UCB

Donnie update 12-16-07

Just wanted to touch base and give an update. Things are crazy here. baskets everywhere. I am almost all done with them. YAAAY!!!! Took time out for a pj day today and made cookies with my kids. I love doing that! Back to work tomorrow. ughhh. I could use 3 or 4 more days off but anyway.
Donnie is feeling pretty good. His appetite is good . Other than the fact that he gets tired pretty easily, things are ok. He doesn't get another chemo treatment till after Christmas so we are looking forward to him feeling good for Christmas.
Justin made District Honor Band last weekend. YAAAY. He was so excited and I was proud of him.
Nothing else new to report.
Love to all Robin

Donnie update 12-3-07

We went to the doctor today and Donnie's tumor has shrunk by 50 %!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some of the smaller lymph nodes are completely gone!! I was so excited, relieved and just cried!!!! Our prayers are working so everyone keep praying!!! He goes tomorrow for chemo and will go for chemo again right after Christmas. He will have another scan 3 weeks after Christmas and we will go back to the doctor and hopefully get better news than this time. I think the doctor was even surprised how much his tumor shrank!!!!!! He must not know the power of prayer!. Love to all, thank you everyone for your prayers. Robin

Donnie update 12-02-2007

Well tomorrow we go to the doctor to find out results of his cat scan. I am nervous about what we will hear. I am positive it is good news but still can't help being nervous. We had a pretty good weekend. He is feeling pretty good. He still gets tired but not bad. he is eating good and not losing any weight so that is definitely a good thing. I finally got all of my inside decorating done. Started on the outside and now have about 50 corporate baskets to complete. I am going to have a busy week.
Keep praying,
Love to all
Robin

Donnie Update/Golf Tournament 11-27-07

All I can say is WOW, what a day. When I woke up Saturday , it was raining pretty hard. I started praying, please God, if it has to rain, let it be done early. Long story short, we had 34 teams of golfers play Saturday and it didn't rain on any of them. The turn out was phenomenal. I cannot get over the number of people that came out and spent the entire day supporting Donnie. The tournament was a huge success. Several people said, I sure hope Donnie knows how much he is loved. I said that if he didn't know before, he should definitely know now. I was touched, overwhlemed and speechless by such kindness from our friends, family and even strangers. All I can say is that it is such a terrible shame that the Country Club is closing because that is the most caring generous group of people I have met since I don't know when. After golf we had great food, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Cracklins, Pastalaya. It was all so good. We had music and dancing and raffles and auctions. It was a very long day. Started around 8 and ended around 11 p.m.. We were all exhausted, especially Donnie. He didn't play golf and didn't over exert himself. He did go out and make an awesome putt for Mikey Braud :) It was still too long of a day for him though. I just couldn't get him to go home and Rest! Again, the day was quite emotional and such a special day for myself and Donnie and the kids. They worked hard selling raffle tickets and t-shirts! What an amazing group of friends we have. we are so very blessed.
Also, Team Donnie shirts are in for anyone who ordered one or wants one! Just let me know.
Donnie goes for a cat scan on Friday and has a doctors appointment Monday to get results. I am steadily praying that we have good results. please keep us in your prayers!!!
Love to all!!!!!!!!!
Robin

Donnie Update 11-20-07

Donnie has been feeling pretty good. He gets tired but overall, much better than this last round of chemo!!! I am so glad. It is so hard to see him sick like he was last time. His spirits are good and I must say, he is a sexy bald man!!!!
Love to all , keep us in your prayers and
Happy Thanksgiving.
Robin

Donnie Chemo Update 11-13-07

Donnie chemo update 11-13-07
Donnie went to the doctor yesterday and had his 2nd chemo treatment. Doctor said it is good that he wasn't hurting anymore where his tumor is. He also said that his blood counts have been good. he feels pretty decent today. a little tired but not as bad as the last round, this time.
that's about all here. getting ready for the golf tournament next weekend. Team Donnie shirts should be in next week.
Donnie is going to bite the bullet and shave what hair he has left off tomorrow. He figured he would just go ahead and finish it off rather than lose it by the handful everyday.
Much love to all
Keep praying.
Robin