latest update

We got home from Houston just a little while ago. Donnie had scans Monday and saw the dr today. It wasn't good . The only good news is that the clots in his lungs look like they may be breaking up. The bad news is that the chemo he has been taking isn't working. His lymph nodes are growing again. They didn't do chemo today since it isn't working. They are referring him to a different group of doctors there at MD Anderson. They call them the phase 1 doctors. They try all the experimental and clinical trials. They should call by the end of the week to make an appointment hopefully next week. I don't even know what else to say except
Keep praying
love to all
Robin

I know it has been forever since I updated. Donnie has been pretty sick. This chemo is really taking a toll on him and it has been hard for me to bring myself to write. He still isn't sleeping. couple of hours here and there but never any longer. It is taking it's toll on him. He has been like this for weeks.
we leave Sunday for Houston and he has scans and tests on Monday and will see the Dr Tuesday afternoon. Please pray for good results and a solution to his sleeping problem.
keep praying
love to all
Robin

donnie update

I just wanted to write an update. It has been a difficult week. Donnie hasn’t been feeling well at all. He ended up at after hours Friday night with a nasty ear infection. Between that and the fever and the chills, he is just worn out. He hasn’t been out of bed a whole lot since Wednesday. It bothers me that he is feeling so bad right now because we leave tomorrow for Houston for another round of chemo which won’t help with how he is feeling. It is like his body hasn’t had time to “bounce back” from the last one.
I have wanted to update all week but have had a hard time myself. It is so hard to see him ill. It takes a toll on my heart. Please pray that he gets up and going again soon
Love to all
Robin

extra prayers

Just wanted to send a note to ask for extra prayers today. Donnie is under the weather. He has had fever and terrible chills. He is at home in bed resting. Say an extra prayer for him to feel better today.
Love to all
Robin

Just wanted to touch base. For those of you who read Justin’s essay, he got an A on the rough draft but doesn’t have his final grade yet. Doesn’t matter, it’s an A in my book.
He also was accepted to LSU!! We were all excited. Now he just needs to audition for the band.

It was a breakneck trip to and from Houston last week. We left Monday after work and came home Tuesday after his chemo. His blood work was good. His white blood cell count was high so that is good. When it is low, he is more susceptible to infection.

We have been trying to keep him away from everyone because Shantel and Caley have both been sick. Shantel had the flu. He definitely doesn’t need that. So I have been disinfecting everything she touches!!!

This chemo is taking a toll on him. Thankfully, it doesn’t make him sick but he gets really tired but is unable to sleep. Something in the chemo keeps him from sleeping. So he will sleep an hour and then wake up. Sleep another hour and wake up again. It’s tough for him because he never gets and good sleep. Quite frustrating.

He goes back for chemo on the 10th.(Next Tuesday) and then we will go back on Feb 23rd for x-rays and scans and then see the Dr on Tuesday the 24th for results. Hopefully, they will be good. I want to hear that this chemo is working!!!!!!!!

Not much else to report now.

Love to all
Keep praying.
Robin

Heroes

I wanted to share an essay that my son Justin had to write for english class. He is a senior in high school and had to write an essay on heroes. He chose Donnie. I don't know what kind of grade he will make but it doesn't matter. It got an A with us. His essay is below, just as he wrote it.

Heroes

Heroes have always been the pinnacle of man-kinds imagination. The eight century’s heroes, like Beowulf, often had supernatural powers. Although most people idolize heroes like Spiderman and Superman, my hero is my dad, Donnie Reynolds. He always shows such qualities as bravery, selflessness and strength.

Cancer is one of the scariest diagnosis that anyone can hear. My Dad was diagnosed with esophageal cancer over a year ago and still continues to fight on. When the chemotherapy at a local hospital was not yielding the results he needed, he started driving himself to Houston, Texas for all of his treatments. I do not know how he does the extraordinary things he does but he is the bravest person I know.

Selflessness is another one, of the many, great traits my dad possesses. When he met my mom he gave up the chance of having children “of his own” but instead loved us the way a real father should. When my mom asked him if that was what he wanted he said, “We already have kids.” He took on raising my two sisters and I like we were his own. Another time that my dad showed selflessness was when my truck kept breaking down. He bought me a new one so if anything happened; he knew that I had been taken care of. He did not worry about the financial problems he would have to face, he just wanted me to have what I needed.

Though my dad is brave and selfless, his greatest quality is his strength. My dad gets up and goes to work, regardless of how his chemo makes him feel, because he wants to do what is best for our family. His strength is not just physical but mental as well. In the face of cancer, he still stands and fights because he loves his family.

My dad’s bravery, selflessness and strength are the glue that holds our family together. Very seldom do you find a man with the great qualities my father has. No matter what happens he can always know he has been the greatest hero ever.

update

Donnie made it back Tuesday night from Houston. He has been quite tired this week and sleeping alot but says he feels a little better today.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Love to all
keep praying
Robin