New Blog!

OK Friends and Family - 

We have started a new blog, so that EVERYONE can get on. There has been some confusion with Blogger.  The new blog should be super easy to log on and write your comments in the guestbook. Also, if you check the box that you want to keep up with the blog, you will get an email each time a new update is posted.

I have posted the latest on our mom on the new blog.  

You can visit the CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/caroljordantaylor.

Today is a new day!

There is not much to report.  She is tired, but better than the last few days.  Carol said she has felt just as Dr. Millican described she would.  Saturday night, the intense fatigue hit, and she did not feel good all day Sunday; mainly just felt like she had been run over by a truck.

Carol woke up this morning and felt so much better.  She is tired, but was encouraged that the intense fatigue lasted only 24 hours, as he said it would.  Today, she was sitting up on the coach able to enjoy time awake.

Thank you for your prayers for our mom.  Thank you for everyone who has signed up for meals and grocery shopping.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude!

She's Home!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad! Today is their 39th wedding anniversary.

Mom is home, sitting up, and enjoying a good lunch outside on the back patio with Danny, Julie, and Daniel!! It has been a difficult few days during chemo, but this morning she is feeling much better. We are thankful that she has several hours of feeling better. They are looking forward to resting and being home.

No visitors for now. Late this afternoon, the intense fatigue (that Dr. Milliken described) will set in for the next 24 hours. Julie is there right now, and Hailey will be in tonight. They are both ready to take care of whatever Mom needs.

Please continue to pray for Mom and Dad. Dad has been amazing through all of this. It is a difficult transition, but he has a great attitude. We are just taking one day at at time.

Looking Forward to the Weekend

Chemo began around 1:30 early Friday morning. Carol is now being re-hydrated until around 5:30 Saturday morning. Hopefully, she will be home by noon tomorrow.

Nausea has already set in so meds are to the rescue. The meds will help her so she can drink lots of fluids and keep some good, healthy food down to stay strong and heathy.

Hailey is flying in tomorrow night and right now, Carol has requested no visitors. She feels like "hunkering down" with family.

May you have a blessed weekend, Carol. Take a picture of Daniel in his tux and give Hailey and Julie hugs from all of us.

Day 1 -- a Lesson in Waiting Patiently!

Carol and Danny arrived at MD Anderson around 8:00 to begin tests, and waiting, more tests, and more waiting. All tests were positive and she was pronounced "good to go". And then, more waiting! They checked into her room after 6 pm. It is now after 8 and she's not expected to start the chemo for several more hours.

At this point Carol is expecting to stay 2 nights in the hospital and come home on Saturday. And all she wants to do is watch a movie. I hope she can find a good one!

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength.

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

Is 40:31

Taking Meals

If you are interested in taking a meal to the Taylors or doing some grocery shopping, please check out the care calendar below.

Either click on the website below or cut/paste it into your search engine.

http://www.carecalendar.org/logon/12025

CALENDAR ID: 12025

SECURITY CODE: 6014

The Plan for the Days Ahead

Dr. Milliken discussed the schedule and possible side effects of the chemo directly and with a terrific sense of humor. For such a difficult topic, Danny and Carol were able to laugh and find some humor in an otherwise scary topic.

Starting tomorrow (2/5), after tests and paper signing, Carol will be admitted to a room to begin the first of four 30-hour treatments. Chemicals will be given through IV tubes for about 6 hours and then fluids to re-hydrate her for about 20. Approximately 12 weeks after treatments begin, she will undergo a radical hysterectomy and have her bladder removed.

Dr. Milliken did prepare Carol for not having energy for 12 of the 14 days between treatments. And after surgery, she will not feel like getting out for about three months. She should feel like "herself" in 8-10 months after surgery.

Today Carol got busy finding a fabulous wig that will fool everyone -- she looks great!

There will be many opportunities in the days ahead to serve this Servant that we all love so much by bringing meals or sitting with her to keep her company -- answering the phone and door. A meal schedule will be sent out via email and through this blog so anyone can participate. Carol has served all of us in so many ways, I know we are all thrilled to have the chance to serve her.

I am sure there are many prayer points that you can think of; one specifically would be strength and health in the days ahead and protection against illness that would interrupt her chemo schedule. And of course, for her family. It is hard on Mary Shannon and Hailey to be out of town away from their mother at this time. Also, prayers for Daniel would be appreciated -- that his needs as a high school student are met.

Carol and Danny are so grateful for all of you, your prayers, phone calls, flowers and all your expressions of love. They know they are not going through this alone and it means so much to them.