Bye Bye House!

Well, we are officially out of our house. We finished up everything this past weekend except for some large belongings in the back of the property. The ground is too wet to get to right now and with the way things are looking, it will be while before we can get back there to get them....ughhhh, rain, go away!! So, this post is dedicated to our house. It was a great house full of many memories, but we will start fresh in a different house, with new memories. Right now we are staying with Alan's parents. There is just not alot for sale at the moment and we do not just want to jump in to something. I have to say, the extra help has been pretty nice. I could not have better in-laws. I'm very blessed!! I thought I would include a few pictures in memory of our old house, =) .

I have a picture of the front of the house, but I'm guessing it is on my other computer, which at the moment is packed away.

I would like to say that we sold our house to a wonderful, loving, Godly family that have been through some difficult times themselves. Their house burned down last year and they have been renting for a while now. They are so excited about their new house and we are excited for them as well!

Syd's Room. We like pink, haha.

Carson's Room

Alan's room.

"Each day is a new beginning. Call it a clean slate, a fresh start, or simply a new dawn."

Alan's Report

Get ready.....it's long!!
Sorry I'm just getting to post. We got home late Wednesday night and I've just not had time yet. Anywhooo....

The trip going down was hard on Alan. We stopped many times just to get out and stretch. We arrived in Houston a little later than normal, but at least we missed the heavy traffic. Fine with me!!

Monday morning, Alan was supposed to be scheduled for a CT, Brain MRI and Bone Scan. Amato added the brain and bone just to have some new scans to look at. Alan did well with the CT on Monday. We were not able to get the bone and mri done until Tuesday morning. Someone dropped the ball and never scheduled them with the CT. So anyway, Alan did well with the bone scan, but could not complete the mri. It was just too hard on him and it made him very anxious. So anyway, they tried to reschedule it, but Amato said after looking at his bone scan, he was not too worried about the mri, so we just skipped it all together. We got to the hospital at 9am to start scans Tuesday and did not finish up until 1:30. From there we go and wait at Amato's office and we finally left there at 6:30pm. YES, it was a very long day and it's very hard on Alan.

Alan's appointment with Amato went very well for the most part. Alan's cancer appears to be stable and some areas are shrinking. That was really great news. Amato said this is the first time he has seen Alan that he actually felt good about the report. It seems like Alan's two combined chemos are continuing to work. Since everything is stable, Alan will start taking a diabetic med called Metformin. Basically they will be putting Alan in a diabetic state and he will have to check his sugar levels 2-3 times a day...yes, this is the finger prick. I'm nervous about him taking the meds b/c he has to eat no later than 30 minutes after he takes his meds. If he doesn't then his blood sugar could bottom out and could lead to something bad. With him having a hard time getting around, it just makes me nervous. Anyway, if you are a diabetic or know someone that takes diabetic meds, then I'm sure you understand my concern. Amato has about 50 patients taking this drug also. He says it's showing great things with Renal Cell patients. He has also put Alan on this med. b/c of the pathway Alan's main tumor took. It's supposed to help. We'll see and pray it does. That new spot in Alan's lung is shrinking, well, actually, there were two new spots, but they only talked to us about the larger one the last time we were there. Anyway, they are both tumor related, but they are both shrinking. I feel like these spots have been there for a while, but if you remember me talking about the time that Alan's lungs had all of that inflammation in them....his first scans after he started taking these new chemos together, I think these spots were just hidden behind all of that inflammation and they couldn't see them. Just my theory!! You know I'm a Dr. now....I feel like it sometimes.

Alan continues to be in constant pain. It seems like it's worse. It's not better...that's for sure. He still has to use the walker to get around or his stick. He is still on alot of pain meds, but they are just not helping enough. Looking at Alan's scans after the Vertebroplasty, I think the Dr.s were hoping for better results. The lower vertebrae is flat like a pancake. There was just not much they could do for it. This is the main reason Alan's continues to have pain right around his tailbone. The vertebra right above this one looks better. They were able to fill it with more cement to help make it more stable. Alan's poor spine looks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. He just does not have enough stability at the bottom to keep it up right. It just hurts to look at it. We go back to Houston in about 6 weeks. While we are there, we will be meeting with the surgeon to talk about Alan's back. He said he might can put some cement on the sides of the vertebrae for a little more support. We will pray that he can and that it helps!! All of the hip and leg pain that Alan has is all nerve related from the tumor being in the nerves in his back. We also talked to Amato about putting the rod in Alan's back....long story, but this will be the very last resort.

Lets see....what else. We have to be out of our house by the 28th. We are going to stay with Alan's parents until we find a house. Remember that "exciting thing" I was talking about in my last post, well, it's not going to happen. We were talking about building a house...something that would work well for Alan and everyone right now, but as we all know the economy is bad and so is the housing market. It's just not a smart time to build, so it is what it is and that is fine. I said from the beginning that if it was not meant to be then no big deal. I feel very strongly that everything happens for a reason. We don't sweat the small stuff!! I know everyone thought we were crazy for wanting to build, but we were kind of excited about focusing our stress in a different direction. So anyway, we will continue to look for a house in town.

Please just pray for Alan's pain to get under control and healing. These are very hard days for him and hard days for us to watch him in this pain. He is amazingly strong. I don't know if I could be as strong as he is. Say a pray for Blayton Craig and pray they receive good news. Pray for Jeff and hope he is feeling better.

Thank you all for everything!!! There is no way I could express how much our family/friends/community means to us. Ya'll have listened to me vent, read my long post and given in so many ways. I truly mean it when I say Thank You!!

Christmas Time

I just wanted to post a few pictures of our Christmas. We all had a wonderful Christmas. Of course our kids got way too much stuff. We have not celebrated Christmas with Alan's family yet. The majority of them had the stomach bug during Christmas....very bad case!! So, everyone is better and we will have Christmas with them tomorrow. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and has a wonderful year in 2010!

Sydney sitting in the live Nativity Scene at our church. She really does look like a little angel there.

Here is Carson practicing with one of his new toy guns. I think he got 4 new guns. No one is safe in our house.

And this is what he was practicing on!! We have deer daily that come to our backyard. That will be one thing I will miss so much at our house is watching the deer.

Here we are at Gigi and Pops house Christmas day.

Carson got a new bike and he did so good riding it at only 2 years old.

Sydney still loves to play with her Little Petshop.

So, that's really all of the Christmas I'm going to post. Of course I had alot more pictures, but I've got to go get some boxes packed. We have to be out of our house by the 28th.

We head back to Houston Sunday. Alan will have scans Monday and we will meet with his Dr. Tuesday to go over everything. Please say a prayer for us. I feel very nervous.

Alan's Vertebroplasty and alot of other stuff!!

First, I am so sorry I have not updated in a while. It's just been a little busy around this house. I don't think I ever let everyone know when Alan's surgery was. It was finally scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15th in Houston, so obviously that means he has already had the Vertebroplasty. I'd like to say it went pretty well, but.... We had to be at the hospital at 7am. After many many hours of waiting, Alan was finally taken back a little after 12pm. They took him back around 10 from the preop room, so we thought he was going straight to surgery....WRONG!! They finally came and got me about an hour later and said they were waiting on a different type of needle for the surgery. They had told Alan that b/c one (they were working on the L2 and L3) of the vertebrae was almost completely collapsed, they were not sure how much they would be able to help it. This was disappointing news, but we just prayed they would be able to do the best they could. After they took Alan back he was in surgery about 2 hours. Basically, they numb his back, but Alan was awake. Then they start HAMMERING long rods with these large needles in his vertebrae....4 of them. After the first wack...Alan came up off the table...he felt it. They gave him more meds. After the third time of doing this...they finally just knocked him out. Lets just say that was the start of a rough experience. They inject cement through the needles into the vertebrae. I guess we will see on Alan's next scans just how much it helped. After the surgery, Alan was hurting pretty bad. When he got to his recovery room, the pain was worse. They told him he had to lay on his back for 6 hours. Alan has not laid flat on his back in almost 3 months, so this was going to be hard and he was in so much pain. The nurse was pumping him with pain meds, but it was just not doing the trick. Finally, he got enough for some relief and was able to rest...until that wore off. About three hours later the Dr. came in to check on him and told Alan he could move around in the bed...no walking yet. I don't think Alan quit moving for the next hour just trying to find a comfortable position. Finally, after the full 6 hours, Alan was able to get up and try and walk with his walker. He did pretty well, but couldn't do much. Alan's mom and I left the hospital around 9pm to go get some rest and Alan's dad stayed the night with him in the hospital. He had to have his pain better managed before he could leave. Apparently alot of people just walk right out of the hospital after having this procedure, but of course, not us. Poor Alan, I don't think he ever has a text book experience.

Cookie (Alan's mom) and I picked the guys up from the hospital about 9am and back to the hotel we went. Alan took it easy most of the day and then we came home Thursday. He made the ride home pretty well. We stopped a few times to walk around and that helped.

Yes, Alan is still dealing with alot of pain...mostly in both hips and legs. He had trouble with these areas before, but right now it is pretty bad. He is still using his walker and his walking stick to get around, but trying to be Super Man and not use them. I don't blame him...I know he is tired of it, but he has to use them and I have to remind him that sometimes. Alan did try and sleep in the bed a couple of nights, but he is just not to that point yet, so he will continue to sleep in the lift chair and recliner.

The month of December has been very busy and overwhelming to us. I know in one post I mentioned we had our house for sale...well, we sold it. It happened very quick, but we are glad and excited about what is hopefully in our future. Did I just use the word excited...I think I did. Finally, I can say we are excited about something. We are just praying everything works out the way God intends for it to. We sold our house to a wonderful family and I could not be more happy about it. I prayed for a family to buy this house that would enjoy it as much as we have. So, for the rest of the month, we will be celebrating Jesus Birthday, packing up a house and praying for Alan to feel better. We will probably have to be out of our house the middle of January.

The weekend before we left for Houston, Sydney had a solo at church for the Children's Live Nativity Play. She sang "Away in a Manger" and did sooo good. Man, I can't believe how she can just get up there at 6 years old and do that. I'm so proud of her and she is a wonderful child. Carson, well, he is just busy and going through the terrible twos I think. Lets just say he is a little whinny, but we still love him too, lol. Actually, he can be the most loving little boy at time and then....well, there's the other side!!

Let me apologize in advance, but the McCone's will not be sending out Christmas cards this year. I have not been able to get anything together and I wish I did, but I just don't have the time. Maybe something in the spring with a new address, ;-).

We will be back in Houston January 4th for Alan's regular set of scans. I'm very nervous about this visit. Praying that new mass in Alan's lung turns out to be nothing. If it is still there, they will go in from the side and take a biopsy.

Merry Christmas to your family from ours and I hope you all have a Wonderful New Year with many blessings!! We love you all dearly and always we thank you for your prayers, friendship and love!

Home from Houston...for a little while!

We are back from our whirlwind Houston trip!! In 3 days we have gone from a major low, to Alan being put to sleep expectantly, to a high. These past 3 days have been tiring and stressful.

Alan was a trooper for the whole trip. He did pretty well traveling and sat up the whole time. Of course we stopped for him to stretch. Once we finally found our hotel we were staying at (new hotel this time), we crashed so we could leave our hotel about 7:30am the next morning. If the lady that took my reservations reads my blog....your directions were not good! Even the GPS couldn't find this place. Anyway, we do our normal blood work, wait, scans, wait forever, go to Amato's office...wait even longer. Once we finally got in...2 1/2 hours later....I'm not kidding...they had good news and bad news. The good news was Alan's inflammation had cleared up...the bad news, there was a new very large mass in Alan's upper left lung. Of course we were not expecting this. You try to prepare yourself for bad news, but you don't really expect or want to hear it. THEN...after they tell us this, then they come back and say, "Well, it might be a collapsed lung or mucus build up." Apparently there is no way for them to tell 100% without doing a biopsy. So, next two Dr.s and two nurses are on the phone getting Alan set up for Tuesday to have a scope put down his esophagus to check for any obstruction. He did great during the scope. He did have to be put to sleep for this and could not take his normal pains meds. I know he was hurting, but once again, handled everything like a trooper. Apparently they were thinking that is might be blocking his breathing. I'm not exactly sure why they thought it might be, but they did the scope and it came back clear. I guess they were thinking that if it was tumor, then it might have spread to that area and they could get a biopsy from it. When we go back in 6 weeks, Alan will have scans again. If the same mass shows up in his lungs, then they will go in from the side and do a biopsy and see what we are dealing with. In the end, Dr. Amato really thinks it is mucus, but we still need to be sure. All I know is it was large and scary!

Pretty much nothing has changed in Alan's lungs as for the smaller tumor spots. They are the same from what I understand. Please remember, we had so much thrown at us in 10 minutes, that I don't think we even went over the whole scan. They were so concerned about this new mass and Alan's back. Speaking of...

Alan's back:
Alan's vertebrae is still deteriorating from the tumor. He has lost about 1 inch due to deterioration. I don't even know how he is still walking. He is such a fighter. It's amazing. Next week, we will be back in Houston and they are going to do surgery on Alan's back. They are going to go in with a needle and fill in his deteriorated vertebrae with cement. I have no idea what all this in tells, but I do know it is called a Vertebroplasty. I have not had a chance to do my research yet. Obviously, the tumor in Alan's back has not changed. We are praying this surgery will help with Alan's pain or at least let him walk around without the walker or his stick.

The other spot...yes that spot in his abdominal. Unfortunately, that spot has increased in size. I could tell Dr. Amato was concerned about the change. It was a pretty significant change.

So, I guess basically, we will be back in Houston next week for a few days for Alan's surgery. Then we will go back to Houston January 4th for our normal visit. If things are worse, then Alan will have to take a different direction with his chemo. Of course, we just ask for prayers and strength to get through this next month. I still can't believe we are dealing with this over a year later. I've said this before, but I don't really see a light at the end of the tunnel in the near future. Alan says I look at our situation as "the glass half empty", I don't really think that, I'm just the realistic one and I'm a planner....and this cancer is messing with my plans. To my followers...be on guard....cancer is real and it's scares the you know what out of me daily....yes daily...I mean that when I say that. It's a sick feeling to watch the person you love deal with this, but have the most amazing attitude. Also, I just want to say how amazing our kids are. Sydney loves her daddy so much and is always so worried about him and would do anything for him. She is a sweetheart. Carson is only 2, but he cares and loves his daddy so much. Anyway, I've typed enough and I've probably left out a few things.

I'm off to bed. Going to say a special for our friends the Wood's. Jeff and Lisa are in Houston today. Jeff had scans today and will meet with his Dr. tomorrow. Praying for good news for them!! Of course, praying for all of our cancer fighting friends and always Alan!
We love you all!!
Melissa

Houston Bound

Well, it's that time again. We are heading for Houston tomorrow morning. I can't believe it's been 2 months! When I look back at these past two months and everything that has gone on, it's a little overwhelming and I think "How did we get through that day!" We've had some difficult days that are behind us now, and I know there are probably more in the future, but we will not think about that and continue to take this journey day by day and at times, hour by hour. My mom is going with us this time. This will be her first trip with us to Houston. We are staying in a different hotel than normal. I had to find a room with a recliner that Alan could sleep in, but it all worked out.

Alan continues to deal with constant pain in his back, hip, leg, knee. Some days are better than others and the pain is not all of the time and then of course you have the bad days. I have people ask me daily, "How is Alan doing?"....I tell them about that day, but let them know that if they ask me tomorrow, it will probably be a different answer. Alan still has to sleep in the lift chair at night. I don't even remember the last time he slept in the bed. Unfortunately, the bed is pretty much the enemy right now. Hopefully one day he will be back beside me where he should be. He is still getting around with the walker, although, if you see him around town, he is using a walking stick. He is driving some and even doing some hunting when he feels like it. His deer camp buddies have been so good to him and help him any way they can. We really do have some great friends. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about our friends and how great they are to us.

Also, we are selling our house. We live a little out of town and have 11 acres of land that we just can't continue to keep up with. There are other reasons we are selling beside what I have already mentioned, but I just ask for your prayers for right decisions with this matter. Alan loves being out of town, but in the back of his mind, he knows what we really need to do.

I could probably type a novel with this post about everything going on, but right now, I just ask for your prayers for our travels and Alan's report. Lord, I just ask that you give us the strength to get through these next few days.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10

Sydney's 1st Deer!

Sydney has officially killed her first deer...and not only that, it was a 4 point!! She put the bullet in the right spot at 60 yards! She did everything herself! The best part about all of this was Alan was with her. That was a gift from God. Alan has been trying to do some hunting when he can and take Sydney so she could kill her first deer. Well, Wednesday....it all paid off and she has her first kill and her first blood face smear, LOL...see picture below. Lets just say, she was not happy about the blood part. We just told her it was tradition, but that didn't mean much to a six year old little girl. She was sooooo excited and of course told everyone she could about her deer. It was a great day! A HUGE Thank You to Michael E. for being there to help!!! Just for the record, they were hunting from Alan's ground blind. That thing has come in handy this year since Alan can't get in the box stands.

Alan said he might not ever be able to get up, but he was getting down on the ground to take this picture. With a little help from Michael, he made it up! :-)

It should have been a 6 point, but it was missing a few antlers.

Here comes the blood. She didn't know what was about to happen!

And there went the smile.

She's not very happy, but took a picture with her daddy anyway.

Trent, Alan and Michael.

I'm planning on doing an Alan update tomorrow. I know I have not posted lately, but this has been a crazy month. Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have not had our family get together yet. We are having our Thanksgiving tomorrow with Alan's family.

Chili Benefit

This post is dedicated to everyone that donated, volunteered, ordered chili and did anything they could to help towards this benefit!!!

Many of mine and Alan's close friends put together a chili benefit for Alan. It was AMAZING and God has put some amazing friends in our lives. I wish I could thank each person individually, but I would end up forgetting someone. Please just know if you helped in any way, we appreciate it....more than we could ever put into words!! We love you all so very much and thank you!!

Here are just a few snap shots I got that day. They had carry out, delivery or dine in. Fortunately, Alan has been doing better these last couple of weeks, so he was able to come and eat chili and personally thank the ones that were there. I know I didn't get pictures of everyone, but I promise, we know you were there:-) There are a few people I do not have pictures of that I know helped alot and that is Paula, Leigh and Debbie. I know there were some husbands helping too!

Shawna (green shirt) and Sarah in the red. These are two of my very good friends. We have all been good friends since elementary school. I know they worked hard and were covered in chili! HA

Kayla and Patty Higginbotham, Tina Carter

These are some of the ones that decided to Dine In.

Alan, Gary and Trent.

Some of the hard workers...Jane Johnson, Dru and Heather Burford, Jackie Sivils, Melinda Harris, Jenny Lynn Strebeck, Shawna Hawkins. There were many others in the kitchen, but these are the ones I just happen to get.

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Ephesians 5:20

Halloween 09

Once again I'm about a week behind with my post. There are just not enough hours in a day.

Sydney at her "Pumpkin Party" at school.

Carson and Lanee

Jessie, Autumn and Lanee. This is part of Carson's second family. I never got a picture of Carson and Kayla...:-(...Sorry KK!!

Carson is a train conductor and Sydney is "The Flash" superhero....the girl version! She is all about the superhero's.

The boys...Carson, Landon, Grant. The girls...Sydney, Lainey, Julia. We all just happen to be at my parents house at the same time. Cute group picture.

And last but not least, our adorable nephews. This is Grant...

and here is Ethan. We were all together for Halloween and it was wonderful.

We partied in the USA with....

...Miley Cyrus in Little Rock this past weekend!!!! And not only that, we managed to become a VIP instead of sitting in our nosebleed/section 208!! Ok, well, we were not really VIP, but it sure felt like it. We ended up in the Coke suite with a friends in-laws. It was amazing...from the food to the free drinks, to the awesome seating for the girls. There is no way we could thank the James family for everything they did for us. We will never be able to take these girls to another concert in regular seating. Spoiled Rotten...all of us!! :-) It was wonderful in so many ways.

Lainey Taunton, Anna Claire Strebeck, Jenna Cate Roberts, Alia Jones, Laney Bolin, Sydney

The one time in Sydney's life she doesn't wear pink and everyone else does. I thought that was funny. We always like to keep it different! haha

The moms...eating the free food!! haha

Me and my girl.

Gary and Renae James with the girls. Thank you James Family for a wonderful night!!

The whole group. The picture is not very clear. Sorry.

Check out the video. Be sure to pause the music below on the playlist! Sorry about the blur at the end. Sydney was looking for her "flashlight"!

After our wonderful weekend, we came home to find out that one of our dogs had been run over. We have tried everything to prevent this from happening. Thankfully Alan's dad was here with him when it happened, so Rusty had to take care of it. We told Sydney he ran away.

Alan's parents stayed with him and Carson at our house so Sydney and I could enjoy our girl weekend. We also celebrated Alia and Anna Claire's birthday at Party Time Pizza. This place was great. It's like Chucky Cheese X's 10.

Pumpkin Patch in Grady!

Last weekend the kids and I went to Hardin Farms in Grady, AR. This is a really neat place with alot of activities for the kids. Basically, you kind of play at the farm for a while and then hop on board the hay ride to the pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkins. We went with a group of our friends and we had a great time. Alan did not get to join us for this trip...:-( I know the kids and I wished so much for him to be with us, but it just didn't work out. I don't know how we got so lucky that it actually did not rain this day. Thank you Lord for allowing our kids to enjoy this day outside and not cooped up in a house! We all came prepared with our rain boots on, but thankfully the farm was not too muddy. Thank you also to my friends for helping with my two kids. They were always wanting to go in opposite directions. Now for pictures!

Carson's FAVORITE toy at the Farm.

Swinging on the large Oak trees.

Sydney, Anna Claire, Alia, Laney, Anna Kate

Me, Jenny Lynn Strebeck, Stormy Jones, Ashley Bolin & Amber Pope...hehe

The goats on the roof.

Carson thought this nasty hog was pretty neat.

Carson playing on the hay bales.

Sydney milking the cow. It was wooden, but it had pretend utters in that "area" so you could give it a try, lol.

On the hay ride to the patch.

Carson and Sydney in the pumpkin patch. Sydney had her fake smiles on for sure this day.

Laney Bolin, Anna Kate Pope, Alia Jones, Anna Claire Strebeck and Sydney