Shana Bearden

It’s been two weeks since my last post and I apologize for the delay but we have been busy and unable to take the time and energy it sometimes takes to update this post. Shana is doing pretty well right now. We have had all of the kids and grandkids in this last week and that has really kept her busy and in good spirits. Her blood counts are kind of low so the Doctors have put off another chemo treatment until next week so she can build up some of her platelets. She continues to tire pretty easy but she has learned how to work around that and rest some during the daytime. She has been really active while the kids came in over the last couple of weeks and she has survived that pretty well. There are a few good signs and a few worrisome signs over her health but overall she keeps on trucking and that is what it is all about.
Chrissy and Doug came in for memorial weekend and we had a good time. They went home for a few days and April came in with Lily and Maddie. Then on the Weekend, April’s husband TJ came in as did Chrissy and Doug and we christened Maddie on Sunday and then had a small gathering at our house later on Sunday evening. That new patio that I built for Shana is getting a good workout and she loves sitting out in the sun on the patio on pretty days. We had our get together out on the patio and it was really nice and pretty. Lily and Bella have been a delight all week. Lily makes life interesting and Bella is destined to be a princess for sure. Lily really loves hanging out with “the guys” (meaning family) and she is really smart and grown up for her age. She actually was a lot of help this week. Maddie is only 4 months old but she smiles really big when she sees Nana or Poppie and she already knows that we are playing with her. All three were great fun this week. Shana managed to get out with April one day this week and went shopping. Lily was with them and saw a huge playhouse at Lowe’s that she wanted. At about 6:30am the next morning she woke me up by making me promise to build that playhouse in my back yard. In my morning stupor, I agreed. Unfortunately, I forgot that Lily has a unbelievable memory and so I have been reminded numerous times now that I promised to build a playhouse in the back yard. Then, I was shown the playhouse that she wants. I could add a wing onto my house more easily. I think I got myself in a jam this time and I don’t know exactly how to create amnesia in a 4 year old. Hmmmmmm.
During the kisds visit we saw ‘night at the museum’ at the Omni surround screen, went swimming, went to a high school reunion, went to the regular movie, had two parties, 3 late nighters, a couple of Doctor visits, went out to eat about 3 times and some other stuff. We were pretty busy and were sharing cars so it was kind of tricky getting around with all of these people.
April, Lily and Mattie just left to go to the airport so we are alone again. We are ready to act old and go to bed at 9 o’clock again for a while. It was great having all of the kids in for the last couple of weeks. Chrissy is excited because tomorrow, her school is out for the summer. This has not been an easy year on her job and she really misses Kennedale where she worked before moving to Houston. Oh well, they could just move back and it would be OK. Chrissy really misses being around her siblings and mother so this year has been kind of tough on her particularly with her having to help Shana and I so much this year.
Jeff McKim has been moved to Harris Hospital in room H404 and is getting treatment and some limited therapy now. He seems to be doing better with moving his legs and arms and returns kisses from his wife. He is now responding to pain and to itches and he can’t really talk because he has a trach but he has told his wife to hush by putting his finger in front of his lips in the silent indication. He sometimes follows the nurses and family with his eyes and he seems to sometimes be watching sports on TV. So, finally it looks like he is making a slow but sure recovery. There is no estimate yet as to when he might be released. It will probably be a while but at least he is making progress.
Brad continues to be our crutch and help out Shana and I constantly. He is a real trooper and his mother is his best friend so he spends as much time with her as is possible. He is quite a guy.
April’s school year is over and she will have a big summer. She has her 6th anniversary this coming week and that is why she went home today.
Wes is going to summer school and that is eating up all of his time. We rarely see him at the office anymore.
Larry Williams, who has the same disease as Shana, needs your prayers and your reminders that he has to eat more. He doesn’t care much for eating after his surgery but he needs to add on some weight and get nutritionally sufficient to continue to fight his disease. Please remind him of that when you see him. He has had a rough time lately.
I have not been able to get in touch with Bee Rippy. Bee, if you read this, please contact me!
I am working kind of hard with several trials scheduled and my days are short this week so I appreciate all that each of you do for us and hope that we will see you soon.
Jim Bearden

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 12:05 pm and is filed under Updates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.