Soccer!

Funny but Jordan's first soccer team had black jersey's too!

She is really good about kicking and throwing the ball in...

(there's no contact with the other players this way)

Isabel's favorite part of soccer - taking breaks and eating snacks!

We have dates...

We finally have some dates for Chad's transplant procedure...I'll try and post more later as I must get Isabel ready for her soccer game. Finally a warm Saturday! Jackie

My "HR" SHRM Soccer Girl

I picked this sweat shirt up when I was in Washington DC in November at the SHRM Leadership Conference and it has come in handy during these cold soccer practices. I think it's fitting, after all Isabel was born at the same time as my SHRM board meeting 5 years ago in June.

Well anyway the game was cancelled yesterday because of the weather...will it ever be warm again? What's with all the snow?

Happy Days!

The Island is done!

Almost done The painting begins Finished!

He did a really good job...cross that project off the list!

More waiting...

Well we still are not totally certain of Chad's dates yet for stem cell transplant. More than likely it will be the second week of April that everything starts. He still is undergoing pre-testing and we have a final (I think) appointment Monday afternoon.

It's hard for everything to be up in limbo, but that is what we are used to. Hurry up and wait! Again, I'm not the most patient person but I am starting to get there.

Tomorrow is the first day of spring...at least we will have good weather for his transplant...no more snow at least (has it ever snowed in April?)

Be sure and go out to look at the full moon tonight...it is supposed to look 14% bigger since the moon is so close to earth.

Have a great Saturday!

Jackie

Hurry up and wait...

Now we wait...again! Chad is through his testing phase and now we wait to make sure all was well with those tests so that we can proceed to the next step.

Snow really?

Old man winter sure does like lurking around here...

Happy Monday everyone...

Jackie

I love my husband...and new kitchen island!

I wish I would have taken a picture of the Redneck Island before he started working on it. It was awful with a yucky board on top with old laminate tile squares to serve as a countertop! And the dishwasher sitting out in the open, yikes!

At least you could reach the napkins and stuff from the backside - easy access!

Now look and see! This will be nice for when we are in quarantine and I will be doing all of the cooking for a while. He also needed to get it done before he gets sick and weak with the chemo again next month. He and Jordan did an awesome job!

It's still not totally done but a HUGE improvement! Thank you Chaddy and Bubba!

Love,

Me

PS - more tests tomorrow and also on Thursday, then we wait for all the results to know our next steps and dates!

Pre-testing starts Monday

We have tests all day on Monday and a couple other days next week...That's all I know for now. Trying to get the house organized before everything happens. Cleaned out two closets so far and Chad is working on the kitchen island.

It will be nice to have the kitchen done before Chad has his procedure. I will enjoy cooking much better at least.

I'll post some pictures later...TTYL

Jackie

Waiting and Patience

Currently we are waiting...

Waiting to get a phone call from KU to start this process so that we can get through it.

My mom always said that I am not the most patient person in the world and she basically is right. I guess one good thing I have learned through this entire experience is patience...one can either worry and fret about things that are out of your control or you can simply be patient and wait for the next appointment, CT scan or test result to come in.

We simply need to place it all in God's hands and know that he is in control. One thing as a caregiver that I have learned is to take one day at a time and cherish each moment that you have together. Don't waste precious time worrying about the unknown.

I still am not very patient (in most other areas) but I am learning...taking it day by day!

LY
Jackie

Chad's update

Here is a quick summary of what we learned at the doctor on Tuesday...

The chemo has worked with the PET scan showing only three small spots in his neck that may or may not be lymphoma. So this is good…

The not so good news is that he still needs to undergo a Stem Cell Transplant and they recommend it be done immediately (within the next month). We learned today what is involved with this process…and it does not sound fun.

Basically they harvest his own stem cells from his blood and then give him a high dose of chemo for five days then they re-infuse his body with his own stem cells. This entire process from pre-testing to follow-up is about six weeks.

There will be a two week period during the chemo and infusion that basically he will be in “quarantine” and cannot be around anyone who might be sick or exposed to anything. The kids will have to stay with grandparents during this time and can visit him (as long as they are well) but just not live here. At least this process is done at the outpatient transplant unit and he can go home everyday as long as he has a 24-hour caregiver.

The doctor stated the kind of cancer that he has could re-appear anywhere within 15-30 months if we do nothing further. His chances could go way up if we do the transplant. It could also never come back…

So thank you for all the prayers and well wishes…keep them coming as our journey is not quite over yet.

Love,
Jackie

Tomorrow is the day!

Tomorrow is the day....we have been waiting for this day for the last four + months. We have the stem cell team meeting in the morning and then follow-up with our doctor in the afternoon. No rest for the weary as we have to leave the house before 7am to get everyone dropped off and down to KU by 8am.

Please pray that we have good results...we really want some good news!

Love
The Bonds

Happy Valentines Day

Well we had a good "chocolate" day around here...Chad sent me flowers at work (first time in almost 17 years of being married I might add). Mom and Darrell brought us lots of chocolate from Russell Stovers, and Jordan and I had a movie night. We watched Secretariat (LOVED it). Sorry Connie - I owe you $2 on the redbox (it's a long but good excuse). The movie will go back in the morning.

The movie was even complete with a real live horse race by Isabel at the end. As the last race was running on the movie...here comes Isabel flying by in a race with two of her horses (one which even made horse noises). It was classic Isabel...

Anyway on a more serious note, Chad goes for his PET scan tomorrow morning at 11:30 with the scan at 1pm. They called him today and said no food after 5:30 tonight....have you ever heard of such a thing (maybe after mid-night but 5:30pm)?

Well anyway that was our day today...appreciate your prayers and wishes as this next week will be long with the wait to see the results of this scan. We have follow-up appts on 2/22.

Happy Valentines Day to all!

XXX OOO
Jackie

Bond Family Christmas Outing - Yes, I said Christmas.......(aka Choc-O-Bowl-A-Mexically)

Choc-O-Bowl-A-Mexically!

We have always gone out to dinner and a movie (in the old days) and here recently since we have all the little kids we have to find "kid friendly" outings. So, last Saturday we went on a Chocolate tour, Bowling adventure and Mexican dinner (aka Choc-O-Bowl-A-Mexically)!

Congrats to "Chemo Man" as he called himself on Saturday as he had the highest score in bowling for the second game - his score was a 206! Awesome Chad!

It was a very fun day - Thanks to Monty and Connie for making it happen!

Snow pics...

It took too long to get dressed for the 10 minutes she was outside!
She loves to shovel!

Can you see Jordan? I was wondering because of all the camo!

Fun times...we shall be here again tomorrow!

Snowmageddon 2011

It's too cold to even go out and take a picture of the snow...so you'll have to settle for my post. Isabel is better now, but my stomach as been a little questionable today so I'm not eating anything else.

Chad got home around 1pm and we have been watching TV with the kids since then. Right now they are watching Monsters Inc.

I just learned that the district offices are closed tomorrow so guess who will be home again. As of now Jordan still has school...I bet that will change by tonight!

Hope everyone is home safe and warm...can you believe that Oak Park Mall closed today? Have you ever seen such a thing.

Take care...

Sick Sunday...

I woke up this morning to "Mommy, Mommy, I frew up in my bed!" Ugh - trying to keep a four year old who is throwing up away from your immune system compromised husband is very challenging.

I'm going to Wal-mart later to get her a TV tray of some sort so that she can eat and color etc in her room...

I will be a fun day here at home today...I really need Calgon to "take me away."

Happy Kansas Day! --- Happy Birthday Sherri!

Today is Kansas Day - It's also my SIL Sherri's Birthday! She's not from around here but I remind her each year that she was born on KS day. She thinks I'm crazy...but I told her that all KS school children know when KS Day is!

Happy 150th Birthday KS AND Happy 40th Birthday Sherri!!!

Hope your party is FABULOUS and AWESOME, like TOTALLY RAD, Far OUT!!!

(It's an 80's party in case you were wondering)

Still Tired...

Chad is still really tired and weak this week. He is still working and this keeps him busy and up an moving. He tries to get as much rest at night as he can. Hopefully he will start feeling better this weekend.

Fortunately the good thing is that he does not have labs this week or next. The only thing in the near future is the PET scan on the 15th. Hopefully he will recover during this time...

We are hanging in there and are looking forward to the warm weather today even though it will be short lived.

Have a great weekend...

Jackie

Chemo Complete - Yea!!!

Chad got the following certificate at Chemo today...It was the Purple Heart Award for completing his six rounds of Chemotherapy! We are so thankful that this is the last treatment. Chad is now scheduled for his PET scan in February then a consult with the Stem Cell Transplant team at KU for an evaluation to determine if this is in his immediate future or something down the road.

Although the prayers are still needed that this round of chemo does what it is supposed to do and that he starts feeling better soon. Right now he is really feeling the effects of today and is up in bed already. Thanks so much for everyone's prayers and well wishes.

Stay posted for more news...

Love,

The Bonds

Wintertime FUN!

This is a picture of Chad and me...look at the hearts and how skinny I am!

Artist: Miss Isabel

The picture below is Jordan's tractor (he made me add this)

Isabel drew a picture of me...Look at that hair!

Finally I'm able to see Isabel play in the snow!



Jordan - the old bump on a log does not want his picture taken anymore...so this is all I can get.

While the snow is pretty, we are ready for Spring!

Winter wonderland

OK this morning started with Chad struggling to breath after cleaning off the 57 inches of snow (that's an exaggeration by the way). Then I got a text that he was stuck in the drive way and needed Jordan to come out and shovel since he cannot do that right now (which makes him mad).

So if Chad got stuck in his truck (that rhymes)...then what were my chances of getting out? Slim to non... Jordan and I tried for a long time and then had to call in reinforcements (aka Monty) to help. As I took Isabel to school in Monty's truck they got my car out...thank goodness. So I get to work just in time to eat lunch...ha ha...

Fun times in our winter wonderland we call Kansas! Be safe!

Jackie

Wintertime Blues and Red Blood!

Chad is so cold and feels so bad all the time...It's a little bit of a cold, flu, sinus infection or something. Imagine this - It's like you have been suffering from the most awful cold for about six months and nothing helps you recover. I wish there was something I could do or offer him to make him feel better...But the only thing I can do is pray that he will somehow feel better soon. He just has no immune system to fight the little things that we are all exposed to everyday. It makes me sometimes feel guilty for being well!

There is a billboard sign as I leave town everyday that has current events in our town for that week/month etc. Well for the past couple of days it has advertised a Blood Drive at a local church that was today! Well I kept thinking about it and decided on my way home tonight that I was going to go by and if there was no line I was going to donate. I used to donate all the time but ever since Isabel was born I had gotten out of the habit.

Well as I walked in and was the ONLY one in line I decided it was a sign that I needed to be there. Isabel was with me and probably was more interested in the snack table than the blood donation (although she held my hand while they stuck me).

Since I was the only one there and at the same time in walked a reporter from the Herold to do a story on the blood drive...so guess who was the target of the story line...you got it!

So I guess the woman who was there after a long day at work on a very cold January evening with her cute four year old daughter, and her husband who has cancer makes a good story. I guess I get to be in the paper...hopefully it does not end up on the front page.

The donation took all of 15 minutes (as I am a good candidate) and I was out the door with stickers, snacks and apple juice (for Isabel and Jordan of course).

So the moral of the story...take some time this year if you are a good blood donation candidate and go donate. Every donation can save up to three lives and is so worth the time and effort. I am so glad that I could help even in that small way. Maybe it was my way of contributing to Chad's recovery effort somehow. I think back to right before his surgery in October when they were discussing blood types and transfusions if needed. I am thankful that the blood was available even though he did not end up needing it at the time.

Since the last two snowy days the city blood supply is at a critical low...help out if you can and go visit your local Community Blood Center or the American Red Cross!

God bless and stay warm...
Love,
Jackie

Snow Day

Well it's a snow day today in KS, however I was the last to know that our school was closed. I took Jordan and guess what - not a car in the lot! Oh well he ended up at the grandparents!

The weekend was quiet trying to stay warm and out of the weather...

Chad is doing better now that he has gotten through this chemo round...we are very thankful that there will be just one more!

Maybe we will play in the snow tomorrow...I'll post some pictures later...

LY
Jackie

Good News!

Chad's CT scans showed significant improvement - he had chemo today and still has one more treatment scheduled. He will have a PET scan in February to determine further treatment and to see if we got it all.

If it would just warm up a bit and give him some relief from this cold weather then all will be well.

He still needs prayer as he continues to suffer from sinus infections as his immune system is still compromised from the chemo.

We are thankful and pleased to hear this news. We continue to pray and hope for the best. Thank you for all your thoughts and well wishes and most importantly your prayers.

Love
The Bonds

Dr Appt today

Good morning,

Chad has chemo scheduled for today and also an update from our oncologist to see the results of the CT scans that were done last week. Please pray that we receive good news as we can really use it right now. Thank you...

Love,
Jackie

Wow - this week went fast...

From seeing a movie to hanging out with my MIL and SIL to getting my haircut yesterday, this week has flown by. Today I must get this house in order and put away the rest of Christmas!

Chad had CT scans yesterday and we are praying for some good news on Tuesday! We really could use it. He has been fighting a really bad cold again and hopefully will be able to get some rest this weekend.

So I am going to enjoy the last three days of my vacation and hang out some more with my favorite 4-year old!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Love,
Jackie

Christmas Pics

Our Tree (and loot after Santa stopped by)
Isabel in her I Love my Daddy silky PJ's. Chad teases her and tells her he wants her silky jammy bottoms every time she wears them.

Isabel at the candle light Christmas eve service at church. When you are late you get to sit in the front row!

Isabel watching the Santa tracker on Fox 4 news. Santa was in Nashville at the time so we got her to bed pretty quickly after this.

New snow boots!

Jordan got lots of John Deere and camo this year!

Isabel and her new doll (with matching big girl outfit)

All kids gathered around Greg watching Grace's new video game.

Cousins

While we had a good Christmas, we are really tired today...slept in until 10:00am. Chad is doing good and hopefully will continue to improve this week as it will be quite around here with Jordan going to my dad's tomorrow. Isabel and I are off all week and will try to get to see the movie Tangled with Faith and Ava. Happy Sunday everyone!

LY

Jackie

Merry Christmas!

Christmas at my Mom's House last night!
Chad and my brother Robbie

Isabel posing by the tree

Me and my girl

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Thank you all for your continued prayers, well wishes and help so far on this journey that we are on. We are praying for healing and remission for Chad in 2011! We will have an update from our doctor on January 4th.

May God Bless you all - Happy Holidays!

Love, The Bonds

Chad.Jackie.Jordan.Isabel

Happy Sunday!

Sorry I've not posted in a while...Chad has felt terrible this last week and I just did not want to be doom and gloom this time of the year. However last night he had a good night and slept all night! While that seems like a small accomplishment it is huge in our house as that meant he did not wake up coughing and unable to catch his breath.

The Chiefs also won today and I am COMPLETELY DONE with my Christmas shopping when my mom picked up one last item for me today. I also am over 50% done with wrapping everything.

Now I just need to get through two more days of work and then I am off until January 3rd. I really need this break if only to clean my house and get organized.

Hopefully Chad will continue to get stronger and be able to enjoy the holidays. We have CT scans on December 30th and will review them against the October CT scans with the doctor on January 4th - so if you could be praying there that would be good. Until then we hope he continues to get stronger this week and feel better.

OK - I must leave now and do the dreaded grocery shopping and find my long lost son who has been at my Dad's house since Friday.

I hope everyone has a great week...

God Bless
Jackie

Winter Break - here we come!

I now know why kids look so forward to winter break...I have the fever! Only four more days of work and I will have almost two weeks off - yea!

Chad is feeling a little better today after a rough night last night. Hopefully he can get some sleep tonight...It's almost time to get these kids to bed so that I can go.

Good night everyone...

Jackie

Chemo treatment today

Hi all,

Chad has his treatment #4 today and is not really looking forward to it. The only good thing about this is that he is on the down hill slide if we really are only looking at six treatments. We also meet with the Dr. today as well. CT scans will probably be in two weeks..

Keep us in your prayers today for a quick recovery from this treatment.

LY
Jackie

Santa!

Finally a Santa and Isabel picture free from sleeping, crying or simply the "scared to death" look. Well I take that back...she did once take a good picture in Branson with her brother close by her side. Since I could not convince him this past year we have just done without. So here you go...missioned accomplished!

Wednesday update...

Well we made it to Wednesday...Chad had labs yesterday and his numbers were low, which is to be expected the week before chemo. The trend is that he continues to get better and is at his best the day before he gets hit again with the next chemo round. This will be round #4 and hopefully he gets to feeling better before Christmas. He seems so tired this week...

We again will try to keep the holidays low key...Isabel sees Santa today at school so maybe I'll have a picture or two to post tomorrow. She saw Santa in Branson so she is not so scared this year...

More later...
LY
Jackie

How did Monday get here so fast?

I can't believe its Monday already...how did that happen. Well at least the Chiefs won yesterday and San Diego lost (thanks Raiders). It was not a pretty Chiefs game but the outcome was good!

We got the Christmas tree up and decorated yesterday. We have a "Santa Key" ornament so that Santa can get into the house on Christmas since we do not have a fireplace. We hung that on the tree last night and this morning Isabel came out of her room and looked around and said "You did not let Santa in last night." It was so cute as she was really concerned that Santa got locked out. I told her that Santa only comes on Christmas Day and that he will be here in a few weeks. She is really looking forward to Christmas this year.

I love the innocence of children at Christmas!

Hugs to all,
Jackie

Happy Friday!

We made it another week...here is a picture to share with you of our pretty girl! Our house is officially a mess again but we have a couple of days home to get organized before another work week. Chad continues to improve and is much better than a week ago when he had chemo. We are all sleeping much better and getting some rest.

We have family pictures tomorrow at church for the directory, hopefully they come out good. Take care and stay warm!

Ly

Jackie

Tired...but hey it's Wednesday!

Chad had labs yesterday and everything looks good as far a his check went. Now we just have to all get over this cough that seems to still be lingering. Last night I asked Chad why he was coughing so much and he said that was not him it was me! Oops!

I'm glad this week is coming to an end as I am really tired! I overslept today and I hardly ever do that!

Ok more later...

Happy Wednesday!