Still doing fine

Hi all, thanks for checking in. I've been meaning to update, sorry it's taken a while. Mom is still doin quite well!  She's a walking miracle and we are so thankful each day. We had a nice Christmas as a family and mom and dad spent New Year's Eve at her brother Joe's. Since then we've been hiding indoors from all this cold.

Mom gets blood and platelets at least once a week, as she needs them. She's able to get them in Morris now rather than traveling to Chicago. 

She has days that her head hurts or she'll have a stomach ache, but generally her health is much better than expected. She doesn't do a whole lot other than talk with visitors and relax around the house. She has to be careful leaving the house because she doesn't have the cells built up to fight infection. Julie has been mom's main caregiver, giving her her medicine, making her food, and keeping her company. We are always trying to balance what meds mom is taking depending on her blood counts. There are challenges each week but overall it's been pretty calm and enjoyable last month. 

Please continue to pray for mom and our family as we support her. Thanks for all your love. 

Happy Birthday, Mary!

Tomorrow is a very special day in the Provance household.  It is Mary's birthday! 

As many of you can imagine, it has been difficult to come across the right words to say and write as we make our way through this journey as a family.  Each day there are different emotions spilling through; however, I can say (as the outlaw) that I have been so blessed by watching everyone unite. 

If we wrote the full exposed truth in this blog you would be shocked because the truth is hard and scary and sad and frustrating.  Somehow, through all of this, the Provance family has shown grace and love and committment to one another.  I know where that comes from and where it starts.  It comes from our faith in God.  It starts at the top, in a family, with a mom and dad who teach their children what that means and how we display that faith to others.  I was thinking a lot about that this morning.  As Mary's birthday approaches, I was thinking about some of my favorite Mary things.  One of the top on the list is the way she and Greg taught her children to love.  Isn't that one of God's commandments? 

John 13:34 says "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another.

I don't know how she did it and yes I do plan on asking her, but she and Greg molded children that genuinely love and support each other and their families above all else.  There are certainly moments of frustration that take place in the Provance household.  We are not unique in that respect.  However, we work hard to communicate, apologize, and forgive.  Our goal, at the end of the day, is love.

So, today, as we turn a new page to Mary's birthday, I want to call you all to love.  You can start by sending a note to Mary and letting her know you are thinking of her on her special day!  She is currently battling a fever and would really love if you all could pray that all away!

XO Bre

Update on Mom (and Dad!)

Merry Christmas!!  

It's been two weeks since our last update and it's safe to say that Mom has had a pretty good 2 weeks.  As you know we had our Thanksgiving a little early but we were even able to gather at Mom and Dad's house on the "real" Thanksgiving Day, which was a blessing.  It was a scene like we all have witnessed so many times over the years...kids running everywhere, aunts and uncles and cousins all catching up, good food and deserts everywhere - Mom had a very good day and was happy everyone was able to join us.  "Thankful" was the perfect word to describe that day...many of us have said or felt, after Mom came home from the hospital, that all we wanted was to have some high quality days for Mom at home - and we've been so blessed to have those since our last update. 

Things were pretty calm until the Friday after Thanksgiving!!  About 7:00 am I received a call from Julie, who obviously has been staying with Mom and Dad, that Dad was hurting pretty bad and that I needed to get into town.  Well, after some very touch and go moments, they rushed Dad to the hospital and we were told that he had a heart attack!  Thankfully they performed a procedure on him very quickly and an hour later he was recovering in ICU.  I wish I could explain how many emotions were involved throughout the entire situation, but I'm sure you can imagine how difficult a time it truly was...but he's doing well at home now and the doctor says that he should make a full recovery!  Over the last week you could tell that Mom was feeling pretty good because she's been scolding him for eating things that he's not supposed to be eating!!!  It's been pretty funny!

The last week has involved Mom and Dad resting at home and all of us (kids, grandkids, siblings, and close friends) spending time with them.  I'll end with this...I talked to Mom's doctor earlier this week mainly just to update her on how Mom is doing as well as to tell her about Dad's situation.  As I was describing how Mom is feeling and asking her questions she said "There is really only one word I can use to describe her Adam...MIRACULOUS!"  She has beaten every odd, every statistic, and there are really no answers as to why she was able to get stronger since coming home from the hospital!  When a doctor says the word "MIRACULOUS" then it gets your attention..and we agree with her!!  Thank you for your continued prayers and support, we love you all and ask that you continue to pray for Mom as her birthday (December 20th) and Christmas approaches.  We know we are getting a miracle right now, pray that it continues for her...it's just that simple!  Merry Christmas to you all from the entire Provance Family!! 

-Adam

Update

Good morning and thanks for checking in.  Mom is doing okay these days.  She gets around the house to do the things she needs to do and has been busy with lots of visitors.  We feel very blessed to have so many people who love and care about us.  She still retreats to her bed throughout the day so she can stretch out.  She's not sleeping a lot during the day, just resting.  She prefers to keep herself awake so she can sleep well at night.

We kept her busy this weekend.  On Saturday Mom went to Adam's alumni football game.  It was raining so she sat in the car with Dad and I, but she was still able to see the first half.  It meant a lot for Adam to have her there.  She yelled and cheered as Adam caught and ran the ball down the field.  We left the game at halftime but Adam's team went on to win, and he even scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

On Sunday we prepared a Thanksgiving meal to have together. 

Mom didn't eat much but we all enjoyed our time together.  After we ate, some of Mom's brothers and sisters in law also came to visit.  These days are very emotional for everyone, but we are going to be thankful for each moment we have together. 

Please continue to pray for peace and strength for Mom and all of us.

Below is a beautiful song Bre shared with us this morning...."How Great Thou Art."

Peace and Purpose

November 14th, 2013

Last night our family met at Mom and Dad's house to go over some very difficult news that was told to Mom at her doctor's appointment at Northwestern Hospital yesterday afternoon.  We realize that the blog may not be the best way to share some of this due to the difficult nature of what has been told to Mom, but we feel it's the right thing to do being that all of you have been praying for Mom everyday based on information you have read here on her site. 

Dr. Jessica explained to Mom, as well as Dad, Julie and Amy who were in attendance with her, that leukemic blasts are showing up in her bloodwork now...and what that means is confirmation that leukemia is still present in her body.  After the last two weeks in which Mom was having some very good days we were all still hopeful that the chemotherapy she had over 2 months ago would have eliminated her leukemia another time.  It did eliminate some of the leukemia at the time but not all, and she is again faced with the reality that her leukemia will just not go/stay away.  Her body, soul and mind have been through SO much, more than any of us can understand...so as you can imagine it's been a very difficult time for her and for our family. 

We ask that you keep praying for peace...peace for Mom as she goes through the most difficult days of her life.  All of us gathered with her last night...we held her and hugged/kissed her and told her that we are going to be there with her through any of the fears or emotions that she has...and even though none of us have ever gone through anything like this we will stand together, united in our faith in the Lord and our love for one another...she has taught us that and she has been the best example by living her own life in that fashion. 

The thing we ask most is to be praying for her and for our family.  We also ask that if you would like to visit please just reach out to one of us before you come to the house.  There are times where she feels like company and as you can imagine, there are also times that she's just wanting to get some rest or enjoy a quiet home.  We can assure you that she is getting the best care, support and love that can be provided...and we will all continue to give her that as we go through this situation together.  Thank you for your continued prayers, support and love...your letters/cards have meant so much to us.  Love to you all and we will try and keep you informed, thank you,

Adam and the entire Provance Family   

Great Perspective on Life

Please take a few minutes to watch this video that my Dad found and shared with all of us.  This woman has an amazing perspective on life and what she's on earth for.

Mother Dying of Cancer Gives a Godly, Life-Changing Final Speech from untilweflyaway on GodTube.

A good calm week

Mom has been doing pretty well this week. She has gained a little strength and has been able to enjoy her visitors a little more. She still needs a lot of rest and help around the house, but has shown us she's giving it everything she has to grow stronger. 

Last night Mom's sister, Sue, hosted our annual Kaufmann girls' shopping trip (which turned into a sleepover and no shopping). We had it in Seneca so Mom could be a part of this fun night she loves every year. Dad and Julie took Mom up to get blood yesterday, but then Mom and Julie were able to make it back to Sue's for the evening fun. Everyone loved having Mom there and Mom stretched herself to stay as long as she could. I think it meant a lot to Mom to be surrounded with all the love.

We don't know much else at this time, but we celebrate everyday that Mom feels okay. She will have an appointment this week and we'll do our best to keep you all updated as you pray for Mom. Thanks for all the love and support every step along the way.