Exciting News!

We are SOOOOO Excited! Doctors said today that Lance doesn't have to come back down to Iowa City for ONE MONTH!! Lance has had blood work and or doctor appointments weekly or every other week depending on what has been going on for the last two years....and of course many times daily while hospitalized. So this feels like a big step forward! His blood work looked pretty good today and he only has a little GVH symptoms (mainly dry mouth and slight rash) so they said we could give it a try! They want him to continue lowering the steroids gradually over the next month, so if he has any flare ups we are to call but otherwise he doesn't have an appointment for a whole month! The last thing they said to us today was, "Don't touch anything....get out of here!!" They still don't want him exposed to anything...... but overall it was a great visit! Praise for this encouraging news!! ---Penny

Overdue Update

The joke is since Elisabeth is the only one of our kids who is still living at home, when anything is missing or broke or just didn't get done.... She did it! But as much as I'd like to blame this very late blog update on her....it really isn't her fault!! Well anyway.... Lance's last appointment was July 13. Doctors decided to not drop his steroid dose anymore for a couple of weeks to hopefully let his body adjust. The last month has been pretty tough at times. He keeps pushing himself and smiling even when we know he doesn't feel like it, he has had an amazing attitude! We head back down wednesday to Iowa City and we assume they will lower the steroid dose a little more, so please pray that it will go better so they can get him off them soon. They did have to up his anti-rejections meds because he isn't absorbing enough into his blood stream. This med is really hard on him, causing tremors among other things.... We know we have to be patient, it just takes time to get off the meds... so please continue to pray for protection for him not only from the Graft vs. Host disease but from all the side effects of the meds, and of course sickness.

July 9th was our 32nd anniversary!! It was also two years since we found out about the Luekemia.... We really have so much to be thankful for....just having another year together is amazing! I personally want to thank Lance for his great attitude...... He has held me up and helped our whole family with his great attitude and smile! Yes even his teasing has been a blessing but don't tell him I said that! We both want to thank you all once again for being God's hands and feet to us.... praying for us... encouraging us.... Thank you!
----Penny

A New Baby!

Hey everybody! We have some very exciting news! Cory and Jamie had their baby! Camryn Cory Hall was born on July 4th, 7lbs 14oz. 20in. Everyone is doing great and very excited about the baby. Especially new big sister Hayden who has already been a big help with new little sister Cammy! Hayden came over for a little while yesterday while Cory and Jamie brought the new baby home so along with some pics of Cammy I'll post some pics of that to! We'll post again soon! Elisabeth

Holding baby Camryn for the first time!

Proud Daddy :)

Having fun reading with Grandpa

Having fun in the pool!

Look at how cute I am

Splashin around