Relay for Life in Gatesville!

Here are some awesome pictures sent by Amber Tippit from this year's Relay for Life in Gatesville. They did a balloon send off for Jonathan! If you look closely you can see a whole lot of Jonathan's black bracelets! Thanks, Amber!! 

Update from Ila Mae

This is reposted from Ila Mae's Facebook page:


Family & Friends:
My Bubba has been admitted for another 5 day treatment of chemotherapy. This time, the routine will be different in a couple of ways. Two new chemo drugs will be introduced: Paclitaxel and Ifosfamide. Cisplatin will be a part of this round as well--he's had it before. With past treatments, the longest interval for a chemo drip was 2 hours. Tonight, the first chemo administered will be Paclitaxel...and it will drip for 24 hours.
For the next 5 days, I ask that you please pray for my brother's peace of mind, that he focuses on positive thoughts. Pray for his body's endurance, that the side effects be small and he maintains his ability to nourish his body with food. Overall, please pray for my brother's strength, that he may never be weak in body or mind!
Thank you so much- Love, Ila Mae

Think ZERO!

I received word last night from Lindsey Dotson that Jonathan's tumor markers are down again! This time they have decreased to 128. When it comes to tumor markers, obviously the goal is to get to ZERO. I jokingly told Jonathan last night that he spent his whole life trying to be somebody and now his only goal is to be a "zero" - it's a funny thought about a very serious goal! Mention the number ZERO in your prayers and thoughts as that is Jonathan's magic number. Think ZERO!

He was admitted last night about 7:30 pm for another round of treatment. Please read Ila Mae's very detailed post directly above this one for all the specifics!

Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts, and concerns!

Let's help Jonathan be a ZERO!

More soldiers for Jonathan's Army!!!

                                         Two more of Jonathan's Soldiers! Stephanie Khouri sent
                                          these pics in from Austin!!!

More good news!

Word out of Houston this morning is that Jonathan's tumors markers are down AGAIN to 242!! (When Jonathan was first admitted to M.D. Anderson his reading was 104,000) This is very positive and very good news! Stay tuned for more information!

~Winston

Update on Jonathan

I apologize for not updating everyone for so long!  We’ve been somewhat busy here in Houston with moving, doctor visits, and a little fun when we can.  We have a little story to share to show everyone how God hears all of our prayers no matter how small or silly we might think they are.  After Jonathan’s first round of treatment, we rented an apartment nearby the hospital that was convenient but expensive.  As the lease on the 1 month rental was coming to a close, Jonathan kept saying he really wanted to rent a house on a horse farm or with a lot of land.  Given our need to be close to the hospital (and the size of Houston), we did not even consider this as a possibility.  As I was looking for a new place, I stumbled across this listing entitled “Rare and Unique Rental Opportunity.”  When I clicked on the listing, I almost couldn’t believe what I was reading.  It was a beautiful, brand new house that was 3 bedroom/2 bath, furnished, only 8 miles from the hospital, and….on a horse farm!!!  The landlords, who wanted a year lease, let us sign a short term lease and have been such a blessing to us.  They also live on the 10 acres in their own gorgeous home, and our only other neighbors are 5 dogs and 40 beautiful horses! We’ve only been here since Wednesday, but I can’t tell you the difference this environment has made in our lives.  I’m attaching a few pictures to show everyone our new paradise! 

As for Jonathan, he is doing fairly well.  His white blood cells have been hit very hard in the last week, and he is being monitored daily for fever and any signs of infection.  Because he is at such a high risk for infection, much of our time is being spent at the house or outdoors.  This is when the horse farm really comes in handy!  The low blood counts leave him feeling tired and weak, but his overall demeanor and attitude is very good.  We have really tried to enjoy the last two weeks and take advantage of his free time from the hospital.  He has a full day of appointments tomorrow, and depending on his blood counts, he could be admitted for the 2^nd 21-day cycle of treatment.  We will also find out his new tumor marker numbers.  We are praying and believing the numbers are at zero, his blood counts are up, and all tumors are gone!  Keep Jonathan in your prayers tomorrow, and we will try to update everyone after the appointments.  Thanks again for all of the love and support!  We cannot tell you how much of a blessing you all are!

With love,

Lindsey



You can see the red brick house in the back!



God is so good to us!!

Jonathan's Soldiers at Gatesville High School!

Jonathan's army of cafeteria workers at Gatesville High School!

Thank you for sending in the photo!