So sorry...

It's been a really rough several weeks... I guess after the emotional roller coaster we rode on in January, I haven't been up to writing about all of this. It's been all I could do to just keep going through life's motions--and barely that. I guess it's good news that I'm ok enough to post again.

I'm also very surprised at how many people are actually reading this. In these past weeks, I've been told by several people--people that I didn't expect to be reading this--that they check this blog every day and are waiting to see how things are going. So, I'm really sorry to keep you all waiting, and please forgive me for slacking off.

So... back in January, after she got home from the hospital, Misty was actually sleeping and feeling more rested than she had for quite some time. I think this was due in large part to the lack of sleep caused by all the pain she was in, and then there was the sudden absence of pain and she could finally rest. The swelling in her belly reduced, and continued to reduce for several more weeks. In recent weeks the swelling has returned, but not nearly to the degree that it was, and it has also subsided, mostly on it's own as well. We're taking this as a sign that Misty's body is trying to regulate the fluid build up by itself and is mostly successful, despite the tumors.

If you remember, Misty wasn't able to eat when she was in the hospital last. She could barely keep down liquids and anything that was fed into her tube seemed to cause vomiting within minutes. About 2 weeks later, Misty was eating small amounts of fruits--juicy and slippery fruit like grapes, oranges, and melons--as well as avocados and some soup.

In the first week of February, we got in contact (through someone in our ward) with a couple, Sergio and Eva Bentacort, who gave Misty some "energy" treatments. I don't know what else to call it; the people who do it just call it "energy work" or "energy therapy". (The treatments look sort of like a very light massage, but with very specific hand placement and movements.) After that first treatment, Misty felt relaxed and slept very well that night. The following day, Misty's dad drove her to the couple's home, just south of Dallas. She stayed there for most of the day and received several of these treatments. The treatments again had a profound effect, and Misty (who can never sleep in a car) slept on the way home from the treatments! Over the next couple of days, Misty's appetite picked up quite a bit and she was able to eat more than she had in weeks. Misty was invited to go to the clinic in Mexico where the Bentacorts where trained and to get more intensive treatment. The first weekend in February, Misty and her mother went with the Bentacorts down to Monterrey, Mexico. Even though I didn't (and still don't) understand this "energy therapy", (and, to be honest, it seems a little weird) we are convinced that it's certainly doing something positive. Since that first treatment over a month ago, it's been a slow but sure progression back to health.

At this point she's feeling about like how she was at Christmastime--but better. She's taking very few painkillers now. As a result of fewer pain pills, she's much more clear-headed. (Those of you who came and saw Misty in the hospital in January saw just how foggy all the pain meds made her!) For the past two weeks (three, including today) she's been able to sit through all three hours of church. She really is doing much better. We have been praying for a miraculous healing, and this certainly looks like one. She's not out of the woods yet, though. She is still losing weight, despite eating as much as her body will let her. She is still very weak and gets tired throughout the day. She has to sit down or nap frequently. And of course, the pain just shows up every now and then, exploding in her stomach for no apparent reason. The good news is that it goes away after a relatively short time.

Misty is going back down to Mexico next weekend for another set of treatments.

In failing to provide you all with updates on Misty, I've failed to express our gratitude here as well. Misty and I are truly grateful for all the help we've recieved from you. Thank you to those of you who came over and deep cleaned the house. It's amazing how much better things look with clean windows and scrubbed walls! Thanks again for the meals--both fresh and frozen. Thanks also for just coming over. Misty loves the company (and the attention). Thanks also for helping us out with the tires (the ridiculously expensive tires!) on the van. Misty wouldn't have made it to Mexico without the help. And thanks for so many countless other things.

Also... some of you haven't seen Misty for a while. Some of you still haven't seen Misty since she was diagnosed. Because she looks so different than what she did eighteen months ago, some people don't even recognize her. Here are a couple pictures of Misty that might help you recognize her. I have to say that when I went looking back through some of these pictures, I almost didn't recognize Misty anymore.



The first one was from March 2008, the next one is from July 2008, and the bottom one is from Christmas 2008.