Fundraiser!!!!!!

Hey guys - it has been quit some time since I posted. But I want to let you know about an amazing fundraiser going on with my friend Connie. Connie and her husband Clayton were our travel partners in China last year. They are a wonderful family who has stepped out in faith again to bring home another China doll. Please consider sponsoring their fundraiser.

Thanks!

30 Days Giveaway

Not only have I been bad at posting to my own blog, but I have also been terrible at reading others blogs. This was always one of my favorite past times. It was so exciting to see how others were progressing through their adoption journey. Well, today I started checking out the dashboard for all the blogs I follow. I came across an exciting giveaway hosted by my friend at Ni hao Y'all. For those of you in the adoption community, you know her very well. Stephani has lobbied tirelessly for orphans around the world. In fact, our daughters, Sophie and Tessa were on the same waiting child list at Lifeline. She traveled about month after us to the same province.

Anyway, Stephani is hosting an amazing giveaway for 30 days. I am a little late to the party, but I did want to make mention of it. Just click on the cool tree link to the right and it will take you to her blog.

Till later.....

The Results We Were Hoping For

Terry received a call from his doctor about the biopsy results. They feel the lump under his arm is just scar tissue from a previous surgery. YEAH!!!! They are going to watch it over the next few weeks to see if it changes. But for now - the results are very good!!!! I have so much to be thankful for this week!!!!

Thank you for your prayers. We felt each and every one over the past few weeks.

Till later....

Some Updates....

Terry is home from the hospital and doing well. He is resting right now. The doctors said they should have the results of the biopsy in the next few days. Please keep praying.

Till later...

Please Keep Terry In Your Prayers Today

As I mentioned in a previous post, Terry will undergo a biopsy today. The doctors located a lump under his right arm. We are not sure when we will have the results. I will post as soon as we know something.

Thanks!

I am still here....

I will not try to promise that I will do better at blogging. Our lives have become so crazy over the past 7 months. I know everyone has craziness, but I think the Harlow household takes the prize this year.

So, you want to hear the updates??? Get ready - it is a long story. Well, as most of you know, Terry was diagnosed with Stage III melanoma in March. He has went through three surgeries and 6 months of chemo. He still has 8 months of chemo to go. As a prayer request, I would ask that you keep Terry in your constant prayers over the next week. Last week the doctors found another lump. They are doing a biopsy next week to determine if it is the cancer again. We have went through some difficult days lately.

Now an update on me. You know how people say never to ask "what else could happen"... well, they were right. One Sunday morning in late September I was sitting in church and my feet went numb. I thought I had just sat wrong. By that evening, both of my feet were totally numb. Within three days I had numbness in 70% of my body and was admitted to the hospital. A first, they thought it was a stroke. After an exhaustive round of MRIs and blood work, it was determined that I have Multiple Sclerosis. Yep MS - who could have ever imagined. I spent the next 12 days in the hospital, going through lots of different treatment programs. The doctors hoped to help me regain some of my feeling and coordination. The MS left me with partial paralysis on the left side and lots of numbness. Since then, I have been fighting very hard to get my strength back.

To say that this all caught us by surprise is an understatement. My life changed overnight. I have learned not to take things for granted. My children have been amazing through all of this. Their lives changed overnight too. This was not how I imagined Tia's first year in our family. I wanted it to be a happy time for all of us. But through it all, we have grown in our love for one another. I am crazy about these people!!!

Now, lets talk about happy things. Tia is doing great!!! We just celebrated our one year anniversary of gotcha day. It is hard to believe this is the same tiny little baby we met in China just one year ago. She has grown into an energetic, adorable little toddler. Her laugh is so infectious!! You can't help but smile when you are around her. I am posting a fun picture from Halloween. She was dressed as our little Mulan. She learned very quickly that the candy was the best part of the day.

I will post some more updates soon. Not making any promises of when I will post - but I will post.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Help Bring Kasidi Joy Home

My dear friend Connie is working hard to bring home her youngest bundle of joy - Kasidi. Please consider supporting her amazing fundraiser. She is giving away a Cannon Rebel T1i. It is an awesome camera - and a great cause. You can visit her blog for more details.

Till later....

Diane

Our Fall Collection

I am very excited to announce that our Fall 2010 Collection is now on line. In case you didn't know, we own a children's clothing company called My Red Thread. The company started 5 years ago during Tessa' adoption. What was a fundraiser is now one of my favorite hobbies.

So, stop on by and check out the site. You can also visit our blog for more details about a special coupon.

WOW - it has been a good day!!!

As a parent, there are a lot of things in our children's lives that make us proud. Their first steps, first word, and the first time they called me mommy. But today I was reminded of what is really the most important step in our children's lives. Tonight, my youngest son Trenton prayed to ask Jesus in his heart.

I feel so blessed that God gave me the privilege to be here to witness this moment. I am over joyed and so proud of my little boy.

Please keep him in your prayers. As we all know, this will be the time that satan will try to trip him up. Pray for protection for my little man.

PRAISING GOD TONIGHT!!!!!

Put on your big girl panties and get over it.....

Nice title to my post - huh.... Well, I guess this is my motto for right now. I have not been posting lately. To be honest with you, I have just been mad at life. Things have definitely not turned out the way I had hoped or dreamed. I have had the biggest pity party this side of the Mississippi. Sorry I did not invite anyone, but trust me - you would not have wanted to have been there. It was ugly!!!

Our lives changed overnight. What started out as just a little dime size spot on my husbands arm turned into a life altering illness. For those of you who are just now reading about all of this - let me catch you up. In March, my husband went to our local doctor for a physical. While there the doctor took a biopsy of a small mole on his arm. Within a week, he had the diagnosis of Melanoma. At the time, they thought it was just Stage 1. After a few surgeries, they determined it was Stage III. This meant the doctors needed to do a much more advanced form of treatment. He is now undergoing Chemotherapy. For the first month, he will go 5 days a week. After that, he will give himself chemo injections for the next 11 months. Yep - you read that right - 11 months. The doctors believe this is the best treatment for his type of cancer.

So, what have I learned through all of this? I spent the first month or so trying to determine that God was trying to teach me. Of course, it must be ALL ABOUT ME. But then our pastor - Brother Ron gave a message from Habakkuk. Not a book I have read very often - but some very powerful stuff. I realized much like Habakkuk, I thought God needed reminded of all the bad stuff going on around here. I wanted Him to show me what this all meant to me. And finally He showed me - sometimes things just happen. It doesn't always have to mean anything. What I have learned is that I am stronger than I ever imagined. Pity party and all, I am a very strong woman. It also helped me to realize how crazy in love I am with my husband. Maybe I had started to take him and our relationship for granted after 18 years. I have laughed more lately than ever before. I laugh at the silliest things. Things that before I migh have overlooked before.

So, for now - I will put on my big girl panties and get over it. I may have moments that I try to return to my pity party, but I promise I will move forward. Keep us in your prayers. We still have a long road ahead.

Tilll later...

The Latest...

I haven't been posting like I should - I guess I just don't know what to say. I could never have imagined that things would be the way they are right now. It has been a tough couple of months for all of us. Terry is doing really well. I know he has went through so much pain over the last few weeks. Just to get you up to speed on where we are right now -

Terry had his second surgery last Tuesday. Since they found a small amount of cancer cells in one of his lymph nodes, they have determined that it is Stage 3 cancer and they removed all of his lymph nodes on the right side. The doctor feels this will help prevent the cancer from moving any further. They have also decided to administer chemotherapy. The first round will be pretty intense, he will receive treatments 5 days a week for 1 month. After that, he will be able to give himself the injections at home for up to 1 year. We are hearing a variety of symptoms that he may experience with the chemo. It just depends on the person.

I know you all are praying - I can feel it. When I start to get really down, I feel this arm of encouragement wrap around me - and I press on. I have finally moved out of the place of asking why - and instead am looking to the future. I know that some day, we will look back on all of this and see how much we have grown and changed through this experience.

God is good - all the time.

Till later....

A good report

We just received a call from Terry's doctor. They completed the surgery on Tuesday and the pathology report shows that the cancer has not spread to any other lymph node. This is the best news possible!!!

Thank you again for all your prayers and support!!!

Till later...

Taking a deep breath...

I feel like I have been holding my breath a lot lately. Waiting for the latest reports from Terry's doctors. Ya know, it all just seems like a bad dream sometimes. This was suppose to be one of the most joyous times of our lives. We have just brought our precious little girl home from China. The kids are all doing great. Life was pretty good. But then, waiting around the corner when we least expected it was a lot of heartache. I was blindsided to say the least.

The doctors completed Terry's second surgery yesterday. This one was much more involved. They removed all of the lymph nodes under his arm. Since the cancer was found in the lymph nodes in the biopsy, the doctor felt this was the best idea. They have also decided to start chemo (Inferion treatments). This was a big shock to both of us. It made everything seem much more real.

It all started with just a small spot on his arm. You know the kind - it looks a little different, but you just keep putting off going to the doctor. I keep wondering the "what if??" "What if he had went 1 year ago, or even 6 months ago?" But I can't live in the what could have been and focus on moving forward.

Sorry for all the rambling, I think I just needed to get some of this out.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Till later...

My Red Thread

Some of you may know that we own a children's clothing company. It started as a fundraiser when we were adopting Tessa. I have always loved children's clothes and sewing. Combining the two just seemed like a great fit. The business has grown over the past five years and we have now launched our first official web site and blog. You can check out our web site at www.myredthreadonline.com or the blog at www.myredthreadonline.blogspot.com . We have a "grand opening special giveaway on our blog, so stop by and check it out.

Till later....

I guess I spoke too soon...

Just a few days ago, I was celebrating that Terry's test results had went very well. As the posting title suggests, I spoke too soon. After the pathology report, the doctors found some cancerous cells in Terry's lymph nodes. What started out as just a little brown spot on his arm, has turned into a nightmare. They have scheduled him for surgery again next week. This time, they will remove all of the lymph nodes under his right arm. Please keep all of us in your prayers.

Till later....

I'm Back!!!!

I am not going to promise that I will blog everyday, or even once a week - but I will try harder. Let me catch you up on things -

Tia - is doing great!!! She is our little monkey. She climbs on everything!!! She is a lot of fun and we love her dearly. She seems to have adapted very well. Her two favorite men are her daddy and her papa. I think mommy comes in a close third.

Tessa is adjusting to having a little sister. While she loves Tia like crazy, she is a little jealous at times.

Trenton - Trent is playing soccer again with his Upward team. He loves to play and has really improved over the past year.

Tanner - is counting the days until school is out. I think he is ready for 6th grade next year. I am not sure if I am ready. It is hard to believe I will have a high schooler, a middle schooler and two kindergartners. It looks like it is going to be a very busy year.

Taylor - is doing wonderfully. She is such a blessing. I hope I tell her enough how proud I am of the young woman she has become.

And as for Terry and I. We are still rejoicing in the news from his doctor. That was a very tough time, but I know God has changed us through all of it.

Over the summer we have a few short vacations planned. We will travel to Holiday World in June for a vacation with our dear friends, the Lanig's. This is an annual trip that the entire family looks forward to.

I will try to update more often. I will promise some exciting news coming soon regarding our business, My Red Thread - so stay tuned.

Till later....

PRAISE GOD!!!

Terry had his surgery this morning to remove some of the lymph nodes from his arm. The doctor said that they were slightly enlarged, but he does not feel that the cancer has spread. PRAISE GOD!!!! They will know for sure by next week. If this is the case, his chances of ever getting this form of cancer again is less than 5%. Those are pretty good odds.

Thank you all so much for your prayers!!!! We really felt your love and support today.


Till later....

Needing Your Prayers

Sorry for the delay in writing, but things have been far from calm lately. We can sure use your prayers over the next few days. Terry will be going in for surgery tomorrow morning. The doctors have decided to remove some of his lymph nodes to see if the cancer has progressed. Our prayer is that the lymph nodes are completely clear.

We really appreciate all the support we have received over the last few weeks.

Till later...

A Medical Update

I know many of you have been praying for Terry over the past couple of weeks. As I wrote in a previous post, Terry was diagnosed with melanoma a few weeks ago. The doctor removed a very large section of tissue from his arm, in order to make sure they "got it all". We received a follow up call from the doctor today. The cancer was much deeper than they had originally thought. Actually, it was three times larger. We are now weighing our options for additional treatments and tests.

I have to be honest with you - I am not sure how I feel right now. I am very sad. Our lives have changed so much over the past few weeks. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Till later....

Help Bring Another Miracle Home

I would like to post some information about an event for one of my friends here in Missouri. Staci and her family are eagerly waiting to bring home their daughter Ellianna from China. They are hosting a fund raising dinner/auction this weekend in Missouri. If you can attend or help in any way, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance....

Sunday, March 28th, 2010

4pm - 8pm

Full Chinese Buffet Dinner

50/50 Raffle • Silent Auction
Entertainment provided by the Chinese Language School

(Adults $30.00 / Children 12 & under $15.00)
** No walk-in seating available, RSVP Mandatory by March 20th **
at
Whitmoor Country Club
1100 Whitmoor Dr.
St. Charles, MO 63304