Port Placement a success!

Jon had his port placement on Friday and everything went well.  It was a simple, quick procedure.  He did feel some nausea afterwards but luckily we pushed for him to get anti-nausea in his IV and we were sent home with a prescription which completely helped!  The meds they use for any type of procedure just messes Jon up pretty bad.  Thank goodness for Zofran!

My mom took us all to the circus Saturday.  The kids had a GREAT time and it was fun to be all together!  Please continue to pray for our family and our on going sickness.  Since I last wrote, we found out Emma Kate has a double ear infection and is on an antibiotic.  Luke and Ryan have pretty bad colds and coughs.  But tonight Luke started wheezing and having a fever.  We gave him his inhaler and got his fever down by giving Tylenol and a bath. He is better but it will be a sleepless night for me as I will have to keep close watch on him.  I think my sister said it best, we have colds and cancer and everything in between!  Please pray that everyone will start feeling better soon!

Below is an email from 2 ladies in Beaufort County who head up blood drives.  This one is in honor of Jon and Joy (another employee at Jon's school battling cancer).  I just thought it was really cool that they are doing this blood drive for them, and if you live here in Beaufort County come on out and give some blood.  And also please pray for Joy O'Kelley.  She is 2 weeks ahead of Jon with her chemo treatments but will do a few more rounds than Jon.  

Hi Friends! 

As many of you know, Kim Durham and I are planning our upcoming 3rd Annual Blood Drive!  Kim's life was saved through the process of blood donations and because Beaufort Memorial Hospital was so well-stocked with a wide range and supply of blood products during a routine medical procedure, following a miscarriage, that went terribly wrong several years ago. Since that day, Kim has committed to "repaying" our wonderful community by organizing blood drives herself. 

I am pleased to announce that this year's drive will be honoring two of our community's heroes, JOY O'KELLEY and JON STREBE at RIVERVIEW CHARTER SCHOOL on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH from 7:30am - 3:30pm.   Both Joy and Jon have been affected by cancer this past year and have been bravely fighting this disease with such grace and courage.  Both Joy and Jon are part of the Riverview staff...Joy is the smiling receptionist in the front office that greets our children every day.  Jon is a physical education teacher that inspires our kids daily with his boundless energy and endless love.  However, Joy and Jon are much more than just Riverview employees.  They are parents of young children, spouses, active members of their churches, individuals of great faith, and community leaders (not to mention an inspiration to anyone who knows them.) 

And because many of you are fortunate enough to know Joy or Jon (and some are blessed to know both!), I encourage you to come out, give a pint of blood, and show these two amazing people how our incredible community supports them!  Not only can you save a life in a mere hour through your donation, but Joy and Jon, through the Blood Alliance, will receive financial credit towards any blood products they have received or will be receiving during their treatments. 

We have pledged to sign up over 60 donors - we know we can count on you (or someone you know!!!) to come and give on Wednesday.  Please email Liz Murdaugh at elizabethmurdaugh@gmail.com to sign up for an appointment.  (And we strongly suggest that you make an appointment to keep wait times to a minimum.)

You know that Joy and Jon would be the first in line to do something like this for someone else if the tables were turned! 

I'm looking forward to seeing you (or the person you want to send!!!) next Wednesday.  Email me with any questions you may have.  Thanks, in advance, for your love and support of these two incredible folks.

Love, 

Ryan Christian"

ryanwalkerchristian@gmail.com

843-812-5036