Faith in the Cure

I am out to prove that Hendrickson's truly never say can't! I've decided to train for a half marathon benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I know what is going on in most of your heads...you are checking to see if it is really Stephanie writing this post. It is true, the women who disdains exercise is taking on this challenge. It has given me a feeling of doing something to help find a cure. We have already experienced many of the advancements for treating this disease and I hope that through generous donations that we can get even close to wiping Leukemia off the map!
My personal goal is to raise $2100 by August 31, 2008. With your donation you will not only be supporting my participation in the marathon, but you will help advance the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's mission to FIND A CURE! 75% of all funds raised goes directly into research, education, and patient services.

The easiest way to donate is to go to my web site and Enter the amount you wish to donate. Click “Donate Now!” and you will receive an e-mail confirmation and tax receipt. Just click on the web address to access my site: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/lbintl08/smcclellan

Thank you all in advance for your support. If you have any questions regarding donations or the Society, or if you just want to lend some support, you can always reach me via e-mail (shendro4@aol.com) or by phone (909-335-0982).

MIRACLES ARE HAPPENING

Thanks to everyone for your faith and prayers in our behalf this past week. Because of you miracles are indeed beginning to happen. As bleak as my post of last week was, this week is one of hope and optimism. I guess that is the crazy nature of this roller coaster ride we are on. Never one to miss a chance to shout out the good, here we go for this week. Our meeting with the Doctor resulted in all good news. The Gancyclovir is doing it's job, lab tests are now negative for CMV. No platelets or blood were needed and the white blood count has gone from 2.1 to 3.3. The Dr. had planned on doing a bone marrow biopsy but said it wasn't necessary at this time, he would wait until nearer our 100 days. We even were given permission to have a salad, WOW! Mom loved the salad and although still not feeling great is pleased to celebrate the moment. We are far from out of the woods, but are now moving in the right direction once again. Keep those prayers flying heavenward and with the miracle continuing, we'll be home for Fathers Day. We love you all and continue to "MOVE FORWARD WITH FAITH".

3800 Fairmeade Road Pasadena, Sharons address from 1956-1965 when I stole her from her mom.

Thanks Pops

Last night Pops and I went to Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals and watched the Lakers beat up on the poor OLD Spurs. We sat right behind Jack, down the row from Flea, and 2 rows in front of Ashey Olsen. It was a great game. Thanks Pops for the invite. Here are some pics from the night. I posted a bunch of stuff on the greenbeans blog too that you should check out.


Veteran leadership.


"Hey Ref...how much you got on this game?"


This is the unfortunate part of playing basketball...having your hand in a sweaty eurpoean's armpit. Hopefully Gasol isn't ticklish.


Because of my wife's affinity for dancing shows, I actually knew who these guys were and was excited to see them live. Go Jabawakeez.


Poor Duncun. So Old, and so tired, and so far behind.

IT'S TIME FOR A MIRACLE

This has been a challenging week for us. Sharon contracted a sinus infection and so has been a bit under the weather. She was started on antibiotics and it seems to be clearing up. She also has been unusually weak and light headed and just simply doesn't have any get up and go. The Dr. has been concerned with some of her lab tests and tonight called and put her on an anti-viral medication, Gancyclovir, which is given to prevent CMV Disease. It will be given IV twice a day for the next 7 days and then they will reevaluate her condition. Her White Blood Count has been heading in the wrong direction as well. On Thursday it was down to 2.1. All of this is raising the level of concern of Dr. Stein and on Thursday he talked with us of the potential failure of our Graft and the possibility of a second bone marrow transplant. He went so far as to say an unrelated donor has been located and is on hold for a possible transplant. Of course we have been devastated and trying to get our arms around the possibilities. After much prayer we feel it is time to ask in faith for a miracle to occur (Moroni 7:26). We need the original graft to take hold and her counts to start moving in the right direction. We solicit the faith and prayers of all of you as we petition the Lord for this to happen. We are convinced and have a calm and peaceful feeling that this will happen as all of us continue to "Move forward with faith"

The picture is of our first apartment in Southern California in Sierra Madre. We're the one on the bottom. 1969-70

Thanks for the Tickets

Thanks Nana and Paga!

Although I regret pushing the last post "Thanks for the Blood" off of the top slot, I wanted to share some pictures from the Angels game last night. Thanks for the tickets, Mom and Dad, we had a great time. We bought Buzzy a $3.00 ticket at the gate (can you believe that there are even tickets that cheap?) and it worked out great because no one showed in the seats to the right of us!
A million thanks for a great time!
The Rally monkeys had the best seats in the house!


Kate comes for the food!


This is a paparazzi picture of the backs of Bill Russell and his wife.



Buzzy rooting the Angels onto victory!

THANKS FOR THE BLOOD!

We want to thank all of our friends and family from South Orange County who generously gave of their blood for Sharon. We have had to use a great deal of both blood and platelets and so really appreciate getting our account back towards even. They tell us that there is such a shortage of these blood products that they have had to significantly alter when they give them which puts patients at some additional risk. So don't hold back, take a few minutes and give someone a little bit of yourself at your local blood bank. We continue to make slow but steady progress. This week we only required blood and platelets once. Sharon's white count held throughout the week above 3.o. We get in a good walk each day and this weekend have been getting out twice. Our only downer is that she continues to have nightly reflux which causes her a lot of discomfort and costs precious hours of sleep. I guess we certainly could have much greater problems and should be ecstatic with where we're at, but that I'm afraid is not our mindset. We always want to be doing more. Perhaps one of the lessons we're supposed to be learning is Patience.

I really appreciate the fresh new posts keep them coming. I don't like feeling like a one man band. It would be nice to see a few more comments as well just so I know I'm not writing to myself.

Today marks the 60th day of our new life and we continue to "MOVE FORWARD WITH FAITH."

The picture is Sharon in front of our home in Upland, 1974-76.

What Are You Feeding That Kid?

Now the secret is out, corn dogs...I feed him corn dogs! What can I say? the kid loves to eat. We took a trip up to San Jose for Eric's work and to visit Grandma and Grandpa McClellan. We took a little trip over to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk and thought you guys might like to see some pictures.

Early surfing brainwashing!

HAPPY MAY DAY!!!

How could I pass up May 1st without posting about MAY DAY? :-)

When we were living with you guys while Jon was doing his student teaching at Laguna Hills H.S., I had the great experience of being mom's visiting teaching companion. I remember driving around with her on May 1st delivering beautiful tulips to the women we visit taught--what a wonderful experience. And from then on out EVERY May 1st I ALWAYS think of mom and beautiful flowers. And without fail if we happen to be visiting or see you on or around May 1st I am always sent home with some beautiful flowers, usually tulips. (which are one of my favorite flowers) Thank you for making this day special for me mom!!!

HAPPY MAY DAY!!!!