April 29th

Hello to all, it's been a few days since I last posted and during that time Kirk has finished up his second chemo treatment. He hasn't been nauseous but so very tired. Even though they have him going everyday for shots to help boost his white blood cells and blood platelets he still has to get IV fluids periodically. His blood pressure is running low and this helps to boost it by giving his blood a boost. Today we had to go for xrays and a shot and IV fluids so we were there all day and he was absolutely worn out. He doesn't have to have chemo again until May 14th so hopefully he will have some good days before that. He has an appointment with Dr. Swan on Thursday so hopefully we will have some new news to share.

This weekend is prom weekend at Rural Retreat and we are helping Micki Jo and Casey do a dinner for some of the couples. We were going to do it at our house but we thought it might be to much and Micki Jo and Casey were nice enough to offer doing the dinner at their house so we are just going to go to their house and help them. I hope Kirk feels a little better by this weekend so he can enjoy it. Things are still looking good he has just gotten tired from the chemo and I think that is just part of it.

Well I will post again as soon as we have some more news. God Bless to everyone!

Kirk and Laura

April 24th

Hi everyone, well first I have to say that the benefit that the fire department did on Saturday was AWESOME! Not only did they do well raising money but Kirk so enjoyed the fellowship. They had a nice chair for him to sit in and then everyone could just gather around and talk with him. He really really enjoyed it. It made him so happy to see everyone. Then he went to church on Sunday and what a wonderful moment that was as well.

Monday we went to Dr. Swan's thinking he was going to get a treatment but he ended up just doing an appointment because Dr. Swan wanted him to take some medicine the night before and the morning of his treatment. He did tell us some good news. The bloods counts that they are using to track Kirk's cancer are down which means the chemo is helping so he will stick with the same regimen for treatments.

Today we went for the treatment and we were in Abingdon from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm this afternoon, then we go back tomorrow and Thursday to finish the chemo called VP16. This is given over a three day period. Then in addition we have to go back and forth between Marion and Abingdon until next Friday to get injections to keep his blood levels from dropping so low. Right now he is doing O.K. with the treatment he is really tired but not nauseous. Keep your fingers crossed and pray. They gave him a lot of anti-nausea medication before the treatment and he has pills at home, so I hope we are ready just in case.

Well just wanted to let everyone know how things are going. I will update again in a couple of days after treatment just to let you know how he is tolerating them. Take care and God Bless!

April 20th

We met with Dr. Swan on Monday and we really liked him. We had to wait about two hours but he spent more than an hour with Kirk. He did a thorough exam and asked as many questions as possible and even talked about running more of his own tests. Kirk will have his next chemo treatment on Monday at Dr. Swan's office and then Dr. Swan will run the tests he talked about just to see how things are doing. He talked about a PET Study which Kirk has never had.

Kirk continues to eat well, and he had gained about ten pounds since we have been home. He likes to go out daily and this weekend he plans on attending the benefit that the fire department is doing for him. We are continually amazed at the generosity of the people of our community. Debbie at the Florist is also doing ribbons in memory of the Tech deaths and taking donations for Kirk for the ribbons. We are so proud to live in Rural Retreat and Wythe County. What a giving community.

I will update again after Kirk's next chemo treatment. We are hoping that he can get through it without getting to sick. Please continue to keep him and the people involved in the Tech incident in your prayers. We never know what the future holds but with trust in God and the love of our neighbors, We will prevail!

Go Hokies!

Kirk and Laura

April 14th

Hey everybody, more good days. Kirk has had some really good days. In the past two days he has been to 3 soccer games and an equipment sale. He doesn't get out of the car because it has been so cold but he does go. Today he ate a piece and a half of jelly toast and one egg this morning, drank an ensure before lunch, ate about 2/3 of a really big hamburger for lunch, had an ice cream cone about 1:30, a half of a peanut butter and banana sandwich at 3:30, a bowl of potatoe soup, a piece of homemade lightbread and some fruit for supper and a brownie and a glass of milk for a night- time snack. Not to shabby. Hopefully the weight he lost will come back pretty quick.

We see Dr. Swan and Monday and hopefully we will come up with a really good plan for treatments. Please keep Kirk in your prayers. We wouldn't be this far without God and our prayers being answered. Have a wonderful weekend. Love to all.

God Bless!

Kirk and Laura

April 11th

Hi everyone, I probably won't post everyday now just because some days the only thing new going on is what Kirk ate and you might get tired of hearing about that. Anyway, he did eat some cornbread and beans, applesauce and chicken for lunch. Not a whole lot but it's getting better. We also have an appointment with Dr. Swan who travels between Abingdon and Marion. We've heard he is really good. We really liked Dr. Blow and especially the nurses on 2 West, but this way he can take his treatments in Marion which is even. We are going to ask him to work with our doctor in Cleveland as well just because they have been so good with everything that's happened.

Kirk is feeling really good and he even rode to Marion with me today. Everyday he seems to be getting more strength we just need to fatten him up. Hopefully that will come as well. Thanks again to everyone for everything especially the prayers.

God Bless!

Kirk and Laura

April 9th

Hi everyone, just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful Easter. Matthew and I went to church which was wonderful and then we had Easter lunch with the family. Kirk went for a ride with his Dad, while me and Chase visited my mother. I took Kirk for a ride today, just running errands around town but he loves to get out. He says it is so much better then just watching t.v. all day.

We are going to try to contact the oncologist in the next few days to see what the next step will be. I feel sure they will want him to wait at least another week or two but we'll see. I will keep everyone posted.

Thanks to everyone who has been bringing food. We have had some great meals and it really helps out. We've got some great cooks in our area.

Keep praying. God Bless!

Kirk and Laura

April 7th

Hey guys,

Had another good day today. Kirk continues to eat a little more each day. He had several visitors today, his cousin and family from Richmond, Ricky, Lisa and Travis, Pastor Jonathan and Jeff Parker came by and serviced our heatpump. He has been up all day doing some farm paperwork and he watched a movie. Each day he seems a little stronger. He even wants to ride over to the barn tomorrow, so he is already tired of being inside all the time.

We are so looking forward to Easter, just being together as a family is such a gift to us. Again, thanks for the prayers and comments and we hope that everyone has a Happy Easter!

God Bless!
Kirk and Laura

April 6th

Hi everyone, just wanted to let everyone know that things are still going good. Kirk ate well today and with the feast that Linda Reasor sent and the food that Nancy sent over he has a lot to choose from. He also was up sturring about today working on the computer and doing farming over the phone. He said to tell everyone again how much he appreciates the prayers and well wishes. He has talked with a few people and he said it's incredible to hear people's voices. He was so sick at one point he just couldn't enjoy anything. Miracles do happen and we hope that they will continue. We are also glad to hear that Dallas Vaught is at home. We didn't even know that he had been in an accident but we will keep him in our prayers as well.

We saw on the news tonight a segment on web-sites when people are sick and what they said was so true. It is like your connection to the world and to know that that many people are praying for you can only make things better. It's absolutly the way to spread prayers and helped us get through our latest ordeal.

Thanks again and God Bless!

Kirk and Laura

April 4th

Home at last! Home at last!

We can't begin to tell you guys how wonderful it fills to be at home. First, the ride home yesterday was awesome. Mike and Alisha's motor home is beautiful, it really was like being on tour with someone famous. It was the best way that Kirk could have possibly rode home. He could just kick back and relax. Mike had to drive for about 15 hours yesterday. I don't know how he did it but we will always be so grateful to him and Alisha. Allen Dix was his co-captain and we said that Alisha was the stewardess. So we really had a good day.

When we got home, Matthew, Chase, Don, Alexis and Brittany were all here. They had all the lights on and a big banner in the kitchen that the kids at school had signed. The homecoming was so sweet and emotional for all of us. Mike said that was the best part of the whole trip for them to see how happy we all were.

Then last night, to sleep in our own bed. I can't even describe that, it felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. At one point I thought about pinching myself to make sure it was real.

Kirk has had a good day. He's just been relaxing and watching some t.v. Now he just needs to continue eating and putting his weight back on. Then we will worry about treatments. Again, thank you all for your comments and prayers I know that is why things are continuing to look up. Prayers are being answered.
I wish there was a way that we could do something for everyone that has reached out to us. You all are so special and we love you all! We will keep this site updated because it has been so useful for everyone. Again, thank you continue to pray and God Bless!

Laura

COMING HOME!

Kirk and Laura are on their way home. Mike and Alicia arrived at 11:45 am to pick them up. Laura was so excited when I talked to her. She saw them pulling into the parking lot when we were talking on the phone and she got really excited. I know they will be so glad to see exit 60. I am sure Kirk will post something tonight or tomorrow when he gets settled back in here at home. I will continue to do whatever is needed to keep you informed if need be.

The Rural Retreat Fire Department will be sponsoring a fundraiser for Kirk on Saturday, April 21st from 11 am to 4 pm at the fire house. There will be games, hot dog sale, and a car wash. Please try to attend and support them. There are many expenses that they are incurring over and beyond what the insurance will pay. If Kirk is feeling up to it I am sure he will be there for a little while.

Continue to pray for his strength and healing, and for Laura, Matthew and Chase. The are very special people to all of us.

Please remember to give them some time to rest when they arrive back home.

Thanks for everything everyone is doing, I know that Kirk and Laura and the boys are so appreciative to everyone that has sacraficed their time to help out. What a community we have here in RR!

God Bless,

Monica

April 2nd

Kirk will be coming home on Wednesday. Mike and Alicia are going up with their motor home to get Kirk and Laura. The oncologist in Cleveland said today that Kirk will be able to have another chemo treatment in a week or so. They are going to try to get in with an oncologist closer to home. The docs in Cleveland will still be in touch and follow his progress, however it will be easier on him to be able to travel to and from his treatments closer to home. He will need a doc close to home in case he gets a fever. Laura sounded good on the phone tonight. I think they are excited to finally be coming home. They miss the boys and their families and friends. Thank God he is coming home. Continue to pray for his healing and strength to continue the treatments.

Monica

April 1st

Hello everyone. Kirk is having a great day. He will be coming home on Wednesday! I promise that is not an April Fool's joke. Laura said that they are taking away the IV nutrition (this has a technical name, but I can't remember it) tomorrow because Kirk is going to have to start eating more on his own. He will be having another chemo treatment soon. Laura said that they are going to decide whether to go up to Cleveland to take it or someplace closer. They are not sure at this time exactly when or where this will be.

Please remember when he gets home that his immune system is low due to the chemo and he needs to rest. We will all have to let him have his rest and not visit for a few days after he gets home. I know that he and Laura both appreciate everyones concerns.

Monica