Road trip to Chemo therapy!

I have been gone for a while but I am back. Get ready for a blog update daily because I have a lot to post. I have several events I want to blog about but this one today has first priority.

I am up in St. Louis at Siteman Cancer Center with my best friend Melody and a new friend Doreen. First let me tell you about how I got here...it goes back 2 years ago. The week after I had Zachary I had several doctors visits. Because I could not drive I had to have help getting Z to the pediatrician. Of course Kevin took me to some of them and my in-laws took me to one. But I can clearly remember a week after Z was born I needed a driver to get me to a check up for Z. I called Mel. To recap she was at home with a 12 week old but she insisted that she drive out to our house, pick Z and I up and take us to the doctor. It does not seem like a big deal but it was a HUGE deal to me. She dropped everything to get us to where we needed to be. I never knew how I was going to repay her. Today I finally got too. About 6 weeks ago she asked me if I would accompany her to her 5th chemo treatment in St. Louis. I said of course. My in-laws & Kevin realized the importance of this trip and took care of everything for Z.

We headed up the highway yesterday to get settled in the hospital hotel to be ready for a full day of doctors visits & chemo therapy. Above I mentioned a new friend Doreen. She is a breast cancer survivor that Mel met at her church. Doreen is also a nurse so it was perfect for her to come along on the trip too. I met Doreen for the first time yesterday but feel like I have known her forever. Talk about an inspiration. Doreen knows exactly how Mel feels and what she needs. She also is an inspiration to me. A mommy of 3, a wife, a Christian women, a Cancer survivor...Doreen is all of that. What a trooper! The three of us were out on a road trip to Chemo. Once we arrived in St. Louis, we hit a few stores at the Galleria, lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, and then we enjoyed one another's company at a wonderful restaurant Asia for dinner. It was great. The best part of being with these inspiration women was that we celebrated life, our faiths, and our motherhood.

Lunch at the Galleria Cheesecake Factory ....Doreen, Melody, and me Getting ready for a good night of friends, food, and fun!
Look at the hottie with the blond hair!
Mel and Hil
Hil and Doreen

Two CANCER surviors! What an inspiration!

Today we got up early to have a healthy breakfast and to mentally prepare Mel for her treatment. We were fortunate enough to meet her amazing oncologist, Dr. Ellis and his team. Mel wanted Doreen and I in the exam room to hear all the information he was giving her. While I was sitting in this room I got overwhelmed by emotion. I realized that I was sitting in a room with TWO breast cancer survivors and that God healed these remarkable women. Dr. Ellis also overwhelmed me because he was the epitome of what an excellent physician is. He acted like Mel was the only patient in his practice. He listened to her, he answered all of our questions, he offered HOPE, and he was highly educated.

After Mel's appointment, we had coffee while waiting for her Chemo treatment to begin. Currently, Mel is back in the chemo area. Doreen and I are taking turns to be with her. Due to the toxicity of the chemo drug Mel could have a reaction so I wanted Doreen with her the first hour or so since she is a nurse and would know what to do if Mel started to experience any side effects. Please pray for Mel that she will not have any side effects. The oncologist said this drug usually causes severe bone pain.

Mel is doing AWESOME! She is on the downward slope of chemo treatments. This is #5 or 8 treatments. Only 3 more to go. She continues to be a beacon of HOPE for me and for everyone around her. I never imagined I would have to go down this road with Mel but it has taught both of us A LOT of things. She reminds me daily that I need to live life to the fullest, that I need to rely on God for everything, and that no matter what I have to stay positive. You GO MEL!

I wanted to send a shout out to Kevin, Karen, and Marv for taking care of my baby boy so that I could come up here. This entire trip has been inspirational and good for me. Thank you !

Hil and Zachary's roadtrip to Coffeyville

Zachary and I just returned from a two day road trip to visit one of my best friends, Megan and her family. I could not wait to see Megs, Aaron, Lucy, and the newest member of the Robins family, Violet Lane Robins. Zachary was excited to meet his new friend Lucy. We had the best visit. Prior to coming, I told Megs that we were coming to pamper her. Since Violet just turned 4 weeks old I wanted to come and help her do what ever she wanted me to do. I can't imagine the transition from one to two kiddos. So I brought a few of my favorite recipes to make yummy meals for them. I know it was super hard for Megs to let me take over because she is always the "Martha Stewart" hostess. After 10 minutes with Megs, I realized that she did not need me because she makes being the mother of two beautiful girls look like a breeze. She is such a good mommy and she really tries to enjoy every second.

Here are a few photos of our road trip.

Zachary meeting Miss Violet...not sure about the baby but likes that she has a NINA.

Playing house with Lucy. Yes...Zachary is holding a doll.

Zachary is not ready for a sibling...he thought he was the baby.


Miss Violet Lane Robins...Isn't she beautiful?

Violet and me

Zachary, Lucy, and Violet....new best friends

Megs and Violet

Playing in the ELMO sprinkler

More sprinkler fun

Even though I don't get to spend a lot of time with Megs, like I used to when we were in college, I am so thankful for our visits. Each time we reunite it is like we never parted. We pick up right where we left off. Megs makes me want to be a better mommy, a better wife, and a better listener. These are three of Megs best traits. Thanks for letting us come and take over your house. Zachary already misses his new loves...Lucy & Violet.