History

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 1:00 PM CDT

Aug 8, 2012

Emily's Brain Tumor is still STABLE!! I will update when we get home from Memphis. We have one more year at St. Judes then Emily will graduate from St. Judes and we have to fine all new Doctors.

God Bless
The McEllen's

I Know it has been a LONG TIME!!! Emily is doing GOOD. Been a Busy few months. We had a good winter, not much snow at all. In Feb. we took the girls and went on a 5 day Carnival Cruise. They had lots of fun. It was nice to get away.

Emily continue's to work for a disability program here in Galesburg 3 days a week. Gets her out of the house and off the computer. She likes her Computer time.

We are in the process of getting all new Doctors. We only have one more YEAR left with St. Judes. Emily will Graduate from St. Judes next Aug. 2013. Getting new Doctors has been a Chore!! She has such a Medical History. She needs all kinds of Doctors. We will be going to St. Judes in Memphis this August for a MRI and checkup. LOTS of test!! Lots of PRAYERS that the Brain Tumor is still stable.

In Dec. Emily has a cousin that was diagnoised with Lymphoma and is doing treatment at St Judes in Peoria, Illinois. He is doing Good and is almost done with his treatment. Please pray for AJ!!

I will update when we get home from Memphis!!

Please continue to pray for Emily and all our St. Jude friends!!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 3:36 PM CST

I know its been awhile since I have updated. Emily's last MRI was stable. We had a good checkup in Memphis. We only have a couple more years with St. Judes then Emily gradutes from St. Judes. We have to find all new doctors. I am NOT happy about that. It is going to be a BIG adjustment.

We have had a rough fall. My parents have been sick. But they are doing better.

Emily is having some problems with her right hip. Alot of PAIN. We have seen 4 doctors, and 4 different answers. The last doctor we saw is pretty sure that she has a stress fracture in the back. She is walking with a cane. Sounds like it is going to be a healing process.

Emily's sister Renee has been diagnosis with Chrons Disease this past fall. She is having a rough time getting adjusted to her medicine.

The kids are excitied. We are going on a Cruise in Febuary. They have been counting the days.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and A Merry Christmas.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude friends and Emily.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Wednesday, November 23, 2011 3:36 PM CST

I know its been awhile since I have updated. Emily's last MRI was stable. We had a good checkup in Memphis. We only have a couple more years with St. Judes then Emily gradutes from St. Judes. We have to find all new doctors. I am NOT happy about that. It is going to be a BIG adjustment.

We have had a rough fall. My parents have been sick. But they are doing better.

Emily is having some problems with her right hip. Alot of PAIN. We have seen 4 doctors, and 4 different answers. The last doctor we saw is pretty sure that she has a stress fracture in the back. She is walking with a cane. Sounds like it is going to be a healing process.

They kids are excitied. We are going on a Cruise in Febuary. They have been counting the days.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and A Merry Christmas.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude friends and Emily.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Wednesday, June 15, 2011 9:18 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Been awhile I know. Emily is doing pretty good. Had her Gall Bladder out in Jan., and her recovery went very good. Went back to St. Judes in Feb. for a MRI on the new area in the Brain. It was stable. It is a White matter, side effect from radiation and needs to be watch closely and could come to the point of surgery.

She is working with a disability organzation here in Galesburg. She is liking it, gets her out of the house 3 days a week.

She will be going to camp at the end of July for 3 days. She really likes going to that. Busy Summer. Wishing it would stop raining a couple of days to dry things up and so we can get in the pool.

We will be going back to St. Judes on August 16th for 5 days. She will be going through another MRI and alot of test. Please PRAY that all is still STABLE.

I will update as soon as we know results.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends and familys.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Friday, January 7, 2011 12:53 AM CST

UPDATE Feb. 3, 2011

Emily was in the hospital at St. Francis in Peoria for 6 days and on Jan. 25 she had her Gallbladder out. We came home on the 26th. Thank goodness before the big blizzard. Or we would still be in the hospital. She is doing good. Recovering well from the surgery. Feb 17., we will flying to Memphis for a MRI on the Brain Hemorrhage. Please pray for good results.

UPDATE Jan. 20, 2011

Emily has been having some stomach pain, and come to find out she lots of Gallbladder stones. She will be having surgery soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Well where do I start. Emily has seen a couple Neuro Doctors in Peoria. Not really getting the answers that we want. The new area in the brain that St. Judes has now seen on the last MRI in August is a small hemorrhage. St. Judes says that this is one of the VERY RARE SIDE effects from radiation that Emily had back in 2003. Doctors in Peoria are telling me that it is an old injury to the head. This new finding has never been seen on an MRI before. So we are going back to St. Judes in Memphis on March 2 for an special kind of MRI to look at the Hemorrhage. St. Judes are telling me that this finding needs to looked at every six months. So we are back to MRI's every six months now. I just pray that the brain tumor stays stable, and does not grow.

Emily has been doing pretty good. She has had an horrible cold and ear infection over the Holidays. But doing better. She is excitied about going to Memphis because we are flying. The last couple of years I have been driving. She likes to FLY.

We had a great Holiday season. My parents where here with us. This was the first time home in many years. They are now living here back in Galesburg. Needed to move home due to all of there Medical issues.

Please continue to PRAY for Emily and all of ours St. Jude friends. I will update as soon as I know anything with this new MRI.

Happy NEW YEAR and God Bless

The McEllens

Tuesday, August 24, 2010 9:27 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

I know, I know its been a long time. Alot to update. Well Emily graduated in May. She was so excitied about graduating. It was a hard day for me. Trying to find her a little job to do with a job coach. We have had a very busy summer.

It all started with moving my dad and mom back to our home town from Florida. They have a few medical problems and need to be back home so they can get some help.

Well, we went back to St. Jude last week in Memphis. Very long week. Emily's hearing in the left ear is much worst, that she needs a hearing aid. She also had a MRI and it showed that the Brain Tumor is still stable. But there was a whole new finding on the left front side of the brain. She has a Hemorrhage, that needs to watch very closely. She will have another special MRI called SWI in three months. We are hoping to have it done in Peoria., so we don't have to back to Memphis. There is a St. Jude affilite office in Peoria. Just one more thing added to Emily list of medical problems, she already has enough.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude friends and please continue to pray for Emily.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Friday, April 23, 2010 8:14 PM CDT

I know its been a LONG TIME, Well here it goes. Tomorrow, Yes, Emily is going to SENIOR PROM. Just can't believe it. Our baby is all grown up. A day that I thought we would never see with all of her Medical Issues. She has beat them all and doing really good.

Yes, That means on May 30th she will be Graduating from High School. Just can't believe it. She is so excitied. We are looking for a little job around Galesburg for her to do with a Job Coach. She is really excitied about that too.

We will be going back to St. Judes in Memphis on August 17th for scans and several other test. Please continue to pray for Emily and all of her St. Jude friends and family's

God Bless
The McEllen's

Monday, January 25, 2010 9:21 AM CST

UpDate
New picture of Emily is her Senior Picture. Can't hardley believe that she is Graduating on May 30.

Hi Everyone

I know, long time for a update. Emily is really doing pretty good. Went to St. Jude in Peoria last week and neurlogy she checked out good. Did a ton of Blood work, don't know anything yet. She is having a few Hormone problems but we will get it worked out.

We had a Great Holiday, The girls and I went to Florida to my Mom and Dad's for a week. Had a great week with them.

Emily's sister Renee is having some issues with her heart. She has been going into Tachycardia. So we have been seeing heart doctors this past week doing lost of test. Going back this Wednesday to get some of the results.

We will be going back to Memphis on August 17-20 for her first yearly checkup. That is scarey, Never have gone that long for an MRI. They are usually every 6 months.

Thanks for checking on Emily, Please continue to pray for her and all of our St. Jude friends

The McEllen's

Saturday, August 22, 2009 10:08 AM CDT

UPDATE Aug. 24

St. Judes called today and informed me more BAD news. Emily left kidney has several kidney stones. They are small, something we have to watch.

Please pray for Emily, She needs it right now.

Hi Everyone,

What a bad week, Went to Memphis to St. Judes, all was going well til Emily came out of the MRI. Sometime coming out of the MRI and during recovery Emily had a STROKE (TIA). She couldn't open her eyes for 3-4 hours. After eyes open she starting showing more signs of a stroke. They check her heart out and there was no clots in or around the heart. She is still drooling more than usual. All in all she is doing better and glad do be home and ready to start school on Monday.

So any way the Brain Tumor is still STABLE. BUT don't know what we are going to do about doing MRI's under sedation. She is at more risk. Doc's at St. Judes are going to talk about it. Not due for another MRI or some kind of scan til next August. Very scary week. She just knew that she was going to be blind. She was alert through all of it. I was a mess, but I knew what was going on. That was my first thoughts was a STROKE

We are praying for a better year. Please continue to pray for Emily and for a complete recovery.

Love and Prayers

The McEllen's
Pete, Kim, Renee, and Emily

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 8:42 AM CDT

Hi Everyone

Been a real busy summer. Emily seems to be doing great. She went to Camp CoCo, cancer camp with our local St. Judes in Peoria, Illinois. She had a lot of fun. She has been going for 7 years now.

We will be going to Memphis this Monday the 17th for a checkup. Two long days of test. We are flying this time. Emily really likes to fly. I am getting to the point where I don't. It is so hard to take things and all of her Meds.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan are still here from Florida and are doing good. We like having them here. Dads says that they are going back Florida in October and selling their house and moving back to Galesburg. Hopefully that will happen over the winter months.

We went to Wisconsin Dells in June with some friends. Had a great time. I went on a Roller Coaster and cracked a RIB. Man was I sore, for about a month. Doing better now. We are going to Wisconsin for a Family Reunion over Labor Day Weekend, Lots of FUN!!!!

Emily is going to be a SENIOR this year. I just can not BELIEVE IT. She has grown up so fast. She is so excitied to be a senior. It will go bye so fast.

Please pray for Emily this next week that the Brain Tumor will still be STABLE. Also pray for all of our St. Jude friends.

Love and Prayers
Pete, Kim
Renee and Emily(My Senior)

Tuesday, June 9, 2009 1:12 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Its been awhile since I have updated. Emily is doing great. We have been real busy, alot going on. She is feeling real good and has recovered from ear surgery. She is getting ready for the Special Olympics. She is going to State this Friday to compete. She will be gone this weekend.

As a family we are going to the Wisconsin Dells for 5 days. The girls are excitied about going. We have never been there. I hope the weather is good. It needs to warm up. We have had a lot of rain.

Then she will be going to a Cancer Camp in July. She is going as a Junior Camp Counselor. She is so excited. She will be gone a week.

Grandpa and Grandma are here and made it here ok. Grandpa is having his medical issues. Sure hope that they will move home. (Illinois) Sure hope he can sell his house in Florida.

We will be going to Memphis in August for a check up.

Please coninue to pray for Emily and All of our St. Jude Friends.

Love and Prayers
The McEllen's

Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 6:54 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing GREAT. She had her ear surgery and all went well with that. We will be going to St. Judes in Peoria on May 14 for a check and Blood work. She isn't showing any signs of problems, so I am sure that all will be good.

I flew down to florida last week to help my mom and dad load there Motor Home to come to Galesburg. They made it just fine. They are real tried, but made it. Thank You for your prayers. Hoping that this will be there last trip and move back to Galesburg.

Sure wish it would warm up here in Central Illinois. It has rain and rain and rain. Needs to quit for at least for one day and warm up so I can get my flowers planted.

Hope everyone had a great Easter and Wishing all Mothers and Happy Mothers Day. We are having a get together with family and friends for Mothers Day and Emily's 18 birthday.

Please continue to pray for Emily and All of our St Jude Friends.

Love and prayers

Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Thursday, March 19, 2009 12:00 AM CDT

Another nice day!!!! Ready for spring and summer. We have had a long winter.

Emily had a real good appt. in Memphis. She is doing really good and the Brain Tumor is still stable. We go back in August just right before school starts, her Senior Year. Can't hardly believe it. Doesn't seem possible that she should be a senior.

She is having surgery this Monday on her left ear. She has a hole in the eardrum and needs to be repaired. She is loosing hearing.

I will be flying back to Florida next month to help my mom and dad load the motor home to come to Illinois for the summer. They are having some medical issues and need some extra help.

Please pray for Emily that she goes through surgery this Monday without any problems and regains any hearing lost.
Also please pray for our St Jude friends.

Please pray for my Dad and Mom for safe travel to Illinois.

God Bless

The McEllen's
Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Monday, January 5, 2009 12:23 AM CST

UPDATE

Monday Feb 16, 2009

All went well in Memphis, Girls and I are in Florida taking care of my mom and dad. My mom had a Hip Replace twice in 30 days. They have numerous medical issues. My Mom and Dad Need lots of Prayers.

Emily is doing great!!!!

Love and Prayers
The McEllen's

Hi everyone

Well another New Year. I am hoping and praying that this year is good. Emily is doing great. She has gained back some of her weight and getting a little taller. We will be heading to Memphis on Feb. 8th-11. She will be having an MRI and several other test. She isn't showing any signs of having problems.

We need some prayers for my Mom and Dad. My mom had a hip replacement, in an Nursing Home for rehab. She is not happy about being in the nursing home, and Dad at home by himself. They both have medical issues. Need to move home (Galesburg) to have help. They live in Florida. Please pray for my mom and dad.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year. We got to stay home for Christmas and went to a water slide Hotel for New Years Eve.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Friends and my Mom and Dad.

Love and Prayers
The McEllen's

Monday, December 1, 2008 8:50 AM CST

Hi Everyone

Thanksgiving here and gone. Emily is doing great. We had a busy weekend. Had a couple of Thanksgiving Dinners, did the shopping thing on Friday.

Emily is excitied about Christmas. We are getting in the mood, We had a couple of inches of snow yesterday, and cold and windy here today. Christmas decorations all up in the house. A little more shopping to do.

We will be going to Memphis on Feb 8-12. Emily will be having a full checkup. MRI and all other testing. She excitied about going. She likes to see her Doctors and Nurses.

Hope everyone had a Great Thanksgiving.

Please continue to pray for our St Jude Friends.

Love and Prayers
The McEllen's

Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:08 AM CDT

UPDATE

Nov 29, 2008

SNOW SNOW SNOW Tomorrow up to 4 inches

Hi Everyone,

Quick update!!!!

Went to Memphis on Tuesday and all went well. We saw Emily's Neuro Doctor and still concerned about her weight. She can not lose any more. They still think that it could be one of the medicine's she is on. Just watching her for right now. We will be going back in Feb. Everything will be done and will be down there for 4 days.

Grandpa and Grandma are on there way home. They are doing ok. They should get home sometime this weekend. Dad is taking it easy so he doesn't get to tired. Thanks for all of your prayers. They have had a rough summer.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude friends and Emily

Love and Prayers
The McEllen's

Thursday, October 16, 2008 7:08 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Quick update!!!!

Went to Memphis on Tuesday and all went well. We saw Emily's Neuro Doctor and still concerned about her weight. She can not lose any more. They still think that it could be one of the medicine's she is on. Just watching her for right now. We will be going back in Feb. Everything will be done and will be down there for 4 days.

Grandpa and Grandma are on there way home. They are doing ok. They should get home sometime this weekend. Dad is taking it easy so he doesn't get to tired. Thanks for all of your prayers. They have had a rough summer.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude friends and Emily

Love and Prayers
The McEllen's

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 6:12 AM CDT

Hi All,

Well School is under way and Emily is glad to be back. She really likes school. Every once in awhile she wants an extra day off. We have a busy month next month, she has lots of Doctor appt's. We have to fly back to Memphis on Oct. 14 for the Day. She needs to see a Neuro Doc. We are flying down eary morning and coming back late evening. She also has to go to peoria to St. Judes at the end of this month. ENT, and Cleft Plattet Clinic. Alot coming up.

Winter is coming and we are not ready and I am not liking to think that it is going to get cold. Grandpa and Grandma are still here and are leaving to go back to Florida the first week of Oct. They have had a lot of Medical issues this summer.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Friends. Please pray for Baby Ella Myers, as she has an infection and running high fevers. www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethmyers

Love and Prayers

Kim and Emily

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 6:12 AM CDT

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 8:26 AM CDT

UPDATE

August 21, 2008

Good check up in Memphis, MRI will be in Feb. Emily lost a little bit of weight and needs to put it back on. Doc's seem to think it is from a new medicine. We got to see Baby Ella and she looks great, and doing good. She starting chemo again, please pray for this little girl as she will be down in Memphis til X-MAS. She wanted to keep Emily's Clover. She was so cute trying to take Em's Clover. Thanks for your continue prayers for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

Love and Prayers

Kim and Emily

Hi Everyone,

UPDATE Aug 7, 2008

We are going to Memphis on August 17, 18, 19 St. Judes got some of Emily's Appointments reschedule

Well Emily is doing great, We did not get to go to Memphis. My father was having some heart problems, I was nervous about leaving. So we are trying to get St. Jude's to reschedule her appointments. My Dad is doing ok. Needed some Medicine's changed and new one's added.

We Did the St. Jude Run from Galesburg to Peoria this past Saturday. We had a lot of FUN. Galesburg raised 31,000.00 this year. They did a great job. We left Galesburg about 6:30 in the morning and arrived in Peoria about 5:00 that evening. It is seems like a long day but it goes by so fast. LOTS OF FUN!!!!

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude Buddies

I will update as soon as I know when we are going to Memphis.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 8:26 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well Emily is doing great, We did not get to go to Memphis. My father was having some heart problems, I was nervous about leaving. So we are trying to get St. Jude's to reschedule her appointments. My Dad is doing ok. Needed some Medicine's changed and new one's added.

We Did the St. Jude Run from Galesburg to Peoria this past Saturday. We had a lot of FUN. Galesburg raised 31,000.00 this year. They did a great job. We left Galesburg about 6:30 in the morning and arrived in Peoria about 5:00 that evening. It is seems like a long day but it goes by so fast. LOTS OF FUN!!!!

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude Buddies

I will update as soon as I know when we are going to Memphis.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Thursday, July 10, 2008 7:49 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well it has been an VERY BUSY SUMMER so far. Emily keeps us on our feet. She is currently at Camp CoCo. It is an Cancer Camp at Lake Bloomington. She really likes going to every summer. She had National's in Tumbling in Cincinnati Ohio, she did pretty good. She got a Gold Medal at Special Olympic's. She was really proud of her self.

We will be going to Memphis on the 27th of July for several test. Hope to see Baby Ella Myers. Getting ready for the St. Jude Run to Peoria which is Aug. 2. That is a Long Day but lots of FUN.

My family needs some extra prayers. My Mom and Dad have several Medical issues and need extra prayers. My mother needs a new Hip and other medical issues. My Dad is having several problems with his lungs. EXTRA PRAYERS NEEDED!!!!!

I will update when we get home from Memphis.

Love and Prayers

The McEllen's

Thursday, July 10, 2008 7:49 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well it has been an VERY BUSY SUMMER so far. Emily keeps us on our feet. She is currently at Camp CoCo. It is an Cancer Camp at Lake Bloomington. She really likes going to every summer. She had National's in Tumbling in Cincinnati Ohio, she did pretty good. She got a Gold Medal at Special Olympic's. She was really proud of her self.

We will be helding to Memphis on the 27th of July for several test. Hope to see Baby Ella Myers. Getting ready for the St. Jude Run to Peoria which is Aug. 2. That is a Long Day but lots of FUN.

My family needs some extra prayers. My Mom and Dad have several Medical issues and need extra prayers. My mother needs and new Hip and other medical issues. My Dad is having several problems with his lungs. EXTRA PRAYERS NEEDED!!!!!

I will update when we get home from Memphis.

Love and Prayers

The McEllen's

Friday, May 30, 2008 8:33 AM CDT

Good Job Emily Received the GOLD in Special Oylmpic's

Hi All

Well SCHOOL IS OUT!!!! Emily was ready. She was ready for a break. We have a busy summer ahead of us.
She has state for Special Olympics. National's for Tumbling in Cininnati, Ohio. Camp CoCo for the cancer kids. She really likes that. She also plays baseball every Saturday morning the month of June and July.

She is feeling great. We will be going back to Memphis the end of July. We will be there when the runners leave Memphis to run to Peoria. We can't wait to see that.

About a month ago Galesburg has a new patient that went to Memphis with AML. Her name is Ella, please visit her website and wish them well. She will be a year old in June. www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethmyers
They would be glad to hear from you. St Judes is saying that she could be in Memphis for 6 months to a year.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude friends and Emily.

Love and Prayers

Th McEllen's
Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Friday, May 30, 2008 8:33 AM CDT

Hi All

Well SCHOOL IS OUT!!!! Emily was ready. She was ready for a break. We have a busy summer ahead of us.
She has state for Special Olympics. National's for Tumbling in Cininnati, Ohio. Camp CoCo for the cancer kids. She really likes that. She also plays baseball every Saturday morning the month of June and July.

She is feeling great. We will be going back to Memphis the end of July. We will be there when the runners leave Memphis to run to Peoria. We can't wait to see that.

About a month ago Galesburg has a new patient that went to Memphis with AML. Her name is Ella, please visit her website and wish them well. She will be a year old in June. www.caringbridge.org/visit/elizabethmyers
They would be glad to hear from you. St Judes is saying that she could be in Memphis for 6 months to a year.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude friends and Emily.

Love and Prayers

Th McEllen's
Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:08 AM CDT

MAY 13, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the delay of an update. Emily is doing GREAT. She is feeling real good. We have been real busy. School is coming to an end and activites going on. Emily has been tumbling and doing real well. She just has State Meet this past Sunday and got 4th place and will now be going to Nationals in June in Cincinati. She is real excitied. This Saturday she will compete in the Special Olympics Track meet. She so excitied.

Pete and I just got back a week ago from a 7 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise, for our 25 year Wedding Annv. We had alot of fun. Very nice to get away. That was the first time I had left Emily since she had been born. Our Annv. isn't til July 2.

We are ready for the weather to get nice. We had a mixure of weather yesterday. Snow, sleet, rain, and sun. I am ready for 80-90's and full SUNSHINE!!!!!

We will be heady to Memphis on July 27. Emily has a couple of days of appointments.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Buddies and Emily.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:08 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for the delay of an update. Emily is doing GREAT. She is feeling real good. We have been real busy. School is coming to an end and activites going on. Emily has been tumbling and doing real well. She just has State Meet this past Sunday and got 4th place and will now be going to Nationals in June in Cincinati. She is real excitied. This Saturday she will compete in the Special Olympics Track meet. She so excitied.

Pete and I just got back a week ago from a 7 day Eastern Caribbean Cruise, for our 25 year Wedding Annv. We had alot of fun. Very nice to get away. That was the first time I had left Emily since she had been born. Our Annv. isn't til July 2.

We are ready for the weather to get nice. We had a mixure of weather yesterday. Snow, sleet, rain, and sun. I am ready for 80-90's and full SUNSHINE!!!!!

We will be heady to Memphis on July 27. Emily has a couple of days of appointments.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Buddies and Emily.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Monday, February 25, 2008 7:24 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

WINTER I AM SICK OF IT!!!!!!!! We are suppose to get more snow tonight and wind. I am ready for SPRING. It can't come soon enough

Emily is doing better. She was in the Hospital last week for a couple of days with the FLU. She picked up the bug somewhere. We were in Chicago last weekend at the American Girl Doll Store. Then Tuesday she came down with the Flu. She really enjoyed the Store. Need lots of money to go there with a little girl, though. Thats all right it was fun. We went up on the Train, She really had fun on the train.

Now if we can make it through the rest of the winter. Renee got home this past Friday night from Florida. She was down there for a couple of weeks at Grandpa and Grandmas. She wasn't ready to come home to the cold again and now more snow.

We will be heading back to Memphis the end of July. No MRI just other testing. Next MRI will be next Feb.

Please continue to pray for Emily and All of Our St. Jude Buddies.

Love and Prayers,
Pete, Kim Renee and Emily

Monday, February 25, 2008 7:24 AM CST

Sunday, January 6, 2008 9:22 AM CST

UPDATE
FEB 20, 2008

Emily is in the hospital with the Flu.
It is really going around here

WED. Jan 30, 2008

BRAIN TUMOR IS STABLE!!!!! NO CHANGES
THANK YOU LORD!!!!!

Kim and Emily

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Ours went pretty good. I had Gallbladder Surgery on Dec. 17, and was feeling pretty good by Christmas. Still a little sore and couldn't lift anything.

Emily is doing great. We will be going to Memphis on the 27th of Jan. thru the 31st. She will have the same checkup with an MRI on Monday the 28th. We pray that it will still be stable. She isn't showing of any signs of problems.

She was ready to go back to school after x-mas break. We didn't go anywhere, do to my surgery. We have had snow and ice every weekend except for this weekend. This weekend it is 60 degrees. I am tried of winter. I am ready for spring.

I will update as soon as know anything on Emily's MRI. Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Family's.

Love and Prayers,
Kim and Emily

Sunday, January 6, 2008 9:22 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Ours went pretty good. I had Gallbladder Surgery on Dec. 17, and was feeling pretty good by Christmas. Still a little sore and couldn't lift anything.

Emily is doing great. We will be going to Memphis on the 27th of Jan. thru the 31st. She will have the same checkup with an MRI on Monday the 28th. We pray that it will still be stable. She isn't showing of any signs of problems.

She was ready to go back to school after x-mas break. We didn't go anywhere, do to my surgery. We have had snow and ice every weekend except for this weekend. This weekend it is 60 degrees. I am tried of winter. I am ready for spring.

I will update as soon as know anything on Emily's MRI. Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Family's.

Love and Prayers,
Kim and Emily

Monday, November 26, 2007 9:08 AM CST

Hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.. Mom is recovering from GallBladder Surgery.

Renee- Dec 23, 2007

The McEllen's

Tuesday Dec. 11,2007

ICE, ICE, ICE and more ice. I am sick of winter already

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone had a Nice and Blessed Thanksgiving. We did the turkey dinner and than I got up and did the EARLY shopping thing. Each year I say that I am not doing it next year.

Not much going on with Emily. She has been pretty good. Winter is here and it is cold. Snowed here yesterday but did not stick. I am not ready for the snow.

Out appointment has been changed for Memphis. We will be going the 27th of Jan. We will be down there for a couple of days. We sure hope and pray that the tumor will still be stable. Emily has been feeling good, so that is a good sign.

We have a busy month coming up. Christmas programs, Emily has a tumbling meet this weekend, then the Holidays.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude friends.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Tuesday, October 2, 2007 6:12 AM CDT

Hi Everyone

New Picture of Emily. She went to Homecoming this past weekend. She had a good time. School is back in full swing and she has been doing great. She has been feeling great.

We will be heading back to Memphis Feb. 3, two full days of appointments. We hope and pray that the tumor is still stable.

We had a busy summer and went very fast. We are trying to get ready for the cold to return. I am not ready. We have had some pretty good weather the past couple of weeks. It is dry.

Well have to get Emily ready for the school bus. She gets on at 7:00am. Then gets home about 3:00

Hope and Pray all of our St. Jude friends are doing well.

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Tuesday, October 2, 2007 6:12 AM CDT

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 8:26 AM CDT

UPDATE
Monday, August, 27

School started and stopped. First Day of school, storms come through Galesburg, trees and power poles are down. We were without power for 2 days. But all is well and back to school today.

Hi Everyone,

Well Emily had a GREAT Checkup at St. Jude. The Brain Tumor is still stable and she is feeling great. Her Eyes didn't change at all this time. That is the first time in 4 years. She is doing great.

School starts Thursday and she is ready. She will be in the 10th grade. I can't believe that summer is over and the kids are back in school.

We will be heading back to Memphis in Jan. If all is still stable then, she will be having her MRI's yearly. So please pray that Emily has a good next 5 months and that the tumor is still stable in Jan.

We are heading to Wisconsin for a Family Reunion, Labor Day Weekend. The girls are excitied about going. We will be camping in tents.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Monday, July 30, 2007 7:13 AM CDT

Wed. morning 8-15-07

MRI STABLE!!!!!! I will update more when we get home.

Kim and Emily

Hi All,

Well July is almost over and school starting in a few weeks. Where did the summer go???? I think Emily is ready to start school. I really think she is missing her school friends.

The St. Jude Run from Galesburg to Peoria is this weekend following the St Jude telthone Saturday evening. We leave Galesburg about 6:30 in the morning and we won't be home til about 11:00p.m. Saturday evening. It is a fun day.

August 12, Emily and I will be heading to Memphis for a checkup. We pray that we have good results. Emily has been doing pretty good. She has had a good summer. We have a full 2 1/2 days of Doctor Appointments.

Please pray for all our St. Jude Friends and pray that Emily has a good checkup.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Thursday, July 5, 2007 7:26 AM CDT

Hi All,

July is here and summer is going fast. We had a pretty good 4th. Spent the day with family and friends.

Emily is doing pretty good. She will be going to a Cancer Camp this weekend. She is real excitied. She has gone the past 4 years. She has a lot of fun and it is good for her to get away. She will be gone Sunday thru Friday.

She did real well at Nationals in her tumbling. Were are real proud of her. We went to Memphis and haven't heard about the blood work yet. They were mainly checking to see if she had grown any in the past 3 months and she did 1 inch. So they kept her on the Growth Hormone Shots. They also checking the thyroid to see if we need to increase her medicine that she is on. I hope they will call soon. We still are be going back to Memphis on August 12 for her MRI and all other testing. We pray that all is still stable.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude Friends.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Monday, June 11, 2007 1:29 PM CDT

Hi Everyone

Well school is out and I am glad, but we are busy. Emily is finishing up on her tumbling and Nationals is next week in Daytona Beach. Emily and I will be flying down there on the 20th. She is real excitied about going. She will be tumbling on the 21st. My mom and dad will pick us up at the airport and take us up to Daytona.

We will be leaving on Sunday morning early for Memphis, Emily has a Dr. appt. on Monday. She is having thyrode problems. Then fly home on Monday afternoon.

She is playing baseball on Saturday mornings, the month of June and July. She likes playing. She will be going to camp again in July. She will be gone Sunday through Friday. Labor Day weekend we will be going to Wisconsin for a family reunion. We had lots of fun last year.

We will be doing the St. Jude run again in August and the week after that we will be going back to Memphis again for 4 days for a full checkup.

Busy summer, hope all is well. Please pray for all of our St. Jude buddies.

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Monday, May 7, 2007 9:19 AM CDT

Hi All,

We have been real busy this last couple of weeks. School is coming to a end. Emily is ready. She is getting tried of it. She likes going to down to the office is visit her Aunt Jackie and get snacks. Thats is just about it!!!

Couple weeks ago Emily went to State Tumbling meet in Chicago, she did real good and now gets to tumble at Daytona Beach on June 21. So I made flights for her and I. We Will be staying with Grandpa and Grandma. A couple days after I got the flights, she was jumping on a TRAMPOLINE and crack a bone in her foot. It is the same foot she hurt a couple years ago. The Doctor seems to think that she will still be able to tumble for the meet. We will have to put a brace on it. She is out of Gym class and tumbling for a couple of weeks. She is real excitied about going.

We will fly from Orlando to Memphis because she has to see a Doctor there on Monday June 25th. Her thyrode medicine is all off. Then we should fly home Monday afternoon of evening. Then we have a busy summer. Back to Memphis in August.

Please pray that Emily's foot will heal quickly and that she will do good at National's.

Love and Prayers,
Kim and Emily

Friday, April 20, 2007 1:17 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well we made it home from Florida and wasn't a bit happy about it. It was 85 to 95 degrees down there and we came home to 20-35 degrees. A big change in the weather. Thats ok, and is starting to warm up here again. We are ready for summer. The girls are ready for the swimming pool.

Well now on to Emily. We got some phone calls on Emily's Growth Hormone and Thyroid from St. Jude's. Emily did not grow at all these last 6 months. She also is having some thyroid issues. They had to increase her medicine. And we have to go back to St. Jude's on June 24 and 25th to see a Doctor. Then again on August 12,13,14,15 for 6 month checkup. The thyroid issue explains why she is cold all the time, and stills want to take a nap everyday.

Hope everyone had a great Easter. Emily is looking forward to school being out. We have a busy summer and she is also going to a cancer camp for a week. She has gone the past 3 years and has had alot of fun.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Buddies.

Love and Prayers,

Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Monday, March 19, 2007 5:39 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well we made it home and everything went real well. Emily is doing GREAT. Dr. Merchant was real pleased the way she looked and the weight she had gained. The Tumor is still stable, there was no change. YEA YEA!!!!! The eye appointment went ok, the left eye did change alittle bit. So we have to get new glasses again. Her Growth Hormone went ok, but we don't know results yet from Blood work. They should be calling sometime this week or next.

Aunt Jackie went with us and boy did that wear her out. Going from Doctor to Doctor from 8:00 to 4:30 everyday.
Then there was 3 shootings and boy she did not like that. The only thing that she liked was that it was warm. When we left Galesburg on Sunday morning it was 20 degrees and when we pulled in Memphis Sunday afternoon it was 75 degrees. That was great though.

We will be going back to Memphis in August for our next checkup. I told Dr. Merchant I wanted to come before school started. Emily misses a week when we go down there.

Well we are going to Florida over Spring break, no not to Mickeys place, to Grandpa's and Grandma's. It will be nice to get away.

Thanks for all of your prayers for Emily, they worked.
Please continue to pray for all of our St. Judes Buddies.

Love and Prayers,

The McEllen's

Thursday, March 1, 2007 10:50 AM CST

UPDATE
MRI IS STILL STABLE. NO CHANGE!!!!

I will update more later

Kim

UpDate March 14

MRI is today. So Far everything is going real well. All other test have been good. Now we have to pray that the tumor is still stable.

Kim

Hi Everyone,

I can't believe it is March 1st. Spring is around the corner. I HOPE!!!!! We have had a mixture of weather lots of snow and lots of cold, and now lots of ice. A lot of homes without power for days. Last night we had a Severe Thunderstorm with lots of hail. Still in the yards when we got up this morning.

Well as far as Emily she is doing great. She is feeling real good. We will be heading to Memphis on the 11th of March for a few days for test. Please keep her in your prayers and that the tumor is still stable.

My brother that lives in Texas, his wife's mother was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago. Doctors told them yesterday they have done all they can do. Please keep them in your prayers. www.caringbridge.org/visit/naomiwest

Sure hope that it is warm in Memphis when we go next Sunday. We are ready for some warmth. We will update when we know anything. My Sister Jackie is going with me. I am excitied about her going. It helps to have some support.

Love and Prayers

The McEllen's

Friday, February 9, 2007 2:30 PM CST

Hi Everyone,

We have had a good couple of weeks now. Emily is feeling great. She is off of all the medicine from the Abcess Tooth she had and feeling great.

She is having fun a school now that she is having Gym Class. She loves Gym. Renee on the other hand did not like it at all. She has been able to go to school 3 full weeks now.

We will be going to Memphis on March 11 for all of her testing. A. Jackie will be going with us. I am glad I will have Jackie with me. For some reason I am a little nervous about this trip. We will post as soon as we know anything.

Grandma McEllen is in the Hospital. Doctors are thinking that she has had some little strokes. She has been in for a week now. We have been spending a lot of time at the hospital, except for Emily. She has a hard time with going to the hospital.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Friends as they continue to fight the battle of cancer.

Love and Prayers
The McEllen

Happy Birthday Renee (Emily's sister) Feb. 11

Wednesday, January 31, 2007 9:26 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Well so far this week, Emily is doing GREAT! She is feeling pretty good. I sure hope that we are over all of the Blood infection. She hasn't had a headache for a couple of weeks now. Doc' seem to think that she could have been going through Drug withdrawal. She was on a lot of Medicine for the Blood Infection. But doing much better now.

Please pray for Dakota Johnson's Family. He was a St. Jude Patient and he won his Battle yesterday and now is with Jesus. No more pain or medicine. Dakota's family lives here in Galesburg. Dakota was 14 years old. Our thoughts and prays go out to the family.

We will be going to Memphis on March 11, through 15th. Emily will be having all of the usual testing. Please pray that her tumor is still stable.

Please remember the Dakota Johnson family in your prayers, and all of the other St. Jude kids still fighting.

Love and prayers
The McEllen's

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 7:49 AM CST

Well Another Week!!!! Sure hope it is better. Emily's is going to a new Dentist today. Hopefully she will do a better job about getting Emily's Dental work done. She seems to be feeling better over the long weekend. She only said once that she had a headache. The Doctors seem to think the headaches could have been from Drug withdraw. She was on alot of medicine.

Well we will be going to Memphis in March. She is ready to go back. She will be having few extra test. She will 4 years post radiation. Sure hope and pray that all is still stable.

When she was in the Hospital last weekend we got to meet Jim Thome. That was real exciting. Emily has a couple of Uncle's that I am sure they are Jealous. They are White Sox Fans.

Love and Prayers

The McEllens

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 7:49 AM CST

Thursday, January 4, 2007 8:48 AM CST

UPDATE

Monday, Jan. 8

Emily went back in the hospital Friday evening. Real bad headache, and postive blood cultures again. We got to come home today. We are going to do blood cultures again Wednesday and Friday. They are going to watch her blood.

Please pray for her.

Hi Everyone

Well Emily is back to school today. We went to Doctor yesterday and they pulled the Picc Line and they are telling me all is well. I sure hope so. I am still nervous. Sure hope all the infection is cleared up.
She was ready to go back to school. She has been out since the end of November. We still have some Dental work to do in a couple of weeks. They are going pre-med her with some oral medicine. Sure hope she does well.

We will be going to Memphis on March 11. After all of this with Emily's Blood, I pray that the tumor is still stable. We will be there til March 15th.

After all of this with Emily we still had a pretty good Christmas. Just couldn't go anywhere. She had to be hooked up every 12 hours and it took two hours to run the medicine through. We were suppose to go to Florida. Hopefully over Spring break we will go.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude Buddies.

Love and Prayer and Happy New Year

The McEllen's

Wednesday, December 13, 2006 9:46 AM CST

Update Dec. 22, 2006

Emily is doing well, Still on the Picc-Line and Medicine. The plan is stop the Medicine and pull the line if all of the blood work is good on Jan 3rd.

Please Keep Emily in your prayers

Hope Everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Hi Everyone,

Emily has been in the Hospital for the last 9 days. She has a blood infection from a tooth infection. Long story short, She had to have a pic line put in and on medicine for the next 4 weeks here at home. I was after her Dentist about pulling the tooth for 5 weeks and couldn't get him to do anything. They were more worried about insurance papers. Very serious problem because of Emily's heart.

Please keep Emily in your prayers

Kim and Emily

Tuesday, November 7, 2006 8:14 AM CST

Dec. 1 2006

12 INCHES OF SNOW

WE CAN'T GO ANYWHERE

Hi Everyone,

Well things are little better here. That stinken flu is really going around. Emily got the flu shot yesterday. Hopefully Renee and I will get one soon.

Emily is still doing good in school. She really likes it. She likes her class and all of the kids.

The girls and I are going to Florida over Christmas break. We will leave on the 26th and come home on Jan. 1. The girls are excitied about going. We are going to my Mom and Dads.

The girls are getting excitied about the Holidays. It has come up so fast, and will be here before we know it.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude Buddies.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Thursday, November 2, 2006 8:57 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

FLU!!!!! We have had it. Emily has had it. She has been down a couple days a week for the past couple of weeks. I had it for 4 days and just the past couple of days I am feeling much better. She goes on Monday for the Flu Shot. She has been getting the Shot since she has been a baby. The Flu has been really going around. We need a good frost. It has been cold here the past couple of days. Hope that has killed some of the germ.

Well the Holidays are just around the corner. The girls are getting excitied. Emily is ready for it to snow. We have had a few flurries.

Emily is back into tumbling and she is enjoying it. It is good for her. She goes two days a week. She had a tumbling meet a couple weeks ago and got 5th place. She was pretty proud of herself.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude Friends. Everyone stay well.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Friday, September 22, 2006 10:19 AM CDT

UPDATE

10-11-06

EMILY'S HEART IS IN GREAT SHAPE. NO PROBLEMS. THE EHCO WAS GREAT. GO BACK IN A YEAR. HEART DOC IS WONDERING IF WE NEED TO ADJUST OTHER MEDS SHE IS ON FOR THE TUMOR

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for being late on a update. Been real busy. Everything went okay in Memphis. Emily needed new glases. So she has new glasses. The brain tumor is still stable. We are so glad about that. We did have a couple of Doctors make a coment that they are hearing some new sounds and clicks in Emily's heart. I didn't think to much about it. Came home and saw Doc in Peoria and he said the same thing. I call Emily's heart Doctor and he wants to see her and do a ECHO. Her last appt was March 31, we saw The heart Doc and everything was ok and there was not much of a murmur. So I don't know what is going on. She will have the ECHO and see the Doctor on Oct. 11.
She is real tried after school. Wants to take a nap everday for a couple of hours. So I am real nervous about this. She is really liking school.

Please continue to pray for Emily and we hope and pray that the heart is ok.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Monday, September 11, 2006 7:57 AM CDT

UPDATE!!!!!!!

BRAIN TUMOR IS STILL STABLE.

EYE EXAM IS ALITTLE WORSE. SHE NEEDS NEW GLASSES

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS

I WILL UPDATE MORE LATER.

GOD BLESS

KIM AND EMILY

Monday, September 11, 2006 7:57 AM CDT

UPDATE!!!!!!!

BRAIN TUMOR IS STILL STABLE.

EYE EXAM IS ALITTLE WORSE. SHE NEEDS NEW GLASSES

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS

I WILL UPDATE MORE LATER.

GOD BLESS

KIM AND EMILY

Friday, August 25, 2006 8:03 AM CDT

UPDATE

BRAIN TUMOR IS STABLE YEA YEA YEA!!!!!

Hi Everyone

Well school is in full swing. Emily loves it. She is in the 9th grade at the BIG HIGH SCHOOL. She rides the bus to and from school. She thinks it is neat that she is at the school where her Aunt Jackie works.

We will be going to Wisconsin for a family reunion Labor Day weekend. Come home on Monday (Labor Day) Do Laundry and head to Memphis on Tuesday Morning. We will be there the rest of the week. Emily's MRI is on Wednesday. Please pray that the brain tumor is still stable and no change. I will update as soon as I know something.

Please continue to pray for all of our St. Jude Buddies and Emily.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 7:37 AM CDT

Up-Date
The new Clover arrived. Emily is soooo excitied. Along with the other friends. She exicited about giving Jackson his new bears also.

THANK YOU!!!!!

Jackson William Arrivied Monday at 2:36p.m. Emily's older sister, Melissa had her baby. He weighed 7lbs 14 oz's 20 1/2 inches. Both are doing well

What a busy summer and it is almost over. It really has gone by fast. Emily is ready to go back to school. She will be going to the High School. She is real excitied.

She is doing great. She has had an ear infection. But is feeling better. She had a great time a camp. It was a carnival theme. She came home with all kinds of gifts.
I surprized her with a new bedroom. I painted it and she wanted it in purple and butterflyes. It is real cute.

We will be going to a Cub and Cardinal game this weekend in Chicago. She is real excitied about going.

The St. Jude Telethon and St. Jude Run is next weekend. We will be doing the run and also answering the phones on T.V. that night. Emily and I will be on 7:30-8:30. It is a fun and long day.

We will be going to St. Judes in Memphis Labor Day week. She will miss that week of school. She is ready to go back to see all of the Nurses and Doctors.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of her St. Jude friends.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Wednesday, June 21, 2006 10:44 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well we had a checkup last week in Peoria and all went well. We don't have to go back for 3 months. We will go back to Memphis during Labor Day Week. She will have her scans done that week. We are going a month later than usual. She is doing really well.

Emily will be heading to camp on July 9th. She is real excitied about going. She will be gone 6 days. Time for Renee and I to go shopping. Emily is not a shopper.

The girls older sister is having her baby sometime around Aug. 15th. Mr. Jackson. Emily is real excitied about meeting her new nephew. Of course Nana is too. Renee is wanting to buy him everything under the sun.

So far the hot summer is going well. The girls have spent a lot of time in the pool. Not much rain. Which is needed.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

God Bless

Kim and Emily

Wednesday, May 31, 2006 7:55 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Emily continues to do good. School is out and she is glad. She was ready to be done and is real excitied about going to the High School this fall. She graduated from 8th grade. Ready to move on.

Renee had her Graduation this past weekend. Everything went real well. Hot weekend. She had an Open House Saturday and Graduation was on Sunday. She is glad to be done.

We have gotten our appointment changed a couple of times for when we go to Memphis. We don't go now, til Labor Day week. Now she has to miss a whole week of school. We usually go first week of August. Not for sure why.

Not to many plans for the summer. Emily will be going to camp in July. She is excitied about going. She will be gone 5 days.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan are here for the summer. We will just sit back and enjoy them being here.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 7:48 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing GREAT. Blood work is due next week. But I am sure all of that will come back good. She has to have it done because of all the Med's she takes.

School is coming to a end real soon. Emily is ready this year. Normally she isn't. She will be going to the High School next year and is excitied about that. Renee will be Graduating this year. May 28th! Doesn't seem possible.
This is going to be a busy month for us. We are having an Open House on the 27th for Renee. Emily's birthday is May 13th. We will get through is. Grandpa and Grandma Logan are coming home.

We will be going to Memphis on July 30th for a couple of days. We will be there when the runners will take off to run to Peoria. That will be neat to see. There are a few runners from Galesburg that will be running.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

God Bless

The McEllens

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Friday, April 21, 2006 9:15 AM CDT

Update, Our friend passed away Sunday morning.

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing great. We had a good checkup on her Heart a couple weeks ago. The new valve is working great. We went to St. Judes in Peoria last week and all is well with the brain tumor. We had blood work done and everything was stable. She has gain some of her weight back. We will be going to Memphis the 29th of July for a couple of days.

Well we are ready for summer. Spring has been nice. A lot of rain. A few storms. Renee is getting ready for GRADUATION. I can't believe it. And Emily moves on to the High School this fall. They grow up fast.

We need some Urgent Prayers for a friend of ours. She is a mother of 4 and a wonderful husband. She came down with Bacterial Meningitis Tuesday evening. Please send your prayers to her and family. www.caringbridge.org/visit/sheilaredington

Please continue for Emily and all of our St. Jude Buddies

God Bless
The McEllen's

Friday, April 21, 2006 9:15 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing great. We had a good checkup on her Heart a couple weeks ago. The new valve is working great. We went to St. Judes in Peoria last week and all is well with the brain tumor. We had blood work done and everything us stable. She has gain some of her weight back. We will be going to Memphis the 29th of July for a couple of days.

Well we are ready for summer. Spring has been nice. A lot of rain. A few storms. Renee is getting ready for GRADUATION. I can't believe it. And Emily moves on to the High School this fall. They grow up fast.

We need some Urgent Prayers for a friend of ours. She is a mother of 4 and a wonderful husband. She came down with Bacterial Meningitis Tuesday evening. Please send your prayers to her and family. www.caringbridge.org/visit/sheilaredington

Please continue for Emily and all of our St. Jude Buddies

God Bless
The McEllen's

Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:27 AM CST

Hi Everyone

Sorry it has been awhile. Been kinda busy. Emily is doing pretty good. I think the increase of her medicine has helped. She has less headaches and vomiting. She seems to be eating a little better also. We got a change in our next appointment to Memphis. We will be going on July 30 thru August 2nd. It will be neat to go then because we will get to see the runners off from Memphis to Peoria, Illinois, for the St. Jude Telthone. Which we are involved in. We have a few local friends that are running it.

Well the kids are ready for spring. They are tried of winter. Renee will be graduating in May. Emily is making her Confirmation tomorrow (March 19th). A very special day in her life. She is pretty excitied.

The girls are real excitied about some news that we all got Christmas Day. They are going to be a Aunt. Yes that means that I am going to be a NANA. Jackson William will be arriving sometime around August 15th. Their older sister Melissa and husband Eric are expecting there first baby. Emily can't wait.

Well we have a busy weekend. Please continue to pray for all our St. Jude friends and Emily.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Saturday, March 18, 2006 7:27 AM CST

Hi Everyone

Sorry it has been awhile. Been kinda busy. Emily is doing pretty good. I think the increase of her medicine has helped. She has less headaches and vomiting. She seems to be eating a little better also. We got a change in our next appointment to Memphis. We will be going on July 30 thru August 2nd. It will be neat to go then because we will get to see the runners off from Memphis to Peoria, Illinois, for the St. Jude Telthone. Which we are involved in. We have a few local friends that are running it.

Well the kids are ready for spring. They are tried of winter. Renee will be graduating in May. Emily is making her Confirmation tomorrow (March 19th). A very special day in her life. She is pretty excitied.

The girls are real excitied about some news that we all got Christmas Day. They are going to be a Aunt. Yes that means that I am going to be a NANA. Jackson William will be arriving sometime around August 15th. Their older sister Melissa and husband Eric are excepecting there first baby. Emily can't wait.

Well we have a busy weekend. Please continue to pray for all our St. Jude friends and Emily.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Friday, February 17, 2006 8:20 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't updated sooner. We got home last Thursday from Memphis (St. Judes) and have been busy since then. Saturday was Renee's 18th birthday. Can't believe it. We had some family and friends over. Renee will be graduating in May. She is excitied and in a way I think she will miss it.

Well on to Emily. I don't know what to think. The MRI was stable which means that there was no change in the Brain Tumor. Which we are really glad. But why all of the vomiting and headaches. And the lost of 17 pounds. We are still waiting for blood work to come back. It could be hormones with some migraines. Which she did have during the radiation. We will just have to wait. We did increase some of her Medicine. Hopefully that will help.

We got our schedule for August. We will drive down there August 6. She will have testing done on the 7-9 of August.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of her St. Jude friends.

God Bless

Kim and Emily

Friday, February 17, 2006 8:20 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't updated sooner. We got home last Thursday and have been busy since then. Saturday was Renee's 18th birthday. Can't believe it. We had some family and friends over. Renee will be graduating in May. She is excitied and in a way I think she will miss it.

Well on to Emily. I don't know what to think. The MRI was stable which means that there was no change in the Brain Tumor. Which we are really glad. But why all of the vomiting and headaches. And the lost of 17 pounds. We are still waiting for blood work to come back. It could be hormones with some migraines. Which she did have during the radiation. We will just have to wait. We did increase some of her Medicine. Hopefully that will help.

We got our schedule for August. We will drive down there August 6. She will have testing done on the 7-9 of August.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of her St. Jude friends.

God Bless

Kim and Emily

Sunday, January 29, 2006 5:47 PM CST

UPDATE

GREAT NEWS, THE BRAIN TUMOR IS STILL STABLE. NO CHANGE!!!!! YEA!!!!! WE WILL BE HEADING HOME TOMORROW. WE ARE READY TO COME HOME. I WILL WRITE LATER ABOUT EMILY'S HEADACHES AND WEIGHT LOST AND VOMITING.

LOVE AND PRAYERS
KIM AND EMILY

UpDate Feb.7

Emily had her MRI today and went ok. We don't know any results yet and won't til Wed. Morning. So far all of her other test have come back good.

Love and prayers
Kim and Emily

Hi everyone,

Emily has been in the Hospital this weekend. Vomiting and real bad headache. She has been doing this off and on for the past couple of months. She has lost 17 pounds. I am getting real concerned. We will be flying to Memphis next Sunday for scans and testing. She even came home on IV fluids. She won't be able to go to school for a couple more days.

Please keep Emily in your Prayers. We need good results next week. I will update as soon as I know something.

God Bless

Kim and Emily

Sunday, January 29, 2006 5:47 PM CST

Hi everyone,

Emily has been in the Hospital this weekend. Vomiting and real bad headache. She has been doing this off and on for the past couple of months. She has lost 17 pounds. I am getting real concerned. We will be flying to Memphis next Sunday for scans and testing. She even came home on IV fluids. She won't be able to go to school for a couple more days.

Please keep Emily in your Prayers. We need good results next week. I will update as soon as I know something.

God Bless

Kim and Emily

Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:25 AM CST

Happy New Year

Well this year must be better. It didn't close on a very good note. But Grandpa is doing much better. The girls and I opened gifts and packed the Van and drove to Florida Christmas Day. We spent the whole week down there. We came home on New Years Day. We got home on Monday night about 5:30. Girls got up on Tuesday morning and went back to school. They were pretty tired. But doing much better now.

Emily is doing great. We went to St. Judes in Peoria on Jan. 5 and had Blood work done and saw Doc. Everything checked out good. We will be flying to Memphis on Feb. 5th thru the 9th for scans and all kinds of test. We pray that the scans are still stable. Emily has had open heart surgery since we were down there last August. She seems to be doing real good.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude buddies.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Wednesday, January 11, 2006 8:25 AM CST

Well Happy New Year

Well this year must be better. It didn't close on a very good note. But Grandpa is doing much better. The girls and I opened gifts and packed the Van and drove to Florida Christmas Day. We spent the whole week down there. We came home on New Years Day. We got home on Monday night about 5:30. Girls got up on Tuesday morning and went back to school. They were pretty tired. But doing much better now.

Emily is doing great. We went to St. Judes in Peoria on Jan. 5 and had Blood work done and saw Doc. Everything checked out good. We will be flying to Memphis on Feb. 5th thru the 9th for scans and all kinds of test. We pray that the scans are still stable. Emily has had open heart surgery since we were down there last August. She seems to be doing real good.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude buddies.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Friday, December 16, 2005 9:19 AM CST

UPDATE
Dec. 27

The girls and I went to Florida on Christmas day. Emily's Grandpa's surgery went real well. He had a double bypass, and doing good. We will be here til Sunday the 1st then drive home on Sunday and Monday. Thanks for you continued prayers for a speedy recovery.

Kim and Emily

DEC. 24 PLEASE PRAY FOR EMILY'S GRANDPA LOGAN THIS MORNING, AS HE IS GOING THROUGH EMERGENCY OPEN HEART SURGERY. THEY LIVE IN ORLANDO FLORIDA. IT IS KIM'S DAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing great. All of her Blood work came back good. Don't have to have it done again til after the first of the year. Then February 5th thru the 9th we will be in Memphis for all of her test. She will have alot of test done. It will be 3 years out of Radiation. It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago. It just seems like yesterday that St. Judes called us and told us that her Brain Tumor had grown alot and was time for treatment. We found out on Dec. 12 2002. Spent the Holidays at home and went down to Memphis on January 12, 2003. Alot has happened in the past 3 years. Emily was very sick from the radiation, didn't eat for about a year. Had to have a feeding tube. We got past that hump in the road, then this past summer Emily had to have OPEN HEART SURGERY. She didn't get to start school til Oct. 3. Now we pray that 2006 will start out good with GOOD RESULTS in Memphis.

We hope and pray that everyone has a Blessed Holidays and a Happy New Year. Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

Love and Prayers,
and Happy Holidays

Pete, Kim, Renee, and Emily

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA LOGAN
(DEC. 17)

Friday, December 16, 2005 9:19 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing great. All of her Blood work came back good. Don't have to have it done again til after the first of the year. Then February 5th thru the 9th we will be in Memphis for all of her test. She will have alot of test done. It will be 3 years out of Radiation. It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago. It just seems like yesterday that St. Judes called us and told us that her Brain Tumor had grown alot and was time for treatment. We found out on Dec. 12 2002. Spent the Holidays at home and went down to Memphis on January 12, 2003. Alot has happened in the past 3 years. Emily was very sick from the radiation, didn't eat for about a year. Had to have a feeding tube. We got past that hump in the road, then this past summer Emily had to have OPEN HEART SURGERY. She didn't get to start school til Oct. 3. Now we pray that 2006 will start out good with GOOD RESULTS in Memphis.

We hope and pray that everyone has a Blessed Holidays and a Happy New Year. Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

Love and Prayers,
and Happy Holidays

Pete, Kim, Renee, and Emily

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA LOGAN
(DEC. 17)

Friday, December 16, 2005 9:19 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing great. All of her Blood work came back good. Don't have to have it done again til after the first of the year. Then Febuary 5th thru the 9th we will be in Memphis for all of her test. She will have alot of test done. It will be 3 years out of Radiation. It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago. It just seems like yesterday that St. Judes called us and told us that her Brain Tumor had grown alot and was time for treatment. We found out on Dec. 12 2002. Spent the Holidays at home and went down to Memphis on January 12, 2003. Alot has happened in the past 3 years. Emily was very sick from the radiation, didn't eat for about a year. Had to have a feeding tube. We got past that hump in the road, then this past summer Emily had to have OPEN HEART SURGERY. She didn't get to start school til Oct. 3. Now we pray that 2006 will start out good with GOOD RESULTS in Memphis.

We hope and pray that everyone has a Blessed Holidays and a Happy New Year. Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

Love and Prayers,
and Happy Holidays

Pete, Kim, Renee, and Emily

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA LOGAN
(DEC. 17)

Friday, December 16, 2005 9:19 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing great. All of her Blood work came back good. Don't have to have it done til after the first of the year. Then Febuary 5th thru the 9th we will be in Memphis for all of her test. She will have alot of test done. It will be 3 years out of Radiation. It doesn't seem like it has been that long ago. It just seems like yesterday that St. Judes called us and told us that her Brain Tumor had grown alot and was time for treatment. We found out on Dec. 12 2002. Spent the Holidays at home and went down to Memphis on January 12, 2003. Alot has happened in the past 3 years. Emily was very sick from the radiation, didn't eat for about a year. Had to have a feeding tube. We got past that hump in the road, then this past summer Emily had to have OPEN HEART SURGERY. She didn't get to start school til Oct. 3. Now we pray that 2006 will start out good with GOOD RESULTS in Memphis.

We hope and pray that everyone has a Blessed Holidays and a Happy New Year. Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our St. Jude friends.

Love and Prayers,
and Happy Holidays

Pete, Kim, Renee, and Emily

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA LOGAN
(DEC. 17)

Friday, December 16, 2005 9:19 AM CST

Thursday, December 1, 2005 12:31 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Well the first snow and Emily was ready to go out and play in it. 7:00 am this morning. She thought she would go out and play before her school bus came. Mom caught her going out the door. She would have had time, her bus was running 30 minutes late.
Oh well. She will want to play when she gets home. We got about 3-4 inches. Just enough to make the roads slippery.

She is doing really well. She had a sore throat yesterday and a little cough, but feeling better today. She is having blood work done next week here in town so we don't have to go to Peoria. They will fax the results to St. Judes in Peoria. Then Doc will call us. We Will be flying to Memphis on Feb. 5 thru the 9th.

The girls are getting excitied about Christmas. The girls will be out of school for 2 weeks. Not much going on. Grandpa and Grandma Logan are not coming home for the holidays this year. We will spend x-mas eve with the McEllen's and x-mas day with my brothers and sister.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Please continue to pray for out St Jude friends and Emily.

God Bless and Have a Wonderful Christmas

Kim and Emily

Thursday, December 1, 2005 12:31 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Well the first snow and Emily was ready to go out and play in it. 7:00 am this morning. She thought she would go out and play before her school bus came. Mom caught her going out the door. She would have had time, her bus was running 30 minutes late.
Oh well. She will want to play when she gets home. We got about 3-4 inches. Just enough to make the roads slippery.

She is doing really well. She had a sore throat yesterday and a little caugh, but feeling better today. She is having blood work done next week here in town so we don't have to go to Peoria. They will fax the results to St. Judes in Peoria. Then Doc will call us. We Will be flying to Memphis on Feb. 5 thru the 9th.

The girls are getting excitied about Christmas. The girls will be out of school for 2 weeks. Not much going on. Grandpa and Grandma Logan are not coming home for the holidays this year. We will spend x-mas eve with the McEllen's and x-mas day with my brothers and sister.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

Please continue to pray for out St Jude friends and Emily.

God Bless and Have a Wonderful Christmas

Kim and Emily

Monday, November 7, 2005 9:10 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

The appointment at St. Judes in Peoria went great. Emily is doing really good. All of her blood work came back good. She got her Flu shot. She feels alittle fluish yesterday and today. She is already up today and feeling alittle better. She just needs another day of rest.

We will be going to Memphis in Feb for all of her other check ups. We hope and pray that the tumor is still stable.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan have made it back to Florida ok and no damage from the hurricans. Grandma is glad to be back home.

Can't believe the Holidays are around the corner. Where has the year gone too?? The girls are getting excitied.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of the St. Jude patients.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Thursday, October 20, 2005 8:56 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well everything here is going really good. Emily is doing great. She is back in school and doing great. She was home a couple of days last week with vomiting. I think she a flu bug. She went to St. Judes in Peoria and had blood work. All was good. She will be going back on Nov 4 for another checkup. If all is well we won't have to go back for 3 months. We will be going to Memphis on Feb. 5 for 4 days. That is her 6 month checkup.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan left this past weekend to head back to Florida. They were here all summer.

I will update again after we go to St. Judes in Peoria on the 4th. Emily is doing great.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude friends

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Monday, October 3, 2005 10:06 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well Emily is in School. YEA YEA YEA She was ready and the Doc's said that she could go. She was so excitied about going. She is really doing well. She had all of her school supplies ready last night. She wanted me to take her to school today. Wednesday she will start riding the bus. Her Echo came back real good. The valve is working really well and they are hoping that will be good for about 10 years. She will be going to St. Jude's this Monday for a check up. We will be going to the office in Peoria. We will be going to Memphis Feb. 5th. We will be down there for 4 days.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan will be leaving on Oct. 15, heading back to Florida.

Thank you all for all of your thoughts and prayers this past 6 weeks.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Monday, October 3, 2005 10:06 AM CDT

Friday, September 23, 2005 7:58 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Emily is doing great. She will see the Doc's next week and hopefully they will give her the OKAY to start school. I think she is ready. She may not be able to do gym for a couple more weeks, but that is ok. It has been a long couple of months since we found out about this valve problem.

I know she is ready to get to school and see her friends. She is starting to get bored at home and being with her mom. It will probably be another story when she starts, she won't want to leave me. I can't believe this is her last year at the Middle school. Next year is the high school. She is too little to be going to the high school.
My baby is growing up.

Renee, Emily's sister is a senior this year. That is hard to believe. She is ready to be out of school. She was never a school person. Emily is my school person. She loves it. Well need to get going and go to school and pick up homework for Emily. Have a great weekend.
Please keep all of our St. Jude friends in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Friday, September 23, 2005 7:58 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Emily is doing great. She will see the Doc's next week and hopefully they will give her the OKAY to start school. I think she is ready. She may not be able to do gym for a couple more weeks, but that is ok. It has been a long couple of months since we found out about this valve problem.

I know she is ready to get to school and see her friends. She is starting to get bored at home and being with her mom. It will probably be another story when she starts, she won't want to leave me. I can't believe this is her last year at the Middle school. Next year is the high school. She is too little to be going to the high school.
My baby is growing up.

Renee, Emily's sister is a senior this year. That is hard to believe. She is ready to be out of school. She was never a school person. Emily is my school person. She loves it. Well need to get going and go to school and pick up homework for Emily. Have a great weekend.
Please keep all of our St. Jude friend in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Friday, September 23, 2005 7:58 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Emily is doing great. She will see the Doc's next week and hopefully they will give her the OKAY to start school. I think she is ready. She may not be able to do gym for a couple more weeks, but that is ok. It has been a long couple of months since we found out about this valve problem.

I know she is ready to get to school and see her friends. She is starting to get bored at home and being with her mom. It will probably be another story when she starts, she won't want to leave me. I can't believe this is her last year at the Middle school. Next year is the high school. She is too little to be going to the high school.
My baby is growing up.

Renee, Emily's sister is a senior this year. That is hard to believe. She is ready to be out of school. She was never a school person. Emily is my school person. She loves it. Well need to get going and go to school and pick up homework for Emily. Have a great weekend.
Please keep all of our St. Jude friend in your thoughts and prayers.

God Bless
Kim and Emily

Friday, September 9, 2005 10:20 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing pretty good. Not eating awhole lot yet. Still napping a couple times a day. But overall she is doing pretty good. We saw the surgeron on Wednesday and he says that the valve is working good and everything looked good. She will be home til October 3rd. No school til then. She is ok with that. We have been going to school and getting school work. We went in this past Wednesday and got her school picture taken for her school ID. She also got to see some of her friends.

I am glad that she is home. It has been hot her this past week and suppose to be hot next week. There also has been some illness going around in the school. We don't need that right now.

Still enjoying Grandma and Grandpa Logan. They will be leaving the middle of Oct to go back to Florida. We have had a very busy summer.

Please keep the prayers coming for Emily for a quick recovery.

Love and prayers
The McEllen's

Friday, September 9, 2005 10:20 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Emily is doing pretty good. Not eating awhole lot yet. Still napping a couple times a day. But overall she is doing pretty good. We saw the surgeron on Wednesday and he says that the valve is working good and everything looked good. She will be home til October 3rd. No school til then. She is ok with that. We have been going to school and getting school work. We went in this past Wednesday and got her school picture taken for her school ID. She also got to see some of her friends.

I am glad that she is home. It has been hot her this past week and suppose to be hot next week. There also has been some illness going around in the school. We don't need that right now.

Still enjoying Grandma and Grandpa Logan. They will be leaving the middle of Oct to go back to Florida. We have had a very busy summer.

Please keep the prayers coming for Emily and a quick recovery.

Love and prayers
The McEllen's

Friday, September 2, 2005 7:39 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well we have been home 4 days now and Emily is doing really good. We have been taking little walks outside. She has been doing some of school work. By 1:00 in the afternoon she is worn out til about 6:00, then she gets a burst of energy. She is doing better than I thought. Just a week ago Open Heart Surgery. I wouldn't be able to move. These kids bounce back so fast. I wouldn't be surprize that the Doc says that she can go back to school the 3 week of September. The only part that she don't like, is that we can't go anywhere for the first two weeks after the surgery. We did take a little ride last night and went to see Grandma McEllen and went to A. Jackie's house for a few minutes. Can't go to far, My Gas tank is full of Gold and doesn't to run to far. Ha Ha!!! Can you you believe the prises. It is $3.29 here. We spent almost $200.00 last week in gas and food going to and from the hospital. Pete had to drive 100 miles round trip.
Oh well its not going to get any better. We just as well get used to it.

Over all Emily is doing great. Please keep the prayers coming as she continues to heal.

Love and Prayers,
Kim and Emily

Friday, September 2, 2005 7:39 AM CDT

Monday, August 29, 2005 9:11 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

We got home yesterday afternoon about 4:30p.m.

Wellllll, We are home!!!! YEA YEA YEA Emily is doing pretty good. Still has some fluid in the lungs, but a little better. She came home on Lasix. She will be on that for about a month. As long as the fluid is gone. The Doc's say that it is the heeling process of the heart. The heart isn't strong enought to push all of the fluids out. She is still in alittle bit of pain, but not to bad. She is our trooper. I think she rested good last night. We were up about every hour going potty. But that was ok. It was good to be home on the couch. She can't sleep in her own bed. She has a loft bed. No climbing.

She goes back to the surgeon on next Wednesday. Thankyou all for the thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming as she is heeling. The doc's say that it will take about 6 weeks. I will update later.

Love and prayers
Kim and Emily

Monday, August 29, 2005 9:11 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Wellllll We are home!!!! YEA YEA YEA Emily is doing pretty good. Still has some fluid in the lungs, but a little better. She came home on Lasix. She will be on that for about a month. As long as the fluid is gone. The Doc's say that it is the heeling process of the heart. The heart isn't strong enought to push all of the fluids out. She is still in alittle bit of pain, but not to bad. She is our trooper. I think she rested good last night. We were up about every hour going potty. But that was ok. It was good to be home on the couch. She can't sleep in her own bed. She has a loft bed. No climbing.

She goes back to the surgeon on next Wednesday. Thankyou all for the thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming as she is heeling. The doc's say that it will take about 6 weeks. I will update later.

Love and prayers
Kim and Emily

Monday, August 22, 2005 8:35 AM CDT

Saturday 4:30 WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS
EMILY's LUNGS ARE NO BETTER. PLEASE PRAY THAT THE FLUID GOES AWAY SOON. WE CAN NOT GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL TIL IT IS GONE.

LOVE AND PRAYERS
KIM AND EMILY

FRIDAY NIGHT 8:00pm Well we have had a little set back today. Emily has some fluid in her lungs. We don't get to go home til Saturday night or even Sunday now. She is back on Oxygen. Please keep the prayers coming.

Love
Kim and Emily

Thursday night 10:00p.m. Update Emily has had a real rough day. She was up all night last night. A lot of pain this morning but a little better this afternoon and evening. She just went for alittle walk and is in bed, asleep. If all goes well tomorrow during the day she may get to go home tomorrow night. If not Saturday.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Wednesday night 9:30 Update Emily is still doing pretty good. She is in pain tonight. She ate half of a PBJ sandwich and alittle of milk. She just told me that she was going to sleep and that I could go to sleep. HA HA!!!! Not much sleep in the waiting room.

Love Kim and Emily

Wednesday, 24th Emily had a stable night. The doc's are going to start waking her up today alittle bit.

Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

AUGUST 23 5:15 Emily is doing great.
The surgery went real well. She will be in ICU for 5 days. We just got to see her. Thanks for your prayers. Keep them coming. We still need them.

Love Kim

Tuesday 23 1:30, EMILY JUST WENT ON THE HEART LUNG MACHINE. THE DOC'S ARE STARTING TO WORK ON THE HEART. THANKS FOR THE PRAYERS

KIM

Hi Everyone, Well summer break as come to a end for everyone. School is starting last week and this week. Renee will start this Thursday, this is her SENIOR YEAR. Emily will not be starting due to her OPEN HEART SURGERY.

Her surgery is tomorrow. She will be having her surgery at St. Francis in Peoria, Illinois. She will be in the hospital til the weekend. They are replacing her pulmonary valve. It is leaking real bad. PLEASE PRAY THAT HER SURGERY GOES WELL. We will update as soon as we can. The surgery is suppose to take about 6 hours.

Everything went well in Memphis. Emily's brain tumor was stable. No change!! We were really happy about that. Alot of people has asked us if there has been srinkage in the tumor. NO, Her type of tumor is not one mass it is a pathway tumor, its throught out the nerves. It is stable with no change.

Well I got alot to do before tomorrow. We will update as soon as we can.

Love and Prayers,

The McEllen's

Friday, July 29, 2005 6:28 AM CDT

UPDATE!!! UPDATE!!!
NEW PIC IN PHOTOS

August 17th:

We went to see the surgeon today. Surgery will be Tuesday, August 23rd at 9:00 AM. The surgeon was very positive about the surgery. He said it will take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. She will be getting a cow valve. So please pray that everything will go well for her. Thanks for all your prayers thus far. Her surgery will be st St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS

Hi Everyone, As the summer is coming to a end, it was very busy and very hot and dry. Thank the lord for the little bit of rain we had this week. The kids are ready to go back to school. We will be heading to Memphis on the 7th of August for checkup and MRI. We need your prayers that the tumor will still be stable. As you all know that Emily had some defects in her little heart when she was born and has had 3 different surgeries when she was a baby. Well we found out yesterday that she is in need for a 4th Open Heart Surgery. We knew that it would happen someday but I was hoping it wouldn't happen til she was much older. She needs the pulmonary valve replaced. This surgery will not take place til September. There is so much to do to prep her for the surgery.

So anyway Emily will start school for a couple of weeks then be out for a couple of months. She will not be happy. She really likes school. And she is really looking forward to this last year at the school she will be going to and 8th grade Graduation.

Please pray that we have a good trip to Memphis with good results. Then we can get this Open Heart Surgery done and she will be feeling good before winter comes.

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Friday, July 29, 2005 6:28 AM CDT

WE NEED YOUR PRAYERS

Hi Everyone, As the summer is coming to a end, it was very busy and very hot and dry. Thank the lord for the little bit of rain we had this week. The kids are ready to go back to school. We will be heading to Memphis on the 7th of August for checkup and MRI. We need your prayers that the tumor will still be stable. As you all know that Emily had some defects in her little heart when she was born and has had 3 different surgeries when she was a baby. Well we found out yesterday that she is in need for a 4 surgery. We knew that it would happen someday but I was hoping it wouldn't happen til she was much older. She needs the pulmonary valve replaced. This surgery will not take place til September. There is so much to do to prep her for the surgery.

So anyway Emily will start school for a couple of weeks then be out for a couple of months. She will not be happy. She really likes school. And she is really looking forward to this last year at the school she will be going to and 8th grade Graduation.

Please pray that we have a good trip to Memphis with good results. Then we can get this Open Heart Surgery done and she will be feeling good before winter comes.

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Wednesday, July 6, 2005 1:08 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

We really have had a busy month. Emily is doing GREAT. She is feeling real GOOD and eating pretty good.
We will be heading to Memphis for a check up on August 7th. Emily is ready to go back for a visit. She wants to see her favorite nurses and Doc's. We will be there for 3 days.

We had a good weekend this past weekend. We went to Chicago for a Cub game. Emily thought that was really neat. We drove to Naperville and caught the Metra to Chicago. The girls thought that was neat to ride the Metra. There was a lot of people. Taste of Chicago, Ball Game, and 4th of July weekend. We still had a lot of fun.

It was one year yesterday that Grandpa McEllen went to be with Jesus. That is all Emily talked about was Grandpa yesterday. We went over and spent some time with Grandma last night.

Well I better close, please continue to pray for our St. Jude Friends

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Wednesday, July 6, 2005 1:08 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

We really have had a busy month. Emily is doing GREAT. She is feeling real GOOD and eating pretty good.
We will be heading to Memphis for a check up on August 7th. Emily is ready to good back for a visit. She wants to see her favorite nurses and Doc's. We will be there for 3 days.

We had a good weekend this past weekend. We went to Chicago for a Cub game. Emily thought that was really neat. We drove to Naperville and caught the Metra to Chicago. The girls thought that was neat to ride the Metra. There was a lot of people. Taste of Chicago, Ball Game, and 4th of July weekend. We still had a lot of fun.

It was one year yesterday that Grandpa McEllen went to be Jesus. That is all Emily talked about was Grandpa. We went over and spent some time with Grandma last night.

Well I better close, please continue to pray for our St. Jude Friends

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Thursday, June 2, 2005 8:30 PM CDT

Hi Everyone, JUNE 6 I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT LITTLE EMMA GRACE RECEIVED HER ANGEL WINGS TODAY. PLEASE VISIT HER WEB SITE
www.caringbridge.org/ar/emmagrace

We have been very busy these past couple of weeks. Emily is doing great. She and Renee are out of school as of yesterday. Today was there first day off and already bored. I gave them pently to do and they didn't like that.

We are off to tommorrow to Memphis for the survivors conference. We are real excitied about going. We were out of town last weekend to Chicago. Hurried home for Graduation on Sunday. Emily had a couple of cousins graduate. Next year it is Renee's turn.

We have a very special St. Jude friend that is really having a hard time. Please pray for Little Emma Grace. Please visit her web site. www.caringbridge.org/ar/emmagrace She needs alot of prayers.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan are here for the summer and the girls are enjoying them.

We will update next week and let you all know how the weekend went at St. Judes.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude friends

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Thursday, June 2, 2005 8:30 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

We have been very busy these past couple of weeks. Emily is doing great. She and Renee are out of school as of yesterday. Today was there first day off and already bored. I gave them pently to do and they didn't like that.

We are off to tommorrow to Memphis for the survivors conference. We are real excitied about going. We were out of town last weekend to Chicago. Hurried home for Graduation on Sunday. Emily had a couple of cousins graduate. Next year it is Renee's turn.

We have a very special St. Jude friend that is really having a hard time. Please pray for Little Emma Grace. Please visit her web site. www.caringbridge.org/ar/emmagrace She needs alot of prayers.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan are here for the summer and the girls are enjoying them.

We will update next week and let you all know how the weekend went at St. Judes.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude friends

Love and Prayers
The McEllens

Monday, May 16, 2005 7:35 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well we made it through another Birthday. Emily was 14 on May 13th. She was sick all week, but feeling pretty good for her birthday. She was feeling icky on Mothers Day and by Monday she was vomiting and couldn't keep anything down. Tuesday we went to St. Judes and Doc ran a bag of fluids and a stress dose of Steroids through. She was feeling better by Wednesday. She is feeling much better.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan is here for the summer, only if it would warm up. It is only 36 degrees this morning. We have had a lot of wind these past couple of weeks. We are ready for 80-90's.

The kids only have a few days of school left. 12 days counting today. I am ready. I am ready for a break. Graduation party's to go to. Emily has three cousins graduating this year.

We will be heading to Memphis on June 3rd for the Survivors Day Conference. Sounds like a fun day on June 4th. We will only be there for the weekend. We will be heading back to Memphis in August for check ups.

Please continue to pray for our St. Jude friends.

Love and Prayers
Emily and Family

Monday, May 16, 2005 7:35 AM CDT

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 5:07 PM CDT

New Pictures in the Photo's

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY (May 13)

Hi Everyone

Well we made it home from the cruise and what a wonderful time we had. We didn't want to get off of the ship. The girls really thought it was really neat. It was a big ship. The weather was real nice. We all came back with a tan. We ate all kinds of food. We even got Emily to eat real well. Banana Smoothies everyday. Boy they were GOOD!!!! We had too much fun. We met up with my cousins from New York. It was good to see them. Renee got all of her hair braided. It really looked cute. I will post some new pics later.

Well we got home and Emily had to go to St. Judes in Peoria. She had a real good appointment. Doc said that she is doing great. She is gaining weight. Still on all of her meds. She hopes when we go to Memphis in August that we can take her off some of the medicine. We will be heading to Memphis on August 7th.

We have alot going on this summer. Grandpa and Grandma Logan are on there way here for the summer. They are coming from Florida. It better warm up here or they just might go back home. We have had 50 degrees weather and a lot of wind.

A few of our St. Judes friends need some prayers. Please pray for all of the St. Jude kids.

I will post some pics later.

Love and prayers
The McEllens

Wednesday, March 30, 2005 9:56 AM CST

Hi Everyone,
Staurday April 9 We leave tomrow for the disney cruise we are reall exsited we wil update when we get home thanks for keeping Emily in your prayers. Love Renee

We have had great weather this week. The kids have been able to play outside. Emily is really enjoying it. She is so tried of being in the house. She is doing great and feeling real good.

The kids are counting down for the Disney Cruise. They are so excitied. We fly out on the 10th of April. Suitcases are packed and ready to go. We did find out that my cousins are on the same cruise. I haven't seen them for a year. Emily is really excited about seeing MICKEY again.

We had a good Easter. Spent the afternoon with Pete's family. It seems different that Grandpa McEllen isn't at the get togethers any more. We sure do miss him. Emily talks about him all the time.

Thank you to Angel Bailey's Grandpa and Grandma Osborn for the card and gift of money for Emily. That was very nice of you. Emily thought that was really neat to hear from Angel Bailey Grandpa and Grandma. THANK YOU

Well want to get outside for a little while. Suppose to rain and storm this afternoon. We will update soon.

Love and Prayers to everyone

Love
The McEllens

Thursday, March 3, 2005 9:40 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Well not much to report other that we are home and all is well. Emily is doing great. She is eating a little better each day. She is starting tumbling back up again tonight and she is real excitied. She was tumbling before the brain tumor had grown. We will be going back to St. Judes in Peoria to be checked out again on March 17. She will be check for Diabetes Insipidus. She is still getting up 3-4 times in the night to go potty. That is not normal.

Well the girls are getting real excitied about our cruise. We will be leaving on April 10-14 on the cruise ship and after we get off of the ship we are spending 3 days with Grandpa and Grandma Logan in Florida. Renee has always wanted to go on a cruise. We also found out that 4 of my cousins from New York will be on the same cruise, same time. I am excitied about that, I haven't seen them for a year.

Weather has been pretty icky here. Been cold this week. We are ready for spring.

Love and Prayers
Emily and Kim

Monday, February 7, 2005 9:54 AM CST

WEDNESDAY 12:00 p.m. Well we got GREAT news the tumor is still stable. There was no change on the MRI. We have one appt. this afternoon at 1:00 for her growth hormone shots and they are also going to check to see Emily has Diabeties Insipidus. She still is drinking and peeing alot. We won't know those results for a couple of day. Thanks for all of your prayers. We won't have to come back til August. We will fly home tonight. Thank again.

Hi Everyone, Feb. 15th 2:25 p.m. Hi We haven't heard anything yet. We are enjoying the warm weather. It has been in the 70's the past couple of days. Heading home Wed. night, back to the cold weather. Emily has done well, just real tried of test. We were at the hospital for 11 hours yesterday for test. I will update as soon as the Doc calls.

Love you all

Emily and Kim

Well everything is going pretty good here. Emily is doing real good. She got over her cold, took a few days but it was really going around here. She is going to school and doing good. Her eating has improved some. We still could do a little better.

We will be heading to Memphis this Sunday. We will be there for 3 days. She will be going through a lot of test. We pray that the tumor is still stable. She is still taking the Growth Hormone Shots and hope that everything is still ok there.

We had a surprise this past fall from the Wish Foundation of Chicago. Renee and Emily's heart Doctor turn Renee's name into the foundation. Renee is choosing to take a Disney Cruise. Right now we planning to take it on April 10-14. The girls are real excitied. We thought we were going to be able to take it on Spring break but nothing was available. We just hope and pray that the girls stay heathly and nothing happens to stop us from going. We pray that all of Emily's test come back good.

I will update next week when I get some of the results back from the Doc's. Could be Tuesday night before we know anything. Emily can't wait to see the nurses and her Doctors. It is getting to be fun business now that no treatment is needed. Emily likes to go now. She doesn't mind the test, just long days, very long days.

Check back later Feb. 15 Hopefully I will know some results.

God Bless
Love and Prayers
Kim and Emily

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 10:09 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Emily woke up yesterday feeling pretty bad. She has a terrible cold and sore throat. Last night she started to run a fever. Still running a little fever today. She is up a bit more today so far. Yesterday she didn't get out of bed at all. We have been lucky, she hasn't been sick with a cold for a long time. I just hope she starts to feel better soon.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan left Sunday to head back to Florida. Grandpa says he isn't coming home to the cold anymore. He got out of the swing of the cold. They have been gone to long. They moved to Florida 10 years ago.

Emily and I will be heading to Memphis on Feb. 13-16 for check up. We hope and pray that everything is still stable. Emily is doing pretty good as far as the brain tumor. She is starting to pick up other foods, besides oatmeal. She has been eating just oatmeal for the past 5 months. Well better go check on Emily.

Love and prayers to everyone

The McEllens

Sunday, January 2, 2005 7:04 PM CST

Hi Everyone, HAPPY NEW YEAR Hope everyone has a good year. We have had a rough ending of 2004. We have lost two St. Judes friends. Angel Aaron from East Peoria, Illinois and Angel Lexi from Tremont, Illinois. They both past away in last couple weeks. Our thoughts and prayers are with there families.

Emily is doing pretty good. We went to St. Judes in Peoria last week and everything checked out good, except for her Iron it was low, so Doc had to put her on some Iron pills. Another Pill. We will be heading back to Memphis on Feb. 13 for a few days. She will have several test done and if everything checks out good we won't have to go back til August. We will be going back in June for the Survival Party.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan have been here for a few weeks and they are ready to go back to Florida. It has been to cold here for them. But it has been nice having them home for the Holidays.

Hope everyone has a Happy New Year. We pray that Emily continues to do better. She still has to be followed very close. She still has a lot going on. She takes a lot of medicine.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Thursday, December 9, 2004 12:36 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

First of all Please say a pray for a St. Jude Friend of ours. Super Hero Aaron is receiving his Angel Wings. He has been fighting is battle of a couple of years. www.caringbridge.org/il/aarondhunter

Emily is doing pretty good. We have a few addition problems. When we were in Memphis last month they did some bone density test and Emily's is pretty low. They are adding a few more pills to her daily intake. A lot of side effects from the radiation. That is probably why she broke her foot so easy. She is starting to eat a few more things now. Still eating a lot of oatmeal. We will be heading back to Memphis on Feb. 13 for more test. If everything is good on this next appointment we won't have to go back til August. We must pray that everything is still stable.

Well the girls are getting excitied about Christmas. Grandpa and Grandma Logan are on there way home from Florida for the Holidays. Everyone is excitied about having them home for the Holidays.

We are wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Please continue to pray for Emily and all of our friends at St. Judes that don't get to go home for the Holidays. Give your children a hug and tell them that you love them. They grow up and gone before you know it. Hunter Family we love you and will miss Aaron deeply.

God Bless

The McEllen

Thursday, November 25, 2004 7:42 PM CST

Hi Everyone,

Happy Thanksgiving, Well Emily didn't eat much turkey. A little bit of ham. She did pretty good last week in Memphis. She had a lot of test and did real good. MRI was still stable. She just doesn't want to eat. The only thing that we can get in her right now is oatmeal.

We had a real surprice yesterday morning. It started snowing about 7:00am and didn't stop til 4:00pm. We got 7 inches of snow. Emily thought that was really neat. It was a wet snow and she was tring to build a snowman but it was to cold. Now we probably won't have snow next month for x-mas.

Emily did grow a 1/4 of a inch from her growth hormone shots. She had been on them for two months. She is still on them and will be for a long time. So anyway the week went pretty good. We will be going back to Memphis on February 13, for next appt. We will be going to Peoria on Dec. 20 to see Doc.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Please continue to pray for the St. Jude kids and familys.

God Bless

The McEllens

Friday, November 12, 2004 12:08 AM CST

UPDATE-EVERYTHING WENT REAL GOOD. MRI IS STILL STABLE. WE GO BACK IN FEBRUARY. THANKS FOR ALL THE PRAYERS.
Hi Everyone, Winter coats came out of the closet this morning. 24 degree's BURRRRRRR BURRRRRR it was cold. Now this kids are ready for the snow. It won't be long.

Well Emily and I are leaving this cold weather for a few days on Tuesday. We are leaving to go back to Memphis. We will be there for 4 days. We hope and pray that things are still stable. She has been feeling real good. She had a little set back a couple weeks ago. A lot of vomiting and lost 8 pounds. Increased the steroids and she was fine after that. MRI isn't til Thursday the 18th. I won't be able to update til we get home on Friday night.

She is getting ready for Santa Claus. She has been writing her list for Santa. Grandpa and Grandma Logan will be here for X-Mas from Florida. The kids are real excitied about that. This will be our first X-Mas without Grandpa McEllen-he pasted away this past July. It will be sad for the McEllen's.

Please pray for Emily as we travel to Memphis and pray that her test are still stable. Please continue to pray for all of our friends at St. Judes.

God Bless

The McEllens

Monday, October 25, 2004 6:54 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well we have had a rough couple of weeks but doing much better. First Emily facture her foot, was in a cast and on crutches for a month. Her foot is still hurting alittle bit. Then about three weeks ago she started vomiting for no reason. That went on for a couple of weeks, I called St. Judes in Peoria and Doc order a MRI.
The MRI came back good. Doc increased her steroids and that seemed to help a lot. There could have been some swelling in the brain. She had a lot of that last year after the radiation along with a lot of vomiting.

She is keeping us on our toes. We will be going to Memphis on the 16 of November. She is having another MRI and other test done. They will be checking her growth Hormones. She has been on them for 6 weeks now. She is doing good with them.

Please keep Emily in your prayers. We pray that everything will be ok when we go to Memphis.

PLEASE SIGN HER GUEST BOOK!!!!!!

God Bless

The McEllens

Monday, October 18, 2004 12:27 AM CD

UPDATE FRIDAY EVENING-----HEY HEY THE MRI CAME BACK GOOD. DOC SEEMS TO THINK THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN SOME SWELLING IN THE BRAIN THAT CAUSED ALL OF THE VOMITING AND WEIGHT LOST. WE WENT THROUGH THIS LAST YEAR AFTER THE RADIATION. WE ARE SO HAPPY. WE SURE HATED TO SEE OUR LITTLE GIRL GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PRAYERS. LOVE PETE AND KIM

UPDATE THURSDAY AFTERNOON EMILY HAD HER MRI AND DID WELL. WE WON'T KNOW RESULTS TIL FRIDAY AFTERNOON. SHE DID LOSE ANOTHER POUND. PLEASE KEEP PRAYING FOR OUR LITTLE GIRL. SHE IS SO TIRED OF BEING SICK. LOVE PETE AND KIM

Hi Everyone, Emily is in need of prayers right now. She hasn't been feeling good for a couple weeks. She has been vomiting off and on this past couple of weeks. I took her to St. Judes in Peoria, Illinois today and Doc is very concerned and has order an MRI for this Thursday. She had lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks. We hope and pray that there isn't any growth in the tumor. We had to increase the steroids. She has had some headaches. I will update as soon as we know something. It could be as early as next Monday.

Please pray for our little girl.

God Bless
The McEllens

Monday, October 18, 2004 12:27 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, Emily is need of prayers right now. She hasn't been feeling good for a couple weeks. She has been vomiting off and on this past couple of weeks. I took her to St. Judes in Peoria, Illinois today and Doc is very concerned and has order an MRI for this Thursday. She had lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks. We hope and pray that there isn't any growth in the tumor. We had to increase the steroids. She has had some headaches. I will update as soon as we know something. It could be as early as next Monday.

Please pray for our little girl.

God Bless
The McEllens

Wednesday, September 29, 2004 9:43 AM CDT

Hi everyone, We have been real busy these past couple of weeks. Emily's older sister (halfsister) got married this past weekend. She had a beutiful wedding. The hole weekend was real nice. The weekend started out kinda bad with Emily stepping in a hole. The doc's thought she just twisted the ankle, wrapped it up and sent her on her way. She did ok during the weekend, couldn't get her shoe on because of the swelling. Sunday evening we where up all night and foot still hurting so I called a bone doc and got her in to see him on Tuesday morning and there is a fracture in the growth plate. She was in a lot of pain come Tuesday morning. So needless to say she has a cast and on crutches. It still hurts to put pressure on the foot with the cast.

As far as her brain tumor she is doing ok. Still not eating much of any thing. Doc at St. Judes in Peoria has cut back her fluid intake to see if that would make her hungry for food. So far not yet. We will be going to Memphis on Nov. 16 for MRI and other Test.

Growth Hormone Shots are going ok. Still trying to get insurance to pay for them. They are real expensive. 45,000 to 50,000 a year for these shots. St. Judes have appealed with our insurance company.

Please continue to pray for Emily and All of our St. Jude Family's.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Tuesday, September 7, 2004 8:19 AM CDT

Well, Hi Everyone,

School Started and the girls are doing well. Emily really likes school and was ready to get back. Renee is another story.

Well Emily is doing pretty good. She started her Growth Hormone Shots last Thursday and doing well with them. $45,000.00 a year. We are fighting with Insurance company to pay for them. She is a real trooper with them. The first couple of shots she was a little scared. But now she doesn't care. This poor kid has been through so much. We are having problems with her eating again. The last couple of weeks she hasn't been wanting to eat again. Doc is hoping that maybe when she gets back in a routine of school and that will help. So far not yet.
We will be going back to Memphis on Nov. 16-20. We hope and pray that everything is still stable. Hopefully we will get down there before the weather gets bad here.

Please keep praying for Emily and all of her St Jude Family's.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Monday, August 16, 2004 12:08 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, Well we made it home ok! We got home Friday evening. The week went very good. First Emily had her eye surgery on Monday and that went good. She didn't even need pain medicine. The Doctor tucked the right eye lid. It really looks good. Then we had other test and all went well. The MRI was on Thursday and the tumor was still stable. There was no change. We where really happy about that. We will heading back to Memphis in November. Over all we had a good week.

We went on the Mississippi River Boat. Emily really liked that, she was able to get up and move around and she got a captain hat, all the drinks and food she wanted free. Then we went to Mud Island, that was pretty neat. We really enjoyed visiting with The Hoyt's. They were there from New Hampshire with there little boy for his MRI.

Well SCHOOL starts next week. YEA YEA YEA I am kinda ready. I will miss having the girls here during the day though. Emily will be in the 7th grade and Renee will be a Junior. Emily is ready and Renee wouldn't care if she ever goes back.

Emily will start Growth Hormone Shots in about 3-4 weeks. There is a lot of paper work and insurance work to do. Then the company will sent someone here to the house to train Pete and I on how to give Emily the Shot. She will have these for several years.

Well I am off have a lot to get caught up on. Please pray for our St Jude friends especially Aaron Hunter. He is having a hard time. Please visit his website. www.caringbridge.org/il/aarondhunter

God Bless

The McEllens

Tuesday, July 27, 2004 7:21 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, UPDATE AUGUST 11, 2004 HI EVERYONE, EMILY SURGERY WENT VERY WELL AND EYE LOOKS GREAT!!!!! MRI IS THURSDAY, KEEP PRAYING FOR HER. I WILL UPDATE AGAIN AFTER WE GET RESULTS.

LOVE KIM

NEW UPDATE 8-12-04 MRI RESULTS ARE GOOD!!!!!! BRAIN TUMOR IS STILL STABLE. YEA YEA YEA YEA WE WILL BE HEADING HOME FRIDAY. WE HAVE A MEETING WITH A DOCTOR ABOUT GROWTH HORMONE SHOTS. WE WILL BE STARTING SHOTS IN 3-4 WEEKS. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS.

LOVE PETE AND KIM

Emily is doing real good. We are getting ready to go back to Memphis. We will be leaving on August 8th. She is to have her eye surgery on the morning of the 9th. Then other test the rest of the week. We will be having a full week of test. Pete and Renee will be going with us this trip. Emily is kinda excitied about going, til it is time for all of the test. Renee can't wait to see the new Grizzley House.

Emily had a good time at camp. It was good for her to get away after her Grandpa McEllen had just passed away. She was really close to her Grandpa.

We had alot going on this summer and Emily is ready for school to start. Renee is not. She is not a school person. Emily loves school. They only have 4 more weeks and it will be starting. I am ready.

On August 7th Emily and I will be answering telephones as VIP's at the St. Judes Telethon. It is a fun evening.

Please pray for Emily for everything to be stable when we return to Memphis.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 12:54 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, Been busy with Emily's Grandfather passing away, and had to get her ready to go to camp this past Saturday. She is gone to camp and having a good time. Yesterday they had to take shelter, there were tornado's where she is. A lot of damage around but didn't hit where she is. I called a talked to a nurse and she said that they were all doing ok.

It was good for Emily to get away, she really was having a hard time with Grandpa's passing. She is really going to be upset when she gets home though. Sometime in the night last night somebody cut her and Renee's pool. It was a 4 foot pool. It was an $400.00 pool. Renee was really upset. So they are done swimming for the summer.

Please pray for one of Emily's St. Judes family, little Zoie passed away on Saturday. I haven't told Emily yet because she was leaving to go to camp and I wanted her to have a good time. We just had buried Grandpa the day before. It really has been a rough summer so far.

We will be leaving for Memphis on August 8. Emily's surgery on her eye is Aug. 9 and other test and MRI that week. Please keep Emily in your prayers.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Wednesday, July 7, 2004 7:39 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't updated in awhile. We have had a very rough week. Emily's Grandpa McEllen passed away this past Monday. Emily is having a hard time with this. Emily and Grandpa have a lot in common with all of the medical problems. She meant alot to her Grandpa.

Emily is doing great. She had recovered from her surgery. She will be going to camp this Saturday for a week. It will be good for her to get away from all of the sadness around here and at Grandma's house. I was hoping that the funeral wasn't Saturday so she was able to go to camp. It is Friday so it all worked out.

We will be going to Memphis on August 8 for her Eye Surgery and other test. We will down there for a week. Daddy doesn't get to go now because he use all of his vacation days for his dad. It will be Emily, Renee and I going. Please keep Emily in your prayers this week and when she goes to Memphis. Please continue to pray for our St. Jude family's.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Sunday, June 13, 2004 7:23 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, UPDATE; SUNDAY JUNE 20 EMILY'S SURGERY WENT WELL. SHE IS VERY SORE. SHE GOT OUT OF THE HOSPITAL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS.

Emily is excitied, this friday she will get the port and feeding tube out. She will have to stay in the hospital after the surgery. She can't eat for 24 hours. The doc will have to repair the stomach where the tube was. She just can't wait to get it out. She will miss one of her baseball games on Saturday morning, but she says that is ok she has a lot more games to play. So Please pray that the surgery goes good for us.

Growth Hormones Shots are still in the works. Still trying to iron out on how these are going to get paid for. They say that they are real expense. Pete insurance will only pay around 40 If that, we are not for sure yet. Depending what all is needed in the injection. We are up for any ideas on getting help with these. Emily will need these shots for years. They are needed due to the radiation. Her bone age is at 7-8 year old, and she is 13 years old.

We will be leaving for Memphis on August 8. She will be having her eye surgery on August 9. The right eye lid is going to be tucked. It is droopy enough that it is causing vision problems. We will be down there all week, for the rest of her test.

Grandpa and Grandma are leaving Florida to come home this week. The kids are excitied about them coming home for the summer.

Please continue to pray for Emily and all of the St. Jude kids.

Love and Prayers,
The McEllens

Wednesday, June 9 10:30AM CDT

Hi We had great news as far as the tumor. The MRI was still the same. There was no change. We are so happy about that. Our prayers were answered. Eye Surgery is going to be August 9th. If we would have done it this past week or next she wouldn't be able to swim for 4 weeks. So we are going back to Memphis on the 8th of August and surgery on the 9th. Then the rest of her testing that week. She did really well this week. She was started on thyroid medicine. Her levels were pretty low. Once we get her levels up a bit, then they are starting her on the growth hormone shots. Which they are thinking it will be in a month. Her levels are also pretty low. Finding out that Emily needs these shots that they are very expensive. St. Judes does not help with these type of shots and Emily will need them for many years. Pete's insurance will only pay 40-60 percent of them. We are hoping for some options to help pay for these.

The other GREAT NEWS is that Emily gets her port and feeding tube OUT. We are going to get it set up to be done in Peoria. She is real excitied that. So am I.

We were so heart broken when we got to Memphis and seen some of our friends back to Memphis that had relasped. It was really sad to see them. Please keep all of our St. Jude friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Well we are hoping to have a good couple of months till we go back to Memphis. Daddy and Renee get to go with us on this next trip. Grandpa and Grandma Logan will be coming home soon hopefully. We are looking forward to them coming home.

Thanks for all of your prayers. Please continue to pray for Emily and all of her St. Judes friends.

Love The McEllens

Tuesday, May 11, 2004 9:54 AM CDT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY
UPDATE
Thursday, May 20, 2004

GREAT NEWS MRI IS STILL THE SAME!!!!
No Change. We will be going home on Friday afternoon. Eye surgery will be Aug. 9th. Thanks for all of your prayers

Hi Everyone,

Well our little girl is growing up. She will be 13 years old Thursday the 13th of May. She is not a bit excitied about getting older. She wants to stay our little girl.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMILY A BIG TEANAGER!!!!!

She has been doing really good. We are going back to Memphis on Monday. We have a full week of test. She is suppose to have her eye surgery also, this visit. We also will get her set up on growth hormone shots. Her levels are pretty low. Her MRI is Tuesday, hope and pray that it will come back stable.

The girls are excitied about school almost over with. Just a couple of weeks left. Emily is going to play baseball this summer. She is real excitied about that. She has a game every Saturday morning.

I will update when we get news on Em's MRI next week. Please keep her in your prayers, we will need them.

Love and Prayers

The McEllens

Thursday, April 22, 2004 12:21 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well we are back from Florida and had a good time. Trying to get unpacked and put things away. The girls had a real good time. We went to Magic Kingdom and to the Ocean. Water was cold, but we got to lay on the beach. Emily was able to pick up a few sea shells. Over all the weather was pretty good.

We will be going to Memphis on May 17. She will have the MRI on Tuesday the 18th. We are suppose to see the eye Dr on the 20 and maybe surgery on the 21. They are wanting to lift the right eye lid from a stroke that she had when she was a month old. It is drooping enough that it is causing vision problems. Then we also will see someone in the Endo Clinic about the Growth Hormone Shots. Emily is doing pretty good till this week, she is having some headaches. I am hoping that it is from being so tried from vacation. She came home from school yesterday about 11:30 and slept all afternoon. Again asleep this afternoon.

Emily's Mommy had a real nice surprise last night. She got to meet Miss America 1988. She was in town yesterday doing a speach on Hospice and I went to one of the speeches. Very nice lady and I told her alittle bit about Emily and she gave me a red rose to give to Emily.

Please keep Emily and All of our St. Jude friends in your prayer. Please visit Emily's guestbook.

God Bless
The McEllen's

Monday, March 22, 2004 9:52 AM CST

Hi Everyone Update 4-16-04 We are in Florida and having a good time. We will be heading home Saturday afternoon. I will update when we get home.

It's been a while for a new entry. Emily is doing pretty good. She is eating, but we still have the feeding tube. Hopefully we will be able to get it out after our next trip to Memphis. That is sometime the middle of May. We did get her Growth Hormone results back and they are low. Sounds like she will be getting shots daily for that. We will find out everything when we go back in May. She is still to have the eye surgery to lift the right eye lid. It is drooping and causing vision problems.

We will be leaving on April 8 to go to Florida. We will be doing one day of Disney. Then spending the rest of the 10 days with Grandpa and Grandma Logan. The girls are real excitied about going. They are counting the days. We didn't get a vacation last year, Emily was to sick to go anywhere.

Please continue to keep Emily in your prayers, now with these growth hormone problems and our next trip to Memphis with the eye surgery.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Monday, February 23, 2004 1:14 PM CST

Hi Everyone,

Well another visit to St. Judes and all went well. Brain tumor size was the same. No Change. YEA YEA!!!! We were so glad. She will be having some eye surgery in May when we return. During her first open heart surgery she had a stroke and caused the right eye lid to be droopy. Which now is causing vision problems. They are going to lift the eye lid.

We stayed at the new Grizzley House. It is real nice. Tuesday evening we got to go to a Grizzley Basketball game. We had a good time. We went with David and Little David Bielby. Tuesday morning their were some pro tennis players at St. Judes, we also got to meet some of them.

On the way home on the airplane Emily and I got to move up to 1st class seating and Emily also got to go up in the cockpit of the airplane after we landed. She thought that was really neat. She also waved to Angel Lori as we flew in to Minneapolis.

Over all we had a real good trip to St. Judes. Please keep the prayers coming. We still need them.

Love and Prayers

Kim and Emily

Monday, February 23, 2004 1:14 PM CST

Tuesday, February 3, 2004 7:05 PM CST

Hi Everyone, Update Feb. 18, 2004

Tumor is the same. No Change!!! YEA YEA
Emily is doing pretty good. Tired and sick today from a test that she had this morning. I will update more later. We will be coming back in May for some eye surgery and other test.
Flying home Thursday.

Love Kim and Emily

Just a quick update, Emily is doing great. We went to Peoria today, Yes in the snow and ice. Wasn't to bad. She had gained 5 pounds since Dec. 23. Eating on her own. She is doing great. All of her blood work was good. Now the big question is, for the MRI to be good. She has that done on Feb. 17th. We sure hope and pray that the tumor will be smaller or even gone. We will flying down there on the 15th and come home on the 19th.

It has been cold here and this past few days we have been getting ice and snow. IT HAS BEEN REALLY COLD. I have had enough winter. I am ready for spring. Emily was wanting to go out and play in the snow, but it is to cold. We just can't afford her to get sick.

This past weekend we had lost a St. Jude friend. McKenzie, we meet in Memphis. She was a very special friend and touched many lives. Please keep her family in your prayers during this diffcult time. www.caringbridge.org/wv/mckenzie

Well we will be off on Feb. 15th. I will update after the MRI. Please keep Emily in your prayers. She needs it, she gets nervous about her MRI's. So do Pete and I.

Don't forget to sign Emily's guestbook.

God Bless

The McEllen's

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 1:03 PM CST

Hi Everyone

Emily is doing good. Yesterday she came home from school and said, "Mom" I am HUNGREY. That was the first time I have heard those works in over a year. IT WAS GREAT!!!
Needless to say she ate THREE Ham and Cheese Sandwiches. That was her favorite before all of this treatment started.

Well it was 1 year ago yesterday we made our trip to Memphis for treatment and not knowing what what going to happen. And boy was I SCARED and it has been a very scary year for Emily and all of us. Emily was a very sick little girl, til about Nov. 2003. Then we had her stable on the feeding tube. She is doing really good and eating more and more each day. This past Nov. 2003, Em's tumor was smaller from the radiation and we are going back on Feb. 15, and we are praying that it will be even smaller or gone. It has been a very rough year but I knew we would make it through it. Thanks to all of the prayers and support from all of our family and friends and people we don't even know. We have St. Jude family all over the world and we extend our thoughts and prayers to them. We have also lost some of our St. Judes friends this past year and that has been very hard on us. Those kids are like your own kids. We supported each other at the Hospital or even at Clinic.

We want to thank Chemo Angel Lori for all of the wonderful cards and gifts that you have send to Emily this past 8 months. She has enjoyed everyone of them. What a wonderful organization. Also thankyou Angel Debi for the cards.

What a Journey this past year and it will be a journey that our family will never forget. Emily will be followed very closely, this type of Brain tumor is very unpredictable. She will have MRI's often in Memphis, Tenn at St. Judes Hospital

Thank you all for all of your support and prayers through out this past year and please keep them coming. We still need them.

God Bless

Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

P.S. Don't forget to sign Emily's guestbook and view the new pictures.

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 1:03 PM CST

Hi Everyone

Emily is doing good. Yesterday she came home from school and said, "Mom" I am HUNGREY. That was the first time I have heard those works in over a year. IT WAS GREAT!!!
Needless to say she ate THREE Ham and Cheese Sandwichs. That was her favorite before all of this treatment started.

Well it was 1 year ago yesterday we made our trip to Memphis for treatment and not knowing what what going to happen. And boy was I SCARED and it has been a very scary year for Emily and all of us. Emily was a very sick little girl, til about Nov. 2003. Then we had her stable on the feeding tube. She is doing really good and eating more and more each day. This past Nov. 2003, Em's tumor was smaller from the radiation and we are going back on Feb. 15, and we are praying that it will be even smaller or gone. It has been a very rough year but I knew we would make it through it. Thanks to all of the prayers and support from all of our family and friends and people we don't even know. We have St. Jude family all over the world and we extend our thoughts and prayers to them. We have also lost some of our St. Judes friends this past year and that has been very hard on us. Those kids are like your own kids. We supported each other at the Hospital or even at Clinic.

We want to thank Chemo Angel Lori for all of the wonderful cards and gifts that you have send to Emily this past 8 months. She has enjoyed everyone of them. What a wonderful organization. Also thankyou Angel Debi for the cards.

What a Journey this past year and it will be a journey that our family will never forget. Emily will be followed very closely, this type of Brain tumor is very unpredictable. She will have MRI's often in Memphis, Tenn at St. Judes Hospital

Thank you all for all of your support and prayers through out this past year and please keep them coming. We still need them.

God Bless

Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Monday, January 5, 2004 10:18 AM CST

Hi, Hope everyone had a Good Holidays. Emily is doing pretty good. Still eating a little bit. She drinks all day, than about 7:00pm she decides that she is hungry. She is still on her ravioli kick. She eats about a half can a day. Other wise she is doing good. We will be going to Memphis on Feb. 15 for new scan and other test.

Well the girls got the snow they were wanting. We got about 6 inches yesterday. Emily went out for a few minutes yesterday. It took longer to get her dress than she was outside. Just to cold.

We lost a St. Jude friend this past Saturday. Laura was 16 years and has been fighting cancer for many years. Please pray for her family during this hard time. They are from the East Peoria, Illinois area.

Well the girls went back to school today and Emily was not happy. She is still having a hard time being away from me. I can't get to far out of her sight.

Hope everyone has a good week. Try to stay warm, us northerns. It is going to be real cold here this week.

Love and Prayers

Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily McEllen

Tuesday, December 30, 2003 12:15 AM CST

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

We are doing great. Emily is doing real good. Last weeks check up at St. Judes in Peoria went real well. She is eating better. She is on a Beef Ravioli kick now. Instead of turkey and ham and all of the fixings, Emily had Ravioli. Thats ok, we are glad that she is eating. We had a great Christmas. She got everything she wanted from Santa. That wasn't much because she already has everything. She was really hard to buy for this year.

We haven't had much snow. Just a inch here and there. The girls really want some. I wouldn't mind a few inches.

Well we are off to Memphis on Feb. 15th. Emily will a have an MRI done and other test. It will be almost a year since Emily's last treatment of Radiation. We have a very rough year this year. Emily has been so sick, til she got the feeding tube. But things are much better.

We want to thank everyone that has helped us in any way this past year, and all of the special gifts to Emily and our family.

Thank you and God Bless you all

The McEllens

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 12:56 AM CST

Hi everyone, Not much to report. Emily is still about the same. Everything is going smooth. She is eating a little bit. Still has the feeding tube. We will be going to St. Judes in Peoria next Tuesday. School is going real good. But she is ready for a break. The kids will be out of school for two weeks for Christmas. They are ready.

Both girls are excitied about Christmas. Emily has been asking a lot of questions about Santa Claus. We haven't had much snow here. Wish we could get some. We have a couple inches, but gone the next day or so. It is real cold and windy here today.

We will be going back to Memphis on Feb. 15 for new MRI and other test. We will be there for a week.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love and prayers

The McEllens

Tuesday, December 16, 2003 12:56 AM CST

Tuesday, December 2, 2003 12:07 AM CST

Hi All,

Well another week and Emily is still doing good. Starting to eat a little bit. As alot of you know, everything went real good in Memphis a couple weeks ago. The tumor was smaller and eye sight is better in the left eye. We don't have to go to St. Judes in Peoria til the 23rd of Dec. We get 4 weeks off from the drs. Nothing bad about them but a year everyweek and everyday it is time to have a break. Emily likes to go to Peoria, there is so much to do. She is in school and is doing real good.

She is ready for x-mas. We are praying for a better Holiday's this year. Last year is when we got the bad news about Em's tumor. We took her to see Cat in the Hat, she really liked it. She wants to go see Elf now. Going to the movies is so expensive. She loves it though.

We had a great Thanksgiving at my sister's during the day. Then in the evening at Pete's brothers. So we ate twice. And boy was I full of turkey and dressing.

Please pray for our St. Jude friends during this Holiday time. Especially those that have lost there Child. Marissa, Brendle, and Bailey you will never be forgotten.

Love and Prayers

The McEllens

Tuesday, December 2, 2003 12:07 AM CST

Hi All,

Well another week and Emily is still doing good. Starting eat a little bit. As alot of you know, everything went real good in Memphis a couple weeks ago. The tumor was smaller and eye sight is better in the left eye. We don't have to go to St. Judes in Peoria til the 23rd of Dec. We get 4 weeks off from the drs. Nothing bad about them but a year everyweek and everyday it is time to have a break. Emily likes to go to Peoria, there is so much to do. She is in school and is doing real good.

She is ready for x-mas. We are praying for a better Holiday's this year. Last year is when we got the bad news about Em's tumor. We took her to see Cat in the Hat, she really liked it. She wants to go see Elf now. Going to the movies is so expensive. She loves it though.

We had a great Thanksgiving at my sister's during the day. Then in the evening at Pete's brothers. So we ate twice. And boy was I full of turkey and dressing.

Please pray for our St. Jude friends during this Holiday time. Especially those that have lost there Child. Marissa, Brendle, and Bailey you will never be forgotten.

Love and Prayers

The McEllens

Saturday, November 22, 2003 7:44 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

Hope this finds everyone doing good. We are doing great. We had a great MRI in Memphis last week. The tumor is smaller and the eye sight is better in the left eye. We really needed that good news. It has been a long year. Emily has been so sick all year, since the Radiation. Alot of vomiting, quit eating for about 7 months. She is just starting to eat very little. She had to get the feeding tube in August. Still have that, but she is starting to eat a little bit. It has been a very long year but all of the hard work and prayers it has paid off. We will be going back to Memphis in Febuary for more Scans. It will be very nice to have a better Holidays this year. We got the news about the tumor last year on Dec. 12.

Please pray for the families at St. Judes that don't get to go home for the holidays. I know it has to be very difficult to be away. Please also pray for the families that have lost there kids from this terrible illness. Emily has had a hard time with that. Brendle, Marissa, and Bailey were three friends that Emily played with this past winter at St. Judes that have passed away. Those families are very special families to us.

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and don't eat to much.

Love The McEllens,

Pete, Kim, Renee and Emily

Saturday, November 15, 2003 12:18 AM CST

Hi Everyone,

What a wonderful week we had. Flights were good to Memphis. Emily had a MRI on Wednesday and we got the wonderful news that afternoon. THE TUMOR IS SMALLER. Dr. Merchant gave us great news. To top it off her eye sight was even better in the left eye. Emily got to see some of her friends. It was really hard when we saw Miss Bailey. She isn't doing well. Her family needs lots of prayers and support. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey

To finish off the week Emily and I got to meet Emily's Chemo Angel Lori at the airport in Minneapolis. Emily was so excited about meeting her. We had a very nice visit with her for a couple hours. Emily didn't want to leave and get on the next plane to come on home. She wanted to go to Lori's house. All she talked about was e-mailing Lori and talk to her on the phone when we got home. Needless to say, she came home and went right to sleep. But she got up first thing this morning and e-mailed Angel Lori a little note.

Thankyou everyone for all of you prayers and support this past year. It has paid off. But please keep the prayers coming. We need to get rid of that tumor.

Thanks again
Love the McEllens

EMILY'S ST JUDE FRIEND BAILEY REVEIVED HER ANGEL WINGS TODAY. PLEASE PRAY FOR HER FAMILY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey

Wednesday, November 12, 2003 7:28 PM CST

Hi Everyone!!!!!

Real quick because I am so tired. Was up allnite praying and it worked. We got great news today. Emily's tumor is smaller. Everything so far is going great.

See you Friday Angel Lori. Oh by the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL LORI ON FRIDAY.

Love and Prayers,

Kim and Emily

UPDATE 11-13-03

EVERYTHING WENT WELL TODAY. EYE APPOINTMENT WAS EVEN BETTER. BETTER EYE SIGHT IN THE LEFT EYE. WE COULDN'T HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER CHECK UP. WE WILL BE COMING BACK IN FEBUARY. THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS.

LOVE KIM AND EMILY

SEE EVERYONE FRIDAY EVENING.

Saturday, November 1, 2003 7:58 AM CST

Hi everyone,
UPDATE!!!!! NOV. 10, ONLY 4 DAYS ANGEL LORI. SEE YOU FRIDAY. LOVE EMILY
Well Halloween went pretty good. Emily stayed home and gave out candy, then about 7:00 she decided to go trick and treating. She dressed up as a baby. She put on a pair of her one piece PJ's, slippers and got a bottle filled it with milk and Pete took her down the block. That was far enough. She was tired when she got home. One good thing about it she drank the milk. And guess what Renee and I get to eat the candy, because she won't eat it.

Well next week will be quite, we do not have to go to Peoria to St Judes. I will be getting ready to go back to Memphis. A lot to do. Make sure I have Renee taken care of after school. Meals for her and Pete. But my sister Jackie is real good about that. She come in and takes over. She makes sure that things run smoothly in this household when Emily and I are gone. THANKYOU, THANKYOU, Jackie.

We will be flying on the 11 of Nov., and Emily is having her MRI on the 12th. We will know the results late that afternoon. I will go up to the computers in the hospital and put a update on her website. The rest of her test is on Wed. and Thursday. Then we will fly home on Friday the 14th. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL LORI ON THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER. Emily will get to meet her Chemo Angel at the airport in Minneapols. She is getting a security pass to our gate to meet us. Emily is so excitied. Only 12 DAYS!!!!!

Please keep us in your prayers for a safe flight and good results in Memphis. Please continue to pray for Bailey, one of Emily's St Jude friends. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey
Another one of Emily's friends will be going the same week of us. Zoie will be going for test also. We pray for good results and we will see you down there.

Love and Prayers,

The McEllens,

Saturday, November 1, 2003 7:58 AM CST

Hi everyone,

Well Halloween went pretty good. Emily stayed home and gave out candy, then about 7:00 she decided to go trick and treating. She dressed up as a baby. She put on a pair of her one piece PJ's, slippers and got a bottle filled it with milk and Pete took her down the block. That was far enough. She was tired when she got home. One good thing about it she drank the milk. And guess what Renee and I get to eat the candy, because she won't eat it.

Well next week will be quite, we do not have to go to Peoria to St Judes. I will be getting ready to go back to Memphis. A lot to do. Make sure I have Renee taken care of after school. Meals for her and Pete. But my sister Jackie is real good about that. She come in and takes over. She makes sure that things run smoothly in this household when Emily and I are gone. THANKYOU, THANKYOU, Jackie.

We will be flying on the 11 of Nov., and Emily is having her MRI on the 12th. We will know the results late that afternoon. I will go up to the computers in the hospital and put a update on her website. The rest of her test is on Wed. and Thursday. Then we will fly home on Friday the 14th. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL LORI ON THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER. Emily will get to meet her Chemo Angel at the airport in Minneapols. She is getting a security pass to our gate to meet us. Emily is so excitied. Only 12 DAYS!!!!!

Please keep us in your prayers for a safe flight and good results in Memphis. Please continue to pray for Bailey, one of Emily's St Jude friends. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey
Another one of Emily's friends will be going the same week of us. Zoie will be going for test also. We pray for good results and we will see you down there.

Love and Prayers,

The McEllens,

Saturday, November 1, 2003 7:58 AM CST

Hi everyone,

Well Halloween went pretty good. Emily stayed home and gave out candy, then about 7:00 she decided to go trick and treating. She dressed up as a baby. She put on a pair of her one piece PJ's, slippers and got a bottle filled it with milk and Pete took her down the block. That was far enough. She was tired when she got home. One good thing about it she drank the milk. And guess what Renee and I get to eat the candy, because she won't eat it.

Well next week will be quite, we do not have to go to Peoria to St Judes. I will be getting ready to go back to Memphis. A lot to do. Make sure I have Renee taked care of after school. Meals for her and Pete. But my sister Jackie is real good about that. She come in and takes over. She makes sure that things run smoothly in this household when Emily and I are gone. THANKYOU, THANKYOU, Jackie.

We will be flying on the 11 of Nov., and Emily is having her MRI on the 12th. We will know the results late that afternoon. I will go up to the computers in the hospital and put a update on her website. The rest of her test is on Wed. and Thursday. Then we will fly home on Friday the 14th. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL LORI ON THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER. Emily will get to meet her Chemo Angel at the airport in Minneapols. She is getting a security pass to our gate to meet us. Emily is so excitied. Only 12 DAYS!!!!!

Please keep us in your prayers for a safe flight and good results in Memphis. Please continue to pray for Bailey, one of Emily's St Jude friends. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey
Another one of Emily's friends will be going the same week of us. Zoie will be going for test also. We pray for good results and we will see you down there.

Love and Prayers,

The McEllens,

Saturday, November 1, 2003 7:58 AM CST

Hi everyone,

Well Halloween went pretty good. Emily stayed home and gave out candy, then about 7:00 she decided to go trick and treating. She dressed up as a baby. She put on a pair of her one piece PJ's, slippers and got a bottle filled it with milk and Pete took her down the block. That was far enough. She was tired when she got home. One good thing about it she drank the milk. And guess what Renee and I get to eat the candy, because she won't eat it.

Well next week will be quite, we do not have to go to Peoria to St Judes. I will be getting ready to go back to Memphis. A lot to do. Make sure I have Renee taked care of after school. Meals for her and Pete. But my sister Jackie is real good about that. She come in and takes over. She makes sure that things run smoothly in this household when Emily and I are gone. THANKYOU, THANKYOU, Jackie.

We will be flying on the 11 of Nov., and Emily is having her MRI on the 12th. We will know the results late that afternoon. I will go up to the computers in the hospital and put a update on her website. The rest of her test is on Wed. and Thursday. Then we will fly home on Friday the 14th. HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGEL LORI ON THE 14TH OF NOVEMBER. Emily will get to meet her Chemo Angel at the airport in Minneapols. She is getting a security pass to our gate to meet us. Emily is so excitied. Only 12 DAYS!!!!!

Please keep us in your prayers for a safe flight and good results in Memphis. Please continue to pray for Bailey, one of Emily's St Jude friends. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey
Another one of Emily's friends will be going the same week of us. Zoie will be going for test also. We pray for good results and we will see you down there.

Love and Prayers,

The McEllens,

Tuesday, October 28, 2003 6:48 PM CST

Well everything went pretty good today at St. Judes. Emily is feeling better. They had a Halloween party today and kids, nurses, staff and even Doc Mac dressed up. The had a lot of fun The staff, nurses, and Doc dressed up as Harley riders. Doc just got a new Harley. So they had lots of fun dressing up. Emily dressed up as Jessie and Bullseye on Toy Story Two. She had fun. So anyway everything is better with Emily. She ate a couple bites of sausage pizza this past weekend. Emily's blood work was all stable again today. She is back on a higher dose of steroid again. We just can't get off of that icky drug. She starts vomiting when we wean her down. Nervous about this next MRI on Nov. 12. Sure hope and pray that the tumor is still stable or even gone. That would be even better. She will be going through a lot of text that week. But even better she will get to meet her Chemo Angel. She is so excited about meeting Angel Lori. She will meet her in the airport on Nov 14 on our way home from Memphis. 17 DAYS ANGEL LORI!!!!! Emily can't wait. Well thats about it for now. Please continue to keep Miss Bailey in your prayers, she started Chemo again yesterday. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey Also keep Emily in your prayers as we will be flying to Memphis on Nov.11-14.

God Bless

The McEllens

Wednesday, October 22, 2003 1:06 PM CDT

Well another week and it isn't going good. We all have had that 24 hour flu. Emily has been really sick this past couple of days. She started vomiting on Monday and hasn't stoped. Call St. Judes in Peoria, and he said to ride it out a day to see if it was the flu. But she started to have headaches. Well guess what, we are back to the STEROID issue again. We were cutting back on the steroids again, just like we were this past spring and summer. Doc seems to think this is causing all of the vomiting. I am trying to avoid the hospital stays. I am so tried of the hospital. But seems to be the answer, she usually needs IV Drip for about 24 hours and meds through the port. So I am trying my best to keep her from the hospital. Doc increased her steroids, put her back on a big dose for a couple of days. I am hoping that will be the answer.

We will be heading back to Memphis on the 11 of November. We will be down there til the 14th. One our way home we get to meet Emily's Chemo Angel. Emily is so excitied. Only 23 days Angel Lori. She can't wait.

Please keep Emily's friend Bailey in your prayers she is back at St. Judes in Memphis getting ready to go through more Chemo. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey

Well I better go for now and take care of Emily. She wants to watch a movie.

Love and Prayers

The McEllens

Monday, October 13, 2003 10:24 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Well another week and Grandpa and Grandma Logan are gone. They left this past Friday. The snowbirds are going back to Florida. We are doing ok. We will see them next April. We are going down there for vacation. As long as Emily is doing ok.

Well Angel Lori only 32 days left and Emily is so excitied. She told everyone that she gets to meet her Angel Lori. Emily has had the flu this past week along with everyone else except Pete and I. But she is feeling better. Only missed one day of school. We go back to Peoria tomorrow to St. Judes. Kinda nervous about going, haven't been there for 2 weeks. I am sure everything will be ok. Emily and I will be flying back to Memphis on Nov. 11-14th. Emily gets to meet her Chemo Angel at the Airport in Minneapolis. Emily is so excitied. Emily will have a MRI and a number of test during those couple days. Please keep her in your prayers.

Please also keep her St Jude friend Bailey in your prayers. She has had a relapse and is back at St. Judes. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey
She had already been down at St. Judes for 7 months.

Well have a good week.

Love and Prayers,

The McEllens

GREAT NEWS!!!!! I WENT TO THE DAIRY QUEEN TONIGHT (Thursday) AND EMILY WANTED SOME ICE CREAM. SHE ATE A COUPLE BITES. I WAS SO EXCITIED. ITS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE SHE HAS HAD ICE CREAM.

Monday, October 13, 2003 10:24 AM CDT

Monday, October 6, 2003 6:27 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Well a new week, and doing pretty good so far. We don't have to go to St. Judes Tuesday. YEA YEA YEA!!!! We get to go every two weeks now. Emily is taking her daily nap. She is so tried when she comes home from school. She usually lays down for an hour or so.

Angel Lori, Emily is so excitied about meeting you. She is counting down on the calendar. Only 36 days. She looks at it everyday. Oh by the way thanks for the Pizza Pringles. She thought that was really great to get pringles in the mail. That is still all we can get in her. Pizza Pringles and Drink Yogurts. But it is something.

Well now for the bad news Grandpa and Grandma Logan are leaving Friday. We are not happy about it. Won't see them til next April. Getting to cold here for them. Snowbirds are heading back to Florida.

Also we got some bad new about another St. Jude friend of Emily's. Miss Bailey has had a relapse with a brain tumor and she is having surgery on Tuesday Oct. 7. Please keep her and her family in your prayers. They are back down at St. Judes in Memphis. There home is in Kansas. www.caringbridge.org/ks/bailey They were with us at the Ronald McDonald House.

Well I need to wake Emily up or we will be up all night. We will heading back to Memphis on Nov. 11-14th. Please keep Emily and all of the St. Judes familys in your prayers.

Love The McEllens

Saturday, September 27, 2003 7:04 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Well another week. Emily is still doing good. Still not eating much of anything but Pizza Pringles and drinking Drink Yogurts. We need to buy stock into these two things. HAHAHA!!!! She is doing good with her tube feedings. So much nicer and less mess. We are still going to St. Judes in Peoria on Tuesday. Doc is still watching her weight and Labs. Weight is good. When we came home from Memphis in March Emily was wearing a size 8 and now size 10-12. So she is gaining weight but I still have to remember she is still on Steroids. We are now weaning her off of those, and doing good with that.

Still going to school full time. But she is asleep on the bus when she gets home. We have to wake her up to get her off of the bus.

She has had a rough week with her St. Jude friend Marissa passing away. She got out all of her pictures with Marissa and talked to her and told her that Jesus was taking care of her now. She was in no pain anymore. The girls played together alot in Memphis at the Ronald McDonald House. Our prayers go out to her family and all St Jude families.

Well Grandpa and Grandma Logan are only here for another two weeks then back to Florida. It is getting to cold here for them. The snowbirds will be off. It will be next April before we see them again. Are plans are to go down there and go to Disney. Emily has a cousin that plays in the High School band here in Galesburg and they will be preforming at Disney next April. We are taking two weeks and taking our vacation. We got no vacation this year with Emily being so sick.

Well its the weekend and lots to do. Take care and prayers and love to everyone.

Love,

The McEllens

Friday, September 19, 2003 12:40 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Emily is doing good. She had surgery this past Monday. The G-BUTTON was put on her feeding tube. So much nicer and less messy. She is happier, she don't have to carry a bag of fluids or pump around anymore during the day.
She only has that at night. Then 3 feeds during the day.
She is still eating Pizza Pringles, drink Yogurt, and meat and cheese from a taco. Last night she wanted a Milk Shake and take Buddy so he could get his doggy treat from the Dairy Queen. Needless to say, she just wanted to go to get Buddy a treat and wasted the Milk Shake. But she did eat the rest of my Dilly Bar. So I gave it to her. So maybe we will try Dilly Bars.

School is going good. Wednesday when she came home on the school bus, they found her sound to sleep. She was so tried. She really likes school. She got to go shopping at Walmart with her class on Wednesday. They are learning how to use money the smart way. She thought that was cool to get out of school and go Walmart and spend money. And she is not my shopper, Renee is.

We are still going to St. Judes every Tuesday, in Peoria to have labs done. Her Iron is still low. So Doc wants to watch her blood work.

Little Marissa is not doing well. Today the 19th is her birthday. 8 YEARS OLD. She has had a rough 10 months. Please keep her in your prayers. We got to know her family at St. Judes. They stayed in the Ronald McDonald with us.

Thanks for all of you support and prayers.

Love The McEllens

UpDate 9-21-03 Emily's friend Marissa got her Angel wings 9-20-03 at 4:00pm. It was very upsetting to Emily. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Tuesday, September 9, 2003 3:14 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Still no TPN. Emily is still doing pretty good. She loves being in school. She hasn't been there since x-mas. She was glad to be back with her friends. She has been eating Pizza Pringles, (About 6-7 a day) but that is a start. We also got her to eat the inside of a Taco last Tuesday night. She ate the meat and Cheese. We are going to try a Taco again tonight. It is Taco Tuesday and the Knights of Columbus. Sunday night she ate a few Fruity Pebbles cereal. So we got excited again.

Well we went back to St. Judes today and her Iron was low so we have to go on a Iron Supplement. She is still having surgery Monday to put the G-Button on her feeding tube. So we won't have to carry this bag of fluids and pump around all day. That will be nice. We have had a bag of fluids and pump of some sort since Febuary. So it will be kinda nice. But she has to eat more to keep it off full time. We will do a couple feeds a day through her G-Button. Then on the fluids and pump at night only.

We made our flight arrangments yesterday to go back to Memphis on November 16. We will be down there for 3 days.

Sure hope and pray that everything will still be stable so we can have a better Christmas this year than we did last year.

Well please keep praying for Emily and all of our St Jude Family's and Friends especially Marissa. She is having a real rough time.

Thanks again
Love and Prayers

The McEllens

Tuesday, September 9, 2003 3:14 PM CDT

Tuesday, September 2, 2003 3:51 PM CDT

Hi everyone,

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! No more TPN....YEA YEA YEA. Miss Emily has gained almost 6 pounds with the feeding tube. We had to see the Surgeon today and they are putting the G-button on September 15. She will have 2-3 feeds a day. Then she will be on the feeding machine only at night. Hopefully then she will be hungery and will want to eat. WE WILL SEE. Time will tell. We still have a long ways to go. We just can't have any set backs.

She is doing well in school. HOT the first week. But it is suppose to be cooler this week. She was real excitied about getting back in school. She is my school girl and Renee is not.

Please continue to pray for Emily, she still has a long ways to go. We will be going back to Memphis on November 16th. She will have another MRI and other test. Please keep a St Jude friend, Marissa in your prayers. She has a brain tumor. We met them in Memphis.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support.

Love The McEllens

Tuesday, September 2, 2003 3:51 PM CDT

Friday, August 29, 2003 1:20 PM CDT

Hi everyone,

What a week. BACK IN SCHOOL!!!!!! And doing great. Emily loves it. She has so much energy with the feedings. She is really doing good. She will have surgery on the 15th of September, to change the feeding tube to a G-button. She has started to eat some chips. Thats a start, I guess. Its been 5 months since she has eaten. Things are looking up. I just hope and pray that they continue. She is still on the TPN for at least a couple more weeks. That will be one less line. So we still have to go to St. Judes in Peoria every Tuesday for labs. She has gained 4 pounds since she has been on the feedings. The steroid change is going good also. We had to change and get her off the Dexmethasone. She has been on it to long. So far OK.

Please continue to pray for Emily. We are not out of the woods yet. We have a long road ahead of us. We will go back to Memphis on the 16th of November.

Thank again for all of your prayers and support. Thank you Angel Lori for all of your cards and gifts. Emily really enjoys everyone of them. Thank you Angel Debi for the Cards.

Love The McEllens

Friday, August 29, 2003 1:20 PM CDT

Hi everyone,

What a week. BACK IN SCHOOL!!!!!! And doing great. Emily loves it. She has so much energy with the feedings. She is really doing good. She will have surgery on the 15th of September, to change the feeding tube to a G-button. She has started to eat some chips. Thats a start, I guess. Its been 5 months since she has eaten. Things are looking up. I just hope and pray that they continue. She is still on the TPN for at least a couple more weeks. That will be one less line. So we still have to go to St. Judes in Peoria every Tuesday for labs. She has gained 4 pounds since she has been on the feedings. The steroid change is going good also. We had to change and get her off the Dexmethasone. She had been on it to long. So far OK.

Please continue to pray for Emily. We are not out of the woods yet. We have a long road ahead of us. We will go back to Memphis on the 16th of November.

Thank again for all of your prayers and support. Thank you Angel Lori for all of your cards and gifts. Emily really enjoys everyone of them. Thank you Angel Debi for the Cards.

Love The McEllens

Saturday, August 23, 2003 3:37 PM CDT

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it took so long to update but we got the worm. Anyway we had a good checkup at St Judes. Emily's MRI was still stable. She is doing great. She also had to have a hearing test done. She has a little hole in her left ear drum. We are hoping that it will close up on its own. The ENT dr. is going to give it 3 months.

She is doing great with the feeding tube. A little messy at first but doing better. We are hoping to get rid of the TPN in a couple weeks. She is getting 40cc a hour of the feeding tube. We are working up on that. She hasn't eaten in 5 months. She is still not eating. It will take time.

She is all excitied about going to school on Wednesday the 27th. She will get to ride a school bus. I don't know if she will last all day but we will see. She will probably surprise us. I know I am ready for a break.

We go back to Memphis on the 16th of November through the 19th. We will fly this next trip. Can't depend on the weather. Well thanks again for all of your prayers and support.

The McEllens

Saturday, August 23, 2003 3:37 PM CDT

Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:07 AM CDT

Hi everyone, Well we are home and Emily is doing pretty good. She is a little sore but ok. The surgery went real good. A lot more for me to learn. The feedings are starting out real slow. She is only getting 5 cc's an hour. Her feedings are going through a pump so I don't have to do it, every hour. She has to carry a bag around all the time with the pump and fluids in it. This is going to be a long process, because she hasn't eaten for such a long time. She is still on the TPN til we can get the feedings up enough to help her out. So alot to do. She is a real trooper and with all of your prayers she will pull through this.

Well I am getting ready to pack to go to Memphis. So we need lots more prayers, that all of Emilys test will come back ok. She has test everyday next week. So it will be a long week. We are leaving this Friday the 8th and should be home on the 15th. Saturday we are hoping to go to the Zoo there in Memphis. We didn't get to go when we were down there this past winter because Emily was so sick. So hopefully she will feel up to it.

I will try to update a little bit each day to let you know how things are going when we are in Memphis. Thanks again for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Love Kim and Emily

Wednesday, August 6, 2003 8:07 AM CDT

Saturday, July 26, 2003 8:05 AM CDT

Hi Everyone,

August 1, 2003----Just a little update, Emily is having surgery Monday. They are putting the feeding tube in. She will be in the hospital a couple days. We will be a St Francis Hospital in Peoria, Il. Then off to St. Judes in Memphis on Friday the 8th. Please keep her in your prayers.

Well we have had a bad couple of days. Emily is having some headaches again and vomiting. I had to take her to the Hospital yesterday at St. Judes in Peoria. Doc had to give her some fluids and Steroid. Her head was hurting pretty bad. Her Nero. Doc. in Memphis was taking her off of a Medicine that was controling headaches, that she hadn't had for three months (headaches) and thought maybe that was the reason of not eating. But it isn't, so we had to put her back on the medicine. But my QUESTION is why is she having the headaches. So I can't wait too have this next MRI, (BUT NERVOUS) We leave the 8th of August for Memphis.
We keep hitting a bump in the road. We are on a smooth road yet.

Thursday we are seeing a Doc. that will be putting the feeding tube in. He wants to see her first before taking right into surgery. With all of her Medical history. He will want to talk to her heart doctor, to make sure that it is ok for her to go into surgery. So we don't have a date yet for the feeding tube. She isn't eating a thing. We can't keep her on the TPN. She is at risk of infection with that port. She has been on the TPN for 4 months.

We are hoping that Grandma Logan will go with us to Memphis. Pete can't stay all week with us. He only has a couple vacation days left. We leave the 8th and come home on the 15th. So please pray for Emily for good results.
Well thats all for now and I will update next week when we know when the surgery is.

Love and Prayers

The McEllens

Sunday, July 20, 2003 11:23 AM CDT

Hi everyone, Update as of 7-23-03. Emily's labs were all ok. The Dr. in Peoria wants to put a feeding tube in. Trying to talk to Dr. in Memphis but they have had storms and not able to get a hold of him. So hopefully we will know something by the end of the week. I would like to get it done next week. Please keep Emily in your prayers.

Well Emily made it through the week. But she was ready to be home. The problem was that she was in a cabin with a group of girls ages 12-16 years old. Well that was too old for Emily. With her mental delays she did better in a cabin ages 8-12 years old. After they moved her to another cabin Monday night she did just fine. She had a lot of fun. But boy was her clothes DIRTY. So I know she had fun. She is already talking about going next year. She didn't eat at camp. The nurses even said that she got sick twice. I am sure hoping that we will know something this Tuesday on what they are going to about her not eating. We leave to back to Memphis on August 8. She is having several test done. I think Grandma Logan is going with us. Emily got sick Friday night after she got home from camp.

Well I will update again Tuesday or Wednesday after we go to St Judes in Peoria. We should know more then.

Please keep Emily and All the St. Jude patients in your prayers, especially Marissa.

Love

The McEllens

Sunday, July 20, 2003 11:23 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Well Emily made it through the week. But she was ready to be home. The problem was that she was in a cabin with a group of girls ages 12-16 years old. Well that was too old for Emily. With her mental delays she did better in a cabin ages 8-12 years old. After they moved her to another cabing Monday night she did just fine. She had a lot of fun. But boy was her clothes were DIRTY. So I know she had fun. She already talking about going next year. She didn't eat at camp. The nurses even said that she got sick twice. I am sure hoping that we will know something this Tuesday on what they are going to about her not eating. We leave to back to Memphis on August 8. She is having several test done. I think Grandma Logan is going with us. Emily got sick Friday night after she got home from camp.

Well I will update again Tuesday or Wednesday after we go to St Judes in Peoria. We should know more then.

Please keep Emily and All the St. Jude patients in your prayers, especially Marissa.

Love

The McEllens

Monday, July 14, 2003 8:10 AM CDT

Hi everyone,

Well we are doing ok. Emily is at CAMP and as far as I know she is doing great. They haven't called. This is something very much needed. I needed a break. It will be nice not have to go to the DOCTORS this week. Don't get me wrong I really miss her. She was real excitied about going. She didn't have a problem with me leaving her.

Her Grandma Logan, Aunt LaVerne, Sister Renee and Cousin Amanda and I took her to camp. She thought that was neat that she could show us everything. It is a real nice camp. She will be there til FRIDAY. I have to pick her up by 10:00 am. I will be there by 9:00am. By Friday I will really be ready to see her.

Everything is still the same except is vomiting about everyother day. It has something with the acids in her stomach from all of the MEDS. She is still not eating and still on the TPN and Marinol. Still a good chance of a FEEDING TUDE. We need to get something in her STOMACH.

Well take care and please keep praying for Emily and all of the St. Jude patients.

Love the McEllens

P.S. 8:30pm tonight 7-14-03, the camp called and said that Emily was homesick and was ready to come home. She is fine during the day, but homesick at night. I ask the Nurse to try to stick it out for the night. It is a 2 hour drive to the camp. I won't get back home til 1:00-1:30 in the morning. Sooooo we will see.

Monday, July 14, 2003 8:10 AM CDT

Tuesday, July 8, 2003 8:55 PM CDT

Hi everyone

Well we don't have much to report. Emily's labs and everything else checked out good. We still have a eating problem. She isn't eating anything and she has started vomiting again. She has a acid build up in her tummy from all the Medicines she takes and that is causing the vomiting. The Dr. in Peoria is going to talk to some Doctors at the Childrens Hospital to see what can be done. But it sounds like that there is a chance of a feeding tube. We are not going to do anything til she gets back from camp. She is so excitied about going to camp.

Camp is only 4 days away. She is all packed and ready to go. At St. Judes today they were telling her all about it. So she is real excitied. Check in time is 3:00-3:30 Saturday. She will be driving us crazy til it is time to go.

Grandpa and Grandma Logan got here from Florida Sunday night. So we were all excitied about that. They look great. It has been six months since we have seen them.

Well take care and please say some extra prayers for Emily's, St. Jude friend Marissa, she is having some problems. She is in need of some extra prayers.

God Bless everyone,

The McEllens

Wednesday, July 2, 2003 7:23 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, We don't have much to report this week. Other than Emily is still not eating. All of her labs came back ok yesterday at St. Judes. Doc talked about a feeding tube, because we can't stay on TPN forever. We are waiting for a call from Dr. Merchant in Memphis. He is talking to a Nero Doctor today about Emily's case. Yesterday the Dr. said that this not eating, is due to the Radiation. The way I understand it he says it a SENSORY problem in the brain. So the Doctors are going to talk and see what they need to do. There is less risk of infection doing a feeding tube, than hooking Emily up to TPN everynight. We will do what is ever needed to do. We are going to really work on this. Encourage her to sit at the dinner table when we eat. She can't even stand the smell of food.

Well only 10 DAY TIL CAMP. She is ready. That is all she talks about.

We had to go out last week and buy Emily a new pair of glasses. Her new puppy thought he needed a new chew toy.

Hot here today, suppose to be in the 90's. I like it as long as the humidity stays down some.

Emily's little St. Jude friend, Marissa needs some extra prayers. She is having some problems with the brain tumor she has. So if you would please say an extra prayer for her.

Thanks again
Love and Prayers and Happy 4th of July

The McEllen's

Wednesday, July 2, 2003 7:23 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, We don't have much to report this week. Other than Emily is still not eating. All of her labs came back ok yesterday at St. Judes. Doc talked about a feeding tube, because we can't stay on TPN forever. We are waiting for a call from Dr. Merchant in Memphis. He is talking to a Nero Doctor today about Emily's case. Yesterday the Dr. said that this not eating, is due to the Radiation. The way I understand it he says it a SENSORY problem in the brain. So the Doctors are going to talk and see what they need to do. There is less risk of infection doing a feeding tube, than hooking Emily up to TPN everynight. We will do what is ever needed to do. We are going to really work on this. Encourage her to sit at the dinner table when we eat. She can't even stand the smell of food.

Well only 10 DAY TIL CAMP. She is ready. That is all she talks about.

We had to go out last week and buy Emily a new pair of glasses. Her new puppy though he needed a new chew toy.

Hot here today, suppose to be in the 90's. I like it as long as the humidity stays down some.

Emily's little St. Jude friend, Marissa needs some extra prayers. She is having some problems with the brain tumor she has. So if you would please say an extra prayer for her.

Thanks again
Love and Prayers and Happy 4th of July

The McEllen's

Wednesday, June 25, 2003 5:54 AM CDT

Hi everyone!!! Well we finally got some summer weather. It has been in the 90's here for the past few days and more to come.

We went to St. Judes Tuesday and had labs done on Emily and had her Needle changed in the port. All the labs came back just fine. We tried to cut back on the Steroid and it didn't work. Doc seems to think she is having some problems with it and we need to change it to another type of steroid. She started vomiting this past Saturday because we were cutting it back. Emily's Doc in Memphis is on vacation and won't be back til Monday. Peoria Doc doesn't want to change anything til he talks to the head CHIEF. He says that we need to check her thyroid. The steroid has a good chance of effecting that. She has been on it for a long time. A low dose but for a long time.

ONLY 17 DAYS TIL CAMP!!! She sure is counting the days and real excitied. She has had her suitcase ready for a month.

Still waiting for Grandpa and Grandma Logan to come from Florida. They should be here the second week of July. We are hoping they will stay til after the HOLIDAYS.

Be sure to click on Emilys new quilt pages down in the links. They are beautiful. Also don't forget to sign the guestbook.

Take care and Love and Prayers to everyone.
Prayers to all of our St Jude Familys.

Love the McEllen's

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 12:51 AM CDT

Well Hi again from Galesburg Illinois. It is hot today but I think it feels good. I am so tired of rain and 50's and 60's.

We just got home from St. Judes. Emily had blood work done and had her needle changed in her port. Everything is still the same. We are going to cut her Steroid again this week 1 Mg everyother day. Sure hope that it will want to her eat more. Aunt Jackie has been able to get some grapes in her the past couple of days. She has eaten alot of them. She is still on the TPN and Marinol.

She is counting the days til camp. She got her list in the mail Saturday of things needed and We had to go right out and buy them. She can't wait. ONLY 25 days!!! Renee can't wait to have me all to herself.

Well we are still waiting on Grandpa and Grandma Logan to come from Florida. It doesn't sound like they will be here til the 2nd week of July.

Thats it for now. Don't forget to sign the guestbook.
Take care and LOTS of LOVE and PRAYERS to everyone.

Love The McEllen's

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 12:51 AM CDT

Well Hi again from Galesburg Illinois. It is hot today but I think it feels good. I am so tried of rain and 50's and 60's.

We just got home from St. Judes. Emily had blood work done and had her needle changed in her port. Everything is still the same. We are going cut her Steroid again this week 1 Mg everyother day. Sure hope that will want to her eat more. Aunt Jackie has been able to get some grapes in her the past couple of days. She has eaten alot of them. She is still on the TPN and Marinol.

She is counting the days til camp. She got her list in the mail Saturday of things needed and We had to go right out and buy them. She can't wait. ONLY 25 days!!! Renee can't to have me all to herself.

Well we are still waiting on Grandpa and Grandma Logan to come from Florida. It doesn't sound like they will be here til the 2nd week of July.

Thats it for now. Don't forget to sign the guestbook.
Take care and LOTS of LOVE and PRAYERS to everyone.

Love The McEllen's

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 12:51 AM CDT

Well Hi again from Galesburg Illinois. It is hot today but I think it feels good. I am so tried of rain and 50's and 60's.

We just got home from St. Judes. Emily had blood work done and had her needle changed in her port. Everything is still the same. We are going cut her Steroid again this week 1 Mg everyother day. Sure hope that will want to her eat more. Aunt Jackie has been able to get some grapes in her the past couple of days. She has eaten alot of them. She is still on the TPN and Marinol.

She is counting the days til camp. She got her list in the mail Saturday of things needed and We had to go right out and buy them. She can't wait. ONLY 25 days Renee can't to have me all to herself.

Well we are still waiting on Grandpa and Grandma Logan to come from Florida. It doesn't sound like they will be here til the 2nd week of July.

Thats it for now. Don't forget to sign the guestbook.
Take care and LOTS of LOVE and PRAYERS to everyone.

Love The McEllen's

Monday, June 9, 2003 6:34 AM CDT

Well Hi from Galesburg, Illinois. I have been able to stay out of the hospital for a while. One whole month. yea yea
The drs. finally got the vomiting under control. Now if I could only eat. I haven't been able to eat for 7 weeks now. Not much of anything. The most I eat in a day is a Peanut Butter Jelly sandwich and an orange. I haven't had my favorite since January when I was in Memphis and that is a Cheesburger only Ketchup and Vanilla Milkshake from McDonalds. I am just not hungry and nothing taste good.
My mom has tried everything. I am still on the TPN at night and Marinol twice daily, it is suppose to make me hungry. I don't think it is doing a very good job.

Only 33 days til I go to camp with St Judes. Can't wait to go. I know Mom is going to have a hard time with me being gone. I sure hope that my Grandpa and Grandma Logan are here from Florida to keep mom busy. They are getting a late start this year. She is going to worry about me. Angel Lori sent me a camera to take to camp so I will take lots of pictures. (Thankyou Angel Lori) I can't wait to go.

Well back to St. Judes in Peoria Illinois tomorrow (Tuesday) to have labs done and to have my needle changed. All morning appointment. Mom and I leave about 7:00 and get home about 12:00. We will let you know how things went.

Hugs, Love and Prayers to everyone

Emily, Kim, Pete, and Renee McEllen
06-11-03
P.S. Went to St. Judes and no change with labs. Everything was the same. If this week goes ok then we are going to cut back on the steroid to 1mg every other day starting next Tuesday. Have a good week and prayers to everyone and don't forget to sign the guestbook. PLEASE.... Emily's likes to read the entries. How about those new pictures???? I am learning how to change and add new ones.

Monday, June 9, 2003 6:34 AM CDT

Well Hi from Galesburg, Illinois. I have been able to stay out of the hospital for a while. One whole month. yea yea
The drs. finally got vomiting under control. Now if I could only eat. I haven't been able to eat for 7 weeks now. Not much of anything. The most I eat in a day is Peanut Butter Jelly sandwich and an orange. I haven't had my favorite since January when I was in Memphis and that is Cheesburger only Ketchup and Vanilla Milkshake from McDonalds. I am just not hungry and nothing taste good.
My mom has tried everything. I am still on the TPN at night and Marinol twice daily, it is suppose to make me hungry. I don't think it is doing a very good job.

Only 33 days til I go to camp with St Judes. Can't wait to go. I know Mom is going to have a hard time with me being gone. I sure hope that I Grandpa and Grandma Logan are here from Florida to keep mom busy. They are getting a late start this year. She is going to worry about me. Angel Lori sent me a camera to take to camp so I will take lots of pictures. (Thankyou Angel Lori) I can't wait to go.

Well back to St. Judes in Peoria Illinois tomorrow (Tuesday) to have labs done and to have my needle changed. All morning appointment. Mom and I leave about 7:00 and get home about 12:00. We will let you know how things went.

Hugs, Love and Prayers to everyone

Emily, Kim, Pete, and Renee McEllen

Monday, June 9, 2003 6:34 AM CDT

Well Hi from Galesburg, Illinois. I have been able to stay out of the hospital for a while. One whole month. yea yea
The drs. finally got vomiting under control. Now if I could only eat. I haven't been able to eat for 7 weeks now. Not much of anything. The most I eat in a day is Peanut Butter Jelly sandwich and an orange. I haven't had my favorite since January when I was in Memphis and that is Cheesburger only Ketchup and Vanilla Milkshake from McDonalds. I am just not hungry and nothing taste good.
My mom has tried everything. I am still on the TPN at night and Marinol twice daily, it is suppose to make me hungry. I don't think it is doing a very good job.

Only 33 days til I go to camp with St Judes. Can't wait to go. I know Mom is going to have a hard time with me being gone. I sure hope that I Grandpa and Grandma Logan are here from Florida to keep mom busy. She is going to worry about me. Angel Lori sent me a camera to take to camp so I will take lots of pictures. (Thankyou Angel Lori) I can't wait to go.

Well back to St. Judes in Peoria Illinois tomorrow (Tuesday) to have labs done and to have my needle changed. All morning appoinment. Mom and I leave about 7:00 and get home about 12:00. We will let you know how things went.

Hugs, Love and Prayers to everyone

Emily, Kim, Pete, and Renee McEllen

Monday, June 2, 2003 2:17 PM CDT

Hi Everyone, Well school is out and I am happy, probably for a couple weeks then the girls will be bored and driving me crazy. Emily is doing pretty good. She is still in the Marinol and the TPN. She is just starting to eat a little bit each day. Not a whole lot but something is better than nothing. She is so excitied she is going to summer camp with St Jude in Peoria, Illinois. She will be gone a whole week. That will be very hard for me. But I sure I will do just fine. It will give me some time with Renee.

She still has her puppy and he is doing great, if he would sleep past 5:00am. He likes to start his days EARLY. Emily likes to sleep in til 8:00 so I get to take care of him. He likes to chew on Emily's toes.

We still go to Peoria, Illinois to St Judes weekly to have blood work done and to have the needle changed. It takes about 5 hours each time. I am so thankful to have a St Jude office only one hour away. Emily seems to have a little bit more energy. She still takes 1-2 naps a day. Then sleeps about 10 hours at night.

We will to continue to pray for all the St Jude familys, especially Brendles family.

Love and God Bless everyone

Kim and Emily McEllen

P.S. We went to St. Judes yesterday June 3 and we are going to try to start cutting the steroid back again. She is on 1 1/2 mg a day. We are going to cut it back to 1mg a day. In the past when we would get below 1 1/2 mg then she would get sick. Pray that this will work and we can get her off the the Steroid. Her little face is so puffy. Thanks again for prayers and please sign the guest book.

Monday, June 2, 2003 2:17 PM CDT

Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:24 PM CDT

Well the week is just about over and a long holiday weekend. It will be great to have a three day weekend. We have had a busy week. St Judes a couples days this week and Emily also had to go her Heart Doctor. Everything check out good with her heart. She still has a valve that is still leaking, but does not need to be replaced yet. We are so thankful that it all checked out good. We don't need anything else.

Now the Brain Tumor. It is still stable, but she is not eating at all now. She is still on the TPN. She hasn't eaten for 3 weeks now. Tomorrow we have to go back to St. Judes and Doctor is going to give her some medicine to make her eat. It is suppose to make her hungry. Alot to worry about. She won't even eat her favorite--(cheeseburger from McDonalds). We hope and pray that this will work.

Well now our new addition to Emily's family. She has a new puppy. Six week old Buddy. She has wanted a dog for years. All she wanted for her birthday was a puppy. So guess what I broke down and we got one. I am not a dog lover. But I have to say he is cute.

Well we sure hope and pray that all of our friends at St Judes are doing good. We go back to Memphis August 11.
Everyone have a great Memorial Day weekend.

God Bless and Love

Emily McEllen and Family
and Buddy

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 2:05 PM CDT

Hi Everyone, Well another week and Emily is doing pretty good. Hopefuly things will start to settle down til we go back to Memphis August 11th. We go to St Judes here in Peoria for Labs and change her needle weekly. She is still on TPN, 24 hours a day. She hasn't eaten anything since May 8th. She is still on the steroid, started to cut it back last week and she was feeling sick again. So we had to increase it back up a little bit. I think it is going to be a while before we can get her off of it. It is because of the swelling in the brain from the radiation.
She went to school this morning for a couple hours. She did real good. She had a teacher with her and to help her with her TPN. I had a couple of hours of free time. Yea!!!
Thats ok. I really missed her. She is attached to my hip!!! HA HA.

She had a birthday yesterday (May 13). She really didn't care too much. We went to St Jude in Peoria and had labs done and had her needle changed and they had a birthday cake for her. We got home around 1:30 and she slept the rest of the afternoon. She had DARE graduation last night. She wanted to go to that. She had a good time. She got to see her friends. She only has two weeks of school left. We are going to try to go to school at least a hour or two a day. She did good today just tried this afternoon.

She is ready for her Grandma and Grandpa from Florida to come home for the summer. They should be coming in a few weeks. They stay here for the summer in their Motor Home.
Emily hasn't seen them since Christmas.

We sure hope and pray that all of our friends at St Judes are doing well.

God Bless and lots of Love

The McEllen's

Wednesday, May 14, 2003 2:05 PM CDT

Monday, May 5, 2003 7:45 PM CDT

Well we had pretty good news from Memphis. We went down on Monday the 28th. Suppose to have the MRI on Tuesday the 29th but Emily got real sick and the MRI was cancelled. So it was on Wednesday. Still alot of swelling so we have to stay on the steroid. But when we start to cut back on the steroid is when she gets sick. So we are on TPN. We were in Memphis til Friday than we flew home. Got home and went to bed about 1:00am and had to get up and be at St. Francis by 8:00 on Saturday. We got to come home on Sunday evening. But we had to get up and be at St. Judes on Monday morning at 8:00 for labs. The doctor had to increase some of the TPN but Emily is doing ok with it. She is going to be on it 24 hours a day for a week, than cut back to 12 hours a day for a couple months. Over all she is doing some what better. I just hope that this will get the vomiting under control and make her feel some what better. She is still real tried and taking naps a couple times a day. We don't go back to Memphis for 12 weeks. She hasn't gone to school since we have been home and probably won't go back.

We got to see some of our friends when we were there. It was great to see them. Wish we had more time visit. When we go back this summer we are driving down and hope to visit more. We are sure glad that everyone was doing great and will keep praying for them.

God Bless everyone

Emily McEllen and Family

Monday, May 5, 2003 7:45 PM CDT

Wednesday, April 23, 2003 8:47 AM CDT

Hi Everyone, Well I haven't been in the hospital for a couple weeks. I am just real tried and still not eating a whole lot. I am on IV Fluids at home. Mom gets to hook me up to them everyday. I am still having some headaches and vomiting. I am just having a hard time getting over this. Mom and I will fly back to Memphis on April 28. I will have a MRI on the 29th. Mom is alittle nervous about that, it is the first one since my radiation. We will be there til May 1st. Please pray for me for good results. I haven't been going to school. Mornings I just can't wake up til about 9:00 and it takes me a while to get around. By the afternoon I am just to tried to do anything. The doctors were right when they said it would be a long recovery. I take a nap in the afternoon and in bed by 9:00. I just hope I am some what recovered by summer. I want to ride my bike and play on my swing set.
Hope everyone had a great EASTER. Hope to see some of my friends when mom and I return to Memphis. We pray that everyone is doing great.

Love and God Bless each one of you

Emily and family

Wednesday, April 16, 2003 2:25 PM CDT

Hi Everyone! Thank you to everyone who signs Emily's guestbook. Well to update you again, Emily is still having a rough time. She is still vomiting and having headaches. We were back in the hospital again this past Friday night through Sunday night. The third weekend in a roll. The hospital is really getting old. Emily has had enough. She is really tried of vomiting. We are back on IV Fluids here at home and the steroids. That seems to work. Once we start to take her off than she gets sick again. We will flying back to Memphis on April 28, MRI is April 29 and will talk to Dr. Merchant to get results on April 30. She also has other appointments. We sure hope and pray that everything is still ok. The vomiting and headaches are still from POST RADIATION. I am ready for the post radiation to be done and I know Emily is too. She hasn't been in school for 2 weeks. She has been so sick, and she really misses school and all of friends. When we get back from Memphis she will only have 1 month of school left. She is hoping to go back to school. Alot of activities going on the last month.

We sure hope and pray that all of our friends and other St Judes are doing very well.

God Bless each one of you

Love Emily and her family

Wednesday, April 16, 2003 2:25 PM CDT

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 10:03 PM CDT

Well a new week and in the middle of it but Emily has been in the hospital for a few days. She is still having problems with the vomiting. When she goes off the steroid she starts vomiting within 24-48 hours. So she had to be admitted to the hospital and be put on IV's and back on the steroids. We are also doing the IV's fluids everynight here at home for 7 days. She is so tired of vomiting. This has been going on for 3 months. During her treatment, it was everyday. She is excitied about going back to Memphis to see some of friends. We pray that they all are doing well. She has been sleeping more here lately too. She isn't going to school at all this week. She is too tried and weak. We go back to St. Judes on April 28 thru May 1. She will have a MRI, we pray that the results will be good.

God Bless and Love Emily and Her Family

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 10:03 PM CDT

Sunday, March 30, 2003 10:47 AM CST

Well just about ready to start a new week. Sure hope things go better with Emily. It didn't start off very well last week. She was getting better towards the end of the week. She still has a cold. She didn't go to school at all because she was getting sick everyday. Sure hope that this week is much better.

Well we had Emily's Benefit this past Saturday the 29th.
It sure was real nice. There was a alot of people there. They had clowns there all day. That was fun for the kids. I think everyone enjoyed themselfs. I know we had a great time. Thanks to everyone who help with it.

Well we sure hope that all of our friends with St. Judes are doing good. We pray for you all everyday.

Please sign the guest book.

Love Emily and family

Sunday, March 30, 2003 10:47 AM CST

Wednesday, March 26, 2003 9:03 AM CST

Hi everyone, Well I am doing better today. Spent all day Sunday in the hospital. Couldn't stop vomiting. So they had to start IVs. The doctor also had to give me some steroid through my IV. I am trying a half day of school today. I suppose I will get real tried. I sure hope I get over this tried feeling soon, and so does my mom and dad. I am sure I will. Can't wait til this weekend. It is the Benefit. Suppose to be cold and snowy-raining. Good day to be inside. We have to have our spring snow. So its going to happen this Saturday. Went to the eye Doctor yesterday in Peoria. My eyes were stable. As you all know thats where the brain tumor is.

Sure hope that all of my friends and St Judes are doing well. Hope to see you all again someday.

God Bless and Love Emily and family

Sunday, March 23, 2003 8:41 AM CST

Well we are just about ready to start a new week and thought we were doing good, but Emily decided to get sick again. She was done with alot of her medicines last week. Friday she started to feel sick again and not eating good again. Call Dr. Merchant and he put her back on some steroid. I sure hope that works. She is so tried of getting sick. She was sick everyday of her treatments. This weekend is her benifit, and she is real excitied about that. She can't wait to see some of her family that lives out of town. She is hoping that her Grandpa and Grandma Logan from Florida gets to come.
Emily didn't have school last friday, end of the quarter and she laid on the couch all day. She didn't even get out of her pj's. She is still only going to school half days. She tried a ful day last Monday and couldn't make the last half hour. Then she was to tried to go to school Tuesday. She has lost alot of her hair. Doesn't seem to bother her to much. She just wears a hat. She even sleeps with a hat on.

Well hope that all of my friends at St Judes is doing well and you are in my prayers.

God bless and Love
Emily and family

Friday, March 21, 2003 10:18 AM CST

Hi everyone, End of the week and Emily had a pretty good week. She had a rash from the radiation. Dry skin. We got some lotion and medicine for the itching. She couldn't complete a full week of school. She got too tried. She went half days. Next weekend the Knights of Columbus and friends and my family are having a benifit for us. Emily is real excitied about that. It is going to be real nice. She sure hopes that Grandpa and Grandma Logan gets to come. They live in Florida.
We are getting nervous about going back to Memphis. We go back the 28,29,30 of April. Can't wait to see of Emily's friends. We sure hope and pray they are doing well. Hi Bailey. Hi Derek. Hi everyone. Well mom needs to get busy and clean my room. Still trying to find room for all of my new gifts. Hope everyone is well and I will keep praying for you all.

Love Emily McEllen and family

Monday, March 17, 2003 1:52 PM CST

Well another week. Emily is at school and trying to complete a full day. Almost 2:00pm and 1 hour left of school, she will make it. She really missed school and all of friends and teachers. This is her last year at middle school. On to Junior High, can't hardly believe it. She went to St. Judes in Peoria, Illinois last Friday and check up was good. She gained a little weight, blood work was good. Starting to take her off of her medicines. Doing ok with that. Yesterday she went bowling with a friend and cousins and Renee. She had a lot of fun. Last night we had to go to the hospital, she had broke out in a rash. They had no reason for it. Just put her on Bendryl.
Still iching alittle bit today. Called Dr Merchant this morning about it but haven't heard back yet. Emily's friends and family are having a benifit the 29th of March for her. Emilys Uncles paid for a billboard here in town and put her picture on it and all about the benifit. It is real nice. She says she is famous.
Hope all of my friends at St. Judes are doing well and hope to see you again. We will return for checkup on April 28, 29, 30. We pray that the tumor is stable.
God Bless everyone

Love Emily McEllen and her family

Monday, March 10, 2003 2:15 PM CST

Hello!

I have been home almost a week now and doing better each day. My mom has been trying to put things up and clean. I got a new bed and tv stand in my bedroom, so things right now a little messy. Oh guess what! I went to school today (3-10-03) for a couple of hours. I was sure glad to see my friends and my teachers. I will be attending for a couple hours each day for about a week.

We will be flying back to Memphis on April 28th for a check up and will return on April 30th. So please pray that everything will be ok.

I hope all my friends at St. Judes are doing well. I think about you all everyday. Please e-mail when you can.

Take Care and God Bless you all.

Emily McEllen
Galesburg, Illinois

Saturday, March 1, 2003 5:05 PM CST

Hi everybody in Illinois.

I am getting so excited about coming home. Me excited you should see my mom, she has everything off the walls and ready to load up the car and van. My Aunt Jackie and Uncle Roger came down this weekend to help me and my mom load up all of my goodies. The question is, did anyone build on to my bedroom, I will sure need it.

Well about my treatment, it has not been easy. If I throw up one more time I don't know what I will do. The treatment has been difficult but with everybody's love and prayers we made it through this difficult time in my life. I have lost a little of my hair but it will grow back even prettier than it was. I am a little weak but I know I will gain my strength back. I am excited about starting back to school and seeing all my teachers and school friends. Well our plane leaves on Wednesday at 1:00 PM and we will arrive in the Burg around 7:30 PM on Wednesday night. See you all soon. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all your prayers during the past 8 weeks. Oh! my mom thanks you too!

Emily
Galesburg Illinois

Wednesday, February 26, 2003 6:05 PM CST

Sick all afternoon and allnight.

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