It's been some time since I've been able to update you and a lot has happened. I've been hoping and praying that this update would bring you better news on Scott's health and progress but I'm sad to report it's doesn't.

These last three weeks have been very frustrating for me as I've seen a constant decline in many areas of Scott's health. The drugs he's been on (steroids, seizures meds, chemo, biotech drugs) have caused his body to become toxic. Three weeks ago I noticed small purple spots on his arms, legs and stomach and a week later they increased and deeper bruises were showing up. His nose and his toe nail began bleeding. One doctor suggested it was leaking blood vessels but his blood tests didn't fully support that theory. All the while, he became more tired and less stable on his feet. I hounded his doctors for answers and advice but each time they came back with nothing concrete to tell me. They reassured me by reminding me that Scott has been through a lot. No kidding! Finally, after three weeks of his platelets dropping and his liver enzymes increasing, his oncologist agreed with me that it would be good to stop the daily chemo and biotech pills. Praise God!! I've been so ready to get him off some of the medications and now he's been off those two for about a week. I'm doing everything I can to help him nutritionally to restore his liver and blood. NOTE: Please don't send nutritional advice in these areas. I've sorted through the options and I'm comfortable with what I'm doing.

Even more serious, is his level of dependence on me. It's painful to share this with you because I so desperately want to give you better news but I know that the truth is the most important. Scott and I decided very early in this battle to open our lives to you. We did this so you could experience the blessings with us and there are soooo many but this is the harder side. Scott now needs my help and assistance from the minute he wakes until he goes to bed. He relies on me to tell him what he should be doing and help him do it or do it for him. He is the most gracious and loving man. He makes me feel so appreciated. Helping him is an honor. I do everything I can to make him feel empowered and capable because over the last three weeks ordinary daily activities have become more confusing for him. I don't want him to experience frustration or feel incapable so I watch closely, guide him and jump in before he makes a big mistake. I guess I've done a pretty good job because he's not aware of how much help he needs. His level of fatigue is so intense that he's now taking 2-3 hour naps and when he's awake he only has very shorts spurts of energy (20-30 minutes) before he's incredibly tired again. After his last doctors appointment, he was so tired and wobbly, I needed a wheel chair to get him back to the car.

So, what do we think will happen next?? Well, Scott hasn't given up hope, I haven't given up hope, his doctors haven't given up and neither should you. We're praying that as some of the drugs leave his body he would get to a state of better physical health, with more energy, and more mental clarity. At the same time I've come to the point where I know I need to seek out professional assistance. Although we have incredible help with Josephine, I still have a house to run and a baby due in 2 months. I can't get away because it's not safe for Scott to be left alone. I've made some phone calls and should find out more next week about home services for people with disability's. One thing I know for sure is whoever comes to help me with Scott will be blessed by Scott. With all he's been through and is going through now, he still finds a way to bless everyone he comes in contact with each day. He never stops telling people "bless you" and "I love you" and "I'm praying for you." Literally everyone we come in contact with Scott blesses and it doesn't matter if it's the post man, he blesses him too. I love to see how that catches people off guard. They are touched and I find myself thinking, "Wow, I have to do that more!"

Scott's next MRI is scheduled for the week after next.

As Scott does, I'm blowing you kisses and saying BLESS YOU!! And if you haven't checked out our Easter pictures on the web site it's: scooterscoop.blogspot.com

Love,
Michele and Scott Gray

P.S. If anyone would like to volunteer and help run errands, mow the lawn, clean, or provide a meal, I'm open to your help. I'm not going to be too humble about asking for help because we need it and you've said I should let you know what we need.
If you want to help with errands or lawn mowing just email me at moxiegray@yahoo.com
If you want to help with meals, email Gretchen at gretchen_flores@comcast.net
If you want to help with cleaning, email Kristen at JKandAStuck@aol.com. She's been organizing cleaning help on Saturday mornings around 10am.