Home Safely

Robynn, Brian, Brady and Hailey are back in Sacramento.
Tomorrow they will solidify plans with a branch of MD Andersen in Santa Monica to find out more information on another form of treatment. The success rate is very low, but we are keeping ALL our options open.
Their trip to Bakersfield was filled with love, friends and family as well as extreme discomfort. Some plans with friends that had been made, had to be cancelled, but she rallied through like the incredible warrior she is. Her most severe struggle came on Thanksgiving night and continued through Friday. Saturday was a much better day and we were so happy to see her HUGE smile return.
I will get you the details as soon as I get them.

Psalm 27:14
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

Love you all!
Pray On!
S

Avastin Clinical Trial

She does not qualify...

Love you all,
Pray On!
S

Back On Our Knees...

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

I wish I writing you today with good news about "Our Girl", but I'm not. The tumors in her liver have tripled in size and there are few options. Right now the only thing that has been offered up is a possible clinical trial with a drug called Avastin . Brian and Robynn are anxiously awaiting an appointment to meet with the head nurse for this trial to see if Robynn qualifies. If they can't meet with someone today or tomorrow, they will come home and return to Texas on Monday. If she is accepted she will have to travel to Texas every 3 weeks for treatment.
Needless to say, this is NOT the news we have prayed for. On the other hand, Robynn is a fighter and she will not succumb to hopelessness or despair.
If she can choose this direction, we must follow!!!
Those are your new "orders"! Chin up soldiers!

Pray On!
S

Justice for Aunt Dorothy & Uncle Joe

We received notice today that they have a 16 & 17 year old in custody that have admitted to murdering and robbing our Aunt and Uncle. We have prayed for this day and don't know that we realized its impact. Tanner asked me, "do you think they should get the death penalty mom"? I told him I just wasn't convicted about what should happen to them. I believe I have to give it up to the Lord and let His will be done.
Thanks you for your support and prayers, please keep them coming!

Robynn's tests are done, so now we wait.....

Pray On!
S

I'm a loser

Hi guys!

Brian and I went to the arcade today in Houston and played air hockey. We made a bet that the loser would have to post on the blog that they are a loser. We are very competitive and both cannot stand to lose at anything. It is with great difficulty that I have to admit that I not only lost, but got my booty kicked worse than ever. I can only attribute this to my big excuse that "I have cancer." Brian said that doesn't fly with him! =) Oh well, worth a try.

We are enjoying our time here. Since we are here without children, we like to think of it as a romantic vacation. Tomorrow will not be so romantic with all of my fun scans and tests, but today was great. Thanks for all of the positive thoughts and prayers. I will let you know on Tuesday what the doctor says!

love you,
Robynn

Prayer Request for Blake

I received this today. Emma was a HUGE part of Robynn's Blood Drive/Silent Auction and her baby Blake is in need of our help. Here is what she wrote;

I am sorry to have to ask this at this time, but we are in need of prayer ourselves. We were at my daughters soccer party last night, when my 1 year old baby boy touched the glass which was covering the lit fire place. We rushed him to the emergency room in Davis, which was the longest most painful ride of our lives. They took us in immediately and started helping him with morphine and numbing cream for his hands. They cleaned and removed all the skin that was hanging and bandaged him up. We went back to his doctors office today, where they cleaned and re-dressed it. We will be going back again on Monday at which time we will see his doctor. She will decide if he needs to be seen at the burn unit at Shriners. They are worried about infection and him loosing any mobility in his hands.So I ask that you please pray for my little man that he makes a full recovery and that we can keep his pain under control.
Thank you Blakes mommy, Emma

Pray On Faithful Soldiers!
S

Texas Bound

Brian and Robynn are boarding a plane as I write this. Testing will start Monday and they will fly into Bakersfield on Wednesday and spend Thanksgiving with us.
Robynn was quite the celebrity at Kelly's service. Everyone was so happy to get a chance to talk with her, hug her and for some, meet her for the 1st time. Mr. Brown(Kelly's dad) reads Robynn's blog, but until then had never met Robynn. He was in AWE of her spirit and joyful being. I know it was a sweet reminder of his daughter. I have always thought Kelly and Robynn were kindered spirits and took great delight whenever in their presence.
A couple days after Kelly passed, I fell hard and deep into the pit I've described before. I called Robynn in a panic and unable to stop sobbing. I told her my bracelet had broke that she made me for my birthday that read "sister" and "strength" and that I felt I had no strength and I needed her to bring whatever equipment was necessary to fix it. I also told her I needed something that represented Kelly. Little did I know and in total Robynn fashion...she had already made me a charm with "Kelly" on it with a cross that laid next to it.(Brandy, Mrs. Brown and Raji got one too) She, like Kelly, knew my need before I ever had to ask. I once again, am in AWE and I am so blessed.
Thank you my Sweet Robynn! I love you!

Isaiah 43:2
[God says,] "When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you."

Pray On!
S

Hi everybody

Hi Guys!

I haven't posted in awhile. This past week has been an emotional roller coaster for me. Last weekend we went to Bakersfield before the USC game and I was lucky enough to spend a little time with some good friends. We had an amazing time at the USC game and were fortunate enough to get a behind the scenes tour from one of the players. Thank you Quin and Matt! You guys rock! To cap off an incredible day the Trojans beat the Bears 17-3. Then on Monday, we found out that Kelly was admitted to the hospital. Tuesday morning at 6:00am we received the devastating phone call that she had passed. Although I know that I should be happy for her that she is with God (as my daughter Hailey told me), I just cannot find anything in my heart but sorrow at this point.

Then the roller coaster ride rises up again as I watch my daughter play her final two soccer games this weekend and win both. Her team finished the season as undefeated. I believe this is due to the superior coaching of my husband. He does an amazing job of teaching and motivating those girls.

We will be driving back down to Bakersfield tomorrow, so that we can attend Kelly's funeral on Tuesday. I am glad that we can give Shelley and Brandy big hugs in person. I know they need them. Thank you for all of your prayers for myself, my family, and my friend.

I am officially on a break from chemo right now and I cannot remember what it feels like to be off chemo, so I look forward to this break. I am also very nervous about how the tumors will respond to this break. I ask for more prayers that the tumors will not grow too much during this time. Thank you! I love and appreciate you all so very much. I know that I am a blessed individual to have so many people pray and care for me. You cannot know how much it means to me!

love,
Robynn

A Miracle in my Life

Jeremiah 20:18
"Why was I ever born? My entire life has been filled with trouble, sorrow, and shame."

This is where I am right now.
I am filled sadness, disbelief, uncertainty and aloneness.
My life has been filled with Kelly and all of her fabulous wonders for over 25 years.
She was my "Norma"(aka Rock). She was the one, that no matter how bad it got, no matter how deep the pit was you had fallen into, she made that pit not so bad. She didn't stand at the top of the pit and yell down encouragement to you, she jumped down into the pit with you and said, "how do we get out of this together".
I'm sure you all remember the post way, way back (Friday May, 9th) about me being "kidnapped". That was Kelly coming to another "pit rescue".
She came to Robynn's rescue with the idea and implementation of her Prayer Quilt. She worked so hard sewing each square ever so lovingly and requiring that it be "just perfect" for Robynn.
When their mom fought Ovarian and then breast cancer, Kelly and Brandy were there on the "front lines" praying, supporting and researching any and all options. Simply, that's just who Kelly was!

The helplessness I felt as we sat at the hospital Monday and Tuesday is excruciating. I wanted to jump in the pit to rescue her and I couldn't. Instead, I dropped to my knees in prayer and stared through the glass and watched in disbelief as my dear sweet friend left us.
I was there, I witnessed it and it is not real. "It is not happening, It has not happened, please give her back to me, we have a lunch/shopping date this Friday and I want her there, I've already got her Christmas gift wrapped, we were going on a cruise..." It makes it so hard to breathe. Devastation surrounds me. Dear Lord have Mercy on me!
More importantly, have mercy on her children Spencer(9) and Mason(6) (through them came her biggest sense of pride and accomplishment), her husband Bill, her parents Jim and Jeannie Brown, her siblings Brandy(Marty) and Matt, niece Ryan and nephews Joe and Johnny, her "Amma" and her dear friends Raji and Shannon. Have mercy on all who loved her and the lives that will never be the same because of her.

She was a miracle in my life and I believe she is God's "right hand woman". I know she will continue to watch over us and give us strength as we climb out of the deepest and darkest pit of our lives. Thank you my Dear, Sweet Girl!

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.

In total despair, I beg you to "Pray On"
S

Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

New Angel

It is with a heavy and sad heart that I inform you of Kelly Haines leaving our world to be with our Lord. The Lord called her home to His Kingdom in the early hours of November 11th.
Please pray for the comfort of her husband Bill, her boys Mason and Spencer, her sister Brandy, her brother Matt and her mom and dad. May the Lord bless them all and show them that Kelly may be absent from this earth but will always be present their hearts.

We Love You Kelly and Will Miss You Greatly Until We See You Again In Our Lord's Kingdom!

Prayer Requests

Please place Kelly Haines in your prayers. She is in need of the Lords grace and comfort as she struggles with an unknown illness that has lead her to the ICU. Kelly was taken from her doctors office to the ER because her blood pressure had dropped dangerously low. While she was in the ER she struggled to breathe and as a result had to be placed on a ventilator. She has been in the hospital since around noon and doctors have not been able to figure out what is causing her issues. She will remain in the ICU and tests will continue to be performed to identify her ailment.

Also please keep Debbie Jett in your prayers, she has colon cancer, stage 3. She just had surgery on Mon. 11-3 to remove the large mass obstructing her colon and will begin aggressive chemo in a week. The cancer has spread to her lymph nodes, which they have removed, and now waiting for pathology reports to make sure that they got all her cancer. No cancer present in any major organs-thank God for that.

Please do as you have for Robynn and so many others in joining me in lifting Kelley and Debbie up to the Lord for it is only His wisdom, grace, and comfort that will see them through this trying time.

God Bless America!

I hope you all made it to the polls yesterday and that you would continually ask the Lord to guide our new administration and keep Our Country safe and heading in a direction that is pleasing to Him!

Robynn is getting some of her abundant energy back. She worked in the classroom yesterday and was headed to some "girl fun" later in the afternoon. Her nausea and pain have been pretty good, so she was a bit disappointed when she had to take a dose of anti-nausea meds. Just a minor set-back that she will leap right over!!!
This weekend they head down south to see the USC Trojans take on Cal...FIGHT ON!
Please pray for continued comfort for Robynn as this trip is extremely important to their family.

Philemon 1:6
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

Pray On!
S

A Quick Prayer for Uncle Sonny

He just began his Megadaose of cytoxin(heavy duty chemo) and we would like the side effects to be minimal. He is gearing up for his bone marrow transplant during Thanksgiving.
Please give a "shout out" to Our Dear Lord on our Uncle's behalf.

PS Margarita's, wine, martini, Odoul's or a fancy glass with H2O to Robynn;))))) CHEERS!

Pray On!
S

Pop Open the Champagne!!!

Robynn is undergoing her last chemo before she starts her much needed "break".
Cartwheels and back flips are in order!!!!

Psalm 16:1-2
Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing."

Pray On!
S

Good news...NO PAIN!

Bad news...she is EXHAUSTED!!! Robynn is having a rough time kicking "nap time;) Her only outing Sunday was church and then it was back to bed for a few hours. She managed a short picnic with Hailey and then back down she went. Her lack of energy make the smallest of things, like climbing the stairs a main event. Brian said they are relieved that this is their hurdle right now and they are not competing with pain. So, it seems to be a blessing. Thank you Jesus!
Texas is just around the corner and so is a break from this wicked stuff...Hooray!

2 Corinthians 12:9
But [God] said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Love you all!
Pray On!
S

PS. Cal is doing great and Tanner goes to the Orthopedist to repeat the same routine as last appt! What color cast will he come home with??????;)

Jonah is with the Lord

This came from Jonah's family....

Dear loved ones,

As difficult as it is to write this morning, I know you all need to know what has taken place. Scott and Amy knew it was time to let Jonah go peacefully to his heavenly Father. We all know he has been in the arms of Jesus all this time. They were able to spend sweet moments with him and hold him close before they said good-bye. Jonah's grandparents and aunts and uncles were also able to see him and all spend time in his room where he and his parents have been for months. We appreciate, once again, all your prayers for Jonah's family during this difficult time. Thank you and God Bless you all for loving and caring

Chemo for Thursday is a GO!

Miss Robynn has had an annoying little cough that gets especially bad when she lies down and does not promote sleep. There was concern about her lungs and her Dr. wanted to get a
chest x-ray Monday. If the x-ray did not come back "clear", they would cancel chemo.
Good news soldiers, IT'S CLEAR!!!!!!! Hooray!
Who ever thought we'd be cheering for chemo???.....

Our weekend as Jet fans was a bit disappointing, as they lost in overtime:( but it was a super exciting game to be at.
The day before, in Modesto, the girls went shopping and the guys went golfing. After we all hooked back up, Erin and Matt treated us to homemade carnitas with ALL the trimmings that were out of this world! Stuffed out of our minds with all that yumminess we then flopped down to the couches, snuggled up and watched Baby Momma. Talk about funny! Boy did we laugh!
Before leaving for Oakland we attempted a family picture. Notice I used the word "attempted"? You can figure it out;)
That was pretty much it, just some good ol, FFF!(Forced Family Fun)

Now, we are all back to our respective cities with more wonderful memories to cherish!
Please keep Cal in you prayers. Nothing serious at all, just that she gets her wisdom teeth pulled tomorrow and she is being put under anesthesia which is always a little scary.

Philippians 4:9
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Peace be with all of you!
Pray On!
S

We are Heading Your Way Brett!!!;)

Watch out Oakland, "Army Goodell" will be in full force as we cheer on Robynn's favorite football team and Tanners football hero Brett Favre.
GO JETS!
Robynn, Brian and kids are set to meet us in Modesto, spend some time with Matt, Erin and Maddie and then head up for Sundays game. We have been sooooooo looking forward to this and praying Robynn would feel well enough to go, and our prayers have been answered.....Thank You Jesus!

I ask for your continued prayers so that Robynn can enjoy this trip without discomfort,tiredness or pain and with a full appetite!

Pray On!
xoxo
S

Holdin Strong!

Still tired!
Still "Standing"!
Still Faithful!
Still...what we expect from Miss Robynn!!!:)

Your prayers help IMMENSELY!(sp;)

Psalm 8:3-4 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers -- the moon and the stars you have set in place -- what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?

I love you all!
Pray On!

Amy Vallejo

"Army Goodell", I am once again enlisting your Incredible prayer power for our friend, Amy. She suffered a stroke today and as a result, broke her ankle and is paralyzed on her right side. She is in the Stroke Unit at a local hospital. She has 5 children and too many grandchildren to count and will require a tremendous amount of prayer support now and through in her recovery.

Thank you again for widening our "circle of prayer", fueled with faith, compassion and love!

Pray On you Mighty Warriors!!!
XOXO,
S