THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2006 07:18 AM, CST

Good morning everyone!
Kristina has asked that I post and let you all know what is going on today. She and John are going to Baptist Hospital this morning at 6 AM to have a procedure done that will drain the fluid that has built up in her abdomen due to her liver becoming enlarged. She will be there for the majority of the day, but will be home this evening. We don't know much more at this time.
Kristina has asked for lots of prayer as she is very scared and feeling anxious about receiving the results from her oncologist tomorrow morning. Please keep she and John in your prayers today. They are both exhausted from the toll that the last few weeks have taken on both of them. Please also remember Ms. Dean, Kristina's mother. As you can imagine, Ms. Dean is taking care of the girls, Kristina and the household and all with a smile on her face and a positiveness that radiates through out the house. Praise God for her!!!
I would like to issue a challenge to each of you: let's surprise Kristina and have 50 post on here when she comes home tonight. What an encouragement that would be! I encourage ALL of you that log on to her site to post a message. Now Mel, Teri and Mom Wood - hold back!! Let's see how the day goes before you start posting 15 messages each! :)
I will be sure to update Kristina's journal if we receive any additional news. I thank each one of you for your sweet post and fervent prayers for Kristina and her family. Happy posting!
In His Love,
Stephanie

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2006 02:25 PM, CST

Update from John:
Kristina's stomach started hurting very badly this morning. We just came from her oncologist's office. They believe there could be an obstruction of some kind. Because of this, we are waiting at Hermitage Imaging Center for a stomach x-ray. After that her oncologist will call us back with a suggestion. This could entail medication at best and hospital admittance/surgery at worst. Please keep Kristina and the rest of our family in your prayers.

Thank You,
John Schlegel

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2006 09:08 AM, CST

Well, today may be a little better. I'm up and walking around. The medicine did help, but it is way too strong for me. I'm not eating very much and all that pain medicine was really doing a number on me.
Yesterday was a little tough. My stomach and back hurt pretty much all day with very little relief.
Bonnie and January, thank you so much for making the drive to come and visit with me. What an encouragement you were Bonnie. Your story is amazing! Thanks for praying over me. I love how faithful you are. I love that I relate to you so much. You have walked my path. I'm sorry I was kinda of out of it. I listened to every word and I thanked God for sending you to me. You're such a quiet spirit. What a blessing I'm sure you are to so many. Oh, and by the way, for someone who has battled this disease....you look amazing. Bonnie, you are beautiful inside and OUT!
Thanks Mel for going out to eat with Bonnie and January. I'm sorry I wasn't able to go. I hope you had extra croutons for me. :-)
January, I think Abby would have went home with you. You made a little friend last night. Thanks for playing with her and loving on her.
Stef, thanks for being here. I'm sorry I kept you so long. Were Matt's parents okay? Also, thanks Stef for chasing Abby. I love when I can just relax and the girls are completely occupied.
Teri, I know each and every one of you. Your words are PERFECT because they're yours. I just love seeing everyone post. Please update me on you. I feel so out of the loop.
I hope everyone has a GREAT day. I'll keep everyone posted.
Blessings,
Kristina

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2006 05:05 PM, CST

Here is an update from John:
Kristina is in a good deal of pain today. She went into her oncologists office this morning. They told her that unfortunately this is not completely unexpected and that she is simply going to have to fight through it. They did give her a liquid form of her pain medication and upped the amount she can take. If that doesn't work they will give her a pain patch. I hope it doesn't come to that but at least we know that's out there as an option. The patches are apparently very effective.
She is extremely emotional and would love to speak with every one of you if her body would allow it. She told me to pass along her appreciation for your support and especially for your prayers. Please keep them coming during this very difficult time for Kristina and our family.
John

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2006 12:58 PM, CST

This is John.
Kristina is in a good deal of pain today. She went into her oncologist’s office this morning. They told her that unfortunately this is not completely unexpected and that she is simply going to have to fight through it. They did give her a liquid form of her pain medication and upped the amount she can take. If that doesn’t work they will give her a pain patch. I hope it doesn’t come to that but at least we know that’s out there as an option. The patches are apparently very effective.
Kristina really needs her rest today so please do not call the house for the time being. She is extremely emotional and would love to speak with every one of you if her body would allow it. She is simply unable to have any contact right now but told me to pass along her appreciation for your support and especially for your prayers. Please keep them coming during this very difficult time for Kristina and our family.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2006 06:49 PM, CST

Today has been a little better. The pain has eased up a little. I haven't had to take as much pain medicine today.
Mom kept the girls in Watertown the past few nights to help me get some rest. I sure missed them. I kept Abby home with me today and just enjoyed loving on her.
I missed my church family today. Thank you Brian for taking care of Em in Children's Church. I really appreciate everyone loving on my girls.
Thank you Mel, Mom Wood and Teri for stopping by and spending some time with me. That was a nice surprise. Mom Wood, I love my blanket. I have it all ready in my closet for my quiet time. That was so thoughtful. Teri, I loved seeing you. Mel, thank you for praying over me. You're AWESOME!
Stef, I'm so glad you're back. I'm glad you guys had fun on your trip. How is your tooth treating you? I hope you get to feeling better.
I need to ask for everyone to pray for my dear friend Linda in Houston. Her cancer is back and pretty aggressive in her lymph nodes. She has surgery tomorrow to have her port put in and will then start chemo again. She needs a lot of prayer right now as you can imagine.
Bonnie, we're all sooooo excited to meet you. I can't wait to hear your story. What an encouragement you've been to me so far and we haven't even met. Thank you January for getting her in touch with me.
I hope everyone has a good week. I will keep everyone posted.
Thanks for all the prayers.
Blessings,
Kristina

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2006 09:04 AM, CST

This is John. Please pray for Kristina right now. She is in severe pain. Her head hurts again and she is now having sharp pain in her right lung every time she takes a breath.
This has now become a tremendous emotional drain to her on top of all of the physical pain. So please lift her up in your prayers today. Ask God to take away her pain. We have a message in with Dr. Raefsky's nurse to see if there is another medicine she may be able to take to help with the pain.
Thank you.
John

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2006 08:54 PM, CST

I'm loving the "Thankful posts". Here goes mine:
I'm so thankful for the sovereign God we serve. I'm also thankful for God's perfect plan for my life.
I'm so thankful for my mom. Without her, I couldn't get through this battle. She is the glue to our family and I thank God for her every day.
I'm thankful for my AWESOME husband John. He is the best husband and father. God truly blessed me with him. I pray that God will continue molding me into the perfect wife for him.
I'm thankful for my sweet little girls. They are the reason I get up every morning and battle this horrible disease. I want to live and be the best mommy that God desires me to be.
I'm thankful for my BIG brother. I love him so much and I see God working on him and I love to see that change in him. What an AWESOME God we serve. I'm thankful for how close Keith and I have become.
I'm also so thankful for my little sister. Where do I start? She loves my little girls more than I could ever imagine. I'm also very thankful for my sweet niece Macy. She is a joy and a blessing to our family.
I'm so thankful for my nephew Jonathan. I have loved him from the moment I saw him. I love him so much. I'm so thankful he is living with us and I get to watch him become an amazing young man.
I'm thankful for John's family. They have always made me feel like one of them and I love them so much. I miss them terribly and pray that one day we will all live close to them.
I'm thankful for my dad. I have such fond memories of him from when I was a little girl. I know he is here for me today if I need him for anything.
I'm thankful for my Nene. She is such an inspiration to me, having gone through what I'm battling twice and surviving. She has always been so good to me and I love her so much.
I'm SO thankful for my church family. You have all been there for me from DAY ONE! I cannot tell you how much your prayers and encouragement have meant to me. I count on you so much and you do not disappoint. I only pray that you realize how much I love you.
I'm so thankful for all of my girlfriends. You all have given me so much love and support in your own special ways. Each of you has different gifts the Lord has given you that have all been very important to me at different times. I'm thankful that you've all been so selfless in my time of need.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all truly have so much to be thankful for.
Blessings,
Kristina

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2006 07:51 PM, CST

Well, I went to the doctor this morning. I was really out of it and so weak. It took a lot out of me just to get ready to go.
I was so glad I went. They determined I was dehydrated and needed fluids. They hooked me up to fluids right away and to some anti-nausea medicine. I had lost 5lbs in two weeks. I haven't had an appetite at all. They precribed some medicine to help me with that and a steriod to help with my energy. They're also treating me for a sinus infection. I pray I'm back to normal soon. This chemo is tough. I'm already dreading the next dose December 7.
I know God is doing a mighty work here. I know He is going to heal me. It's just going to be in His timing not mine. This has been a tough couple of weeks for me physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thanks to everyone who is praying so diligently for me. I know He is still in the business of miracles and I'm looking forward to the day I'm healed. Heal me, O Lord, and I will be Healed. I say this throughout the day and what a comfort it gives me. Thanks Mel for reminding me of this.
I'm completely trusting Him right now. I think this is where God has been trying to get me to. I'm there! I'm listening. But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemy. Psalm 31: 14-15
Thanks for all the posts. I love reading them. I will keep everyone updated.
I hope I can get out tomorrow and get all I need for our Thanksgiving dinner. I pray this medicine will work and I will be up to eating some turkey.
Have a HAPPY Tuesday. Keep posting.
Blessings,
Kristina

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2006 07:57 AM, CST

Hello everyone. I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. This chemo has been really tough on me. I haven't been out of bed very much.
I go to the doctor today. I will update everyone later.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday.
Blessings,
Kristina

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2006 11:39 PM, CST

Today started out pretty horrible. I was in a lot of pain and really down. Stef and Mel to the rescue! Thank you guys for coming over and hanging out with me, crying with me, laughing with me and praying with me. That was just what I needed! You guys are AWESOME! Also, I love the scripture on my mirror. I'm so thankful to have you guys.
This afternoon I was able to get up take a shower and get ready for Em's party. We had a great time. I took it easy at the party. I didn't do too much jumping. Thanks to everyone for making Em's party so much fun. We're still dressing Barbies! I've got some good pictures of the relay races! Stef, you're competitive. When I get better, you're going down. :-)
Grandma and Grandpa Schlegel, we're going to miss you guys so much. Thanks for helping me out so much with the girls. What's it going to take to get you guys to move here?
Misti, I think grandma and papa are ready to get some loving from your sweet girls. I guess I can share them. :-)
I'm feeling pretty good tonight! Praise God. I hope the worst is over. I'm looking forward to having a good weekend with John and the girls.
Keep posting!
Blessings,
Kristina