Tracy, April, Alyssa and Trystan Watson Family

JEANS MONTH - HUGE SUCCESS!!!!!

We would like to share that our Jeans Month was a HUGE success!!! Trystan and Alyssa were able to raise $11,300 for St. Louis Children's Hospital 9th Floor Hematology/Oncology Unit.

Businesses had "clever" ways to participate in Jeans Month. We would like to share those with you:

-The Bond County Sheriff's Department allowed their deputies to pay to grow facial hair and their dispatchers to wear jeans.
-St. Mary's School, in Edwardsville, extended not only to their staff but to their students, who wear uniforms every day, to pay to wear their jeans on Fridays during the month of February!
-West Springs Church in Missouri dedicated a Jeans Sunday and all the members of the church paid $1 to wear their jeans to church that Sunday.
-Watson's Drug Store made buttons that said, "Ask Me Why I'm Wearing Jeans"
-McCracken, Dawdy, Hall Family Practice made stickers to explain why they were wearing jeans.
-Pickerill's Pick'n "N" Grinn'n hosted a fundraiser at their restaurant for an entire Saturday.

Those businesses that allowed their employees to pay to wear their jeans, varied in the way they participated. Some allowed their employees to wear jeans for the entire month! While others did once a week, every Friday, twice a week for the month, etc. Any way you look at it, the businesses of our community and surrounding communities came together to help "give back"!

We also had businesses and factories that are already allowed to wear jeans to work take up a collection just to help "give back."

We had more than three dozen businesses either participate or collecto donations:

The Hardas Team-Highland, IL
Bridget Tinsley Photography-Highland, IL
Southwestern Electric-Greenville, IL
DeCurtis Corporation-Orlando, FL
FCC Preschool-Greenville, IL
First National Bank-Greenville, IL
Washington University Department of Surgery-St. Louis, MO
Enertech-Greenville, IL
Greenville Elementary School-Greenville, IL
Midland State Bank-Greenville, IL
Tri-Ford-Highland, IL
Ford Square-Mt. Vernon, IL
Greenville Jr. High 6th Graders-Greenville, IL
Glow Salon & Med Spa-MO
West Springs Church-MO
Bradford National Bank-Greenville, IL
DeMoulin's-Greenville, IL
St. Mary's School-Edwardsville, IL
VFW Ladies Auxiliary-Highland, IL
Schnuck's-Fairview Heights, IL
Bond County Health Department-Greenville, IL
Bass Mollett-Greenville, IL
TRICOR Braun-MO
Bond County Courthouse-Greenville, IL
Montgomery County Nursing & Rehab-Hillsboro, IL
McCracken, Dawdy, Hall Family Practice-Greenville, IL
SIUE Human Resources-Edwardsville, IL
United Stationers-Greenville, IL
Main Street Galaxy Restaurant-Alhambra, IL
Terra Properties-Highland, IL
Bond County Sheriff's Department-Greenville, IL
IGA-Staunton, IL
Pickerill's Pick'n "N" Grinn'n-Staunton, IL
Ethal's-Highland, IL
Mulberry Grove Elementary School-Mulberry Grove, IL
Watson's Drug Store-Greenville, IL
Pocahontas & Sorento Elementary Schools-Pocahontas & Sorento, IL
Salon de Guerra-Highland, IL
Law Offices of Michael Diaz-Greenville, IL
Klaus Services-Highland, IL

Our family was overwhelmed with the response to Jeans Month. In the beginning we were hoping to raise $500-$1,000. That goal was met before February 1st. Our girls then set a goal of $5,000 and that was surpassed! Lastly, they set a goal of $10,000 which was met at the very end of March. But the calls and checks kept coming through the second week of March. Our family would like to thank the businesses who participated and gave donations! We would also like to thank the many inidividual donations we received from those who just wanted to give.

My husband and I took the girls down to St. Louis Children's Hospital March 21, 2010 to present the donations to the hospital. Upon arrival the hospital had printed a "HUGE" check to present. The girls presented the check to Dr. Wilson, Dr. Ziga, and Nurse Practitioner Karen from the 9th Floor.

Thank you all for everything,

The Watson Family :)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

July 14, 2009

Today was a great day! Trystan and Alyssa had some gift cards and spending money from birthdays, etc. and since Trystan's white cells were good we did some shopping today. It is small things like this that make the good days extra special.

We will be going to have counts again tomorrow morning in Maryville and then heading down to St. Louis to meet with the surgeon. If Trystan's counts are good enough for chemo she should be admitted for treatment on thursday. She will then be in the hospital from July 16th through July 21st.

Monday, July 13, 2009

July 13, 2009

Alyssa and I took Trystan to Maryville for counts this morning. We just received a call from the doctor's office letting us know that her hemoglobin is great, white cells are good, but her plateletts are continuing to drop. They are not yet low enough for a transfusion but not high enough for chemo. Therefore, she will not be admitted tomorrow morning for treatment. We are to discontinue her "superhero" shots because her white blood cells are doing o.k. Wednesday will be a busy day for us. We will have to go for counts first thing in Maryville, then head over to see the doctor that will be performing Trystan's surgery. If Trystan makes counts on wednesday, she will be admitted for chemo treatment on thursday.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

July 12, 2009

Alyssa and I went to church this morning. Then we went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart. Trystan and Tracy stayed at home. We will go for counts tomorrow to see if she will be able to be admitted tuesday for her last treatment before surgery.

July 11, 2009

Today was again a pretty good day for us. Trystan still seemed to be a little tired yet today.

Friday, July 10, 2009

July 10, 2009

Today went pretty well again for us. Trystan seemed to be getting more energy late in the day. I sure hope that this is a sign that counts are on there way up.

July 9, 2009

Well, this morning after we dropped Alyssa off at Cheer K Camp we headed for Maryville to have Trystan's bloodwork done. She has been tired all day again, so we were not expecting very good news when the doctor's office called. The doctor's office told us that she didn't make counts for treatment on Monday. Her white blood cell is not bouncing back like after the past short treatments. The good news is her hemoglobin is up and her plateletts are still good. We have to continue the shots through the weekend. We also got a call from the surgeon's office to come in next week Wednesday to go over scans and begin talking about the surgery.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

July 8, 2009

Today went pretty good for us. Trystan has been very tired, probably from her counts being low. Tomorrow she will have counts done to see if the transfusion has raised her hemoglobin and if her plateletts and white blood cells are bouncing back yet.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

July 7, 2009

We had to be at the clinic in Children's Hospital at 10:30 a.m. It was a slow start. We weren't called back until almost 11 a.m. Her port was accessed by 11:30 a.m. At that time they took blood for a CBC to be run. We had to wait for that to come back hoping that her hemoglobin had come up and she wouldn't need a transfusion. But, it came back and the number had actually dropped so she deffinately had to have the transfusion. The transfusion was started by 12:30 p.m. and was to last two hours. It was finished by then and as soon as the transfusion was finished they flushed her port and deaccessed her and we were free to leave. Poor thing thought she was finished but when we got back to the car Tracy and I had to give her her super hero shot in the parking garage. After that was all said and done we were on our way home and she was really hungry!

Alyssa was still able to attend Cheer K Camp and later in the day got to go swimming at the Greenville public pool with grandma and Kortnie.

Monday, July 6, 2009

July 6, 2009

Alyssa started Cheer K Camp today and will have it all week. Trystan was finally old enough to do it this year but because of her leg she will have to wait yet another year to do it. After dropping Alyssa off at camp, Trystan and I headed down to Maryville for counts. Early this afternoon we received a call from the doctor's office that her Hemoglobin is low and will have to come in to the clinic tomorrow for a transfusion. Please pray that the transfusion goes well and she doesn't develop a fever. Also, please pray for John, Tracy's father. He is having surgery tomorrow morning on his hip.

July 5, 2009

We came home this afternoon from camping. It was nice to be home. Trystan didn't get sick at all today!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe 4th of July holiday.

July 4, 2009

Trystan woke up this morning hungry and ate a pretty good breakfast. We thought we were in the clear of her being sick, but late morning she did get sick. Soon after getting sick she was hungry and ate well the rest of the day without getting sick.

We had to spend the bulk of the day inside the camper because of all the rain. As soon as it stopped Alyssa got on her new bike she got for her birthday, I got on my bike and Trystan got in her bike cart and we went bike riding. It was nice to get out of the camper!

July 3, 2009

Happy 9th birthday Alyssa!!

Trystan woke up this morning and got sick, but throughout the day seemed to feel a little better. Our friends took us out on their pontoon boat early evening and the girls loved it! Thanks Keith and Anita!!

July 2, 2009

Today was a pretty good day for Trystan. Although she didn't get sick today she didn't feel the best. We are leaving today to go camping in the camper for the holiday weekend. This is one thing that both of our girls love to do...camping.

Thursday, July 2, 2009

July 1, 2009

Trystan made it all through the night without getting sick! However, she did end up getting sick about 8:30 this morning. We also got to come home today and were home by about 4 p.m. We were all glad to be home. Trystan ate a good supper and also had a snack later and was able to keep it all down. Hopefully she will not have the delayed nausea and vomiting like after the last short treatment.

Prayer Requests

When you are praying for our family please also try and remember the following other people going through similar circumstances.

• We thank God that Trystan continues to be cancer free and that she is now able to walk without the aid of a walker or wheelchair. God has been soooo good to us and has shown His Power, Love, and Mercy through this, we are so thankful! Trystan still continues to struggle a little in school because she missed almost her entire 1st grade year. Please pray for patients for her as she realizes that it is harder for her than others in class.

• Please remember to pray for Alyssa. She is the forgotten victim in this and is having some problems with adjusting to the life that we now live. She has been so sweet and understanding in so many ways, but please pray that she will not feel left out or unwanted. This has been a huge challenge for us since Trystan requires so much attention.

. Michael Vaughn: A 12 year old boy from Bunker Hill recently diagnosed in July of 2011 with Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

.Teri (Tracy's sister) was diagnosed with cancer February 2011. Please pray for strength for Teri. Also remember her husband Brad, and three boys(Trenton, Tyler, and Toby) as they all go through this difficult time of waiting for scan results, etc.

• Megan: A 15 year old girl from Southern MO that has the same disease as Trystan except hers started in her arm and spread to her lungs.

. Ben: A 12 year old boy from St. Louis area that had the same disease as Trystan. His started in his shoulder. PTL he is cancer free, but has just had yet another surgery to correct problems he has been having with his shoulder continuing to pop out.

• Tracy's Mom (Doris) as she continues to struggle with the loss of John.

• Gracie Hassard: A young girl from Staunton who had her brain tumor removed. PTL Gracie completed her chemo treatments February 2011! She still has a lot of recovering to do and is getting stronger with every day!

.Aaron Robinson: A 6 year old who has relapsed with Ewing Sarcoma February 2011. Please pray for strength for Aaron to fight the cancer, for his parents and brother, for wisdom for the doctors, nurses, and staff that will be treating him.

Encouragement

We have found the following bible verses and quotes to be a source of strength for us as we go through this time.

• 2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
• Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• Philippians 4:11-13
11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
• Philippians 4:19
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9But he 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. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• John 14:1
Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
• Isaiah 43:1-2
1 But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“ Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
• Isaiah 40: 29-31
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.