Back at It

Now it's time to get back at it. Allison has treatments everyday this week. She has a treatment this afternoon then the rest of the appointments will be at 7:00 a.m. They will come home Friday, after her treatment, for the weekend. Please be praying for her at these times the rest of this week. She has been starting to feel some of the side effects of the radiation.

It was great to see my wife and little girl this weekend. It was funny how they know where things are and how to get to them in both Boomington and Spencer already. Before the IU game Saturday, Cindy took us to MPRI where she gets her treatments. We also went to Bloomington South. Wow, what a big school!

Allison wanted to make sure I continue to thank everyone for the cards and prayers. She looks forward to thanking everyone in person when the treatments are done.

God bless all of you.

Trent

Thanksgiving in Missouri

Wow! What a weekend. A lot of traveling but a lot fun. The boys and I were excited to pick up Mom and Allison Wednesday evening. We then followed the Pinions to Webb City, MO. We arrived about 2:30 a.m. A special thanks to Doug and Crystal (one of Dave's sisters) for allowing us to stay in their house during our stay. Thursday was, of course, a great meal and I managed to stuff myself....again. On Friday the girls did a little shopping and Dave's youngest brother, John, and Dave's Dad took the boys, Chase, Dave and I to a public park shooting range. The boys had a blast shooting some guns of John. It was great for John to take the time to show the boys some gun safety and correct ways to handle them.

Allison loved seeing Chase's grandparents and family again. They have been so nice and supportive to her. Cindy and I also enjoyed getting to know them this past weekend. Here's a picture of Allison and a cousin of Chase's, Katlin (probably didn't spell it right).

Early Saturday morning we left and went back to Spencer, IN. We went to an IU game, saw my cousin Austin and went back to the house to watch, unfortunately, another ND football loss. The boys and I came back this afternoon.

It was a long weekend but an absolute blast. Most importantly, we were together after being separated for almost two weeks. That is what I was most thankful for on this Thanksgiving.

Look for the opportunity.....

So far so good on the treatments. Allison had another one early this morning and is ready for a couple days off. The boys and I will be heading down this afternoon to Spencer, IN and pick them up. Then we will be going with the Pinion family to Missouri. For some reason Allison thinks she needs to spend time with Chase.... hum... Then we will head back Friday to spend time with Allison and Cindy in Bloomington and go to an IU game Saturday.

The picture I have posted today is Allison and a little girl named Jada. Jada has been having to be sedated during her treatments. The doctors would like her to be able to go through the treatments awake. Jada was very nervous about doing that so they hooked her up with Allison. Allison spent time talking with her and assuring her it wasn't a big deal. Jada even got to watch Allison get her treatment.

This just reaffirms my belief in that God has a hand in all of this and that it was planned that Allison could be there with this little girl. I know we tend, as Christians, to say "It's all in God's plans". How often do we say that but not really mean it? We tend to say that as a way to comfort others. We have to believe it as well! This whole thing was definitely not in my plans for my daughter, for sure. But, this has been a reminder to me of how God does work things out. I could list so many things that have worked out for us during this whole trial. From doctors visits to people we've come in contact with that we never even knew, to all of our family and friends that have been helping us out, to the teachers and administration at Fairfield and at Bloomington South. I am so proud of Allison looking for that opportunity to help someone else out during her own trial. God is most definitely working!

My family would like to wish your family a blessed Thanksgiving! Your encouragements, prayers, hugs and food have meant so much to us. We are thankful for you!

Trent, Cindy, Allison, Tyler and Timothy

# 4 Down

Nothing much new to report. Treatment #4 is done and now only 30 more to go. As always, thanks for your prayers and encouragement.

Special thanks from the boys and I for all the meals. They are delicious.

Trent

More treatments

Allison had a couple of days off this weekend from treatments. We did, however, find out that she will have treatments until January 8th. We thought she would done on December 31st but Dr. Cheng has ordered an additional four treatments to take up to thirty-four total.

Allison spent most of the weekend working on homework, homework and more homework.

Many of you have asked me for her address while she's down for treatmeants. Here it is:

Allison Hostetler
1318 Freeman Rd.
Spencer, IN 47460


Thanks and keep praying!

Trent

Supper with Austin

Last night Cindy and Allison met with my cousin Austin for supper. He is a senior at IU. Now, I promise I won't hold that against him (ha ha). They had a great time getting to know each other more. Cindy said it was a fun time.

Thanks Austin for checking in on them!


I promised I would try to update this daily. Well, I know yesterdays was late, but, you'll notice is was still dated Friday!

Looks like we will be going to Missouri to spend Thanksgiving with the Pinion family. We will be there a couple of days then back to Bloomington to go to an IU game. It will be good for the five us to do something together again. I still may wear one of my Notre Dame shirts though......

Allison hasn't felt any of the coming side effects, yet. So keep praying that they will be minimal when they do start coming on.

May God bless you in a special way today.


Trent

"Wafflized"

As you see, by the picture, the mask was a little tighter today. Allison had her second and third treatments. So far everything has gone well. The staff at MPRI are awesome and very helpful, according to Allison. Thanks to everyone for the prayers. Keep them coming!

Trent

One Down and Twenty Nine To Go.....

Well the first treatment is complete. Everything went well and Allison told me last night she was not feeling any side effects. Course, they said that she wouldn't start feeling the side effects until they get further along in the treatments. Today she has one at 4:30 this afternoon. Above is a picture of Allison take yesterday outside of MPRI.

She attended some classes for the first time at Bloomington South. It was an interesting experience for her and maybe just a taste at what college life could be in a couple of years. One nice thing was that they are using the same book, as Fairfield, for Pre-Calculus. As she put it, the classes are a little more laid back than at Fairfield. The teachers seem to be more "on task" at Fairfield than Bloomington South. (Great job Fairfield teachers!) The teachers at Bloomington South are very helpful and are willing to spend a little extra time to answer Allison's questions. Thank you to all you teachers and your answer to the call of helping kids.

Keep praying for protection over Cindy and Allison while they're away from home. Also that Allison's side effects will be limited. May God Bless you in a special way today.

Trent

Phil. 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

The Little Things

I am sure you've all heard of the "its the little things in life that...." phrase. Allison sent me a picture of something she thought was funny. Cindy and her ate lunch at a place that had mini pitchers for glasses for their pop. Allison thought it was so funny she sent the picture and called me and we laughed about it. After I talked to her I realized how important it was to hear her laughing, even though it was "little thing". Just to know that she hasn't changed and she still enjoys life with the stress of what is approaching her and how she's dealing with it. She is a special girl.

This morning she is attending some Spanish III classes at Bloomington South. This will help her with the vocal portions of class that she is missing out at Fairfield. She is learning very quickly how nice her small school is. She said there is like 600 kids in the cafeteria at a time, per lunch period. That's almost as much as her whole high school put together! But, it will be a good another learning experience for her. Mr. Fletcher, the principal at Bloomington South, has been very helpful. Thanks again to Mr. Hoskins for setting that up!

Here first treatment is set for 2:30 this afternoon. She will then have treatments at 4:30 on Thursday and 4:00 on Friday. She is looking forward to getting going with these and starting the count down from 30 treatments.

Things are going well at home with me and the boys. We definitely aren't starving! Thanks to all who have provided meals and are going to provide meals. Course, I maybe quite larger by the time Cindy and Allison are back, oh well. Please keep Tyler and Timothy in your prayers as they go through the change of not having Mom and Sis around. They are troopers but I know it bothers them.

Until next time....."remember the little things in life and cherish them"

Trent

"Practice Round"

Not a whole lot to report today. Allison has a 10:00 appointment with Dr. Cheng, the oncologist. He is a very nice man and most importantly a Christian! The first time we met with him he asked at the end of the appointment if it was ok if he prayed with us. We were immediately reminded of God's presence in the room and His hand over Allison. After the appointment with Dr. Cheng, she has a "treatment simulation" at MPRI. This is the proton radiation clinic. What I can gather is that the simulation is to make sure everybody is lined up and on the same page. At some point today they are also going to make contact with the principal at Bloomington South. Mr. Hoskins, Fairfield's Principal, has made contact with him and has laid the groundwork for Allison to get some tutoring while she is down there. So a lot of prep work today! Thanks again to all of you who came over Sunday evening! I am still overwhelmed!

Thankful!

Thanks! That's the word that sums it all up. That's the word I want to send to all of you who came and gave Allison such an awesome send off. I really never knew we could fit that many people in our house at one time. As I told someone earlier, I was pretty sure there was some kind of fire code violation with that many people. But, what it told my family is how fortunate we are to have so many friends and family we have. I cannot express how much it meant to have each and everyone one of you come and give Allison one last hug before she, and the rest of the family, go on this journey of radiation treatments. One that I never in my wildest dreams think that we would have to endure with one of our children. Thankfully it is benign and treatable. It makes me think of all of those families that have to endure cancerous treatments and lift them up in a special way today. A special prayer goes up for Keri Rohr as she continues treatment for malignant tumor that was removed. Here parents are classmates and good friends of mine. She is one strong kid and Allison has gotten to know and love her for her strength and the example she is to Allison. So, when you pray for Allison please remember Keri as well. So one last thanks to all of you for your love and support you showed last night. A special thanks to Dave Hartzler for taking so many pictures! Here are just a few.

We are a blessed family!

Trent