Friday, July 28, 2006

28 Days

It's Friday again! I decided a few days ago that you know you've been in the hospital too long when you open your second family size package of toilet paper. :-) Hopefully I'll make it out of here before the third.

This week of waiting has managed to pass rather quickly. My family has been kind to visit frequently and help keep me entertained. Wednesday we celebrated our third wedding anniversary. My husband ordered Outback to go and we actually had a really nice dinner here in my room. I had a migraine but apparently I'm in the right place for those, because they were quick to give me Darvocet and anti-nausea meds and I spent the entire day feeling quite mellow. Last week I spent an evening pouting when I realized I wouldn't get to celebrate my anniversary the way I wanted to -- I had been so determined to make this year special -- but you have all helped to give me a lot of perspective. I ended up focusing on being thankful that I'm able to celebrate this anniversary, which is a gift in and of itself, and that I have my spouse by my side. I spent the day praying for all of you whose spouses are overseas serving our country. Such a sacrifice you are asked to make everyday.

Yesterday I received platelets, and had a slight reaction to them. Thankfully nothing major, but it shook me up quite a bit and made me nervous about today's blood transfusion. It's been going for about an hour now, and so far so good. I'm thankful for yet another evidence of God's mercies. My doctor said this morning that hopefully yesterday was the last time I will need platelets. He is very optimistic, which he said is a good thing because oncology isn't a field for pessimists. I am really excited to find out my results next week. I know that there will be grace for the outcome, and God has given so much peace.

I've had three mail deliveries so far today! I'm starting to receive so many cards from those of you I have never met. How you bless my heart! I just sit here and cry with each one. Know that you encourage my family as well, and that you are giving me so many opportunities to share my testimony with the staff. One of the nurses said we're going to have to start hanging them on the ceiling.

I'll end with a song that has often been on my heart and tongue:

Thy mercy, my god is the theme of my song
The joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue
Thy free grace alone from the first to the last
Hath won my affection and bound my soul fast

Without thy sweet mercy I could not live here
Sin would reduce me to utter despair
But through thy free goodness my spirit's revived
And he that first made me still keeps me alive

- John Stocker

13 comments:

Lauren said...

I was in the hospital for 7 weeks during my pregnancy with my son. After weeks of hospital food, I finally had the bright idea to ask the doctors if they had a menu of delivery resteraunts in the are. THEY DID! My husband and I were so excited to find out how many places we had to choose from.

I highly recommend looking into what delivery options are availible in your area, so you can enjoy more food with flavor without having to sacrifice any time with your family.

Congratulations on your 3 year, may there be many MANY more years to come.

God bless,
Lauren

Anonymous said...

Hi Amy and All!
We have checked your blog several times a day and were in hopes that you were still doing all right. We meet people nearly every day that are praying for you and your family and let others know how to get word from you here. Thank You.

May the Lord continue to be your strength and comfort.

Don and Lilan

Anonymous said...

Amy,
It's so great to hear from you! Congratulations on your anniversary! Isn't is a gift from God to have a sweet, caring, Godly husband? (Trust me, I know!) I am praying for you and can't wait to get positive news next week!

Love,
Emily Baker

Dawn said...

I am so happy to hear that you are hanging in there and that are receiving the cards. It is so great that they are opening up opportunities for you to share your faith in Jesus Christ and His power. Happy anniversary!!

Anonymous said...

get well soon amyyyyy

kara beckett

(She wanted to type Amy, so I thought what a better message for her than to send you a get well message. Hang in there sweetie, you will beat this, and Happy Anniversary, wow it's been three years already?!)
Anna

Barb said...

Happy Anniversary, Amy. Not the best place to celebrate it but it sounds like your hubby made it special. I love Outback!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Hi, Amy, and Happy Anniversary! With God's grace, next year you will be able to celebrate the way you want to. I'm praying for good results when your tests come back next week, even beyond your wildest expectations. I'm glad your spirits are up and you aren't as sick as you were with the first round of chemo. Praying for a good weekend for you, and may God bless you and your family and friends as you wait on God's will. :-)

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear from you Amy. Happy anniversary. Sounds like your husband found a way to make it special. That is awesome about you being able to share your testimony w/the staff. I wondered about that because I know you said some people don't even get cards. What a neat thing to have open doors to share about where your strength and hope is coming from. God is good at all times. Praying for you now and especially next week.

Wendy

Anonymous said...

Hey Amy,
When you find out the exact time of your biopsy, will you post it so we can know exactly when to focus our prayers for you?

Thanks,
Emily B.

Anonymous said...

28 Days. Wow. It's probably been an eternity to you, but on this side it doesn't seem like it couldn't have been that long.

Praying earnestly for your biopsy on Monday.

iamchanelle said...

happy anniversary, sweetie. you are an AMAZING woman.

we love you -
clint and chanelle richardson

Carrie said...

So glad to hear that you are fine. I was beginning to get concerned since you hadn't posted for several days. Not to make you feel bad, but to let you know that I (and many others) are checking on you, waiting to hear from you, praying for you. Praying:

that You, O God of our Lord Jesus Christ, Father of glory, may give to Amy a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him; that the eyes of her heart may be enlightened, so that she will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. (Eph 1:17-19)

Anonymous said...

7/30
Hello Amy,

I am a friend of your grandfather's new wife. I have been following your posts for days and I want you to know how your strength and faith have blessed my life. I pray for you tonight, as I know you are about to undergo another bone marrow biopsy. May the Lord strengthen and uphold you and hold you gently in his care.

Lynda Imber