It seems that God has seen fit to prolong my journey. Dr. Perry just came in and said my biopsy still showed leukemic cells, so I will be starting a five day continuous round of chemo this afternoon, followed by a seven day rest and then another biopsy. I am thankful for an answer, even though I will admit it's not the one I wanted. He did say that originally my cells were almost 100% leukemic, and now they are down to 5%. (Less than that would qualify as remission.) I find hope in this, that the second round of chemo will take care of things and I won't ultimately need a bone marrow transplant.
I feel tired and weak to enter into this again, but in some ways I am healthier now than I was with the first round. My immune system is still non-existent, but it was compromised to begin with, so things should just be like last time. I will get sick again, and we will pray that the antibiotics will take care of things like they did with my high fever previously. With leukemia, that's how you die. You end up without any good cells to fight off common viruses, etc, and ultimately die of something like pneumonia.
Pray for me, that I will have the physical strength to make it through another round of chemo, that the Lord would sustain me in every way, and for my family as they serve me through what will be at least another 3 weeks in the hospital.
To God be the glory!
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About Me
- Brandon Wilhoite
- Amy was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia subtype M4 on July 2, 2006. For your convenience, Brandon & Gary can be contacted via email through amysblog@mac.com.
Timeline
- August 2007 - Clofarabine & Cytarabine with possible second transplant
- August 2007 - Intrathecal Methotrexate
- June - July 2007 - FLAG w/ mylotarg
- April 2007 - AML M4 MLL-ELL Diagnosis
- March - June 2007: Experimental DLIs
- March - June 2007: Decitabine 5/28
- November 2006 - Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (brother)
- September 2006 - Salvage Regimen - MEC
- July 2006 - Reinduction - Cytarabine & Daunarubicin 5/2
- July 2006 - Induction - Cytarabine & Daunarubicin 7/3
- July 2, 2006 - AML M4 Diagnosis
But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. - 2 Corinthians 4:5-18
24 comments:
Amy,a few words for you from my morning studying:The Bible's answer to worry couldnt be clearer. "Do not be anxious about anyting, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Then comes God's promise: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7. I will be praying first of all for strength in the face of this fear, for God helps us hold on in the midst of life's storms. Love, Meam.
Amy,
We think of you all the time. Thank you so much for your blog. You will no doubt help other people by explaining what you are going through. We so admire your strength and your optimism. We are hoping that you will get very good news very soon. We are glad that some progress is being made. Being with Gary must be so wonderful for you. Please get well soon.
Ruth and Chuck Kutscher
Amy and Family, Thanks much for keeping us posted on things there. We are thankful for your strength though I know it may not seem strength to you right now. You have come a long way and are strong in the Lord. Maybe those 5% bad guys are pinned in the corner now and are about to be moved out ??
May the Lord continue to strengthen and lead each and all. You are in out hearts and in prayer continually and we love you.
Don and Lilan
Hi Amy- I linked to your blog from another site. I can relate to your story as I have been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. I will pray for you- being in the hospital continuously has got to be... not fun, to say the least. I was only in the hospital over a weekend for my biopsy surgery (they took a chunk off the mass in my chest) and that was enough for me. My chemo is different, but I still lost my hair. I wear a wig and it's not so bad, but it is okay to cry because hair loss is not a walk in the park. It sounds like you could be done with all this in a little while- that is great! I will pray that you don't have to have a bone marrow transplant. My special verse is Romans 15:13. Keep on looking up!
Remember you are not alone. God will supply you with everything you need.
Amy,
I found your site through my friend Ann's blog. I can't imagine what you're going through, but your faith in God and His purpose is really encouraging and inspirational. Reading your thoughts and your response to suffering lends a sorely needed perspective to my life. So thanks for sharing your feelings. On a side note, is your doctor's first name Michael? I had a class at Mizzou that was taught by Dr. Perry, who I believe worked at Ellis Fischel. Just curious...
I'm praying for you and your family. I hope your next round of chemo wipes out that nasty 5%.
In Christ, Megan
Amy, I too am a mommy and fighting a mortal battle for my life. I need a kidney transplant due to Stage 5 ESRD (the bad stage). I will pray for you and your family. Your spirit shines through :) God love ya'
My father just battled esophageal cancer and went thru rounds of chemo/radiation. It was not easy and I can only understand what you are going thru from an outside point of view. I will pray all goes QUICKLY w/ little side effects!! Hang in there -- GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!
Amy,
We are thankful for the results as they are, even though disappointing in many ways too. You continue to be constantly in our prayers and thoughts. May you remain strong in the Lord, for He will truly give you rest and strength in these difficult days. You can look on the "bright" side, at least the hospital has air conditioning in Missouri's 100+ temps + humidity!! :>)
We love you!!
Clayton, Lisa, Sadie, Maggie
Amy,
I am a friend of Colleen Moeller's and though we have never met, I am praying for you. I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's this past April and have been through 7 rounds of chemo and I am going to have my 8th and hopefully final round tomororw. I know for a fact and from experince that God is near to the broken-hearted. Trust Him. He will not fail you! He will give you the grace and mercy you need as you need it when you draw near to Him. Remember who He is...He runs all things by the word of His power! My favorite Psalm through all of this has been Psalm 91. I have memorized it and I recite it often...like when I have to have scans or during the night etc.
I will be praying for God to sustain you during this time and for minimal side effects as well as a speedy remission. I am not too familiar with your type of cancer. Do you just have the chemo until you go into remission?
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and prayer requests.
In Christ,
Gina Dunn
Dear Amy~
You don't know me but I am fervently praying for you. I founf out about your blog today from another blog and have spent the last hour reading your stories and thanking the Lord for giving you a heart full of Him. You are an inspiration. How can I complain about anything in life when you are in a hospital. I will continue to pray for you and for your precious family. How blessed you are to have so many of them around you. May you continue to cling to our Saviour's hand as He walks you through this trial.
Blessings, Caroline (in California)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/howiesgal/
Dear Amy,
I linked into your site today through Barb who asked ones to be praying. God is definately in the healing business. I will put you in my prayer journal and pray for you and your family. May God wrap you safe in his healing arms.
God Bless
A 100% to 5% is grace! Wow! I'm sure its still enormously disappointing, but that's a big jump in round one! And God's good for another round. I'll keep praying.
Amy and Family,
Hang on! I pray for you. I found you through Danielle Bean's link. May your faith and love deepen as you go through this...
Much love and prayers from my community
Amy - Another someone you don't know but who has been lead here from another blog to pray for you. I am indeed praying for you and thanking God for His glory that is shining through you.
Dear Amy,
My name is also Amy, and I live in AZ just like you did! I stumbled into your blog tonight as I was crying over my hubby being in Iraq. I will offer up my loneliness and anxiety for your suffering in prayer. (I have many a pity party, so the prayers for you will be bountiful!) I am blessed to have found you and your family online.
With you in prayer,
Amy
Dear Amy,
Thank you for taking the time to post to all of us during this hard time in your life. What an inspiration you are to me and I'm sure to many others. I've been through cancer and chemo and know how very hard and trying, tiring, etc. it is, yet you prevail. You are truly an instrument to others through this. What glory you are bringing to God. Continue to hold onto him. He is ALWAYS with you.
Love and Prayers, Patty in Ok
Father, I am here at Amy's site today during my quiet time with you asking Lord that you would touch Amy today and heal her body. I ask Father that you would give her a peace in you that passes all her understanding, and that she can rest totally in you. Father I am thankful that she has such a love for you and is dependant on you. You are the great physician and healer Father and I ask in your name that if it is your will you would heal Amy Father.
I will pray for you everyday Amy!!!
I've been praying for you everyday Amy. I think of you several times as God is so faithful to bring you to mind. I don't even know you, but that doesn't really matter. God knows you and all you are going through. He is walking with you.
Amy, I am so sorry to hear you have to go through another round of chemo, but glad that you're down to 5%! May the grace of our Lord surround you this week...
Love,
Rachel E
Amy-
Found you through another blog. You have Christian sisters praying for you, and especially for your family.
God Bless.
Amy, I got this from a 360 friend. I, too, went thru the chemo, for breast cancer, 7 years ago. It made me very nauseated! I lost my hair,(including eyebrows!), gained weight (lots of swelling!), and was too tired to do much of anything. I was scared, too. But I prayed to God, my Father, and to Mary and a few other saints. I asked God for the courage and the strength to accept whatever He had in store for me. If it was to die and be with Him, so be it. "Thy will be done...". That is what I pray for you. "Wherever two or more are gathered in My name, so there will I be." Pray to St Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer patients. He too will help you. God bless you!
Jo-ann
Amy:
Found you thru another blogger. There are so many out here praying for you! May that encourage you as you face round 2. We'll continue to pray for as long as it takes. God Bless!
Amy and all,
We are so very happy and thankful for your good news. Good is so good even though we don't always see the good when we are going through the fire. We love you and will keep praying for God to finish the work he has begun in you. God bless you richly.
Love, Grandpa and Grandma Linda
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