Saturday, August 12, 2006

Homeward Bound

Wonderful news today -- my white count is up to 6200 and my neutrophils jumped to 2910! My iron and platelets are also climbing on their own, so no transfusions. The doctor came in to tell me while I was napping and said she thought it was worth waking me up. I agreed. They are in the process of removing my antibiotics. I'll go home with two of them, so they're changing from IV to oral. Dr. Papageorgio said this morning that he expects me to go home on Monday, possibly Tuesday morning. I'm rooting for Monday, and I'm stopping at Outback on the way home for a salad to go! :-)

Dr. Papageorgio also said he plans to refer me to the transplant team at Barnes in St. Louis to consult with them regarding a bone marrow transplant. He expects they will tell me to just go home and enjoy life, because I'm in the moderate risk group for relapse. Statistically my chances of relapse are less than the chances of dying from a transplant. It's something we're praying about, and right now we're not wanting to do a transplant, so I trust the Lord's leading in the matter, just as He has gone before us in every other step of this journey.

I think they're going to leave my Hickman catheter in place until the consult, just in case, but that should be within the next week or so. Assuming they tell me I'm not a candidate for transplant, I'll come back in for outpatient surgery to have the catheter removed. I admit I'd prefer not to take it home with me, because I always worry about Gary pulling on it or snagging it on something. Plus, I'll need to take care of the bandage and flushing the lines myself, and it kind of grosses me out. But, that's life, and I know I'll have help with it if I need it. (It's located below my collarbone on my right side in case I've failed to mention.) Several of the nurses have asked me if I'll go to nursing school after all this, but there's no way. I respect them greatly, but could never do their job. I don't have the stomach for it at all. It's challenging enough making it through IVs, blood draws, shots, and everything else I've had in the last 6 weeks. I've had my fill of it!

The nicest thing about being out of neutropenic stage is that I can finally kiss my husband again. Unfortunately he's on a business trip right now, but I'm looking forward to having him home. Gary was in today and I gave him ever so many kisses. It's a nice feeling to not be terrified of touching another person.

So today has just been full of praises that my counts are going up, and that the doctors are so optimistic about things. I'll be seeing the oncologist often for check-ups, but they aren't planning any follow-up consolidation (chemo) treatments since I'm 100% clear, so that is a praise as well. I am just amazed and astounded at God's work in my life, our lives, and it has been a wondrous thing to see His answers to the prayers of thousands on my behalf. I don't know what the next few years will bring, but I know God does, and that gives me peace. I do know that I value every day now in a way I never did before, and I have come to realize how utterly dependent we are upon the Lord, and how He sustains each of us daily. We are truly fearfully and wonderfully made -- I have witnessed the horrors a single cell change can cause.

"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Your works." Psalm 73:4

41 comments:

Paulette said...

God is so good and I will always pray for you Amy. It has been so neat to watch you give your whole being over to the Lord and allow him to care for you. I know you are so excited and I rejoice with you. May the Lord forever keep you safe, and in remission, that will be my continued prayer for you.
In His Grip

Kevin P. Larson said...

Amy, that is wonderful news. We are so happy to hear that. God has blessed us so much through you!

gracie said...

You are going home... but you are not the same woman you were. Experiences like this change you don't they? You have learned things that most moms never get to know... how precious a kiss is... and how to value the little things as precious gifts... Praise God!!!

Just Me said...

We'll all be praying that Monday is the day, too! The sooner the better, right? ;-)

Anonymous said...

Amy,

What a miracle!! I am so happy with your news of returning home soon!! Please let me know when you will be up to visitors and I would love to see you. Until I am able to see you my prayer continue to be with you.

In Christ,

Lynn Hensel

Diane@Diane's Place said...

Such wonderful news, Amy! Praise the Lord for answered prayer! I never expected any less, though. Our God is an awesome God!!

Do you know if you plan to continue this blog, or perhaps start another? I know I for one would like to follow your progress if you do continue this or another blog. :-)

Julie said...

Estatic to hear your news. God has been so good as you have been faithful. We will continue to pray for you that your strength will be rebuilt and that God will give you wisdom and all the other decisions you will have to make.

Sarah said...

Dear Amy
You're such a powerful testimony.
I'm so glad to hear such good news!
PRAISE THE LORD>

Much love all the way from South America, Brazil.

Andrea said...

That's awesome news, Amy! I will continue to pray for you during this transition from patient to mommy and wife again. How wonderful to be able to kiss that precious little one! God is so good, all the time! Take care!

Anonymous said...

Amy,
This is great news. Your illness and recovery are testimonies to the power of prayer and faith in God's goodness and mercy. May your faith story be an example to the doctors and nurses who have cared for you these past six weeks. Maybe when they treat other patients in similar circumstances they will tell them about a young woman who faced a difficult and tenacious disease who found healing by trusting in the power and strength of Jehovah. Praise God for giving them the medical knowledge and wisdom to help you overcome this disease. And, praise God for his mercy and tender care. You are a victor!!!
Hallelulah!!!
Uncle Cliff and Aunt Karen

p.s. Don't ever do this again young lady, you scared your mother and its not nice to scare Mom.

Anonymous said...

We are so joyful you are going home, dear Amy. God has a plan for you! We are blessed to have witnessed your great faith! Glory and honor are Yours, Almighty God! Regards, Tony and Janette, Hayden, MO

Anonymous said...

Yay, Amy!!!!!!

I will continue to pray--

AMy in AZ

Anonymous said...

Amy, I am so happy to hear that! It has been so awesome to follow you step by step and see how awesome God has been and how He has used you through this.

I was wondering if you will keep this blog, or have a different one too?

I will be praying that Monday is the day you get to go home, sleep in your own bed, and hug your family.
Wendy

Jenny said...

Amy, I am so happy for you! I bet it will feel awesome to sleep in your own bed, and to just be home. I'll continue to keep you in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

PRAISE GOD!!!!! I will share with everyone I know!!!!

Emily

Anonymous said...

Oh, that is SOOO fantastic! Home! God is so very very good.

And we will ALL continue to pray that the transplant won't be necessary...but even if it is, you've made it through so much--and more than anything, you have God fighting for you.

Home! Yay!

Anonymous said...

Yipeeeeeee!

~Rachel E

iamchanelle said...

WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!

I am so excited for you to go home and be with your family every day - how awesome is God for bringing you to this point!!! We are SO EXCITED for you guys!!!

We will pray for your continued healing, and wisdom as you return home !!

MUCH love,
chanelle r.

Christina said...

I frequently check your blog and am so glad to hear you are getting better and going home. I pray for you to make a full recovery and for God to give you the wisdom to decide about the transplant. Enjoy being home. I will keep praying for you.

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord, Amy! I'm thrilled to hear that you're going home to be with your sweet family. It has been such a blessing to read your posts on this blog. I hope you will be able to continue it or start another one after you're home. And I can't wait to meet Brandon and little Gary. Take care of yourself, and enjoy your salad!

Love, Jackie Dennison

Southern Girl said...

This is wonderful news! I'm so happy for you all. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord, Amy!! We are so very thankful and happy for you. I can't imagine what a wonderful feeling it must be for you to be in remission, to be going home to your family, and all the answered prayers! God is so good and greatly to be praised. We love you and are just so happy for you. Much love, Grandpa and Grandma Linda

Anonymous said...

What wonderful news! Praise God!

I can only imagine how excited you must be to return home. I'm sure you'll be covering your boys in smooches!

God bless you!

Anonymous said...

Praising with you, Amy. God is so good!
~Caroline

Dawn said...

What wonderful news! I hope you will update us on occasion as to how life is once you are home and get back into the "normal" routine, whatever that is in your life before cancer.

humble servant said...

What amazing news. God is GREAT!

May your recovery continue without incident and this illness be all in the past for you.

God Bless you and your family!

Teresa said...

Dear Amy,

Thou hast turned my mourning into dancing...to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee and not be silent!! We are all rejoicing in singing the praises of our God and we know you forever will too!

Teresa

Carrie said...

Wahooooooo! So excited to hear your great news. I can't imagine not being able to smooch on my babies.

Praying that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers (3 Jn 1:2)

Borbe Bunch said...

PRAISE THE LORD!!! HE alone is worthy to be praised.....I am so happy for you!!!! I will continue to pray for re-gained strength and for God to give you rest in re-adjusting to home life!
God bless you and your precious family! You have been an amazing testimony to God's goodness....thank you for being used by God!
Liz

Anonymous said...

Amy,

I am so happy for you that you can go home!!! And, that you can kiss your baby again. I can't imagine not being able to kiss my babies for that long. May God continue to bless you as you "run your race." Thank you for sharing this part of your journey with us.

Lauren said...

That's wonderful! I hope that as I'm typing this you're getting ready to go home! (well, I guess it's only 8 AM...maybe not) I will continue praying for you and your family. Praise God!

J said...

WONDERFUL news! You'll continue to be in prayers and in thanksgivings.

Anonymous said...

It is Monday and I am sitting here praying for you Amy. Praying that you will be able to go home today!

Wendy

Anonymous said...

I will be rejoicing with you to know you're headed home. Just to do the regular things is going to feel oh so wonderful. Hallelujah!

Janice Phillips said...

WOOHOO!!!! Praise God and enjoy that Outback salad!

Alivia's Momma said...

Dear Amy... I am so excited for you to go home. I know how good it feels to get to go home after a long hospital stay.

We have never met and I only just read your blog today. After reading I feel like I know you (or at least understand you). But I'm sure you feel like you know me since you've read my blog also.

I know its silly but each and every time Alivia is in the hospital or getting a transfusion or having something else done I sing her a Veggie Tales song that is simple and true and reminds me that regardless of my day God loves me and is not suprised by what I am going through. Here are the words for you...hopefully they will encourage you also.

I woke up in my litte bed and put my hat upon my head, cleaned my room and cleared my dishes, told mom breakfast was delicious. I went to school learned something new, tried to follow every rule, studied my vocabulary, had some fun with Bob and Larry

And so its good to know how much You love me. Its true the Bible says You do, You really love me. Your love was with me all throughout my day.

I somehow overlooked my bed, it seems my dog is underfed, forgot to change my underclothes, watched one to many tv shows. I had some trouble sharing toys and during nap time made some noise, walls are not for coloring, sometimes I'm off key when I sing.

And so it's good to know how much You love me, its true the Bible says You do, You really love me. You're love was with me all throughout my day.

I will be crying out to God for you. I spend my days crying out for my baby and now I will add you to these prayers. I pray that you will have a miraculous recovery and that you get to enjoy being a mom.

God Bless
*Emily Haughery

Lacey said...

What a beautiful miracle! I loved the part about not knowing what the future held, but knowing God does & that giving you peace. Reading that particular phrase was a blessing to me...& a much needed reminder! I am so happy to hear your good news!! May God continue to bless you!

Unknown said...

I am not surprised one bit. God is so good and capable of anything. I know he will continue to bring about total healing. Praise Him!

Anonymous said...

I am so GLAD Amy!!!!!!!!!!
I am so thankful!
Love, Abby

Brenda said...

God is so good! Praise His name!I'm hoping you're at home by now, enjoying your family. God has blessed us through you, and I'm praying He'll continue to bless you.

Christy said...

This is so awesome... I've been reading along the way, you have an awesome testimony to share! I know God will bring about complete restoration and healing.