Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Reinduction: Round Two

I made it through the weekend at home and came in Tuesday morning to begin the second round of chemo. They are using Citarabine and Etoposide this time, and it seems to be a little easier on the system.

The skin rash I mentioned developing over the weekend is still very much a part of me. The dermatologists did a biopsy today, and they think it is probably Sweet's Syndrome. It looks like an acid burn on my hands, to be honest, and feels about like one, too. They should have a diagnosis by tomorrow and be able to treat appropriately from there. I'm looking forward to it.

Other side effects have been better than last week overall. My appetite is still lacking, but I did manage to keep dinner and breakfast down last night and today. I didn't eat lunch, but dinner is here and looks o.k. I've been sticking to baked potatoes. My counts were really low today (platelets around 17, iron around 7, white count is .3 -- I've been neutropenic since yesterday at least) so that made it transfusion day. The platelets went in o.k., but I reacted to the first bag of blood and before I knew it I was receiving a chest x-ray, blood draws, and an antibiotic since my reaction involved a fever. The fever is now gone, and I'm hoping the antibiotics can go soon as well. I still need to receive two units of blood at some point but they're all talking about it right now to see what they want to do. I thought since I am going to be having a transplant that they would be careful to only give me my type, and the unit today was not my type, so they may be trying to get some in. I don't feel good when the fevers hit, and ended up just going downhill and held my teddy bear while they poked and prodded, and cried for Alivia, the little girl we know of with ALL, and how she has to have all of the same stuff done to her and she doesn't even know why, and wants to tell them to just all go away and leave her alone just as much as I do. My heart breaks for her, and for all the other little ones who are suffering from this disease. Somedays it just seems like too much to bear.

All of my siblings had blood drawn yesterday and sent to Barnes in STL for testing. We should know the results next week. For now it's still just a day at a time. I find myself wishing they could just knock you out and wake you up when it's all over, but I suppose this is the race, isn't it?

Thanks to Pastor and Mrs. Preusch for your encouragement yesterday.

"Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" - Mark 4:38b-41

15 comments:

humble servant said...

Amy,

My family and I are praying for you daily. May you continue to find rest in the Lord and strength in His embrace.

God Bless you.

Anonymous said...

Amy, let us share in your pain. We love you! Stay positive, dear!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Amy,
So glad to hear that this round of chemo does not seem to be as harsh as the last. That is specifically how I have been praying for you.
I will be praying that there will be an excellent match found from one of your siblings.
I found it ironic that you said "you wish you cold just sleep through this whole thing". I remember saying to my husband when I was first diagnosed, "I wish they could just knock me out for four months and wake me up when it is over". Little did I know at the time that it would be six months and little did I know all of the lessons God would teach me during those months. The thing that dawned on me just this week as I was fretting and complaining about all the future scans I would have to have in my lifetime was that God has me just where He wants me to be so that I will have to rely on Him. It is so easy for me to forget HIm when things are going well! So while I wish I would have never had to go through this, I am ever so grateful for the lessons learned and the place where GOd has me now and will have me for the rest of my life...on my knees in reliance on Him. What a blessing we have been given.
Hang in there Amy! God is ever so faithful and never disappoints. His grace is sufficient!

Love,
Gina

Anonymous said...

Amy, Brandon, and Family All,

Glad for the pretty good day for you today. At prayer meeting tonight you were on our minds and hearts as we remembered you before the Lord together.

Hope the night goes well and you find new strengthened and comfort in The Lord.

We Love You,
Don and Lilan

Eurogirl said...

Amy
Praying for you tonight!
Amy in AZ

Anonymous said...

Amy,
Sorry I haven't e-mailed this week. My school schedule has been incredibly hectic. I just wanted you to know that I love you and am praying for you!
Emily

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy, We seek His kingdom to come today for you. May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Keep believing the Truth about yourself. He is faithful. Blessings and prayers to you dear one. Joe and Marilyn in Texas

Undeserving said...

He remains faithful, Amy. I was thinking about you this morning as I did my devotions and came across these verses:
"The LORD delights in a man's way,
He makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken." Ps. 37

I pray they bring you encouragement. We are rooting for you and always lifting you up in prayer.

Love,
Faith and Matt

Diane@Diane's Place said...

If all of us that are praying for you could take just a little of your pain and sickness on ourselves, pretty soon you'd be feeling much better. I'm willing to do my part if the Lord sees fit to let us help you bear your burdens.

I'm glad to read that the chemo isn't quite as hard on you this time. Hang in there, my friend. You have so many people loving and praying for you.

Hope you're having a good day today. :-)

Overwhelmed! said...

My heart aches for you and the little ones you mentioned in this post. You continue to remain in my prayers. I so hope that one of your siblings is a match!

Unknown said...

We are praying for you as always! Thanks for thinking of Alivia too... we are making a quilt for her at the moment.
Love
Nora

Anonymous said...

Amy-
My heart cries out for you! I don't know you & you don't know me-but your testimony & unwavering faith have impacted my life.

This familiar passage brought encouragment to me this morning-
Psalms 23
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His names sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. for you are with me; your rod and staff comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Sincerely, Ang
(little alivia's friend)

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy and Brandon,

I am thinking of yall and praying for you a lot. Thank you Amy for sharing your story with us and allowing the body of Christ to weep with you and pray for you.

Kristin Henderson - Catherine and Rebekah's roommate :0)

Dawn said...

I don't know what to say except that God knows all about you! If you can, go to Partners in Prayer for our Prodigals and click on today's post (9/22). You can hear one of my favorite songs, sung by Allen Asbury, Somebody's Praying You Through. http://prayingforaprodigal.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Brandon & Amy,
Just wanted to say that I am thinking and praying for you today. May God fill your souls with unfathomable comfort and the joys of heaven!
Love, Tiffany Hansen