Saturday, November 11, 2006

T minus 2 and Counting

This is Amy's mom helping her post tonight. She wanted you to know how things were going. Radiation and chemo both went fairly well for her. She does have one side effect from the chemo. Her mouth has gotten pretty sore, no mouth ulcers but more of a break down of the lining in her mouth and throat. She is able to take pain medication before she eats to try to make that easier for her. Amy orders food that is soft and easy to swallow right now. She is enjoying the smoothies that they make here. At last weight check Amy has gained weight and this is certainly a praise. She has had some fever today. It is not high but she asks that you continue to remember her in this area. She would also like to experience a good night of sleep. They have had to give her lots of fluid post chemotherapy to keep the drug from becoming toxic in her kidneys. And we all know what lots of water does to us! We try to walk a couple of laps around the halls as she feels able to do so. With her mask on, we feel fairly safe walking on 5900. Her blood counts from yesterday show that she is neutropenic now. We need to be careful that she is not knowingly exposed to illnesses. She is grateful to the Lord for all the help He has given to her.

Amy's brother Daniel is doing a great job getting his growth factor shots - Neupogen. We commented to the nurse today that we hope they only increase his bone marrow production and not his height. Daniel is about 6 foot 4 inches tall at 17 years old. He has not had any noticeable side effects from the shots. He will receive one more shot tomorrow morning and then the pheresis will occur on Monday, November 13 beginning around 8 a.m., Lord willing. The collection should take approximately 5 hours. The collection of stem cells will be counted. They need around 2.5 million cells to transplant to Amy. It will also undergo other lab tests and then it will be transplanted into her sometime Monday evening. If the count of stem cells is not high enough Daniel will need to return on Tuesday to give more. It is truly amazing what God has allowed us to understand so that many people with blood cancers and other blood disorders can be helped. I have met other family members here on the floor and so many of them have good reports about their loved ones. That is good for me to hear.

Amy is so thankful to those who have sent cards to her and have contacted her in other ways. Thanks also to the Rodriguez, Quinones, and Ymker families for their gifts. She also wants to thank her family for all the help they have given to her -- to Aunt Linda and Uncle Ron for helping Daniel get to his appointments and letting him stay at their house during these days, to Emma, Christianne, and Lizzy for helping with Gary, and to Daddy for letting Mom spend so much time with her. She loves you all. Thanks to you all for your continued prayers for Amy and Daniel. We will keep you posted.

Until later,
Anita, Amy's mom

20 comments:

Joe.Karen said...

We're still praying for Amy and the whole family. We've asked members of our fellowship to keep her in prayer as well. God bless you! Your family is just so beautiful.

Love,
Karen and Joe.

Anonymous said...

Amy,

It's good to hear that things are progressing well and that chemo and radiation weren't too rough.

Hang in there - we continue to pray earnestly for you and for the success of the transplant.

Blessings,
Anne for the Calzones

Amber D.M. said...

Continuing to keep you all in prayer! We love you all dearly.

~ Amber

Anonymous said...

Continuing to pray for you, Amy! We've also passed the word to our church fellowship and several other families are also praying. Even though we've never met you, know that you have a support team in Vermont. =)

~Heather

Alivia's Momma said...

Amy (and family) we are praying for you from PA. Being in the hospital right now I understand the no sleep thing. I will pray each time I get up tonight that you are still sleeping soundly and that if you have to get up you will fall back asleep quickly. God bless, sweet dreams, good night.

Anonymous said...

Oh, how I am sending prayers for all of your needs, Amy. I know God will provide, even for the smallest request. You have become a very special part of my prayers and I know that God is holding you in His mighty hands.

I pray, as well, for Daniel and his body's ability to do what it needs to do at this crucial time!

I can't wait to read the happy ending of this journey for you, Amy...I know that there is one! You are, after all, in the might hands of God and in the fervent prayers of many.

Blessings to you and your family.

Kevin P. Larson said...

We're still praying for you here, Amy.

Kim said...

I am praying for you. I don't know you,but am a christian mother and am heart broken for you right now. But,still,as you have pointed out...this is no lapse in the goodness of God. What a beautiful testimony to God's mercy and love. Thank you for sharing. I will be praying for you,Amy,and your family...and your sweet baby boy,whom you obviously love very much. God will sustain all of you through this.

Barb said...

Amy and Daniel are always in my prayers. Always.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts are with you and your family and will be especially this next week as the transplant becomes reality. Our trust continues to be in the Lord and know He can use these doctors and medicines to accomplish His sovereign will. Hope your night is fever-free and restful.

Continuing in prayer,
Clayton, Lisa, Sadie, and Maggie

Anonymous said...

Amy,

We are praying for you and Daniel that tomorrow's procedures will go smoothly and will be successful. God loves you and so do we even though we haven't met you. Praying that you will have an evening of much-needed rest before your transplant.

Love from the Spaulding Family in KY

Anonymous said...

Amy, we are thinking of you in Greenville, South Carolina. My oldest son, Archie, was diagnosed with AML when he 1 1/2 years old. Thankfully Archie is in remission now, but your battle reminds me of our many, many days in the hospital. Hang in there and know that we, a family you've never even met, is wishing you well and praying for you.

Anne
http://www.archiesroom.com

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Anita, for the update! I've been praying for Amy and Dan since I woke up at 5 this morning...and continue to do so.
(have to say, the bit about increasing Dan's height made me laugh. Wouldn't that be something else?)

Love you ALL,

Rachel

Anonymous said...

Amy, my prayers are going up unceasingly for you today! I await news of your complete healing!

Lauren said...

Praying for you today.

Anonymous said...

GOD IS GOOD and His mercy endures forever! Waiting to hear about the miraculous surgery and how God saw you through, Amy. Thanks for the update Anita...your family is such a blessing.

Love and Prayers,

Carol

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy, I am praying for you and Daniel especially right now! Believing our wonderful God to be all He is to meet all your needs. Blessing peace and assurance that greater isHe in you than he that is in the world. I thank Him for His great love for you and all that is going on in your lives is protected by His Kingdom. LOve, Joe and Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Amy and Family,

We pray this day for the Lord's wisdom, strength, comfort, and guidance in all these procedures. This continues to be our desire in submission to His will in all things.

The people at Grace always ask, "How are Amy and Family doing?". They appreciate the relating of information by this medium.

By His Grace,
Don and Lilan

Christina said...

I'll keep praying for Amy and am hoping things go well. It must be difficult to go through this, but hopefully this will be the beginning of a cure for Amy.

Anonymous said...

pvsnxHi Amy,
My note to you was just lost during the tansmission. I just wanted to say that we are praying for you and Daniel and trust that the procedure today was sufficient for the amount of cells needed for the transplant. As I write, I hope you are receiving the cells as it is about 7:30 PM here in Arizona.

We think of you often, ask others in our church to remember you in their prayers, and just wish there was a chance to be there to help you and your mother. Continue the good fight, and rest well tonight.
Cliff and Karen