This past week marked 60 days since the transplant. A nice milestone, and I'm happy to say things are still looking good. I fully expected to need a blood transfusion due to low hemoglobin (iron) levels on Friday, as the week before they were in the range for transfusion, but I declined. Turns out those red cells were hard at work for me all week and my hemoglobin levels actually climbed for the first time. (From 8.9 to 9.2 in a week.) They have been offering me shots to kick my system into rebuilding faster. So far I've declined those. I'd prefer to do it on my own and avoid yet another drug with more side effects. My platelets have also been climbing on their own and I'm almost in the normal range. I haven't seen my actual transplant doctor in quite some time, though, so I'll see what he has to say about everything at my upcoming appointment on Friday. I am hoping that I can start going every other week or so now that I have hit the 60 day mark, but we'll see. Eventually I'll be able to transfer back to my local oncologist at Ellis Fischel. I look forward to that day! The drive to Barnes is about 240 miles round trip every Friday, and tends to be an exhausting day.
We received more good news from my 30 day biopsy on Friday. The results were back from California and show 100% engraftment. This means the transplant "took" and was a success. The nurse practitioner I've been seeing seemed very pleased. Brandon said from what he's read it's unusual to have 100% engraftment so soon, so we are very grateful. I should now have my brother's DNA and blood type. As my husband jokingly put it, I can get away with murder. :-) My next bone marrow biopsy and aspiration will be around day 100. It's the "big one" and will determine a lot, so as much as I don't want to go through another one, I recognize how important it is. We went ahead and scheduled it for 10 a.m. on February 23rd.
I am still experiencing various side effects from the chemo (neuropathy, specifically) and other problems that I relate to either mild GVHD or side effects of the many medications I'm on right now. We've been staying in to avoid the flu, so I only get out for doctor appointments. That gives me lots of time to spend with Gary, and I've slowly been taking on more responsibility around the house. Brandon still takes care of most things, though. I'm very thankful for him.
Thank you for your continued prayer on our behalf. We are so grateful to the Lord for the good news and His many mercies on our behalf.
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33 comments:
Yea!!! I've been checking your blog daily! I'm so excited to hear such a great report! I'll keep praying for more! I love you! You are always on my mind and in my prayers,
Emily B.
Amy,
That is so WONDERFUL to hear! I think about you every day and have been waiting for an update like this. I just heard that one of my former students, a 4th grader, has been fully healed from cancer and I am praying that God will do the same for you. I will be praying for this continued healing and look forward to hearing from you on the 100th day mark. God bless you for your continued testimony! Here is a song that has blessed my life. I hope it will give you strength and bless yours too.
God Bless,
Leigh Taylor
Verse 1
In You is strength to sustain me
And wisdom enough to guide my hand
Mercy enough to forgive me
And power to finish what You began
Chorus
All that I need is in You, Jesus
The fountain of grace that overflows
All that I need is in You, Jesus
You are my only hope
You are my only hope
Verse 2
In You is fullness of gladness
And fullness of grace for every need
Rest for the ones who are weary
And beauty surpassing all that we’ve seen
Bridge
You satisfy my heart
You satisfy my soul
You satisfy my heart
O help me always know
Words and Music by
Stephen Altrogge
© 2006 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI). Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
From Valley of Vision.
What wonderful news. I will continue to keep you and your health in my daily prayers.
What a miracle. God Bless you in 2007 and many more years.
My goodness, Girl. You had me worried. It's SO good to hear from you and what encouraging news this is.
You sound so much better and I love it that you're home with your husband and baby. This has been such a long, difficult road for you but somehow, I knew you'd get to this point. You're one of the bravest and most determined young ladies I've ever encountered.
You've been in my prayers since I first found you and you will continue to be.
An answer to our prayers! We thank God for your healing!
Lisa
What fabulous news! I love that, in spite of all youve been through, your humor still shines through "you can get away with murder".... I'll keep on praying and will be anxious to see great results on 2/23 also. xoox
Horray! So happy to hear all your great news. I checked your blog daily. Keep up the good work.
Angela
This is GREAT news! :) I've been checking daily for an update. I think it's wonderful that your getting to spend so much quality time with your son (& husband). I'm sure that's "good medicine" for your soul!!
You will continue to be in my prayers! Look forward to the next "good news" post from you.
God Bless,
Lacey in AL
Amy,
Sorry I haven't been very active online lately. Bad Rachel. I've been thinking about you, regardless, and continually praying. It was such a treat to see you last month and I can't wait to do it again.
Great news and can't wait to see how God continues to bless you. Hopefully you are on the road back to being wife and mommy. Doesn't this sound like so much fun. You deserve it and can't wait to hear more updates.
Dear Amy, This is wonderful news. We have been anxiously waiting to hear your report. I thought that no new was probably good news. We are all continuing to pray for you and your loved ones. Prov. 3:5&6. Love, Dot Marrocco & Family
Great news, Amy! Thinking of you.
That is awesome wonderful news! I hope the ice storm has not added to your complications.
Thanks for the update! Praise the Lord for all His goodness. His grace is so wonderful. We do remember to pray for you and speak the Word on your behalf. We speak blessings to you and your whole family. love and prayers. Joe and Marilyn in Texas
Such wonderful news!! I pray it continues to go up and up and that someday you will be able to take those tasks from your husband and be so happy to do so! He sounds like he took his "in sickness and in health" vows very seriously. Praise God for him, for your time with Gary, and for growing health for you. What a blessing on this blustery, cold Colorado morning.
You're a real trooper. You and Brandon and Gary are in our prayers. We are looking forward to you being on the healthy side of this ordeal. Your posts are a spiritual reminder to the rest of us that life can't be taken casually. We are all terminal, we just don't know when it is our time to go. Your experience is helping me and others to focus on what is important. Thanks for sharing your experience as a fellow pilgrim on this journey of life.
I'm so glad,Amy,to hear such a great report! I will continue to pray for the other side effects and areas of discomfort. What a blessing to be with baby Gary...I know he is glad to have his mommy. I continue to pray for you and want you to know you have been a blessing of strength in the Lord that has encouraged me so much...I've never seen such courage and strength in the face of such trials. I know you give the Lord credit for that. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Kim
Hi Amy,
It is great to hear things are going so well for you. We are praying for you at EFCC. Take care and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
I am so happy that everything is lookig good!
I love you!
Your little sis, Lizzie :)
I am so happy that everything is looking good!
I love you!
Your little sis, Lizzie :)
Glad you're doing okay, Amy. Just wanted you to know that those of us on HSA are still praying for you.
I'm so glad to hear all the postive news! I'll keep praying! :)
WONDERFUL!!!
It was scary to get your hopes up during the long months of treatments and tests, but everything is coming through marvelously well! Praise God! And Thank God for His answered prayers!
And what a great thing to have an awesome husband as Brandon to take care of everything as he has!
Praying for you!
Donna M.
I am still praying for you. As I am struggling with some fears and worries of my own,I can not imagine being faced with what you have had to endure...Your strength has been a great inspiration to me! God has been so kind to allow for this healing of your body. I continue to thank the Lord for that!!!
Stay strong in the Lord,Amy!
Kim
Amy,
I'm so glad to hear your good report. I think of you often. I am praising the Lord with you.
Praise. The. Lord!
Really? A bone marrow transplant causes you to change DNA and blood type? Bizarre! (Or is it bizarre that I think it's bizarre?)
It's nice to be able to lighten up with you here. Just surfing through from Brenda at Rocking Chairs...she has your button on her blog.
Amy, praise the Lord! I so appreciate the updates, as we all do. I will continue to pray for total and complete healing. You are well on your way! Bless you!
Great news!
I just posted the above...and forgot to leave my name, lol.
Glad you are doing well!
Praying those hemo counts continue to improve...
Rachel E
I'm glad to hear your good news, Amy!
I'm keeping you in my prayers.
It is so wonderful to hear that you are doing so well. I hope God continues to pour those blessings out upon you!
Amy it is so great to hear such great news! I am now working, and in the process of moving to Jefferson City, and think about the fact that I am so close to you everyday now and haven't seen you in so long! That is definitely going to have to be fixed when you start getting to the point of having "outsiders" (non-family) vistors! Hang in there girl! You remain in my prayers!
Anna Beckett
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