Tuesday, February 19, 2008
update for Tues
Well there is a glitch in the matrix at Emory. They had us come in for labs and gave us the results as I said before. Then we waited in the holding room for 4 hours and they admitted us to room 606. We then proceeded to unpack a considerable amount of STUFF, (it took Bill 3 trips to the car). The PA came in and told us he would do the Lumbar puncture soon, which thankfully never happened. Two hours later our Dr came in and said Erin's numbers aren't recovered enough and they sent us home. We are to go back on Fri for blood tests again and if they aren't up enough, we would go back again on Mon. I reported an ANC of 900 which is what they told us, then they changed it to 700 which is still good but they want it to be over 1000 before they hit her again with the chemo. Apparently they want her marrow to be well recovered because the chemo regimine she is on is so harsh. Are you confused? Me too!! I praise God for all of this because obviously we want what is best for Erin. I am thankful the PA didn't do the Lumbar Puncture before we saw the Dr. and I am thankful Erin is such a positive and forgiving person. You know it takes a considerable amount of mental prep for all of us to get ready to go back. Please join us in praising God for the wisdom He has given the Dr. and pray for the patience we need to watch and wait. I have felt a peacefulness these past couple of days and I know it is the Holy Spirit answering your prayers, thank you!! janet
10 comments:
Hello Blonshines,
Our God is so amazing in how He works! I was getting ready to post a comment on your previous posting and was searching for an appropriate verse of scripture. God kept leading me to Psalm 27:14 but I just didn't think it was the right one. (I know, who am I to question God?!) Then, your "update for Tues." appeared and now I know why He kept giving me this scripture: "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." I know it has to be disappointing to be geared up and ready and then be sent home to wait, but we know that God's timing is perfect. And, look on the bright side - sounds like your dad got lots of exercise! Know that you are in our prayers each and every day.
Love,
The Harden's
Janet & Erin,
There is this website you MUST check out: www.mooreawareness.com
It is VERY inspirational! It is about a lady who has been going under 7-9 months of Chemo & has decided to turn her "down time" into "ministry" time by making monogrammed tote bags & using ALL the proceeds from each sale to help to fund bone marrow donor drives.
You continue to be in my thoughts & prayers EVERYDAY! Keep pressing on!
Jamie Knight
Your peacefulness and forgiveness in this situation are a testimony to the Holy Spirit for sure. I am praying that these few extra days at home will be a blessing and further build up your strength and spirit.
"For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."
Ephesians 1: 15-19
LOVE, Brittany
Hello there,
My name is also Erin, and I was provided info about this blog from Erin's friend Denise. I met Denise this week at a Team in Training event... it is a group that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. My husband Dan is the mentor for the San Diego team, and subsequently Denise's mentor for the race.
Denise gave me some information/background about Erin and her diagnosis, and I wanted to share mine to provide you with some hope/support.
As I said, my name is also Erin and I am VERY familiar with Leukemia. In December of 2006 my then boyfriend, Dan, encouraged me to train for TNT, raising awareness and money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I had always been a runner, but had a difficult time trying to keep up with a half mile! After some long debate, I finally went to a doc-in-a-box during my lunch break on a random Tuesday afternoon, and they rushed me to the hospital on January 9, 2007--I had Leukemia; specifically: AML (M3) APL, and was 28 years old. I though--how on earth can I have cancer?! I'm in my twenties! This isn't fair! As you now know, AML is a rare leukemia but thankfully many advances have been made in treating this disease. I was treated at Emory University Hospital on 6E and stayed for a month and a half. After five days of finally being home, I went back to the hospital to learn that the chemotherapy was not working. My doctors then placed me on Arsenic Trioxide, and I was on that for three months, 7 days a week. I LIVED at the infusion center for 6 hours a day, 7 days a week, for three months.
Because I did not initially respond to the chemotherapy, my doctors advised that I have an autologous stem cell transplant. In early August I started the self-collection process of stem cells, and had my auto transplant at Emory on 7E on Sept 4, 2007. It was very tough but I got through it. Although I lost all of my hair, it's now starting to grow back--and it's a different color! I am doing really, really well now and have my six month biopsy next Friday at Emory.
I guess I wanted to write to let you know that there are many who know what Erin is enduring, and many who don't know but pray for her recovery. My husband and I were finally able to get married in January of this year... so please tell Erin to hang in there... she will get through this and then be able to do all the things she's always wanted to do.
I would love to visit and meet Erin and her family... my email is erinrshmalo@gmail.com. Please email me if you need anything or if she would like to ask any questions. Again, I would love to meet her!
Providing lots of information is the Leukemia and Lymphoma website, and it offers a patient-driven focus from people all over the world who are also going through the same treatment for your disease. Their website is www.lls.org
Also, my hematologist/oncologist is Dr. Hanna Khoury... he is fabulous. I worked with Dr. Arellano, as well as many of the Leukemia staff at Emory. I especially loved the PA Michael Brown and Dr. Khoury's nurse assistant Lori Covais.
Be well and know that God is always around you.
Much love and strength to you,
Erin Shmalo
Blonshines,
You have such an amazing attitude! We can all learn so much from the example you are! I wrote on Monday, but I was on the bottom of the heap of 27 comments!!! See how many lives you are touching. I ran across a verse on Monday that is even MORE fitting after what you went through yesterday. I wanted to send it to you again in case you didn't get it Monday...not like you had other things going on!... "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
James 1:12 ...You ALL are earning that crown! Praise God for the work that He is doing and the lives He is touching through each of you!
Many hugs,
Kristie Chamlee
A paraphrase from Today's STREAMS IN THE DESERT...(it's not coincidence!):
"...by completely taking refuge in the power of God --realizing our greatest weakness and things that upset our determination to be patient, pure, or humble provide opportunities to make sin powerless over us.
He loves us--works to bring us into agreement with His will, and SUPPLIES A BLESSED SENSE of HIS PRESENCE AND HIS POWER!"
Thank you, Jesus, for preveniently walking ahead of the Blonshines and wrapping them in your love and peace.
Of course, lots of 00000 & XXXXX, always,
The Kirkmans : )
hey Erin! So I didnt check up on you yesterday which is the one day I should NOT have missed! Lol, anyway, I'm glad your numbers are high and that you got to come home again because now you can sleep in your own bed a little longer. And I know it must have been hard to pack up and unload and then to be sent home but just know that God has a plan and he's making sure you will be ready for round two and stronger than ever. We've been praying for you constantly and I know God is watching you always! Love, jessie
p.s. Gilmore Girls was on tv yesterday and it reminded me of you :)
Remember God has assigned us to be watchmen on the wall to pray and wait for the LORD's return. We are not just praying for that we are to pray for the victories brought about by the petition of the righteous. I am claiming the victory of perfect numbers so that Erin is really ready for the chemo so that it can do what it is intended to do, in Jesus' Holy name.
Love,
Sheri
hey erin! i got this in my morning news email and of course immediately thought of you. it sounds like these are all things you guys are doing already, but i thought i'd send you to the link anyway. "lessen the stress of a hospital stay": http://www.ajc.com/health/content/health/stories/2008/02/18/BHhospital_0220.html?cxntnid=healthnews021908e
enjoy your time at home, build up your strength, mind and spirit!
more time at home! i'm so jealous right now b/c i wish i was spending more time at home...it seems like the year just keeps getting busier and busier! AHHHHH! anyways, i know you are probably enjoying your extra couple of days at home, which you should be. i would offer to come and keep you company but i'm feeling a tickle in my throat...probably from the kiddos and their wonderful germie hugs!
"This is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life."
-Psalm 27:4
-Monica
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