"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life." - Psalms 119:50
We are thankful for a new morning and the hope of a better day today! Erin had a rough go of it yesterday, a lot of nausea and severe bone pain and tears as the weariness of the fight caught up with her. She had less pain and nausea last night but got no rest for the seemingly constant interruptions for one thing or another. The praise this morning is that along with reduced pain and nausea, her blood cultures came back negative for infections. The had told us that 85% of the time they never find a cause for the fever and they just treat with antibiotics anyway. She has shown no signs of fever since she has been in the hospital and the doctor just told us she may be able to go back home tomorrow!! Our prayer today is that she will be free of pain and nausea and will get her appetite back so we can get back to the comfort of home.
For those of you interested in the numbers, Erin's WBC is 0.3 which is essentially bottomed out. Her red cells are okay since she got the transfusion on Sunday and her platelets are actually up in the normal range. When we asked about that, they said..."platelets will be platelets" which I guess means its fine. So we are entering the phase where we start focusing on the WBC and the ANC numbers to recover.
Thanks for your continued prayers as they help carry us through! Being awake most of last night I was amazed and comforted to hear the gentle buzz of the prayer pager throughout the night! Blessings - Bill
10 comments:
Good Morning Bill:
Erin is blessed to have you and Janet there to support her, just as you both are blessed to have her as a daughter. As parents we can only imagine what you guys are going through. Yet we also know that while it is difficult to watch Erin suffer through this process that will eventually heal her, there is no place else you'd rather be than with her. It is also difficult for all of us on the outside (even us alternative medical professionals) not to be able to be there with her more. Personally, I take Janet's "keep back" threat so seriously that I'm afraid to even put my nose on the sliding glass door. Please reassure Erin that while she surely feels physically alone now, that it's only due to the nature of Leukemia. None of us would want to bring any new germs for her body to fight. And when she is ready she will probably have more "in person" help and support than she can stand. In the mean time, she must know that we support her and are with her mentally in our thoughts and prayers... always!
Dr. Ken and the
Blessing-Moore-Butz Team.
Erin:
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord "He is my refuge and my fortress;My God, in Him I will trust." Ps 91:1-2
I am not sure why I thought of that scripture but based on the kind of night that you had, it just seemed fitting.
So sorry you had a rough go of it last night, nothing like having too many interruptions while you are trying to rest but we are full of hope and prayer that you will be able to go home tomorrow to be in your own bed and surrounded by your own comforts.
We continue to pray for less pain and nausea and for strong blood counts.
Continue to be strong in will and in faith --
And for your worries -- Mom says you are quite the worrier as am I and have found comfort in this scripture:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exhalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him,for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
We love you! Get rest and continue to be strong!
Peace and Grace,
The Cotners
Erin-
I am so glad to hear that the pain and nausea have subsided. It breaks my heart to think of you in so much pain. Will and I prayed for your pain and for no infection. Hurray for no infection! Praise Jesus! I have also been praying for your peace of mind, that God would take away your worries and that you would be able to rest in his Word. I trust that he is answering that prayer as well. We have an amazing Father in Heaven that I learn more about as I read this blog and see his work and glory through your family's story. Today, I will pray for going home tomorrow and for rebounding numbers, and remission! Keep fighting, friend. I love you.
Brittany
Praying...I'm sorry for this latest, tougher round.
Abigail H.
So I'm sitting here reading this blog and a song comes to mind...let's see if you can guess what it is!
"I'm gonna live like there's no tomorrow! I'm gonna dance like no one's around! I'm gonna sing like nobody's listening, before they lay my body down. I'm gonna give like I have plenty. I 'm gonna love like I'm not afraid! I'm gonna be the man (or woman) I was meant to be...I'm gonna be the way I was made!"
Got it yet? Chris Tomlin! Do you remember that concert?!?! So amazing! God was in that place just like he is in you now. He is waiting for the absolutely perfect moment to snatch that leukemia up and take it away from you. When is that absolutely perfect moment, you ask? I don't know...but He does! Isn't that the beauty of it all?!?! Only HE knows when that perfect moment is because HE ordained all of this for HIS perfect purpose! I know you are in pain and suffering but I wish I could be there to rejoice with you in knowing that God is in control! If I was, it would probably all be messed up in the world by now! God is in control and we aren't. I never realized how awesome and amazing that is until all of this happened...its weird to say it and sound happy but its the truth. I wish this didn't happen to you but if I know God, and I think I do, He has some wonderfully amazing perfect plan up his sleeve!
I may need to pull an Amanda this weekend and stand on the porch to see you through the window! I need to see Erin!
Love, hugs, and smooches!
Monica
Much love and prayers coming your way!
Bill and Janet, you are amazing parents. Thank you for demonstrating true unconditional love for the rest of us.
Hi Erin! We are praying for you to feel better and to come home soon. It is so hard to rest in the hospital...they don't know you are supposed to SLEEP at night, doggone it!
May you rest well tonight....
The Stills
Hang in there Erin and Family!! We all love you very much and you are lifted up in my prayers everyday! You guys are such a blessing and encouragement during this difficult time in your life and your faithfulness until our Lord and Savior! NEVER FORGET you are loved by MANY!!!!! Take care and God Bless.
~AF
Dear Erin!!!
I wish I were there right now, so we could laugh and cry together! I know that this is one of those really tough times to have to walk through, but please know I constatnly think of you and pray for you. Your name is never far from my lips as I lift you up to the Lord.
I read an incredible Psalm today that I want to share with you...From Psalm 30:8-12 "To you, O Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy..Hear O Lord, and be merciful to me. O Lord, be my help. You turned my wailing into dancing, you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever."
Even in the midst of pain, He can turn that into something good!! My prayer is that you will know God's dance and that joy with a song in your heart, this very night.
I love you girl!!!
Linda
Good evening Erin and family! I'm so sorry to read that these past few days have been extra hard. My heart truly breaks for you. But, I know better days are ahead!!! And, I'm with you on the worry thing. I try, try, try, not to do it, because it really doesn't help at all. When I find myself worrying, I just repeat Jeremiah 29:11 over and over and over again. God gave that verse just to me, but you can use it too!!!
On a different note, Ken showed me a Psalm a while back, and I thought I would share the beginning of it with you. It's Psalm 40...
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.Happy are those who make the Lord their trust.....
It goes on, but I didn't want to type it all. Also, U2 put it to music, and it's really beautiful. If you get the chance, you should listen on line.
Anyway, sorry to type so much. Just know that we love you so much and continue to think of and pray for you!
Love,
Pam
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