Tuesday, February 5, 2008
update for Tues
Well, the Dr came at last and told us there is still some Leukemia in the marrow. The majority are good cells but there are still some aberant cells. He is encouraged by the fact that she hasn't gotten any infections and is willing to bend the rules for her a bit so she can go home even if her ANC doesn't get to 500. He said one day this week. She will have the next biopsy next week in the clinic. He said about 50% of people go into remission with the first round of chemo. So apparently Erin really needs that second round to kick the Leukemia completely. After the second round they will determine if she needs the transplant. Please pray that she doesn't need that. She seemed to take the news well and is just looking forward to going home. Thanks again for all your prayers, please keep praying, we need every minute of it. Erin walked 2, yes I said TWO miles yesterday!! Today she got one mile in after her blood transfusion. So you see she feels well we just can't get the numbers to agree with her energy level. God knows the answers and the future and in good time, we will all be able to say, Ah-Ha, that's what He was doing. Cool, can't wait. love you , janet
Tues 2/5 1030
Good Morning! Thank you for your continued prayers. We depend on them. Erin's ANC went down today to 119 (yesterday was 180), WBCs 1.7 and her H&H went down too so she needs blood today. We haven't seen the Dr yet so we don't know any results from the biopsy but I didn't want to wait to post this morning. I will update later when we see the Dr. You know, as trying as this is, we are still positive because we know God is at work in this situation. Also, everyone here is so positive. They all are determined to get Erin home for her birthday. We know God is in control and His timing is perfect.
"Be still and know that I am God"-Psalm 46:10.
Also, after that powerful prayer service, I am more assured than ever that God has surrounded us with a team of "watchmen" to keep vigil for God's miracles. We are all keeping our eyes focused on God and are eager to see His Grace in action. Bring it on God!! love you , janet
"Be still and know that I am God"-Psalm 46:10.
Also, after that powerful prayer service, I am more assured than ever that God has surrounded us with a team of "watchmen" to keep vigil for God's miracles. We are all keeping our eyes focused on God and are eager to see His Grace in action. Bring it on God!! love you , janet
Monday, February 4, 2008
update for monday
The biopsy went off without a hitch. Erin did very well, but who wouldn't on versed and fentanyl?? Yeah for IV sedation!! Yeah for GOD!!! We got her ANC back and it is 180 for today. So she will probably need another biopsy next week to see whats going on when her numbers are up even higher. Thanks for the prayers!! Please pray that she can go home this week. Thanks to SAO sisters for the cards and letters from all over the country!! You are encouraging to Erin!! love, janet
Mon 2/4 1030
Wow, what a praise for last night's Prayer Service!! I was amazed by the number of people who blessed us by their presence. God is glorified by your faithfulness! I know that it was a BIG sacrifice to come during the Super Bowl, but as you know God saved the best part of the game until you got home!! Thank you so much for the wonderful prayers and the prayer poster board is awesome. Erin loves charts!! Erin and Bill had a fun watching the game. She slept well and is in good spirits this morning which is a praise because last time we thought we were having a biopsy, she was a basketcase. That is prayer in action!! So they plan to do it right around noon. Todays WBC count is 1.8 but we don't have the ANC yet. We prayed specifically for the ANC last night. Every detail is important to God!! I just can't tell you how touched I was to see all of you last night and hear the prayers you offered so sweetly. We are so blessed by all of you!! May God bless you in return for your love. We will let you know how the biopsy goes later. Thanks again!! janet
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Sunday 2/3 1400
So sorry to be late dear blogger addicts!! The hospital WIFI was down, or I didn't do something right. Anyway, Erin had a great night with Amanda. She was anxious to get her numbers this morning but they weren't so high. Her WBCs were 1.9 which is great but her ANC was only 19, and there were no more blasts in the blood and her platelets came up to 73. So, the marrow is doing something right, it just isn't high enough to get her home yet. So tomorrow is the bone marrow biopsy. Then we wait some more. God is working, there is no doubt. His timing is not our timing but rest assured, His timing is PERFECT!! The exciting news is that our church is having a prayer service tonight for Erin at 7 pm. So if you have a break during the Super Bowl, send one up for Erin and join the warriors of FUMC!! I just want you to know that we are experiencing God in new and powerful ways during this time in our lives. He is revealing Himself to us every day. And above all He is letting us know how much He loves Erin. Your comments, cards, and calls have been a sweet reminder of that. Thank you so much!! We love you all. janet
Saturday, February 2, 2008
1-2-08 10:45am
Hello there- its Laura. I am the blogger for the day since I was the sister entertainer last night. It was a good night. We watched more movies- always a good source of entertainment for Erin and me. Then I sang and danced for her and she just looked at me like I was ridiculous which of course I am if it gets a smile on her face. We had a few visitors last night which she thoroughly enjoyed. She slept pretty well last night- not being hooked up to Dopi really makes a difference.
God is so good and He is working on her each and everyday to make her well. Her counts are slowly climbing, which is hard to watch but a blessing they are not going in reverse.
WBC=1.1 again, same as yesterday. But her ANC was 77 yesterday and we are hoping it goes even higher today, we just don't know that number yet.
Thank you for your continued prayers. We hope to be going home by the end of the week. It is so comforting to you are all behind us in this journey. We love you all.
In Him
Laura
God is so good and He is working on her each and everyday to make her well. Her counts are slowly climbing, which is hard to watch but a blessing they are not going in reverse.
WBC=1.1 again, same as yesterday. But her ANC was 77 yesterday and we are hoping it goes even higher today, we just don't know that number yet.
Thank you for your continued prayers. We hope to be going home by the end of the week. It is so comforting to you are all behind us in this journey. We love you all.
In Him
Laura
Friday, February 1, 2008
2/1/2008 9:30 am
Greetings dear friends - Bill here...
This morning I decided to focus on the word "hope" as I was reading the Bible. So, before I provide an Erin update, a few words from our sponsor...
"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." - Proverbs 23:18
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12
Today we are joyful in the hope that Erin will soon be able to go home for a break. We are joyful that Erin is disconnected from the IV pumps, that her energy is up, her pain is down and her smile is radiant!! Yesterday Andrew visited and encouraged / prodded Erin to excel by walking her mile PLUS an additional lap. Way to go Andrew! We did watch LOST last night and I have to say that I am as lost as ever! So I would appreciate it if one of you fans out there could explain it to me sometime :))
Yesterday evening we were visited by 3 of the doctors on the team and they indicated that Erin was right on track with the treatment plan and they reviewed what the expected next steps would be. I thought since you all have been taking this journey with us that you might want to know. When Erin's ANC comes up to 500 she will be able to go home. Her platelets are already at an acceptable level now! She has to have the bone marrow biopsy (BMB) on Monday regardless of where her counts are but our prayer is that her counts are up at that time. If the counts are not up on Monday then Erin will have to get an additional BMB in a week. Our hope is that on Monday her counts are up and the BMB will show no Leukemia so they can declare Erin to be in remission! The doctors said that the break is usually a week and then Erin will come back to the hospital for the 2nd round of chemo. Erin was a little disappointed at the shortness of the break but is just happy about being able to go home. The second round will be similar to the first (8 days of treatment plus 3 weeks recovery in the hospital). After that treatment the doctors will evaluate to determine if Erin needs a bone marrow transplant. We pray that she will not need the transplant. If that's the case, she will get another break followed by 3 additional treatment cycles (5 days followed by a break, 5 days followed by a break, and a final 4 day cycle). Hopefully the recovery breaks would be at home. That is the standard protocol assuming her results continue to be good.
Just got Erin's WBC and it is 1.1. So, we're still bouncing around a little and trying to patiently wait for them to take off. Okay, Janet says I am too long winded, so I will close for now. Meanwhile, thank you for accompanying us on this journey, for your encouragement and your faithful prayers!! - Bill
One quick note from me, people have been asking about becoming a bone marrow donor. If you go to marrow.org you can order a kit online for $52 and they send you a swab to get cells from the inside of your cheek, easy and painless!! If you feel led, check it out. You may be a hero for someone, if not Erin. Love your guts, janet
This morning I decided to focus on the word "hope" as I was reading the Bible. So, before I provide an Erin update, a few words from our sponsor...
"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." - Proverbs 23:18
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12
Today we are joyful in the hope that Erin will soon be able to go home for a break. We are joyful that Erin is disconnected from the IV pumps, that her energy is up, her pain is down and her smile is radiant!! Yesterday Andrew visited and encouraged / prodded Erin to excel by walking her mile PLUS an additional lap. Way to go Andrew! We did watch LOST last night and I have to say that I am as lost as ever! So I would appreciate it if one of you fans out there could explain it to me sometime :))
Yesterday evening we were visited by 3 of the doctors on the team and they indicated that Erin was right on track with the treatment plan and they reviewed what the expected next steps would be. I thought since you all have been taking this journey with us that you might want to know. When Erin's ANC comes up to 500 she will be able to go home. Her platelets are already at an acceptable level now! She has to have the bone marrow biopsy (BMB) on Monday regardless of where her counts are but our prayer is that her counts are up at that time. If the counts are not up on Monday then Erin will have to get an additional BMB in a week. Our hope is that on Monday her counts are up and the BMB will show no Leukemia so they can declare Erin to be in remission! The doctors said that the break is usually a week and then Erin will come back to the hospital for the 2nd round of chemo. Erin was a little disappointed at the shortness of the break but is just happy about being able to go home. The second round will be similar to the first (8 days of treatment plus 3 weeks recovery in the hospital). After that treatment the doctors will evaluate to determine if Erin needs a bone marrow transplant. We pray that she will not need the transplant. If that's the case, she will get another break followed by 3 additional treatment cycles (5 days followed by a break, 5 days followed by a break, and a final 4 day cycle). Hopefully the recovery breaks would be at home. That is the standard protocol assuming her results continue to be good.
Just got Erin's WBC and it is 1.1. So, we're still bouncing around a little and trying to patiently wait for them to take off. Okay, Janet says I am too long winded, so I will close for now. Meanwhile, thank you for accompanying us on this journey, for your encouragement and your faithful prayers!! - Bill
One quick note from me, people have been asking about becoming a bone marrow donor. If you go to marrow.org you can order a kit online for $52 and they send you a swab to get cells from the inside of your cheek, easy and painless!! If you feel led, check it out. You may be a hero for someone, if not Erin. Love your guts, janet