Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thurs 4/3
Well, I can't top the remission note, so I won't try. Thank you all for rejoicing with us!! God is Good all the time. We give Him all the praise and Glory for this milestone in Erin's treatment. She still has 3 more rounds of chemo to go. We go to the Dr on Tues to discuss the rest of the plan of care. Everything from here on out has got to be easier to go through because of the knowledge that we have the leukemia wiped out. Hopefully she will have an easier time with the side effects too. So please don't stop praying, we have a few more months to go through. She is walking on air though and we can't stop smiling!! Your support and encouragement have been an incredible comfort to us on our journey. We love you all, janet
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
REMISSION
REMISSION!! We just found out! The PA says it doesn't look like she needs a bone marrow transplant but that they would review the protocols and let us know. They told us before that since her sisters don't match they would not reccommend it. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! REMISSION!! Woo Hoo!! It has been a long wait but well worth it! Thanks for rejoicing with us!! WOW!! What a relief!! in tears of thanksgiving, janet
Wed 4/2
Hello and thank you friends for all your encouragement!! Erin is doing well today and filling her "feel good" days with friends and fun.
Susan is right, Erin is a soldier in this battle and will be strengthened by the fight. Not having a son, we thought we would be spared the fear of sending our child to face the danger of war. Wrong, this is a war too. It's an ugly gorilla type war. Hidden dangers, microscopic opponents, chemical warfare! But like every soldier, Erin has a full battalion of people behind her supplying her with equipment, supplies and encouragement. And the best "General" in the universe in charge of the plan of attack. Praise God for being in charge!!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. " Ephesians 6:10-20
What strength God's word provides!! love to all, janet
Susan is right, Erin is a soldier in this battle and will be strengthened by the fight. Not having a son, we thought we would be spared the fear of sending our child to face the danger of war. Wrong, this is a war too. It's an ugly gorilla type war. Hidden dangers, microscopic opponents, chemical warfare! But like every soldier, Erin has a full battalion of people behind her supplying her with equipment, supplies and encouragement. And the best "General" in the universe in charge of the plan of attack. Praise God for being in charge!!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. " Ephesians 6:10-20
What strength God's word provides!! love to all, janet
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Tues 4/1
Happy April Fool's Day!!
Erin is feeling good today except for her biopsy spot. She is very sore there and has to move slowly. We give thanks to God that He is seeing her through all these uncomfortable procedures with grace. She really is so good about going through all this. It is amazing what you can get used to under these conditions. She is still enjoying her break, going out with friends and feeling a little bit normal.
Erin and I were talking about trust this morning and about how this experience has shaped our faith and our trust in God. What do people do without faith? What do they cling to? We can't cling to science, there are no guarantees there. We can't cling to our families, they are as desperate for strength as we are. How can we not see the love of God all around us, providing for us and strengthening us? Praise God that He gave us faith to carry us along this road, because without it we would be lost. We find that this experience has really opened our eyes to the details of our beliefs, and the details of God's provision. A day doesn't go by without some reflection on faith and our trust in God.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."" 1 Corinthians 1: 27-31
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." Proverbs 28:26
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him" Psalm 145:17-20
We are thankful to have a God who watches over us!! Blessings, janet
Erin is feeling good today except for her biopsy spot. She is very sore there and has to move slowly. We give thanks to God that He is seeing her through all these uncomfortable procedures with grace. She really is so good about going through all this. It is amazing what you can get used to under these conditions. She is still enjoying her break, going out with friends and feeling a little bit normal.
Erin and I were talking about trust this morning and about how this experience has shaped our faith and our trust in God. What do people do without faith? What do they cling to? We can't cling to science, there are no guarantees there. We can't cling to our families, they are as desperate for strength as we are. How can we not see the love of God all around us, providing for us and strengthening us? Praise God that He gave us faith to carry us along this road, because without it we would be lost. We find that this experience has really opened our eyes to the details of our beliefs, and the details of God's provision. A day doesn't go by without some reflection on faith and our trust in God.
"But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."" 1 Corinthians 1: 27-31
"He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." Proverbs 28:26
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him" Psalm 145:17-20
We are thankful to have a God who watches over us!! Blessings, janet
Monday, March 31, 2008
Monday 3/31
Hello blogger buddies, We just got back from Erin's bone marrow biopsy. She did great! We had a long wait prior to the procedure which unsually increases her anxiety, but Erin sat and read a book and was very calm for the biopsy. So, it has been a long day, but all went well and they said we could call on thursday for results. Erin begged them to let her go on Spring Break with the youth but it was a BIG NO. I knew it would be but she just had to ask. She loves nothing better than going to Panama City with 130+ teenagers for 4 days. I guess I will just have to short sheet her bed while you are gone to make her feel like part of the group. Pranks between family are not against the rules! Ya'll can bring her back some sand and paint the bottom of her feet. :-)
Thanks for continuing to petition on Erin's behalf for complete healing. We will let you know as soon as we know. Then we can celebrate some more!! Thanks for always cheering us on, it really helps!! I can't tell you how much!!
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30
Have a great week, we intend to!! love, janet
Thanks for continuing to petition on Erin's behalf for complete healing. We will let you know as soon as we know. Then we can celebrate some more!! Thanks for always cheering us on, it really helps!! I can't tell you how much!!
"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30
Have a great week, we intend to!! love, janet
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday 3/30
This is the Day that the Lord has made and we are celebrating it!! Just got back from church. What a wonderful reception from our church family! God got a standing ovation for Erin's return. We were definitely praising Him for all the blessings in our lives! As God's perfect timing would have it, the sermon today was about celebration. Great topic for our celebration of Erin's return to strength. Erin loved getting to see all her friends and they definitely loved all over her! I looked over to see her infamous germ-x bottle working overtime. :-) We were so blessed by all the good wishes and prayers offered for her continued healing.
"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:1-3
Tomorrow is her bone marrow biopsy. She is scared of the procedure as usual but anxious to get the good report we have been waiting on. The results will be available in a few days. After these results come in, the Drs will decide if Erin needs a Bone Marrow Transplant. Please pray she does not, it involves a whole other set of chemo and possibly some more serious long term side effects. If she does not need the transplant, she will still have 3 more rounds of chemo to go through. They call them consolidation rounds. I call them insurance rounds! They just insure that the leukemia stays gone. I feel in my spirit that the cancer was wiped out in round two, but we have to hear it from the Drs to be able to say the word remission. To God be the Glory! His provision has seen us through every step of this process and we rejoice in His grace and mercy. Thanks for praising with us in Erin's victories! love, janet
"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together." Psalm 34:1-3
Tomorrow is her bone marrow biopsy. She is scared of the procedure as usual but anxious to get the good report we have been waiting on. The results will be available in a few days. After these results come in, the Drs will decide if Erin needs a Bone Marrow Transplant. Please pray she does not, it involves a whole other set of chemo and possibly some more serious long term side effects. If she does not need the transplant, she will still have 3 more rounds of chemo to go through. They call them consolidation rounds. I call them insurance rounds! They just insure that the leukemia stays gone. I feel in my spirit that the cancer was wiped out in round two, but we have to hear it from the Drs to be able to say the word remission. To God be the Glory! His provision has seen us through every step of this process and we rejoice in His grace and mercy. Thanks for praising with us in Erin's victories! love, janet
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sat 3/29
Blessings to you, Erin had a "wonder-filled" time at the Relay for Life concert last night. She said the music was awesome and seeing all of the youth from church was overwhelming. They had a good turn out and raised a lot of money for the American Cancer Society. May they soon find a cure!! Thank you all for your generosity!!
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1Timothy 17-19
Today Erin is feeling great, she is going to a dinner in Athens for her christian sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega, alumni. She is very excited to see all her friends from college. Tomorrow she gets to go to church for the first time in 3 months. Isn't God glorious? Erin wanted me to be sure to tell you about her "Danny Tanner" moment this morning. She actually Purelled her Purell bottle. Crazy germaphobe!! Thanks as always for the continued prayers!! Love, janet
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." 1Timothy 17-19
Today Erin is feeling great, she is going to a dinner in Athens for her christian sorority, Sigma Alpha Omega, alumni. She is very excited to see all her friends from college. Tomorrow she gets to go to church for the first time in 3 months. Isn't God glorious? Erin wanted me to be sure to tell you about her "Danny Tanner" moment this morning. She actually Purelled her Purell bottle. Crazy germaphobe!! Thanks as always for the continued prayers!! Love, janet