One Day at a time Sweet Jesus! That's all we're asking from you! I love that song, like all the oldies but goodies. Erin had an uneventful night, no fever or puking. However she still hasn't kept any food down for 4+ days. She is now attempting to eat a little breakfast and we pray it stays put. The Dr came by last night and said he wouldn't want her to go home if she isn't holding down her food, so we are praying that she will be able to eat today and hold it down so we can go home after all. She is so hungry and bummed that she can't eat or drink like normal. But we are grateful that her head and stomach are not hurting like before. It is all such a balancing act! We still don't know the blood culture results but God is in control, that we do know. It is so comforting to know that through all this, His peace and mercy are holding us up. Can you imagine facing this or anything without Jesus? We are thankful for all of you as well, keeping the prayers going nonstop. A special thanks to whoever mowed our lawn, that was a sweet treat! It can all get a little overwhelming when we are stuck in the hospital.
"It is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right. For God does speak-now one way, now another-though man may not perceive it." Job 33:8-9,14
We don't pretend to understand why all this has happened, but we trust a Mighty God who formed the world and put us in it for a reason! Loving you! janet
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Answered Prayers
Hello Friends....Bill here,
Prayer is a powerful weapon and you have proved it once again. Erin made it through the night without fever or nausea! The PA just came by to tell us that the Zyvox antibiotic that Erin has been taking is effective against the bacterial infection that Erin has and that it comes in pill form, as well....SOOOOO....if she continues without a fever she should be able to go back home tomorrow and continue the antibiotic treatment in pill form!! Praise the Lord!!! Can I get an AMEN?!?!?!
They took another blood culture last night to re-assess the presence of the bacteria in her system. They said if it came back positive that they might have to remove her central line as it is possible for the bacteria to latch onto the foreign object (central line) and it is hard for the antibiotic to get rid of it. Erin was concerned that they might have to put in another one and she really did not want to go through that again when we are so close to being finished with the chemo. The PA said if they had to remove the central line it is a very simple 10 second process that can be done in the hospital room AND it is possible that they could do the last round of chemo via a regular IV. He is checking to verify the last part...but our prayer is that bacterial infection is gone and her line can stay in. Our second prayer request is that Erin can get back in to the hospital next Wednesday (6/18) to start the last round of chemo. The doctors are working on getting it scheduled but there is always a waiting list to get in so it is not a sure thing yet.
Another praise is that there has been a small uptick in Erin's WBC (up from <0.3 to 0.5) and her platelets are up to 60 from 44. Hopefully that is a sign that her counts are starting to recover.
All in all, we are encouraged with today's news and so grateful for your faithful prayers and God's continued faithful presence and perfect timing!
Thanks and blessings - Bill
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. " - Deuteronomy 32:4
Prayer is a powerful weapon and you have proved it once again. Erin made it through the night without fever or nausea! The PA just came by to tell us that the Zyvox antibiotic that Erin has been taking is effective against the bacterial infection that Erin has and that it comes in pill form, as well....SOOOOO....if she continues without a fever she should be able to go back home tomorrow and continue the antibiotic treatment in pill form!! Praise the Lord!!! Can I get an AMEN?!?!?!
They took another blood culture last night to re-assess the presence of the bacteria in her system. They said if it came back positive that they might have to remove her central line as it is possible for the bacteria to latch onto the foreign object (central line) and it is hard for the antibiotic to get rid of it. Erin was concerned that they might have to put in another one and she really did not want to go through that again when we are so close to being finished with the chemo. The PA said if they had to remove the central line it is a very simple 10 second process that can be done in the hospital room AND it is possible that they could do the last round of chemo via a regular IV. He is checking to verify the last part...but our prayer is that bacterial infection is gone and her line can stay in. Our second prayer request is that Erin can get back in to the hospital next Wednesday (6/18) to start the last round of chemo. The doctors are working on getting it scheduled but there is always a waiting list to get in so it is not a sure thing yet.
Another praise is that there has been a small uptick in Erin's WBC (up from <0.3 to 0.5) and her platelets are up to 60 from 44. Hopefully that is a sign that her counts are starting to recover.
All in all, we are encouraged with today's news and so grateful for your faithful prayers and God's continued faithful presence and perfect timing!
Thanks and blessings - Bill
"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. " - Deuteronomy 32:4
Monday, June 9, 2008
Monday 6/9
Dear Prayer Warriors, Thank you for your prayers. Please keep them coming. We are in need of some Divine intervention. Erin has developed a bacterial infection in her blood and urine. They have a partial indentification but are waiting on specifics. We hope to know later today. At the least it will require 2 weeks of IV antibiotics, maybe more. They don't know where she got it, although the hospital is the likely place. Please pray that it is not a superbug and that she will get well soon so she can stay on schedule for her last chemo round. God is so much bigger than some creepy bacteria and I know He is watching over his little angel! Please pray that Erin will have the strength to fight everything. Her fever goes up and down but doesn't really go away. Her stomach is cramping so bad and her head is pounding, so she stays on pain medicine around the clock. She tries to eat but usually throws it all up afterward. She has been a real trouper with the bucket-o-pills they constantly bring in, but she is over it. Thank you for your prayers. We couldn't do it without you all! love, Janet
"Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth. Your word O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours." Psalm 119:88-90, 93-94
"Preserve my life according to your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth. Your word O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours." Psalm 119:88-90, 93-94
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Sunday - Fever and Chills
Hello Prayer Warriors....Bill here,
Please keep those prayers going. Erin's fever continued to spike periodically (103 this morning)and she experiences bouts of stomach pain and nausea. She hasn't been able to eat or keep down fluids very well. She's been on antibiotics for 30 hours and they are telling us it takes about 48 hours for them to really kick in. Still no word on any cause for the temp from the lab results. Erin received 2 units of blood last night and the benadryl that they gave her to help keep the hives down allowed her to sleep fairly well through all the continuous activity. When they give blood they have to check her vital signs every 15 minutes to be sure she is not having any reactions.
Yesterday I thought I was getting a fever....it turns out the air conditioning in the room quit working and was out all afternoon until 9:00 pm. Then after they came and reset the unit in the ceiling, it would not shut off. So while it was pretty toasty in the room yesterday, it is like a refrigerator this morning. Hopefully we can get both Erin's thermostat and the room's thermostat fixed today.
The sooner we can get the fever knocked down the sooner we can go home but her temp has to be in the normal range for 24 hours before they will let her go. Thanks for the continued prayers....we know God hears them and we feel such a sense of comfort knowing you are out there lifting Erin up!!
Blessings.... Bill
"We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. " - 2 Corinthians 13:9
Please keep those prayers going. Erin's fever continued to spike periodically (103 this morning)and she experiences bouts of stomach pain and nausea. She hasn't been able to eat or keep down fluids very well. She's been on antibiotics for 30 hours and they are telling us it takes about 48 hours for them to really kick in. Still no word on any cause for the temp from the lab results. Erin received 2 units of blood last night and the benadryl that they gave her to help keep the hives down allowed her to sleep fairly well through all the continuous activity. When they give blood they have to check her vital signs every 15 minutes to be sure she is not having any reactions.
Yesterday I thought I was getting a fever....it turns out the air conditioning in the room quit working and was out all afternoon until 9:00 pm. Then after they came and reset the unit in the ceiling, it would not shut off. So while it was pretty toasty in the room yesterday, it is like a refrigerator this morning. Hopefully we can get both Erin's thermostat and the room's thermostat fixed today.
The sooner we can get the fever knocked down the sooner we can go home but her temp has to be in the normal range for 24 hours before they will let her go. Thanks for the continued prayers....we know God hears them and we feel such a sense of comfort knowing you are out there lifting Erin up!!
Blessings.... Bill
"We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. " - 2 Corinthians 13:9
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Back in the Hospital 6/7/8
Dear Friends, Calling on you again for prayer. Erin spiked a fever last night of 101.8. So we had to come back to the hospital for IV antibiotics and a battery of tests to figure out why. So far they have done blood cultures, an EKG, and 2 different antibiotics. She still has the fever this morning. Please pray that the fever goes away fast. Last time she had a fever, they said that 85% of the time they never figure out what causes the fever, they just treat it generically. You all know how miserable you feel when you have a fever. Well add some bone pain and a prickly sensation on your skin and you get the picture. On a happy note, our favorite housekeeper, the "singing angel" just happened (God's timing) to be on this floor when we got here and came in at midnight to have a sweet prayer with us. Isn't God so sweet to provide a fun encounter even in these circumstances? So we always know He is here hanging out with us, providing, guiding, & loving us. WOW. Thanks for the prayers. janet
"Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be for forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5: 14-16
"Is any of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be for forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5: 14-16
Friday, June 6, 2008
Fri 6/6
Hello, Erin and I just got back from the clinic and after a long wait they sent us home. Her numbers are still down but not below the cutoffs so she didn't need any blood products today. We are thankful for that. Unfortunately Erin started feeling terrible on the way home and couldn't wait to get in the cool house and in her bed. The temp gauge on the car read 101 degrees. Yikes. That's enough to make anyone sick. Please pray that her numbers increase and she gets back to feeling well. She is starting to get some intermittent bone pain so maybe her marrow is kicking back into gear. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Happy Wedding Carter! Love, janet
"Lord you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90;1-2
AMEN
"Lord you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." Psalm 90;1-2
AMEN
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Thurs 6/5
Hello. Happy birthday to Kyle! Erin is doing well today. Her mouth is sensitive, but that goes along with low counts. She is handling it well though, no complaints. We go back tomorrow for more blood work. She must not feel too bad because she just stomped Granddaddy, Grandmommy and me at cards! I never saw someone get so many wild cards! Anyway, nothing else to report. Hope your day is blessed! love, janet
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us not one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40: 4-5
"Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us not one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40: 4-5