Blessings Prayer Warriors,
Thanks for all the prayers. We just got back from the clinic and Erin got another good report. First, her labs were wonderful again. Her liver enzymes went down again by 21, 54, and 12. All great numbers for this week. Praise the Lord! We are hoping for totally normal very soon. Her iron is very high and they told her they were going to have to bring out the leaches next time. Actually, they just drain a pint or two, like giving blood. They said that it is common to have high iron after receiving so many transfusions. Apparently this is not a high tech procedure, but an ancient treatment which started in Egypt 3000 years ago. Of course I trust Emory a little more than an ancient witch doctor! ;)
Erin got 3 vaccines today; tetanus, meningitis, and pneumonia. Yeah for shots! The big surprise gift she got today was that the Dr said she doesn't have to take Posi anymore!! WooHoo! That is the med she hates the most, so she is ecstatic. Please pray that this medicine change won't cause any increase in her GVH. Now that her liver is getting better, we don't want any problems. But as we all know, God is in the details, so we are not worried. We are just praising Him that things are looking so good! Thanks for the prayers.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine..." Proverbs 17:22
That's the kind of medicine we can all administer. Go forth and use your cheerful heart to bring healing to everyone you meet!! hugs, janet
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Good Report
Hello Prayer Warriors,
Thanks for your prayers. Erin got a good report today at the clinic. In addition to the big news that her biopsy was clean, she also got great labs back. Her liver enzymes came down nicely this week. For those of you in the know: Alk Phos was 241, now it's 191 (normal is 32-91), ALT was 273, now it's 233 (normal is <34), AST was 131, now it's 82 (normal is 15-41). Those are huge changes for this week and we are praising God big time. Of course they still have a ways to go to get to normal but we have been praying for something to move in the right direction and it finally is!! Woo Hoo. They did a nasal swab again today and we should find out tomorrow if she is still contagious with RSV. We have been enjoying the Olympics on TV and hope to be able to go to the 8E Olympics next week. They plan on starting her immunizations next week, so all signs point to freedom!! We are so appreciative of your love and support as we inch our way toward normal. You may ask how a Blonshine could ever be normal...you are right, we just want Erin to be healthy. Blessings on you and yours. love, janet
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Thanks for your prayers. Erin got a good report today at the clinic. In addition to the big news that her biopsy was clean, she also got great labs back. Her liver enzymes came down nicely this week. For those of you in the know: Alk Phos was 241, now it's 191 (normal is 32-91), ALT was 273, now it's 233 (normal is <34), AST was 131, now it's 82 (normal is 15-41). Those are huge changes for this week and we are praising God big time. Of course they still have a ways to go to get to normal but we have been praying for something to move in the right direction and it finally is!! Woo Hoo. They did a nasal swab again today and we should find out tomorrow if she is still contagious with RSV. We have been enjoying the Olympics on TV and hope to be able to go to the 8E Olympics next week. They plan on starting her immunizations next week, so all signs point to freedom!! We are so appreciative of your love and support as we inch our way toward normal. You may ask how a Blonshine could ever be normal...you are right, we just want Erin to be healthy. Blessings on you and yours. love, janet
"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
Monday, February 22, 2010
Woo Hoo
Blessings Prayer Warriors,
Thanks for the prayers. God is amazing and has blessed us yet again with a negative biopsy. We are thrilled. We wanted to share the news with you as soon as possible. We actually have our appt on Wed to get the full detail, but they e-mailed us to say it looks good. So we thank God and bless you for your faithfulness in prayer as we have gone through another time of testing. Erin is still congested but feels pretty good, just tired. She is hoping to get another nasal swab on Wed so she can find out if she is still contagious. We read on the internet that it takes a normal healthy person 1-2 weeks to get over it, so I am guessing she will take 2+ weeks to get over it. Unfortunately, we found out that 2 other patients we know of have also gotten RSV and are now undergoing the "tent" treatment. Thank God there is a treatment for it. Have a great week. love, janet
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 11:23-24
Thanks for the prayers. God is amazing and has blessed us yet again with a negative biopsy. We are thrilled. We wanted to share the news with you as soon as possible. We actually have our appt on Wed to get the full detail, but they e-mailed us to say it looks good. So we thank God and bless you for your faithfulness in prayer as we have gone through another time of testing. Erin is still congested but feels pretty good, just tired. She is hoping to get another nasal swab on Wed so she can find out if she is still contagious. We read on the internet that it takes a normal healthy person 1-2 weeks to get over it, so I am guessing she will take 2+ weeks to get over it. Unfortunately, we found out that 2 other patients we know of have also gotten RSV and are now undergoing the "tent" treatment. Thank God there is a treatment for it. Have a great week. love, janet
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 11:23-24
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
6 month biopsy
Blessings Prayer Warriors,
Thank you for your prayers! Erin did fine for her biopsy today. I am late posting this because she was one of the last ones of the day. Erin also had to have a respiratory treatment and a nasal swab to see if she still has RSV. We hope to get results on the swab by Friday and the biopsy next week. We didn't even get lab results today, but that is my fault, I forgot to ask. Hopefully they will e-mail us if anything is very different from last week. They are always very prompt at answering e-mails. Lots of praises today. Not to say it gets any easier on Erin but we have developed a certain level of comfort with the nurses and procedures. Erin is feeling a little better today regarding her cough and congestion. She is itching to get back out in the world, but until we know she is not contagious anymore, we are staying home. Happy Ash Wednesday everyone. We love you for your support! janet
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28
Thank you for your prayers! Erin did fine for her biopsy today. I am late posting this because she was one of the last ones of the day. Erin also had to have a respiratory treatment and a nasal swab to see if she still has RSV. We hope to get results on the swab by Friday and the biopsy next week. We didn't even get lab results today, but that is my fault, I forgot to ask. Hopefully they will e-mail us if anything is very different from last week. They are always very prompt at answering e-mails. Lots of praises today. Not to say it gets any easier on Erin but we have developed a certain level of comfort with the nurses and procedures. Erin is feeling a little better today regarding her cough and congestion. She is itching to get back out in the world, but until we know she is not contagious anymore, we are staying home. Happy Ash Wednesday everyone. We love you for your support! janet
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Sat after the snow
Dear Prayer Warriors,
Knew you all would want to see the infamous tent Erin has spent the last 4 days in. Laura gave her Valentine's stickers to decorate it with. We got home from the hospital last night around 7 p.m. There are 3 inches of snow on the ground. So beautiful! Erin is a little bummed that she can't go sledding in it this year. We are big sledders in the Blonshine family! Amanda and Kyle went this morning and Amanda went last night too. You are never too old to go sledding. Bill and I would have been out there if Erin could have gone. Erin had a good night sleeping in her own bed and is enjoying the snow through the windows today. She has big coughing fits occassionally but otherwise feels fine. They gave her an inhaler to help with it. We are so grateful for God's grace through this ordeal. I will update you guys on Wed after her biopsy. Please pray it goes smoothly and of course that it is negative. Hope you are enjoying the Olympics. GO USA! Blessings, janet
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23
Friday, February 12, 2010
Happy Birthday Erin
Hello Prayer Warriors,
This is Day 4 of RSV treatment and praise God we get to go home today. Erin's CT was clear and they have just started her last treatment. The snow is falling outside and it is so pretty. Of course I can say that since we are only supposed to get an inch or two. Erin is so happy to get out of here and sleep in her own bed. They are going to swab her nose on the way out so they can decide if she needs to be in isolation when she comes back into the clinic next week. We had a pretty restful night, no interruptions. We did have a fun surprise though, Lauren, one of the nurses Erin made friends with during her transplant, brought her rasberry cupcakes for her birthday. Wasn't that sweet? Of course she may have been trying to make up for teasing Erin mercilessly about her wild nights on Dilaudid. She was the nurse that had to talk Erin out of leaving in the middle of the night for "jury duty". Erin has made a lot of friends here....being a Rockstar helps! Thanks for the prayers. God is faithful as always to surround us with your love. Blessings, janet
Psalm 119:90:
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
Don't you just love the word abideth? It's like comfort food to the soul.
This is Day 4 of RSV treatment and praise God we get to go home today. Erin's CT was clear and they have just started her last treatment. The snow is falling outside and it is so pretty. Of course I can say that since we are only supposed to get an inch or two. Erin is so happy to get out of here and sleep in her own bed. They are going to swab her nose on the way out so they can decide if she needs to be in isolation when she comes back into the clinic next week. We had a pretty restful night, no interruptions. We did have a fun surprise though, Lauren, one of the nurses Erin made friends with during her transplant, brought her rasberry cupcakes for her birthday. Wasn't that sweet? Of course she may have been trying to make up for teasing Erin mercilessly about her wild nights on Dilaudid. She was the nurse that had to talk Erin out of leaving in the middle of the night for "jury duty". Erin has made a lot of friends here....being a Rockstar helps! Thanks for the prayers. God is faithful as always to surround us with your love. Blessings, janet
Psalm 119:90:
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
Don't you just love the word abideth? It's like comfort food to the soul.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Day 3 of RSV
Blessings Prayer Warriors,
Thanks for the prayers. Erin is doing fine. She just started the second half of today's treatment. The Dr said last night that if her CT is clear we may be able to go home tomorrow. We are just waiting on the results. We are super excited about that and ask for prayers for a clear CT. With the snow scheduled to come in tomorrow, it would be nice to be home in our own beds, especially since it is her birthday. Erin's IgG level is low, so while she is here they are going to go ahead and give her IVIG, which is a 6 hour infusion. She has never had that before but it will help boost her immune system. She is scheduled next Wed for her bone marrow biopsy and hopefully will get started on some of her immunizations for the more common things like flu, tetanus, pneumonia etc. So, as you can see, she has a very busy schedule. She has been filling her 3 hour tent times with TV since they don't recommend getting the medicine on books or computers. Today she watched 3 hours of "Chuck". This afternoon it is food network. She isn't stir crazy yet and for that we are thankful. The Dr even commented on how well she is taking this treatment. She said most people really come unglued. They must not have the same glue Erin has... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, fathfulness, and self control. Praise God for His gifts that see us through these trying times!! Thanks again for the prayers. love, janet
The Message Galatians 5:22-23 "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. "
Thanks for the prayers. Erin is doing fine. She just started the second half of today's treatment. The Dr said last night that if her CT is clear we may be able to go home tomorrow. We are just waiting on the results. We are super excited about that and ask for prayers for a clear CT. With the snow scheduled to come in tomorrow, it would be nice to be home in our own beds, especially since it is her birthday. Erin's IgG level is low, so while she is here they are going to go ahead and give her IVIG, which is a 6 hour infusion. She has never had that before but it will help boost her immune system. She is scheduled next Wed for her bone marrow biopsy and hopefully will get started on some of her immunizations for the more common things like flu, tetanus, pneumonia etc. So, as you can see, she has a very busy schedule. She has been filling her 3 hour tent times with TV since they don't recommend getting the medicine on books or computers. Today she watched 3 hours of "Chuck". This afternoon it is food network. She isn't stir crazy yet and for that we are thankful. The Dr even commented on how well she is taking this treatment. She said most people really come unglued. They must not have the same glue Erin has... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, fathfulness, and self control. Praise God for His gifts that see us through these trying times!! Thanks again for the prayers. love, janet
The Message Galatians 5:22-23 "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. "