Hello Prayer Warriors,
Thanks for the prayers. They sustain us every day. Erin and I just got back from the clinic. She got another good report. Her liver enzymes are down again and on the border of normal. Her only complaints were fatigue and itchiness. They said the fatigue is from coming off the steroids and is normal, and they said the itchiness is a little Graft vs. Host. They kept her steroids and prograf the same for the next few weeks to see if everything calms down. So, status quo is good. Praise God for blessing the details. They will give her the next round of vaccines in two weeks and another phlebotomy treatment. In the meantime, Erin has been asked to be on a Patient Advocacy Board at Emory. Her first meeting is next week. Notice, they did not ask me. I guess they know Erin is sweeter by far. However, I am helping her make a list of things to address. Heehee. Another piece of good news is that they are letting Erin go more places now. She got permission to go to the gym and the dentist. Yeah, guns and pearls!! She is excited. Hope you are staying out of the pollen clouds. The levels are so high it's crazy! Everything is yellow, even our black dog! Funny, I just found this verse in Isaiah about the trees clapping their hands... hence the pollen! Enjoy, janet
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." Isaiah 55: 12-13
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Happy April!!
Blessings Prayer Warriors,
Erin told me this morning that I forgot to blog yesterday. What an awesome discovery! That just shows how good she is doing, that I forgot to update everyone. Yeah! We are looking forward to a Happy Easter because Erin will get to go to church after a 10 month absence! We are excited to be in worship with our loving church family. It has been SO hard to stay away. The Dr has kept a tight leash, as you know, on Erin's activities. With the new upsweep in Swine Flu, we won't be hugging everyone, but it sure will be nice to see everyone's faces and be in God's house. We have a lot to celebrate!
Erin is feeling well but has been very tired the last few days. I think it is the antibiotics she has been on for the phantom fever. You know how that can wipe out your energy. Her next appt is Wednesday and we are looking forward to more good news and maybe more vaccines. I didn't get to tell you last time about what happened when she got her vaccines. This was the day she had her phlebotomy. She did fine with that part but then... she was supposed to get 4 shots. The first 2 went o.k., but the third shot hit a nerve or something because she passed out and then threw up. She has a way of causing a stir at the clinic, but they love her anyway! Needless to say, she didn't get her 4th shot. So, she still has that one to look forward to, plus any others they may have on the list. Yikes.
Erin continues to walk the mall almost every day. And she took us all on a bike ride around the park last week. So you can see, her energy is great. Praise God!
Hope you all have a wonder-filled Easter! He is Risen! blessings, janet
Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:26-29
Erin told me this morning that I forgot to blog yesterday. What an awesome discovery! That just shows how good she is doing, that I forgot to update everyone. Yeah! We are looking forward to a Happy Easter because Erin will get to go to church after a 10 month absence! We are excited to be in worship with our loving church family. It has been SO hard to stay away. The Dr has kept a tight leash, as you know, on Erin's activities. With the new upsweep in Swine Flu, we won't be hugging everyone, but it sure will be nice to see everyone's faces and be in God's house. We have a lot to celebrate!
Erin is feeling well but has been very tired the last few days. I think it is the antibiotics she has been on for the phantom fever. You know how that can wipe out your energy. Her next appt is Wednesday and we are looking forward to more good news and maybe more vaccines. I didn't get to tell you last time about what happened when she got her vaccines. This was the day she had her phlebotomy. She did fine with that part but then... she was supposed to get 4 shots. The first 2 went o.k., but the third shot hit a nerve or something because she passed out and then threw up. She has a way of causing a stir at the clinic, but they love her anyway! Needless to say, she didn't get her 4th shot. So, she still has that one to look forward to, plus any others they may have on the list. Yikes.
Erin continues to walk the mall almost every day. And she took us all on a bike ride around the park last week. So you can see, her energy is great. Praise God!
Hope you all have a wonder-filled Easter! He is Risen! blessings, janet
Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:26-29
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Tues with a fever/ Fri update
Hello Prayer Warriors,
Thanks for the prayers. We had an unscheduled trip to the clinic today for a fever. It was 101.2 and they asked us to come in for blood cultures. By the time we got there, her fever was down to 99.3. She doesn't have any other symptoms except a little nausea. Please pray the cultures come back negative. In the meantime they gave her an antibiotic to see how she does. The praise is we got another set of great labs. Her liver enzymes went down again and her AST is now normal and the others are getting there. When they say it takes 6 months for a liver to recover, they were right. It has been 6 months since her liver episode and we are so glad that is behind us. Please continue to pray for Erin's job situation. We are enjoying the spring weather and the promise of summer. Hope you are too! Blessings on you and yours, janet
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:7-8
The update is that the clinic called and said the cultures were negative. Thank you Lord! Her fever is gone and we don't know what caused it but we are thankful to put another speed bump behind us! We appreciate your prayers. Obviously God is listening and acting before we even know our needs. Trusting Him is the only way through all the speed bumps we encounter! blessings, janet
Thanks for the prayers. We had an unscheduled trip to the clinic today for a fever. It was 101.2 and they asked us to come in for blood cultures. By the time we got there, her fever was down to 99.3. She doesn't have any other symptoms except a little nausea. Please pray the cultures come back negative. In the meantime they gave her an antibiotic to see how she does. The praise is we got another set of great labs. Her liver enzymes went down again and her AST is now normal and the others are getting there. When they say it takes 6 months for a liver to recover, they were right. It has been 6 months since her liver episode and we are so glad that is behind us. Please continue to pray for Erin's job situation. We are enjoying the spring weather and the promise of summer. Hope you are too! Blessings on you and yours, janet
"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5:7-8
The update is that the clinic called and said the cultures were negative. Thank you Lord! Her fever is gone and we don't know what caused it but we are thankful to put another speed bump behind us! We appreciate your prayers. Obviously God is listening and acting before we even know our needs. Trusting Him is the only way through all the speed bumps we encounter! blessings, janet
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St Patrick's Day
Happy St Patrick's Day Prayer Warriors,
Erin and I are still at the clinic. She just gave 50 tubes of blood instead of the leech therapy. ha! This was to reduce the amount of iron in her blood. She tolerated it well. She is now waiting on 3 more immunizations. Her labs came back great. They are cutting her steroids down to every other day and cut her magnesium down by half as well. WooHoo! Her liver enzymes came down again and one of them is only 2 points away from normal. God is Great!! Erin's NP brought her a t-shirt from the Olympics, so that made Erin's day!! Plus this is one of her favorite days of the year. "Erin" is the Irish name for Ireland, so even if we aren't exactly Irish, she considers this her day and happens to love green! All in all a great day!
Please continue to pray for Erin's job situation. Thanks as always for all your prayers support.
An Old Irish Blessing
Erin and I are still at the clinic. She just gave 50 tubes of blood instead of the leech therapy. ha! This was to reduce the amount of iron in her blood. She tolerated it well. She is now waiting on 3 more immunizations. Her labs came back great. They are cutting her steroids down to every other day and cut her magnesium down by half as well. WooHoo! Her liver enzymes came down again and one of them is only 2 points away from normal. God is Great!! Erin's NP brought her a t-shirt from the Olympics, so that made Erin's day!! Plus this is one of her favorite days of the year. "Erin" is the Irish name for Ireland, so even if we aren't exactly Irish, she considers this her day and happens to love green! All in all a great day!
Please continue to pray for Erin's job situation. Thanks as always for all your prayers support.
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
blessings, janet
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
blessings, janet
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Day off
Blessings Prayer Warriors,
We are happy to say we have this week off from the clinic, so I don't have any medical news to impart. However, I can report that Erin is loving being off "Posi," her least favorite med and is feeling well. She is continuing to walk 2 miles every day with Grandmommy and her headaches have decreased. She is also experiencing less prickly sensations when she gets overheated. Her hair is getting thicker and she is ready for spring. She has already broken out the flip flops and is shopping for bathing suits. Yeah Spring! Praise God for signs of new life in the garden and in us! The Daffodils are blooming and Erin has a spring in her step! She has been talking to the school about getting her job back in the fall. So that is a prayer request. The schools are all making cuts related to the decreased economy and we understand that, but Erin needs her insurance coverage! She has asked to go back part time, but she will take whatever she can get these days. I would also covet prayers for my job. I am ready to get back to work also. Thank you all for your loving prayer support over the past 2+ years. God is and always has been, right there beside us every step of the way. We are blessed! Enjoy the rain. It will bring blossoms! love, janet
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25
We are happy to say we have this week off from the clinic, so I don't have any medical news to impart. However, I can report that Erin is loving being off "Posi," her least favorite med and is feeling well. She is continuing to walk 2 miles every day with Grandmommy and her headaches have decreased. She is also experiencing less prickly sensations when she gets overheated. Her hair is getting thicker and she is ready for spring. She has already broken out the flip flops and is shopping for bathing suits. Yeah Spring! Praise God for signs of new life in the garden and in us! The Daffodils are blooming and Erin has a spring in her step! She has been talking to the school about getting her job back in the fall. So that is a prayer request. The schools are all making cuts related to the decreased economy and we understand that, but Erin needs her insurance coverage! She has asked to go back part time, but she will take whatever she can get these days. I would also covet prayers for my job. I am ready to get back to work also. Thank you all for your loving prayer support over the past 2+ years. God is and always has been, right there beside us every step of the way. We are blessed! Enjoy the rain. It will bring blossoms! love, janet
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:25
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
It's March!!
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
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, 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