Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Preparing for a transplant while planning for a miracle
My mind is split a bit. I'm attempting to make preparations for a March transplant, all the while expecting my Rider on the white horse to come and save me. Our 10/10 match has been delayed for some reason, and my white blood cell count is down. (If your child has a fever, it is best to keep them home because the elderly and people in my shoes that have immune system issues have bigger consequences.) This is a bit discouraging, and I have to admit that our family has had a case of the grumpies. All that said, I am getting in the mood to get this over with!
The Miracle Match Marathon is coming up this weekend. Van is running in the marathon. You read that right! I am so proud of him. He has worked his tail (and knees) off in preparation.
The kiddos are growing much too fast. Avi can hold onto our fingers and walk across the room. The boys can break into most of the baby locks across the house, so it is slight mayhem most of the time.
If you have an interest in helping with my kiddos or with helping my family with meals while I am out, you can let Carrie Driskill know. I'll be out of pocket, so it is best to go straight to her. She can communicate with my parents about it all, and that will lessen their workload. We still don't have dates, but you can give her your contact information.
Much love to all. May the joy of the Lord be your strength.
The Miracle Match Marathon is coming up this weekend. Van is running in the marathon. You read that right! I am so proud of him. He has worked his tail (and knees) off in preparation.
The kiddos are growing much too fast. Avi can hold onto our fingers and walk across the room. The boys can break into most of the baby locks across the house, so it is slight mayhem most of the time.
If you have an interest in helping with my kiddos or with helping my family with meals while I am out, you can let Carrie Driskill know. I'll be out of pocket, so it is best to go straight to her. She can communicate with my parents about it all, and that will lessen their workload. We still don't have dates, but you can give her your contact information.
Much love to all. May the joy of the Lord be your strength.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
From good news to better news
We went to a doctor visit today in Dallas. Blood levels and bone marrow levels are stable, so we don't have to jump into a transplant immediately. He also let us know that a potentially perfect match will be available in Feb. (This person was not in the running before because they traveled to a country with malaria, but the waiting time is almost up.) Our current match is a 9/10, and the potential match is a 10/10. If this person passes the high-resolution testing, this could lessen the risks involved with the transplant. This all is very good news. If I'm not healed prior to the transplant, it looks like it would be scheduled for early March.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
doctor visit
Tomorrow is our appt with the transplant doctor and another bone marrow bibopsy (anyone a Big Fat Greek Wedding fan?). Please pray for a normal biopsy. We'll get the results in a couple of weeks. Also pray that our spirits will stay happy. Doctor visits sometimes feel like a kick in the gut, and I don't want us to succumb to what we see or hear but to what is possible through His goodness.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Healing in progress...one way or another
A few significant things have happened.
Our sweet 4 lb. 11 oz. baby boy just turned 5-years-old on Nov. 8. I'm not sure how that happened so quickly. All of a sudden, we are preparing him for kindergarten and the big wide world. My favorite Cade quote is now, "What took you so fast?"
Last week Mom and Dad took care of the children for us while we attended a school of healing. This was outside of our church culture, but the knowledge and experience of the way that the Lord heals today has been something that we have been pursuing for maybe the last five years. With my health issues, it was crunch time! These four days were devoted to prayer, worship and the deepening of a relationship with Him. The people at the conference were just regular people from all types of backgrounds and all ages. During the day, people that were interested in acquiring knowledge and experience attended, and at night it was opened to the general public, many of whom were obviously in need of healing. We were amazed. I don't think that I will ever be able to look at the Bible (or the Lord Himself for that matter) in the same way. I feel that I need to re-read with my new perspective after the scriptures of healing came alive in flesh in our midst.
Well, was I healed? We are confident that this is probable. On Monday, I will have a blood draw. We took just about every opportunity for prayer available, and we saw the Lord in His compassion at work in other people. Truly amazing.
Also significant is the phone call that I received yesterday. A nearly perfect match was found. This person has made the final cut. All I know about them is that they are living in the United States. We are thankful. I'm a bit hesitant in jumping for joy. A bone marrow transplant is a wonderful thing, and again, I say we are thankful. At the same time, remember that this is very risky, uncomfortable (for the recipient) and a very long process. I'm not going to dwell on this, but please understand that I'm not giggly about it. Also, please take caution when around my children and speak wisely.
We have a doctor's appointment for the first week in December with yet another bone marrow biopsy the same day. It will take two weeks to read the biopsy.
Have I mentioned how grateful we are for all of you who pray and who check in on us? You guys are the bestest. Keep it up. Remember to pray for HEALING-- the contingency plans can wait!
Our sweet 4 lb. 11 oz. baby boy just turned 5-years-old on Nov. 8. I'm not sure how that happened so quickly. All of a sudden, we are preparing him for kindergarten and the big wide world. My favorite Cade quote is now, "What took you so fast?"
Last week Mom and Dad took care of the children for us while we attended a school of healing. This was outside of our church culture, but the knowledge and experience of the way that the Lord heals today has been something that we have been pursuing for maybe the last five years. With my health issues, it was crunch time! These four days were devoted to prayer, worship and the deepening of a relationship with Him. The people at the conference were just regular people from all types of backgrounds and all ages. During the day, people that were interested in acquiring knowledge and experience attended, and at night it was opened to the general public, many of whom were obviously in need of healing. We were amazed. I don't think that I will ever be able to look at the Bible (or the Lord Himself for that matter) in the same way. I feel that I need to re-read with my new perspective after the scriptures of healing came alive in flesh in our midst.
Well, was I healed? We are confident that this is probable. On Monday, I will have a blood draw. We took just about every opportunity for prayer available, and we saw the Lord in His compassion at work in other people. Truly amazing.
Also significant is the phone call that I received yesterday. A nearly perfect match was found. This person has made the final cut. All I know about them is that they are living in the United States. We are thankful. I'm a bit hesitant in jumping for joy. A bone marrow transplant is a wonderful thing, and again, I say we are thankful. At the same time, remember that this is very risky, uncomfortable (for the recipient) and a very long process. I'm not going to dwell on this, but please understand that I'm not giggly about it. Also, please take caution when around my children and speak wisely.
We have a doctor's appointment for the first week in December with yet another bone marrow biopsy the same day. It will take two weeks to read the biopsy.
Have I mentioned how grateful we are for all of you who pray and who check in on us? You guys are the bestest. Keep it up. Remember to pray for HEALING-- the contingency plans can wait!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Good thing
I just want to mention to all who have been able to join the Be the Match registry (and to those who wanted to but were not able) that at least two people that I know of have been contacted for other patients who need bone marrow transplants. Please pray that they will get the opportunity to help. Praise God for His provision.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Bad computers, Better platelets and Crawling Lobsters
We've had some trouble with our internet router lately, so between that and missing keys on our laptop, communication has been poor. In addition, we are in a waiting period that could change in a heartbeat with a telephone call from the bone marrow registry with a match or a simple healing touch from the Lord (or both).
We have some good news to report. My platelet count went up this month from the 40s to the 60s! Thank you, Lord! That is going in the right direction.
In other developments, the zebra chair is basted together and functioning well, the kiddos had a blast as a happy ghost(complete with a Sharpied smiley face), Scooby Doo (minus the irritating mask), and a very well adjusted lobster/crawdad that was adorable when her antennae wiggled as she crawled. My U.I.L. journalism coach/cousin would have had a field day with her red pen on that last sentence!
We have some good news to report. My platelet count went up this month from the 40s to the 60s! Thank you, Lord! That is going in the right direction.
In other developments, the zebra chair is basted together and functioning well, the kiddos had a blast as a happy ghost(complete with a Sharpied smiley face), Scooby Doo (minus the irritating mask), and a very well adjusted lobster/crawdad that was adorable when her antennae wiggled as she crawled. My U.I.L. journalism coach/cousin would have had a field day with her red pen on that last sentence!
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