Hi Everyone!
Hope your all doing well! I was admitted back to Penn late Thursday night, we started Chemo Friday. This round of Chemo is 2x a day at a higher dose than before, but only every other day for 3 days. Sunday will be my second set and Tuesday will be my last. They say that if I don't have a fever or any other complications, I can go home after my last treatment on Tuesday night and get to sleep in my own bed. Yippe!!
I feel pretty good. So far no complications, just utter boredom. My counts aren't low yet so I've been able to leave the floor and walk out the hospital over to Pot Belly's, a little deli across the street. That's the excitement of my day. lol. Nap's are next to impossible. I tried to take a 2 hour nap today. Tried being the key word. Every 10-15 minutes someone would come in to check my vitals, or clean the room, etc.... I was ready to make a sign; Do Not Disturb and post it to my door. Not sure how that would fly though. That being said, I'm really looking forward to going home and recovering there with less interruptions :-) Of course I have teenagers so there will be a few.
I leave you today with a word from the book of James 1:2-8 out of the Message (The Bible in contemporary language) "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get His help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers: are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you will get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."
I see my Leukemia as a gift, and look forward to what more God has to teach me about Himself and who I am in Christ. I encourage you to see your trial or suffering from a new perspective, from God's who is all knowing, all loving. Jeremiah 29:11 says " For I know the plans I have for you, "says the Lord. " They are plans for your good and not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future." (NLT) Pray believing God is who He says He is and does what He says He will do.
Love you all!!
~Edie
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Updates For The Next Leg of The Journey
Hi Everyone!
So sorry I haven't updated in a few weeks. I will be updating again more regularly. I have really enjoyed my time at home. My focus was on rest, relaxation and quality time with my family. Oh... and organizing like crazy :-) The first week I wasn't able to do much because I was still so tierd and I also has Cdif, a stomach infection. Uggh. By the next week, I was getting around and more. I saw the doctor for another bone marrow biobsy and learned that I am successfully in first remission. Yippee! That means that I do not have Luekemia right now. I still have a long road ahead though. I have 4 more rounds of Chemo that will span through December. Each time it will be a week of Chemo, two weeks of being neutropeinic, and 3 weeks recovering and then I do it all over again. I have about a 70%-65% chance of it returning, even after the chemo. We considered the bone marrow transplant, but I have decided to put that on the back burner for now. The transplant would reduce my risk by 20% more but has serious risks involved that I am not ready for. My brothers are not a match so that makes things even trickier. I continue to pray for and trust in God's healing power in my life.
A prayer request would be that I would be fever and infection free during the next round of Chemo. I go in on Thursday July 31st. If after my week of Chemo is up and I have not gotten a fever, I can come home to recover rather than staying in the hospital for the full 30 days. I would much prefer recovering at home with my family and better food :-) However, if at any point while recovering at home I get a fever, I will be back in the hospital until the end of August when my counts come back up. Uggh. Also pray for my family, that they would continue to see Christ at work in the midst of this and have complete peace and trust in Him. Pray also for the returning to school preparations and transitions back, that they would go smoothly without having much help from me.
I need to give a Huge THANKS!!! to everyone that has been supporting and praying for us. Also, I did not have the opportunity to post my thanks to those who have done so much during my stay at home. There was a Saturday work day and many families came and weeded and mulched my yard and cleaned the inside of my house; Thank you- Kay and Erin , Hannah, John, Lauren and Corey, Pam and Scott, Theresa , Betty Ann and Courtney, Jane and Ron, Cathy K, Pam and Steve, and Dawn and Dan, And Dad and Jim :-) Thank you to Mom, Pat and Caitlin, Toni and Mary for your cleaning over the last couple of weeks! Thank you to everyone who provided a meal or have sent gift cards. We are so blessed and appreciate everything you all have done. I hope to write a personal note of thanks to each of you eventually, but please know that your kindness and generosity has not gone unnoticed and I give thanks for you everyday!! I love you all!!!!!
So sorry I haven't updated in a few weeks. I will be updating again more regularly. I have really enjoyed my time at home. My focus was on rest, relaxation and quality time with my family. Oh... and organizing like crazy :-) The first week I wasn't able to do much because I was still so tierd and I also has Cdif, a stomach infection. Uggh. By the next week, I was getting around and more. I saw the doctor for another bone marrow biobsy and learned that I am successfully in first remission. Yippee! That means that I do not have Luekemia right now. I still have a long road ahead though. I have 4 more rounds of Chemo that will span through December. Each time it will be a week of Chemo, two weeks of being neutropeinic, and 3 weeks recovering and then I do it all over again. I have about a 70%-65% chance of it returning, even after the chemo. We considered the bone marrow transplant, but I have decided to put that on the back burner for now. The transplant would reduce my risk by 20% more but has serious risks involved that I am not ready for. My brothers are not a match so that makes things even trickier. I continue to pray for and trust in God's healing power in my life.
A prayer request would be that I would be fever and infection free during the next round of Chemo. I go in on Thursday July 31st. If after my week of Chemo is up and I have not gotten a fever, I can come home to recover rather than staying in the hospital for the full 30 days. I would much prefer recovering at home with my family and better food :-) However, if at any point while recovering at home I get a fever, I will be back in the hospital until the end of August when my counts come back up. Uggh. Also pray for my family, that they would continue to see Christ at work in the midst of this and have complete peace and trust in Him. Pray also for the returning to school preparations and transitions back, that they would go smoothly without having much help from me.
I need to give a Huge THANKS!!! to everyone that has been supporting and praying for us. Also, I did not have the opportunity to post my thanks to those who have done so much during my stay at home. There was a Saturday work day and many families came and weeded and mulched my yard and cleaned the inside of my house; Thank you- Kay and Erin , Hannah, John, Lauren and Corey, Pam and Scott, Theresa , Betty Ann and Courtney, Jane and Ron, Cathy K, Pam and Steve, and Dawn and Dan, And Dad and Jim :-) Thank you to Mom, Pat and Caitlin, Toni and Mary for your cleaning over the last couple of weeks! Thank you to everyone who provided a meal or have sent gift cards. We are so blessed and appreciate everything you all have done. I hope to write a personal note of thanks to each of you eventually, but please know that your kindness and generosity has not gone unnoticed and I give thanks for you everyday!! I love you all!!!!!
Lastly, I want to encourage you all. God has spoken to my heart and filled me with such peace and even excitement to see how He is at work. I have such a conviction and passion to remind you that God is Good all the time. He can be trusted and has a plan for this for my good and His glory as it is written in Romans 8 :28. In Ephesians 3:13-21, Paul writes a prayer for the Ephesians. It is also my prayer for you- "Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever, Amen."
Love and Blessings,
~Edie
PS( My next updates won't be so long :-) I needed to catch up for missed weeks. LOL)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Tired but Happy!
I just spoke with Edie, she was hanging out in the family room with Zeke by her side. Apparently he hasn't left her side since she got home. Her family was not quite ready for her so her mom is busy cleaning. She is tired but happy to be home! While it seemed like she was there forever, it was just 30 days, which is an answer to prayer that she was on the shorter side of the projected 30-40 day stay!!
Edie should be home for three weeks rather than the two she originally thought it would be. She will go back to the hospital on Monday for another Bone Marrow Biopsy, it will be out-patient.
Edie is looking forward to "doing something!" As we getting off the phone it sounded like the first something was going to be playing a game with Julia!
Since Edie racked up the minutes on her cell phone while in the hospital she asked that if you call try to call the house phone. (If you have verizon wireless you can call her cell since it would be an in-network no charge call.)
Respectfully - Faith
Edie should be home for three weeks rather than the two she originally thought it would be. She will go back to the hospital on Monday for another Bone Marrow Biopsy, it will be out-patient.
Edie is looking forward to "doing something!" As we getting off the phone it sounded like the first something was going to be playing a game with Julia!
Since Edie racked up the minutes on her cell phone while in the hospital she asked that if you call try to call the house phone. (If you have verizon wireless you can call her cell since it would be an in-network no charge call.)
Respectfully - Faith
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Being a Blessing
This is what I was picturing as I spoke with Edie Saturday afternoon. I debated whether to include it in this post until I opened my Bible for a quiet time to this passage so ...
"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who has sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:12-17
What a beautiful example of this Edie's recent visitors have been. While they haven't washed her feet for her they have given her some foot, leg, arm and hand rubs and SHE LOVED IT!!
First she had visit from Karen B, David B Jr, and Kathy H. David played the guitar while his mom and Kathy gave Edie a foot and leg rub during their visit. Edie said the that combo was just what she needed.
Then she had a visit from her work friends Rayelle, Brooke and Tammy. They had her laughing, alot!! They also gave her a massage.
The pampering continued with a visit from Laurie B and Kathy P who also rubbed her feet.
While Edie totally loved the massages, the best part of all of these visits was when she was prayed over. They were her best couple of days so far. She was awaiting a visit from her parents when we spoke.
In the time that has passed since her pampering parties the pain in her stomach has lessened and as a result they have lowered the amount of pain medication. Her fevers had been low grade and nothing that is track-able. She was able to take a 2 lap walk around her wing of the hospital -- the first walk since the chemo cycle started about 20 days ago! Edie's white cell count is on the rise!!
Praise God for friends who are such beautiful examples of the body of Christ! Praise God for answered prayers! Praise God for the gifts of music, massage and laughter!
Respectfully ~ Faith
"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who has sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:12-17
What a beautiful example of this Edie's recent visitors have been. While they haven't washed her feet for her they have given her some foot, leg, arm and hand rubs and SHE LOVED IT!!
First she had visit from Karen B, David B Jr, and Kathy H. David played the guitar while his mom and Kathy gave Edie a foot and leg rub during their visit. Edie said the that combo was just what she needed.
Then she had a visit from her work friends Rayelle, Brooke and Tammy. They had her laughing, alot!! They also gave her a massage.
The pampering continued with a visit from Laurie B and Kathy P who also rubbed her feet.
While Edie totally loved the massages, the best part of all of these visits was when she was prayed over. They were her best couple of days so far. She was awaiting a visit from her parents when we spoke.
In the time that has passed since her pampering parties the pain in her stomach has lessened and as a result they have lowered the amount of pain medication. Her fevers had been low grade and nothing that is track-able. She was able to take a 2 lap walk around her wing of the hospital -- the first walk since the chemo cycle started about 20 days ago! Edie's white cell count is on the rise!!
Praise God for friends who are such beautiful examples of the body of Christ! Praise God for answered prayers! Praise God for the gifts of music, massage and laughter!
Respectfully ~ Faith
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Biopsy Results and a plan
Edie got the results back from the Bone Marrow Biopsy and there are some small victories to be celebrated. There was no cancer in the sample that they took!! This means that once the fevers and pain are gone she can head home and recoup there for two weeks before the next round of chemo. Edie has started a regimen of continuous pain and fever reducing meds to help gain control. (She had been trying to tuff it out - that's our Edie.)
She is looking forward to being at home, in a comfy bed. When I spoke with her she was quite upbeat and was happy to report that she had been able to play the guitar for a little while today. (Thanks Paulie D.!!)
Another THANK YOU goes out to another division of Commerce Bank. Edie wants to thank the Commerce Online group for their love, prayers and generous gift. She worked with this group 2 years ago when she was doing day work and still see some of them when she leaving her shift.
Respectfully - Faith
104.9
No, that's not the best radio station around but unfortunately it is how high Edie's fevers have been spiking. Edie is still waiting for the lab results to see how well the chemo worked and chart her next step in this journey. Her hope is that she will be able to come home for a short period of time before the next chemo treatment. In the meantime she is still dealing with the after effects of the first chemo treatment such as fevers, a pretty steady stomach pain from an infection (it has a name but I have no idea how to spell it), and hair loss to mention a few. Edie has also had multiple blood and platelet transfusions. (These are an everyday occurrence lately.)
Edie would like to thank all of you for your continued love, support and prayers! A special THANK YOU goes out to the Third Shift Commerce Bank Team for their love, support, prayers and gifts! Edie was quite touched by your generosity.
She wishes that she felt better and could post information more often so until that time comes she has asked me to update the blog for her. I will do my best to keep you as up to date as possible.
As you pray for Edie pray for wisdom for the medical personnel, for the lab results, fevers to stop, stomach infection to clear, comfort, for her girls, her husband, her siblings and her parents.
Respectfully - Faith
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