Update from Elaine
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Dear friends and family,
Yesterday we celebrated the last radiation treatment for now. The doctor's projection is that he will probably treat the whole spine down the road a bit. We first need to get a base line on how the chemo is working on the nodules that are not being radiated.
We did blood counts yesterday as well and found that Kat'e hemoglobin has dropped already (since last Thursday's count)- which is a primary side effect of the VP 16 chemo and the fact the radiation hits the bone marrow where the RBC's are manufactured. They also did a retic count. A retic count tells you whether the body is making red cells. Kate's count is low. Therefore, her oncologist does not think her hemoglobin will recover by next week. Thus, they are anticipating that she will need a transfusion of RBC's on Monday. Her appt. is 9:30. We know from past experience this usually takes a better part of the day. Even though we don't look forward to the long day-it's a good quality time for the two of us together. With the low hemoglobin and radiation fatique is increasing and Kate is often cold. She's making good use of the soft warm cuddly blankets she recieved last time :)
*Please ask that if Kate indeed needs the transfusion, that there will be no allergic reaction. That only happened once the last go round, but was no fun.
We are thankful for a wonderful Labor Day weekend and especially the gift of a visit from two special friends from Texas who are very much like family to us. Their visit was an encouragement and truly met the needs of our hearts.
Maggie had her first basketball game on Tuesday and was thrilled to score 4 points!
*Please ask that we are all sensitive at helping Maggie to have some of the lime light too, during a time when so much attention is focused on Kate.
*Praise for the sweet and sensitive sister Kate is and how she goes out of her way to make Maggie feel special.
*Praise for the anticipation of Grace's arrival on Sunday. We have done some pre-shopping preparing our new puppy layette :)
I'm feeling a little weary emotionally but find the prayers and countless expressions of encouragement really do carry me.
* Praise for the wonderful friends and family God has surrounded us with.
Thank you for standing with us,
Elaine, Kate, and Maggie
Dear friends and family,
Yesterday we celebrated the last radiation treatment for now. The doctor's projection is that he will probably treat the whole spine down the road a bit. We first need to get a base line on how the chemo is working on the nodules that are not being radiated.
We did blood counts yesterday as well and found that Kat'e hemoglobin has dropped already (since last Thursday's count)- which is a primary side effect of the VP 16 chemo and the fact the radiation hits the bone marrow where the RBC's are manufactured. They also did a retic count. A retic count tells you whether the body is making red cells. Kate's count is low. Therefore, her oncologist does not think her hemoglobin will recover by next week. Thus, they are anticipating that she will need a transfusion of RBC's on Monday. Her appt. is 9:30. We know from past experience this usually takes a better part of the day. Even though we don't look forward to the long day-it's a good quality time for the two of us together. With the low hemoglobin and radiation fatique is increasing and Kate is often cold. She's making good use of the soft warm cuddly blankets she recieved last time :)
*Please ask that if Kate indeed needs the transfusion, that there will be no allergic reaction. That only happened once the last go round, but was no fun.
We are thankful for a wonderful Labor Day weekend and especially the gift of a visit from two special friends from Texas who are very much like family to us. Their visit was an encouragement and truly met the needs of our hearts.
Maggie had her first basketball game on Tuesday and was thrilled to score 4 points!
*Please ask that we are all sensitive at helping Maggie to have some of the lime light too, during a time when so much attention is focused on Kate.
*Praise for the sweet and sensitive sister Kate is and how she goes out of her way to make Maggie feel special.
*Praise for the anticipation of Grace's arrival on Sunday. We have done some pre-shopping preparing our new puppy layette :)
I'm feeling a little weary emotionally but find the prayers and countless expressions of encouragement really do carry me.
* Praise for the wonderful friends and family God has surrounded us with.
Thank you for standing with us,
Elaine, Kate, and Maggie
posted by Tracy @ 11:13 AM
4 Comments:
At 10:51 AM,
Anonymous said…
c
At 11:05 AM,
Chris said…
Dillon Family - Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside of your journey. We love you, and I know that there are many prayers being lifted up for you.
In one of my favorite Psalms (Ps. 136) there is a echo that repeats, saying, "His love endures forever!" (the Message says, "God's love never fails"). That is my prayer for you today, that you would experience in a real way the never-failing love of Jesus!
At 2:20 PM,
Anonymous said…
Dear Elaine, Kate and Maggie:
Thanks to Pam Godwin who has forwarded me some of your emails I been able to pray for all of you.
I don't know if you remember me or not but I have not forgotten your beautiful family. Maggie was in my class when she was only 2 years old.
That was my first year in Chiang Mai.
I directed the childcare for AGM in Chiang Mai for five years.
Blessings,
Joanna Kelley aka Granny Jo
At 8:04 AM,
Anonymous said…
Always Listen To The Lord. He Will Help You Through Any Trails Big Or Small In Life. You Are In Our Prayers Daily. Keep The Faith.
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