Update from Elaine
Dear Friends and Family,
Wanted to send out a quick update prior to Kate's admission on Monday. We are thankful that the preliminary tests for the stem cell rescue (transplant) all showed that Kate's other body systems are in good shape for the transplant. Unfortunately, Kate was not able to return to school this week due to a low ANC (infection fighting WBCs). The MRI, which was scheduled for this past Friday, was rescheduled for today (Saturday) at 1:00pm. It was another long day at the hospital, with lots of delays. We finally finished the full brain/full spine MRI shortly before 6:00pm. We will not know the results until Monday afternoon, after the tumor board meets and reviews the scan.
Kate is scheduled for a 7:30am admission on Monday, January 8th. The surgical placement of the broviac (central line) will be at 9:00am.
REQUEST: Please pray that the discomfort from the surgery will be minimal and that the healing of the incision will be rapid. Kate will be uncomfortable, and that will only be magnified when she receives the first dose of chemo later on Monday.
As shared before, two different kinds of high-dose chemo will be administered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday will be a day to rest and recover somewhat from the rigors of the chemotherapy. Friday will be the first partial stem cell transplant. During her stay in the hospital and her recovery time at home, Kate's diet and environment must be carefully monitored to avoid potential infection-causing agents. For this reason it has been advised that Kate not receive fresh flowers, plants, or balloons.
REQUESTS:
~ We are entering a very intense and daunting phase of treatment. After reviewing the consent form with the doctors and reviewing all the potential risks, there is some very real fear in our hearts. I identified with Kate the other night as she prayed that God would not allow Satan to put a spirit of fear in her heart. Please join both of us in that prayer.~ Please pray for protection from the potential side effects associated with the two chemotherapy drugs: skin irritation and blistering, nausea, kidney damage, and hearing loss.
~ Join us in asking that Kate will be protected from any allergic reactions to medications or blood products.
~ Pray that Kate will be protected from infections while her white blood cell count is drastically reduced.
~ Ask that the new stem cells will find their receptors and begin functioning and rebuilding Kate's bone marrow supply.
~ Please specifically pray for Kate to be protected from the spirit of discouragement. Hospital stays are always a bit disheartening for her. At this point, her discharge date has not been set. It will be determined according to her recovery from the toxicities of chemo and the rebounding of her overall health.
Maggie and Grace will be staying with Grammie and Pappy during our hospital stay. It will be hard for us to be separated for this length of time, but we are grateful for the love and care of my parents. Please pray for their time together and for their strength and encouragement during this time.
PRAISES:
~ Since December 28th, when Kate received 2 units of RBCs, nausea decreased and appetite and energy level increased.
~ For the blessings of sharing fun times and making happy memories with family and friends through special visits and activities prior to beginning this next phase of treatment.
~ Special thanks to Derek and the Cashiers, The Old Man Band, and our Concord church family for a wonderful night of music and fun at the benefit concert Friday night. It was a real lift to our spirits and an incredible blessing to our family.
We take this next step of faith with God as our stronghold and guide, knowing that no circumstance can block His love and purpose for our lives. No task is too difficult for Him to complete. Thank you for continuing to stand with us.
Carried by grace,
Elaine, for Kate and Maggie too
Wanted to send out a quick update prior to Kate's admission on Monday. We are thankful that the preliminary tests for the stem cell rescue (transplant) all showed that Kate's other body systems are in good shape for the transplant. Unfortunately, Kate was not able to return to school this week due to a low ANC (infection fighting WBCs). The MRI, which was scheduled for this past Friday, was rescheduled for today (Saturday) at 1:00pm. It was another long day at the hospital, with lots of delays. We finally finished the full brain/full spine MRI shortly before 6:00pm. We will not know the results until Monday afternoon, after the tumor board meets and reviews the scan.
Kate is scheduled for a 7:30am admission on Monday, January 8th. The surgical placement of the broviac (central line) will be at 9:00am.
REQUEST: Please pray that the discomfort from the surgery will be minimal and that the healing of the incision will be rapid. Kate will be uncomfortable, and that will only be magnified when she receives the first dose of chemo later on Monday.
As shared before, two different kinds of high-dose chemo will be administered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday will be a day to rest and recover somewhat from the rigors of the chemotherapy. Friday will be the first partial stem cell transplant. During her stay in the hospital and her recovery time at home, Kate's diet and environment must be carefully monitored to avoid potential infection-causing agents. For this reason it has been advised that Kate not receive fresh flowers, plants, or balloons.
REQUESTS:
~ We are entering a very intense and daunting phase of treatment. After reviewing the consent form with the doctors and reviewing all the potential risks, there is some very real fear in our hearts. I identified with Kate the other night as she prayed that God would not allow Satan to put a spirit of fear in her heart. Please join both of us in that prayer.~ Please pray for protection from the potential side effects associated with the two chemotherapy drugs: skin irritation and blistering, nausea, kidney damage, and hearing loss.
~ Join us in asking that Kate will be protected from any allergic reactions to medications or blood products.
~ Pray that Kate will be protected from infections while her white blood cell count is drastically reduced.
~ Ask that the new stem cells will find their receptors and begin functioning and rebuilding Kate's bone marrow supply.
~ Please specifically pray for Kate to be protected from the spirit of discouragement. Hospital stays are always a bit disheartening for her. At this point, her discharge date has not been set. It will be determined according to her recovery from the toxicities of chemo and the rebounding of her overall health.
Maggie and Grace will be staying with Grammie and Pappy during our hospital stay. It will be hard for us to be separated for this length of time, but we are grateful for the love and care of my parents. Please pray for their time together and for their strength and encouragement during this time.
PRAISES:
~ Since December 28th, when Kate received 2 units of RBCs, nausea decreased and appetite and energy level increased.
~ For the blessings of sharing fun times and making happy memories with family and friends through special visits and activities prior to beginning this next phase of treatment.
~ Special thanks to Derek and the Cashiers, The Old Man Band, and our Concord church family for a wonderful night of music and fun at the benefit concert Friday night. It was a real lift to our spirits and an incredible blessing to our family.
We take this next step of faith with God as our stronghold and guide, knowing that no circumstance can block His love and purpose for our lives. No task is too difficult for Him to complete. Thank you for continuing to stand with us.
Carried by grace,
Elaine, for Kate and Maggie too
posted by Tracy @ 10:38 AM
2 Comments:
At 12:59 PM,
Anonymous said…
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep the faith. Satan will not come to you. God will keep you safe at all times with constant prayer. Please know that there are thousands of people praying for you all over the world to overcome this terrible disease.
Mrs. Boots.
At 3:56 PM,
Anonymous said…
Thank you for the update my dear friends. I have already lifted these requests and will continue as you head into this week of treatment. "Carried by Grace!" What a testimony of God's hand in your lives. We love you and pray for you, something miles can't touch. love sherri for all of us
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