Chemotherapy another round

Colleen went for her clinic appt on friday we were hoping that her white and red counts would not have recovered so she could have a week off. Her counts were ok so she was given cytaribine( name mentioned for our chemistry and nurse friends who might be interested). She is also getting 3 shots daily for the next 3 days of cytarabine and taking an oral pill called mercaptopurine. We are thankful that she seems to be tolerating the chemotherapy well. She tires easily and has moderate stomach pain in the evening- not sure why but tolerating it well with no new strange side effects-Praise the Lord. Thank you for praying often for Colleen. We know that God is the Great Physician and he is able to heal Colleen and help our family through this trying time.

Thank you to our friends The Wart Hogs- a motorcyle group of retired policemen and firefighters for their generous gift. We really appreciate the fact that people who have never met us are so willing to help us. Thank you again. Thank you also to our wonderful church family at Inter-City Baptist in Allen Park and our sunday school class the ambassadores  for the gift card and the wonderful dinners you have provided.

I tried to post a new picture of Colleen in the beaver hat she was given at her clinic appt but they just aren't turning out today. Will try again in a few days. Thank you again.

No new problems

I am excited to report that there is absolutely nothing to report. We are relieved  that Colleen has had a few more good days. Somehow I just keep thinking more problems may be around the corner. We are hoping and praying that life will stay calm for a while. Colleen ventured out to the show with the girls today and was able to stay awake for the entire 2 hour show. We are elated! She was smiling and laughing today was able to stay awake most of the day. She is going for another MRI early in the morning. Please pray that everything is healing. There have been no problems but they are just making sure there are no new problem areas. Colleen goes for chemotherapy on Friday. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors as they decide how to proceed with her treatment. Thank you for praying.

It is so easy to get lost in the everyday drudgery of life. Take a moment to cherish the important things in life- your family and Gods goodness and grace. We have no guarantees in life. When you have a sick child it just sort of puts things in perspective. When it rains it pours. Part of the roof blew off last week and the toilet broke- oh well no problem. What used to be a big deal is now not so important. Thank God for talented family members- my cousin repaired both problems. Praise the Lord.

Venturing out to church

Colleen has had a few good days. Good days meaning that she is able to stay awake for over 2 hours at a time and the stomach pain has improved. She was able to attend church for the first time in a few months. We sat in the parlor so that  Len could take her home if she started feeling ill or too tired but she was able to stay awake for the entire service. For this we are thankful. Colleen really loves singing and i thought it would be good for her to go to church and sing. Anyway, she did well and really enjoyed visiting with someone other than her family for a while. Thank you all for praying. Please pray that the stomach pain will decrease. She is having bouts of nausea and her stomach hurts tonight. She never moans or complains- she has been very gracious and patient. Much more patient and gracious than i think i would be if i had to endure this trial.

Beads of Courage

Just a quick note to let you know that Colleens stomach pain has subsided. She ate quite a bit today. Thank you for praying. She ventured out to buy beads at Joannes this afternoon and now is napping. The clinic has a program called beads of courage and she gets a bead for each needle stick, clinic visit, icu stay, chemo infusion etc. We have had to create our own beads for a few things. Len bought her a rainbow bead to commemorate the rainbow hair and we had to get a stroke bead today. Anyway colleens beads should be very long. The string is already taller than she is and we are only 2 months into treatment.  We are praying that we don't have to buy anymore weird beads. We have had enough excitement for the next 2 years.

Chemotheray plan

Colleen went for her clinic appt yesterday and got a chemotherapy called vincrisitine. The doctors are giving he a short break from the methotrexate which they believe caused the stroke. I have had many people ask if they can change or quit giving this particular chemotherapy. Unfortunately, it is an integral part of the treatment for this leukemia. They are going to be able to give a drug called leukovoran( not sure of the spelling) the day after they give the methotrexate to protect the normal cells in the body from the chemotherapy and hopefully prevent any further toxicity. Chelsea has researched a bit and studies find that strokes usually do not recur. Colleen got 4 consecutive weeks of methotrexate in her spine and somehow it buit up in her system causing the stroke. A few studies also show that dextromethorthan or the ingredient in cough syrup also can help prevent toxicity. She is now takin 9 of those pills per day. Only one percent of children ever even develop this problem so the studies are few and far between. Once again we are left to depend on God to see us thru.

Please pray for wisdom for the doctors who need to decide how to proceed with the chemotherapy and pray that Colleen will not have anymore side effects from the medications. Colleen is having stomach pain please pray that the pain will subside.

Thank God for his wisdom in all things- He knows what the outcome will be and is working to show his power and love through this trial. Thank you all for praying for Colleen.

Faith and new pictures

Colleens new Sully hat so silly

Colleen is having a great day. She is stronger than I have seen in a long time and she is eating well hallelujah! The sparkle is back in her eyes.  The girls all ventured out today to pick up Cydnie from school and stopped to see Dr. Tally for a few minutes. Colleen was able to wear her scoliosis brace for a while today and for that we are thankful.

Last week on friday the verse on my planner sitting on my desk was Luke 12:6-7. Are not sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight. But even the hairs on your head are all counted. Do not be afraid- You are of more value than a sparrow. I was sharing this with my coworkers in the morning and praising God for his goodness but I really though of the verse in reference to Friday and Saturday with the stroke incident last week. Now I look back and realize that the verse was meant for both days. I was so panicked about Colleen when that social worker said she was not doing well -even though he has had her in his hand the whole time. I know that Colleen is going to be healed. Everytime I turn around the Lord is encouraging us. Just the other day a nurse called to let me know that a coworker of hers has a daughter that also had a stroke and she is doing well and graduating from U of M soon. Colleen was diagnosed early- responded well to treatment actually ahead of schedule, the Dr who diagnosed her also had leukemia as a 14 year old and is doing well. I am going to try to really focus on the fact that God is in control and whatever circumstances arise, he is totally able to care for Colleen. God is omnipotent and he loves us more than our parents on earth. I believe he will accomplish much through this trial- we are learning to lean on him and for this we are grateful. Perhaps God will use Colleen to minister to others one day. Thank you for your continued prayers for Colleen.

Colleen missed her rainbow hair so we bought some more

St Pattys day wig

Happy to be home

Colleen was discharged earlier today and is happy to be home. She is eating well not sure if this is because the chemotherapy was skipped this week or because the stroke affected the brain in some way but we are certainly glad she is eating better. She has her computer opened for the first time in a few weeks and seems to have more energy than i have seen in over a month. Praise the Lord for healing her so quickly. Did not get around to pictures tonight sorry. The bathroom was overdue for a cleaning will try to post some tomorrow. Thank you all for praying and for offering to help us it means so much.