Thank you so much for all of your prayers, your words of encouragement and caring thoughts for my mom and our family. Today I am in awe of God and His power to work in mighty ways.
Today we received the results of some of the final tests we were waiting on. The doctor informed us that my mother does indeed have leukemia, BUT my mother also has one of three cytogenetic abnormalities (Inversion 16). THIS IS A GOOD THING!
Having this identified is good for 2 reasons…
1 – there is a standard treatment that is used for those who have this cytogenetic abnormality. Knowing that she has inversion 16, we don’t have to be puzzled trying to figure out what course of treatment should be taken OR trying to determine if we want to participate in a research study on a treatment for the kind of leukemia she has. They know what works for those who have this Inversion 16.
2 – there is an increased success rate for complete remission for those who have Inversion 16
The probability of having one of these cytogenetic abnormalities is quite small… BUT with God anything is possible. Thank God for this good news.
Today is considered “DAY 1” and now, after almost a week of waiting… diagnosis is confirmed, treatment has been identified and chemotherapy will begin tonight.
My mom will be undergoing aggressive chemotherapy. One drug will be given every day for 3 days (it takes just 15 minutes) and another will be given intravenously through a permanent line that’s been inserted in her chest. This will happen every day continuously (yup! 24 hours!) for 7 days. This chemo will be followed by recovery time in the hospital.
She will likely be in the hospital for another 4 weeks. During chemo and recovery time she will be susceptible to fevers and infections. Being in the hospital will allow for the medical team to care for her.
Prayer and Praise…
- Praise God! Yesterday they successfully went through the procedure of inserting a Hickman line through which all her treatments will be administered and her blood tests will be drawn.
- Praise God for the test results showing she has the “good” abnormality! This gives us a better prognosis and clarity on treatment to pursue! (WOW!!! The % is small that she’d have this… and she does!!)
- Pray for my mom’s response to the chemotherapy – there are many side effects, including hair loss and nausea.
- Pray that the possible risk of heart damage will not be a complication that occurs during treatment.
- Pray that fevers and infections will be minimal and manageable.
- Pray for family (brother, aunt, uncle, cousins) travelling from Florida this weekend coming to visit.
- Praise God for aunts (from Florida and Texas) who are coming to stay and be with my mom over the next few weeks.
- Pray for emotional, physical, mental and spiritual health for my mom during this time … and for the whole family (for those who aren’t able to be here, and for those in Florida and Texas who are sacrificing time with family and work during their stay here in PA)
- Pray for patience, strength, peace, grace and love for all of us as we care for my mom.
- Pray for continued wisdom to the medical staff who provide care.
- Pray for this aggressive chemotherapy to be successful and that she will go into complete remission!
- Pray that God will be glorified in us and through us throughout this!!!
- Praise God for His Word – Truth that gives us hope and perspective during this time.
Today is the 36th wedding anniversary of my mom and dad! I am thankful to God who brought them together and for His love that is theirs. Pray that even this will be a faith and love building experiencing for them as husband and wife.
THANK YOU for your prayers!
Thank you for pointing us to the Lord!
Thank you for believing on God with us!
(FOR THOSE WHO WANT THE MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY: My mom has AML – M4; Inversion 16. She will be going through “7+3 Induction Chemotherapy” Cytarabine (for 7 days) and Daunorubicin (for 3 days).
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