Praises to our Almighty God!!!!!!

I am so thrilled to report to you all that the Gleevec Anna is on has put her white blood cell count to.....

NORMAL!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read it correctly, I said normal!!!! We are rejoicing in this good news. Her red blood cell count and her platelet count are also in the normal range! Now, this does NOT mean that she is all better. This just means that the medicine is doing it's job and that we will be able to wait until this summer for her bone marrow transplant. Also, her weight is up just a bit...not what it needs to be, but up nonetheless. Her height is at 85% for her age and gender, her weight is at 75%. She needs all the nutrition and strength she can get before she goes in for transplant to help her body fight this cancer. 


Anna is in a lot of physical pain. Her bones hurt, a throbbing and sometimes sharp pain runs through them. Her muscles also ache as if she has just done a rigorous workout. Anna is very very tired but her body refuses to shut down at night, causing her to lay awake until 3, sometimes 4 in the morning. Her doctor has prescribed something for her but encouraged us to try melatonin first. In all of this we know that God is at work in our lives. He is molding us and shaping us into the vessels He desires us to become. We are comforted as we lean on the Lord for strength and have peace of mind as we consider that God is in control of this situation and all situations for that matter. 

I am so thankful for this bit of good news today. I ask that you all keep on praying! Please pray for an extra measure of grace to sustain Anna as she continues to endure the pain as well as the thoughts of what is yet to come in the next several months. We desire to make the most of this time we have together enjoying the little things in life. Celebrating milestones such as Anna being able to eat a  WHOLE plate of food!!! God is good.

26 comments:

  1. Anna,
    God is our refuge and our strength. I rejoice in our Lord. He alone receives the glory. We know He is the Great physician.

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  2. Praise God for this wonderful news. It is always exciting when God answers the prayers of his people. I will continue to pray for God to help Anna with all the pain that she is experiencing.Also that he will give her good sleep.
    Love Jackie Harper

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  3. Praise the Lord!
    We will continue to pray for Anna. We love you Anna!

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  4. Glad to hear your encouraging news with this pill/medicine and The Lord's hand. We are praying for wisdom for you, her parents, who watch over her and for healing in the W.B.C. producing cells in her bones etc. Are you or the Drs. open to any natural helps as she goes through this? (I am not promoting any product or selling anything...)*Just very curious and concerned.*
    A reformed friend (in a round-about way.:)

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  5. Amen, Amen! Thank you for sharing this good news, a wonderful thing to start the day off with. We will continue to pray for her strength and pain management and for blessed sleep. I know it is hard for you to see her in pain. She is still showing God's wonderful grace shining through her - a gracious, beautiful, and godly young lady still. We love you all!

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  6. Wow! Praise the LORD!! What an encouraging report! Thank the Lord for his comfort and strength that he is giving you.
    Praying for you all!

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  7. I am so thrilled at this news!! Glory to God for His mercies endure forever! Still praying that her cell count continues on this path, for strength, and grace.

    Praying for you all!! Love ya!!!

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  8. Praise the Lord for this wonderful news! We are continuing to pray for her ability to sleep and an ease in her pain levels. We love you!

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  9. Praise the Lord! What a MIGHTY GOD we serve! Thanks for sharing this wonderful news. We love your family and will continue praying for you.

    With love,
    Cyndie :-)

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  10. Praise the Lord, Happy to hear the good news, Still praying for your strength Anna. We love you.

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  11. Praise the Lord!!!! suck wonderful news to read. God is working through your family and I pray he continues to !!! Love you guys so much <3

    ~Hannah Simpson

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  12. In much prayer for you all! I love you, Anna! ~Sarah

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  13. Praise the LORD!!!! I can't wait to tell the kids! Praying that the Lord will ease her pain or give her the grace she needs to bear it until her transplant. Praying also that the LORD will give her a good night's sleep tonight. A big hug to all of you! Love you, Grace

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  14. I was so happy to hear this good news last night!
    We are all praying for Anna and the whole family daily, and will add specifically her troubles sleeping!

    Stay strong! We are here if you ever need anything!

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  15. Such wonderful news! Praise God! We love you all and will continue to be prayin!!

    The Mikats

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  16. We are rejoicing with everyone in this wonderful news, and continue to pray; also, for good sleep for Anna. We love you all, Dear Houston Family.

    The Olsens

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  17. That's wonderful!! We continue to pray for Anna and your dear family - love you guys!

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  18. I truly meant what I said to Anna at church last Sunday. She is an inspiration to me. To see her spirit and her humility in her acceptance is something I remind myself of when I'm feeling sorry for myself over issues that are trivial compared to what she is experiencing. Thank you Anna and thank you God FOR Anna. Please Lord, be with her and sustain her and grant her a blessing of relief from pain.

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  19. Praise the Lord that your blood cell count is back up to normal, Anna! I will continue to pray that you gain weight and now for your ability to sleep. Love you!

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  20. Emily, that is great news.Costco has a Melatonin by Schiff I use it alot because I cant sleep.Just thought you might want to try there.:)Julie

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  21. That is absolutely amazing! God is truly awesome! Thank you for keeping us updated!! Praising the Lord with you!

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  22. Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow! He is good to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think. Exciting news that things have slowed down a bit and that the transplant can wait until summer. We will continue praying for pain management, deep sleep, and peace in knowing that God is in control. Love you all!

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  23. Praise the Lord for answered prayer. I will continue to pray for Anna to have grace and strength for things ahead. Also praying that she will be able to get the rest that she needs. love you guys Sandee Ragsdale

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  24. Anna,

    I will continue to pray for you. Praise the Lord for answered prayer about your blood cell count!! Will pray that the Lord will give you the ability to sleep better. I agree with many from our church that you are an inspiration in the way you desire to be at church in spite of being in much pain. Your smile through it all lifts the spirits of those around you. Will also continue to pray for your strength during this time and the Lord to give strength and wisdom to you and your family.

    Love and Prayers,
    Rick Potvin
    Pr. 3:5-6

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  25. Praise be to God. Standing with you all in prayer! All our love to Anna and each of the Houston clan~

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  26. Bless His name! I am so happy to hear the good news, and continue to pray for Anna, as does our church here in Idaho.

    Bro. Dean

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