Anna's Appointment


Anna had her weekly appointment today. Thankful that, the weight she had lost last week was back, though she still needs about another ten pounds. Her new medicine wasn't in yet, so we have to wait a little longer to switch over. We are working with Dr. Irwin to regulate Anna's daily schedule so as to help her regulate her pain and sleep, as well as caloric intake.

 We had asked about a more specific look at dates for the transplant and got a very interesting answer. Dr. Irwin has never before had this type of response before, but most bone marrow transplants are done immediately as most leukemia patients have acute leukemia which is fast moving, unlike chronic myelogenous leukemia, which starts out slow moving. The doctor at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance said to tell us to go ahead and pick the date! He said May, June, July, whatever we want, their schedule is open! So please pray for us to have wisdom in this decision making! Also, if Anna's new meds don't help her quality of daily living, the transplant will be moved up. Five to six months can be a very long time when you are in so much pain and can hardly walk or stand for very long. I am thankful for Anna's sweet smile and the courage she has to face each new day!
 We are currently doing all we can to enjoy each and every day! I feel a bit selfish right now as I want as much family time as possible before her transplant. This might sound like a strange prayer request.....but please pray it snows on Christmas! I think it would make the day extra special to wake up to a winter wonderland!!! To be snuggled by the fire together, drinking hot cocoa (or coffee depending on which family member) and enjoying time together reading the true Christmas story and opening our gifts...all would make for the perfect day.
Anna gets a two week "vacation" from going to doctor's appointments. What will we do? We're going to Disney Land! Haha, just kidding! It's actually kind of funny, but the more you see of someone, the more "like family" they become! (So, we might actually MISS the staff at Dr. I's office!) I really can't say what all we will do at this point, but it doesn't matter. We will enjoy being just us.
 All in all, I can say that, while it is very hard to see my little girl's health decline, God is good! He blesses us daily! We have much to be thankful for. Each day is a gift, one that we want to use well. We are learning that we MUST redeem our time. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We can rest in the knowledge that Anna's life (as with all of our lives) is in His hands. God is sovereign and is guiding us down the path He has chosen for us. I don't need to worry about tomorrow. Yes, I do get sad at times and that's okay. But I have the joy of the Lord as my strength! This illness has been a reminder that I need to hug each of my babies tight every day. I need to make every little moment into a big moment, cherishing my children, instilling God's love in them, nurturing them in the admonition of the Lord.
 They need to see us as the Mommy and Daddy, and the big sister or big brother, allowing God to work in our lives. We need to point out God's goodness to them in everything. For He is good, and His mercy endureth forever!
 Make the most of your todays......give God the glory for every moment He has gifted you with. May the Lord of the universe bless you all!!!

19 comments:

  1. Thank you, Mrs. Houston, for this reminder to redeem the time and cherish EVERY moment! I continue to be humbled by your joy and thankful spirits. We will certainly continue to pray for God's will to be known and for His perfect peace. God is good and his mercy does endure forever.

    I love all the hats, Anna! Especailly the two bottom ones. I say everyboddy comes to church in an orange hat like that next orange Sunday. :-)

    I love you!
    Sarah

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    1. I totally agree that every one needs those hats for orange sunday. ;-) I found this cool orange hair wig that i thought i would buy too. ;-) haha..

      Anna

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  2. First 4 hats are cute, next 2 are sassy then last ones I think "Why were these made?" LOL ;)

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  3. Emily,
    Thanks for the post. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us so we know how to pray for all of you. You know how I feel about the snow...but I will pray for a white Christmas for your family. I also will have all my family around me and am looking forward to cherishing the time with them on Christmas Day. Love all the hat pictures. Anna is so beautiful. Glad that the weight is back up. Have been praying that she will like ensure. I know that is a tall request but our God is able to do miracles:). Also praying for the weight gain and the pain to lessen and the new meds to work. She has such a Godly spirit as she is going through all of this. Each time I talk to her I am encouraged as I am trying to encourage her.
    Hugs to you all.
    Jackie Harper

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  4. Praying for a white christmas & for guidance to chose a date!!! Love all the photos of the hats? Has she bought any yet!?? Praying for you Anna Renée love you & your beautiful smile!!

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  5. Praying for all of you! Love love the hats!!! You are soooo beautiful Ana!! May God's grace abound in you today. Love the Killians

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  6. Thank you for the update! We will continue to pray for your precious girl and your family. I cannot imagine what it must be like to watch your precious baby go through something like this. What a special girl she is...her beautiful spirit just radiates from within her.

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  7. I love hats but have only bought one so far......actually my parents bought my first hat through all of this. And Kaitlyn i totally agree about the last two hats. the bottom one might be cute in a different color.......maybe.

    Anna

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  8. Praying for you guys daily.

    Love you guys,
    Jamie (and the rest of Team Fuller)

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  9. Praying that the new meds come in soon, for a white Christmas, and for wisdom in choosing a date for the operation!
    We're blessed by you all and thankful for the reminder to spend our time wisely! Love you guys!

    Love hat number 6 btw! hahah.

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  10. Praying for God's wisdom and timing for the date. I would imagine it would be easier if the date was set by the Lord through the doctor... no concerns about choosing when she should go in.... but then again, I am not in a busy Pastor's family. I'll be praying that God clears your calendar for the time He knows is best so that there is no doubt... just as He did a few months ago when He knew Pastor and Samuel needed to be home with the family.

    Praying for you daily, Anna! Rejoicing in the praises and answered prayers... but also aching for you during your pain and sleepless nights. Love you! Oh, I personally like hats #'s 2, 3, and 5 on you! :)

    Mrs. Houston, you are so right! Even during a "tough" day, we need to remember that none of us are even guaranteed another moment with those we love. It's hard to remember to cherish each moment with them sometimes... especially if they are being naughty or disobedient. But when they are gone, those are not the things we will remember the most anyway.

    Praying the Lord gives you (and us too) a white Christmas... and a wonderful time together as a family!!! Hugs, Grace

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  11. You are so adorable, Anna! Seeing your radiant smiles through all this is both encouraging and convicting. Love you and praying for you.

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  12. The Houston family,

    Continuing to pray for you and your family. I agree with Gilead that hat number 6 is the best one!! I too am thankful for Anna's wonderful testimony through this difficult time. Anna has a very beautiful smile. I agree with Mrs. Houston that it is nice to have a white Christmas. I work on Christmas night so hopefully it will snow Christmas Eve and already be on the ground Christmas morning. This Sunday should be wonderful with the Candlelight service. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday at WBC.

    In Christ... Pr. 3:5-6

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  13. Praying for Anna... Merry Christmas to your family!

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  14. We are praying for relief for sweet Anna and that the new meds would be just perfect! I will specifically pray for a white Christmas for your precious family, that would be just wonderful! God cares about our every desire.
    Love you all,we shall pray that your family time will be most special and for Anna to feel wonderful through these holidays.
    It is an honor to pray for you dear sweet Anna and your precious family!
    1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

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  15. I like the pink one on top and I always want a white Christmas

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  16. So did you get a white Christmas? I know that Shelton got at least 2 inches of snow on Christmas morning. :)

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  17. Hi Anna, hope you are feeling better. I love you so much and look forward to spending some time with you and your family. I hope you are enjoying your Christmas vacation time.
    Auntie Lori

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  18. We are praying for Anna daily, and for the rest of you, I am wondering which of the siblings will be the donor, I cant find that information on the blog. Lots of love, Kimberly Yant

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