The Latest on Anna-Renee

Friends at the Pt. Defiance Zoolights
 Anna started her new medicine, Tansigna (nilotinib), on Christmas morning. The Gleevec was giving her debilitating side effects. Anna's body was in much pain and the doctor knew this wasn't going to be a good thing to endure for six months. So, with hope, he put her on the Tansigna. Well, the side effects were just as bad for her, along with the pain, she was experiencing a rash and itching all over as well as dizziness and terrible abdominal pain. Though these drugs are keeping her blood counts normal, the stuff that comes along with it is just not worth it. We are all concerned that they are wearing her down so she will have no strength left when it comes time for transplant. Dr. Irwin has decided to try something that he's not sure if anyone has tried before, and that is trying a third drug. He said that we should know pretty quickly if it is helping her feel better as well as combat the cancer. We should be getting it within a few days and she will begin taking it immediately. If however, this does NOT improve her quality of life, he will be calling the transplant team and scheduling the transplant. This could all be taking place within the next month or two. We pray that God will continue to make our path clear throughout this journey.

My mother's heart is torn. After the whirlwind of the diagnosis and expecting to go into transplant right away, the brakes were slammed and we all were thrown for a loop as we were told by the docs at SCCA that we would be waiting until late spring/early summer. Of course, we knew that if the meds didn't work that we'd go straight to transplant, but when her blood counts went to normal, we all settled into life again. Plans were made for the upcoming months. Things we were wanting to do first. I am thankful though that our doctor has wisdom to know that wearing Anna down before the transplant isn't the preferred way and that we'd rather move forward and get Anna better. He told Anna that this was not supposed to be the game plan. The plan was for the Gleevec to work and that she would be feeling better by Christmas. We were definitely looking forward to her having energy again and being her "old self" for a while. Well, that was not to be. We will see if this new drug will do what the other two did not....3rd times the charm, right? ;-) But if this too gives her debilitating side effects, we are prepared for the next step. We know that God's plan is best and He will guide our steps. We will praise Him no matter what.

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers! Please continue to pray that she will gain weight...it was down and she really needs about 18 pounds put back on! At this point, we are ready for the inevitable and so what ever that entails in the next month(s) so be it. Just pray for strength as well as the souls we are to encounter on this path. Pray their hearts will be ready for the gospel!!!

Many blessings to you all!



20 comments:

  1. Anna, I have 18 pounds I will GLADLY donate to you! (Actually, more, if desired.) LOL

    Seriously though, I am praying for you DAILY. I love you and pray that this new medicine works the way God wants it to. I know it sounds strange, but He is the only One Who knows if it will or if you should go ahead with the transplant earlier than expected. I know you already know this... guess I needed to see that fact in black and white again... or in this case, on this blog, pink and blue. :) Love you! Many hugs for today, Mrs. Potvin

    ReplyDelete
  2. Praying. Love you Anna Renée.

    ReplyDelete
  3. So sorry for the present set back, but so hopeful for the future victory over this dread disease. Praying and pleading for Anna and the Houston family. See you all soon.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Do we have a confirmation as to which boy it is? Praying for you and wisdom for all concerned.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Praying for you my dear friend! I love you Anna and will be praying daily that this third medication will do its job without all of the painful/complicated side effects to go with it!

    ~Hannah.S

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anna & Houstons we will continue to pray for the newest medication to work and God's will on the timing of the transplant. We are also praying for the weight gain. Time to have a few breve lattes. We love you so much and want God's perfect timng and will.
    Love the Harpers.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anna,
    I absolutely have 18 pounds to give you however instead we will pray that the third medication works and that you can wait a couple of months until flu season is over! God's timing is best, also praying for you brave brother who will be donating his bone marrow for health and strength as well...We love you all so very much! May God continue to bless your life

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anna I love and pray for you and your entire family each day and night. I don't understand how anyone without God can get through a day in this world. I pray God will be very close to you and supply each need and strengthen you and your family.
    I cannot imagine how your mom and dad can function through all this; without the Lord I know they couldn't.
    Please know, "Family" that we don't expect you to fulfill all you have before all this happened. I feel certain the entire church feels the same way I do.
    Thank you for all you do for the church and our Lord; God bless each one of you. And "May God heal Anna," and keep her beautiful smile.
    Love and prayers,
    Carolyn

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm Praying for you my friend, for your strength. Love you Anna

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thank you for the update! We will continue to pray for you all and are so thankful that you have doctors that seem to be insightful and have Anna's best interests at heart. That's what you get when you are in the hands of the Lord! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Standing with you in faith and prayer. Pass on our love and aching hearts from the Peter Bradrick family to the whole Houston Clan!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Praying for all of you, and God's best for Anna.
    Much love from the Youngs

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for the update. I am glad your doctor is willing to try something new, and I am praying that this third drug will not have the negative side effects! You know, so the smell of garlic will not turn Anna's stomach anymore! Poor thing...

    I love you all.
    ~Anna Gloria

    ReplyDelete
  14. Praying for God's perfect will to be done and His perfect peace and grace to accompany it! I pray that your strength will increase and that this new medication will work. My heart is heavy for you, Anna, and you are constantly in my thoughts.

    I love you very much,
    Sarah

    P.S. Cut hat ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Praying for you to have strength and peace through this, no matter the outcome. I love you, Anna!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am sitting here @ the Winslow ferry dock looking out across the water twards where u will be having your surgery. I am asking our Father to heal Anna. And praying for the very best of circumstances for her and her brothers' surgeries. God bless you all. I love you and pray for you regularly. Brother Jason

    ReplyDelete
  17. The prayers are still coming from the Rose family and around the world! Love you guys!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anna and Houston Family,

    You are constantly on our hearts. From beautiful Anna and all her pain, fears, and worries, to the sibling that will be blessing Anna as her donor, to mommy and daddy and there precious little baby having to go through all of this. We constantly lift each of you up to God in prayer sometimes to the point of tears. How REAL, How BIG, How Awesome and In Control is Our GOD?!?! Your focus is right on… ON JESUS!! The only HEALER, the only COMFORT, The only SAVIOR. We are thankful to God that He is giving you Strength in this. And not only is He strengthening each of you, He is also blessing you guys with a joyful focus: that you are wanting prayer for the souls you will encounter on your journey and that they will be ready to hear the gospel! That is amazing strength and beauty all from our Heavenly Father. You guys are such an encouragement to our family. We love you all dearly!

    In our thoughts and prayers,

    The Teves Family <3
    (David and Daesha)

    Ps: Anna, you are beautifully and wonderfully made! Every piece of you handcrafted by our Heavenly Father. I am so deeply sorry that you are having to go through this. =( I pray that you will stay focused on God and His purpose and plan for your life. I pray that He will be your strength in this time of weakness, and when you start to get anxious, meditate on the words "Be Still and Know that I AM GOD..." psalm 46:10 also "Do not worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all he has done. Then you WILL experience GOD'S peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace WILL guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 Love you sweet ANNA!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am praying for you all. I can't even imagine how hard this journey is for you. But the Lord is stronger than all of this!
    Psalm 18:1-2

    ReplyDelete

Hello everyone! Thank you for following me on my blog! I LOVE comments and hope you will leave them for all to read! When you do leave a comment under "anonymous", please leave your name so we can know who you are, therefore enjoying your note even more! Thank you for your consideration!