All systems are a go, Houston, we are ready for take off! Yesterday, Anna had surgery to place the Hickman line into her chest. To the right, is "Chester" (get it? haha) Chester is there to show us what a Hickman line looks like and where it is placed in the body. The line tunnels under the skin up around the collar bone and into the jugular vein. This line will be where Anna's blood is drawn, where medications such as her chemo drugs are given, fluids are put in, and ultimately, the bone marrow will be administered. Anna was a trooper through everything! The surgeon actually commented on Anna's sweet and very kind spirit. He said that everyone in the room was talking about it and that it was so refreshing in this day. This was a blessing to hear. |
| Smile! |
Yesterday was a bit of a reality check for me. After all of the delays we are actually moving forward! There is no turning back. It was very sobering, but the peace of God surrounds us. Tonight, at 8 p.m., Anna will be admitted into Children's. She starts her anti-seizure medicine this afternoon. The first chemo drug can cause seizures but the meds will keep that from happening. When she is finished with the first drug, she will continue for 24 hours with the Dilantin (anti-seizure). We begin tomorrow morning, bright and early.It is hard to believe. I am still processing all of this. I am thankful for a great hospital and staff. I know Anna will be in the best place possible. And our family is as together as we can be.
Abigail: "Mommy, will we get to visit Anna?"
Zeke: "Dear Jesus, please take the cancer away from Anna, make her all better."
~Just a few things we are hearing around the house. All things that tug at my heart and bring tears to my eyes even now as I type them.
I don't think we could ever actually be ready for this. I know that tears are okay. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes that there is a time to weep. It also says that weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning. I am looking forward to that morning! I'm not saying that I do not have joy right now, but it's a serious time, the joy is in knowing that God is with us through it all.
Today, we say good-bye. It will be a tearful good-bye. We know not what the future holds, but we know Who holds it. We trust that God will allow what is best to bring him honor and glory. We serve a wonderful Saviour!!!!
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| Anna's pastoral visit in the hospital..... |
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| Being wheeled to her waiting Mommy and Daddy |
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| Resting, in good spirit, but in pain |
Hi!
ReplyDeleteWe "met" Anna at the father daughter rtreat that Vision Forum did and I was greatly encouraged by her strong Faith and Joyful Spirit! We will be praying for Anna nad all of ya'll as you go through this new chapter in your life. Love and Prayers,Leah
Proverbs3:5,6
There is nothing I can do for sweet Anna but pray. And I think that is exactly where God wants us, dependent on Him. My heart is heavy and there are many tears, but there is much hope in knowing that we serve a mighty God! Never forget that there are no "ifs" in God's kingdom. He is in control of every detail.
ReplyDeletePraise God for Anna's testimony! She is the sweetest-spirited person I know, and I pray that the joy of the Lord would continue to be her strength.
I love you guys!
Sarah S.
Christy, Allyson, Leanne and I continue in prayer for your family. I am moved to tears with nearly every thought of you all. Your frequent updates and personal transparency through these serious and trying times is encouraging and inspirational to so many. We love your family dearly.
ReplyDeleteLet us know if there is anything else we can do...
Brother Lance Hohenstreet
May God wipe every fearful tear, give his perfect peace, and work his healing! May he use the testimonies of you all greatly to any who come across your path as you go through this trial in Seattle. May he protect you, Anna and Daniel, my dear friends, and ease any pain you have from the operations, and from your treatments, Anna. May God get all the glory from this tribulation before you, and bring you all out of this fire as polished stones, shining bright in a dark world.
ReplyDeleteLove and prayers always for you all,
Gilead
Thank you for posting the pictures. All of us are praying and holding our breath a little. We are looking forward to the future when God heals Anna of her diseases.
ReplyDeleteLove Jackie Harper
I am glad that God understands our tears... tears because she has to experience so much pain, tears because we can't "do" anything about it, tears because you as parents and siblings have to see (more than we could ever imagine) her go through this... but, I guess there are some happy tears mixed in with these because we know that God is taking care of her even when we feel that we can not. Anna amazes me with her testimony of faith and trust. I pray that I too can grow to be more like that. I know that this is going to be a long year... but please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers DAILY. Praying especially today that the pain from her "line" becomes tolerable. Love you and miss you all so much! Big HUGS, Grace
ReplyDeleteHoustons,
ReplyDeleteYou are an amazing family with an amazing daughter who has an amazing brother! And best of all you have an AWESOME and AMAZING God! (Sorry if that is a mess to read...)
We are praying for you and weeping with you. We are so thankful that you are willing to post updates.
Our love to each of you,
Suemes
We are praying! Love you guys. -Team Fuller
ReplyDeleteMay God's love and peace surround Anna and your entire family. Lots of prayers are being sent your way from literally around the world. May God be magnified in all of this! We love you!
ReplyDeleteEmily...I love reading your posts. What a blessing and encouragement to read. You have been on my heart all day today. Anna and your whole family is being surrounded in an amazing amount of prayer today from all over the world. I want to thank you for posting all the pics as well. It allows us to follow along in the journey the best that we can. Thank you for that privilege. We are praying.
ReplyDeleteKristi long
Craig, Emily, Anna & rest of family. Know that you are well loved & prayed for, I'm sure, across the nation. I'm so thankful for the updates, so we know how to be praying wisely. Anna's sweet testimony, her love of the Lord, and uncomplaining spirit will be apparent to all involved in her care. Especially praying during the meds that ill effects are very minimal, and that God will give you all the grace to endure this season. Sending love and a ray of sunshine from FL! Carole Binder & family
ReplyDeleteI can't even imagine what you all must be going through right now. Seeing pictures of your precious daughter brings tears to my eyes, but her testimony and witness brings a blessing to my heart. Thank you for keeping us updated. We will keep praying with you!
ReplyDeleteDear Houston Family,
ReplyDeleteAnna has such a wonderful testimony. She has been such an encouragement to me over this past several months during this time since the onset of knowing about her disease. I miss her beautiful smile. Thank you for sharing the pictures. Am continuing to pray steadfastly for Anna and the Houston family.
Love and much prayers,
Rick Potvin
Pr. 3:5-6
Dear family, We are praying for you and have you on our hearts this week. Love you all so much. Wish we could visit but wouldn't want to bring any germs from our family. Hopeful that Anna will respond well. Love you so much, David and Lori and all your cousins.
ReplyDeleteWow, it is so hard to read this, but I know that the God is good, and He will supply ALL your needs. It is so encouraging to know that we are being held in the palm of God's hand, and that he will never fail us, no matter what. He will never leave your side, even in the darkest nights and in the deepest valleys. I love you guys so much. "Never a trial that He is not there, Never a burden that He doth not bear, Never a sorrow that He doth not share, Moment by moment, I’m under His care. Never a heartache, and never a groan, Never a teardrop, and never a moan; Never a danger but there on the throne, Moment by moment He thinks of His own. Never a weakness that He doth not feel, Never a sickness that He cannot heal; Moment by moment, in woe or in weal, Jesus my Savior abides with me still."
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your love and support. Anna is all tucked in and we are reading these comments on her tv in the room that allows her to have internet access. She is excited to be able to live stream the Sunday services on the wide screen.
ReplyDeleteWe are truly humbled by all of the love and pray!
Dad and Anna
We love you all and we are praying for you! Please let us know if we can be of any help. We are only a phone call away!
ReplyDeleteLove, The Shaver's
We have been and will continue to pray. We love you, Anna!
ReplyDeleteThe Goetsch Family
Anna and Daniel I'm praying for you
ReplyDeleteWith love Brady
I will be praying for you Anna and Daniel. Anna I love how you are always cheerful and I can tell your submissiveness toward God's will in your life. Remember to rely on God's strenghth when you are weak because his strength is everlasting. Jesus is always there for you in your pain and suffering. I'm so glad that Jesus conquered over death so that we can go to heaven where there is no pain or suffering. Here is a verse that will encourage you: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. " (Hebrews 12:1-2, ESV) and also this one: "Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. "(2 Timothy 2:3, ESV) I love you and I'll be praying for you!
ReplyDeleteAnna, we're praying here in Ontario, Canada.
ReplyDelete"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." Psalm 46:1-7
Praying for you all and Anna!! Love, The Huckaby Family
ReplyDelete