Day +17

Today is day +17. Please forgive the delinquent posting! We have juggled between Children's, S.C.C.A., and home...needless to say, I am exhausted! Yesterday I came home from Children's and crashed on the couch, today I came home from S.C.C.A. and discovered a few errands I needed to run, so no crashing but a quick post will do! Grandpa is doing considerably well as he hasn't needed any blood transfusions since getting here. He has had several appointments and is going to be a part of a research study for his treatment of AML MDS. His spirit is good and I think he is enjoying getting to be around these grandchildren and getting acquainted with them. Selah, bless her heart, calls him, "MeeMaw"! Zeke follows him around like his shadow and all of the children like to "take Grandpa for a walk"! We are very much enjoying our time with...."MeeMaw?"...ahem. Speaking of AML MDS...we just received word that Grandpa does NOT have AML...not yet anyway. He has MDS which is the precursor to AML. This means that he will end up with AML in the future but that could take a year!!! We had originally been told that he had 40% blast cells (considered similar to a stage 4 cancer) and after his bone marrow aspiration discovered that he only has 8%!!! We are rejoicing in some good news for Grandpa!! His prognosis wasn't looking good but now it seems we have more time to enjoy Grandpa than expected! Of course we KNOW that each of our lives is in God's hands and He knows the day and hour in which He will call His children home, but humanly speaking, we are taking a collective sigh of relief! So now, he no longer even qualifies for the research study! His treatment plan is looking much different than it did just moments ago!

Anna is doing considerably well for being on day +17. To date, she STILL has had NO red cell transfusions!!!!! The nurses and doctors are all amazed! This is very unusual, but then again, we do serve a God who does things His way and not always the "usual" way!! It seems her red cells are dying at the same rate that the new ones are thriving! The nurses said if she doesn't need a red cell transfusion, she will be the first they know of to go through this type of treatment without one! She has had two platelet transfusions, but her numbers were still looking pretty good. Anna's ANC (neutraphil) is at 208 today! We praise the Lord! Those numbers have fluctuated a bit each day which is totally normal, but are steadily increasing. You may remember that she must have a number of 500 for two days straight before being considered grafted.  Anna is still astonishing the team with her jogging and jumping jacks, and now her laps around the 8th floor. The other day Anna did 100 jumping jacks! The P.A., Darren, has challenged her to a jumping jack competition for when she is preparing to go home. This has spurred her on! (as if she needed a challenge!)

The 8th floor is looking pretty empty these days. Since Monday, there have been 13 discharges total from the 7th and 8th floors. That leaves our floor with just six patients and an over abundance of nurses. Because of this, we have had short shifts as nurses are sent home. (at least for them it's during an amazing week weather wise!!!)

On the home front, Daniel decided to get into the spirit of supporting Anna.....by shaving his head! Yes, you read that correctly!


And yes, we had a little fun with it. Hope you do too! He may not be too happy with me for sharing these....but it's all in fun! Enjoy! And please, if you all live in the NorthWest, ENJOY the SUNSHINE!!!! Yes! It's true! Seattle DOES get sun and even warmth!! At 79 today, we could get comfortably toasty! May God bless each of you this beautiful day!!!

The finished product!

17 comments:

  1. Praising the Lord! The verse "He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think" comes to mind! His mercies are certainly new every morning! There is much to rejoice over, and I look with hope and expectancy to what the Lord will continue to do.

    Love you all!
    Sarah S.

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  2. Thank you for taking time to update us! Praising Him and praying for continued healing. hugs from the Youngs

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  3. Hi Anna,
    Praise the Lord for the continued good news. I know that you are doing everything possible to fight this disease and to stay physically fit. PA Darrell is going down! I know that you will leave him in the dust no doubt. As Dave says You've got this!We are so glad that God is answering the prayers of many for you with no red cell transfusions and the numbers going up! Looking forward to rejoicing with you again when those numbers climb to 500 or more.
    Such great news about Larry too! We have been praying. I can so see Zeke trailing his Grandpa and Selah with her MeeMaw comments. Too cute! Praying for all your individual health as well. We love you and are so thankful that God has given so many things to rejoice about.
    Love to all,
    Jackie Harper Galatians 2:20

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  4. There are no words to express the joy and excitement we feel when the Lord reminds us who He is. He is the great physician and is truly showing all of us His glory and grace. All I can say is Praise the Lord.

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  5. Praise the Lord! And somebody shine that chrome dome...nah....we are proud of you Daniel for being such a help to your sister. Anna, u continue to amaze us! 100 jumping jacks ~ I can't do that on a really good day. Keep those muscles moving, keep 'em strong! Glad to hear that your Grandpa has had good news too. We continue to hold you up in prayer, and I update our prayer chain at our church freq. too, so they can better pray for you.

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  6. Mrs. Houston,

    It's good to "hear" from you. We missed your family this past Sunday at WBC. We fully understand not being able to come though. Praise the Lord for Anna's improvement and the good news on Pastor's Dad. Will continue to pray earnestly for you.

    God bless you,
    Rick Potvin
    Pr. 3:5-6

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  7. This is so great to read! Thank you for the update! What a great God we serve. When we feel we're at our lowest, He is there to deliver us. Won't stop praying for Anna and Mr. Houston. I love you guys.

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  8. Praise God! So many blessings and answers to prayer!
    Still praying for you all! Looks good Daniel ;)
    Love you guys!

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  9. OK! Daniel I expect you and Anna to start practicing "Shall We Dance" from the King and I. Your more handsome than Yul Brynner and Anna is every bit a lovely as Deborah Kerr. It would cheer the whole 7 & 8th floor up. Please send the video.

    Thanks, Emily, for the update. Looks like it's morning. Psalm 30:5

    Brian Olsen

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  10. So many specific prayers answered for both Anna & Larry! I can't help but be reminded of the phrase from Mordecai to Esther, ” who knoweth whether thou art come...for such a time as this?” You are all brought together as a family to Seattle by CML/AML & only our wonderful LORD knows the full purpose which may take a lifetime for us to know. Its unfolding will be a wonder to see.
    Go Daniel! So glad you all had fun with this!

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  11. What a wonderful update! So many prayer requests answered and more! Praise the Lord! We are not surprised at all that Anna is astonishing everyone; you have such a amazing "go get 'em" attitude! You are always inspiring to us! Glad to see that the whole family is still able to find laughter and humor everywhere - and I think Daniel should keep his head shaved; it looks great!
    The Hilsons

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  12. Anna,

    You and your family continue to inspire us! We are thanking God for His amazing answers to our prayers!

    "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
    - Isaiah 41:10

    In Christ,

    The Simao Family

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  13. With a smile like this, he's cute with or without hair!!

    God bless you Daniel.

    Miss Carolyn
    :)

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  14. "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion." ~~ Psalm 111:4

    "Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!" ~~ Psalm 113:5&6

    Thanking the Lord for the amazing strength He gives to you each day to do what you need to do, Anna! Wow, Daniel! What a brother! It's hard to tell from the photos who had the most fun with the haircut. Still praying for Pastor's Dad and for God's wisdom for his new treatmant plan. I'm sure everyone is loving the extra time with "MeeMaw". Hugs, Grace Potvin

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  15. So thankful to hear the good news. Keep up the good work Anna!

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  16. That is awesome Daniel! I wanted to do it too, but my Family said my nose was to big for that...Way to be encouraging, Huh?
    Praying for you Anna,
    Travis Tracht

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