Fasten Your Seat Belts, As We Prepare For Takeoff!

Anna-Renee Ruth Houston

The ball is rolling and it's momentum is a bit faster than we had expected! So here is a recap:
Last week Anna came to me and said, "Mom, I think it's time." Her side effects were getting unbearable again. Craig called and left a message for Dr. Irwin on Friday. Monday, he called to let us know that he had made the call to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and he expected to hear back from them by Tuesday. He said he would call us when he heard anything and that he would see us on Wednesday. Tuesday, every time the phone rang, we all jumped to get it. Dr. I never called. Wednesday, we set out for Anna's appointment stopping off to get a frozen yogurt treat. With Craig being in California for the week we decided to try Face Time through Anna's laptop...it worked and Craig got to be a part of the appointment. Dr. Irwin asked all of the usual questions and then shared with us what S.C.C.A. had said. It seems they had an open slot on the 18 th! They didn't say a month so logic told us that that meant THIS month!!! S.C.C.A. had tried to get a hold of Craig, too, so he would make the call back after the appointment. Apparently they weren't available by the time he did get to make the call so he expected to hear from them yesterday (Thursday). After her appointment, Dr. Irwin scheduled an appointment for the 20th, just in case, but said he doubted that he'd see her again until after transplant. The goodbyes were a bit somber yet hopeful. The nurses all said their goodbyes and made Anna promise she'd let them all know how she is doing. This is truly a family of families when you see them just about every week for six months. After Thursday's call we have confirmation that Anna has her appointment set for Tuesday, March 19. That is 11 days from now!! It's hard to explain just how you can be anxious and yet at perfect peace all at the same time, but that's exactly where I am at right now. 

So what does this all mean? What all will be happening and when? Well, we expect a packet of instructions to come in from Seattle soon. But what we do know now, is that first of all, Anna must not hug people anymore! (You all at church know what I mean!) She must wear a mask now and, as Dr. Irwin put it, "Where you were careful before, it's time to become paranoid." This is VITAL! Anna will spend two full days of intense scans of her body as they look at every organ and search every nook and cranny of her body for any signs of hidden pockets of infection, and they will insert a pic line in her chest from which they will draw blood from as well as put in the bone marrow etc.. Any infection found will delay transplant. Anna will then receive 3-5 days worth of extremely high dose chemotherapy. After all of this, she will be injected with her new bone marrow. It will take weeks for her body to start producing this marrow in her bones and she will be monitored closely. Once released from hospital care, she will live with us close by the hospital and S.C.C. A.. She will still need to be seen daily. This process will take around 100 days. (adding on the preliminary stuff will make it more than 100 days).

We are standing on our Rock for strength!

We are currently scrambling to get things in order here at home as we also look for a place in Seattle. Craig has possibly found a couple of rental houses, but to be able to pay for them is another story. We trust that God will guide and direct us and that He will make this possible!  We desire to have as much time together as possible in the next.....week....wow, that's soon. Our time with Anna is precious. Our hearts are filled with fear of what could be, but also of hope with what God can do! I don't know if this makes any sense to you all, but that's the sum of it just the same. We know and trust that God's ways are higher than our ways and that He will do His perfect will. We covet your prayers and seek your understanding in these last few days of "normal" family time. Thank you.

Houston's Stick Together!



21 comments:

  1. Many more prayers for you all now. Praying for God to give the Docs an extra measure of wisdom and clear vision as they read the scans. Praying also for Him to give you all an extra measure of grace and Anna extra peace, strength and comfort during this next phase of His plan for your family. I love you!! I understand about the caution... so I pray this (((((HUG))))) will do!!!! Love you, my friend, Grace

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  2. Sweet Anna, I know I can't hug you, but I want you to know that I am surrounding you in prayers instead. And remember, that God's arms are around you every second! I just read in Psalm 18 today, "As for God, His way is PERFECT". That says it all. I love you more than you know!

    Your friend,
    Sarah

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  3. We are praying diligently for all of you! May God guide every person that will be involved with Daniel and Anna's care. We are praying for the finances for the rental home and for God to provide everything that you need. We have a great and mighty God and we will continue to go to His throne for all the decisions that will need to be made.
    We love you all and are here for you. So please give Anna a virtual hug from the Harper's. Tell her I am looking forward to the day when I can again hug her for real. Dave would tell her (you can do this) and there is a tree at family camp with unfinished business. Obviously not this year but the next year.
    Love Dave and Jackie Harper

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  4. 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. Psalm 46:1-3

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  5. Praying for your family!! praying that you are able to find a home close to the hospital and that you are all able to be together. Love you guys, your family is such a blessing!

    Anna,
    I love you my dear friend and am praying that God gives you strength to fight this! with Christ you will win! may God continue to give you the peace that passes all understanding.

    Daniel,
    i am praying that God gives you the strength and the continued health to be the best that you can be for Anna and for your recovery. I love you like a brother and may God give you the strength that is needed!
    Sending hugs and prayers for the whole family.

    ~Hannah Simpson. :)

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  6. Dear Houstons,

    We are praying for all of you. We pray for health for Anna and Daniel. We pray for Pastor Craig as he leads your family through this season. We pray for a special place for your family to be together that is close to Children's and the SCCA. We pray for God's grace and peace to be evident each and every day in abundant measure!

    We love you so much,
    Mike, Cyndie, and Danny

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  7. sob sob sob... thats all i can say. well, i can also say please tell me if i can do anything!
    Anna, i love you! can you take your mattress topper with you? ;) heheh. a verse comes to mind: Phil. 1:6 ;)
    Mrs Houston! you are amazing!
    Pastor you are strong!
    Naomi! i love you! :)
    Daniel! i am praying for you!
    the kids can come play anytime they want a break! i have lots of yard! hehe ;)

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  8. Sending hugs and prayers from Wisconsin! Love you all, Houston family!

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  9. Wow! What an immense feeling you must have right now as you prepare. Praise The Lord, our God is bigger than all of this and will give you the peace, comfort and rest that you need. Praying for you and wishing I knew someone with a house for you all! :)

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  10. All I have to say is that all my love and prayers are with I love you and think of you often. Hold onto our Lord for He is with you with each step you take
    Love and Prayers
    John & Terry
    Pennington

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  11. It is hard to communicate feelings, especially when they seem so conflicting, but I understand what you are saying. Great hope comes in the face of great fear, and it overcomes that fear, because God is good and God knows what's best. Know that are prayers are with you all, for this will be a team effort. May we soon rejoice together.

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  12. Houston Family,

    Will continue to pray often for you. We love Anna and the Houston family. Will miss you during your treatment but am sure this is what is best for you. Will also continue to pray for Daniel to stay healthy and for the wisdom of the doctors under their care.

    Love and much prayers,
    The Potvin Family
    Ps. 118:24

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  13. Anna I'm praying that God gives you strength to fight this

    -brady

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  14. Prayers for Anna and your family as the next phase of her treatment begins.

    Sherri Wachowiak (Rick Potvin's sister)

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  15. Our thoughts are with Anna and your family. If anyone can get through something as tough as this, its most definetly The Houston Family!Tell Anna she is a tough cookie, and that she may not know the reasons why this has happend to her, she will overcome this obstacle and be able to be a comfort and stronghold for others in her future!

    Donna Gray

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  16. I see the baby ticker!! YAY!!!! Overwhelmed with mixed feelings/emotions. Praying.

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  17. Houston Family,

    Praying diligently for all of you! What a great comfort to know that precious Anna is in God's hands!

    Thank you for keeping us all informed. I know it's sometimes difficult to write everything that's going on and your mind is spinning with so much information.

    I like that baby ticker!

    Blessings and more prayers,

    The Holston Family

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  18. Thanks for the updates. I'm praying for you Anna and the rest of your family!!!
    ~Grace Flint

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  19. Praying praying praying for you guys!! Thank you so much for these updates! Anna is so special and beautiful, inside and out. The girls ask after you all the time and we will be praying you through all of this :)

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  20. Craig and Emily,
    We are praying for Anna and you all! God will see you through this scary trial...He has you in His hand. May He give you continued peace as you face what lies ahead.

    Love, the McIntosh fam in Moscow

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  21. Anna I pray that God will give you and your family strength as you go through this hard time. Remember that "the joy of the Lord is your strength" Nehemiah 8:10. Jesus will be right there with you holding your hand and giving you strength!
    ~Amanda McDonald

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