Saturday, January 31, 2009

Chemo #3

The third chemo treatment is done now. I slept all day yesterday, but have felt pretty well. One more treatment to go, then we'll be waiting for the OB and oncologist to decide between them when is the best time to deliver our little boy. The OBs have said the delivery should not be any earlier than 32 weeks. (I'm 20 weeks now.) I'll be having a c-section which will require about a month of recovery time before the chemo treatments can resume. The oncologist is extremely uncomfortable about going at least 3 months without any treatment for the cancer, and I have a feeling she will be pushing for an earlier delivery. I don't know what's best. I'm not in a position to be calling any shots. This appears to be a competition between my health and our son's. God has shown that he can and will guide circumstances that are entirely beyond our ability to handle. I don't know why he has let things happen the way they have, but I'm thankful for years of experience that back up what the Bible says about trusting him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not to your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Thanks for the update, Amy. We are praying much for you and will be praying for the doctors to have wisdom from God, too. I love you!

Cousin Cynthia

Anonymous said...

Still praying for all of you. Thank you for your testimony!

Love, Bonnie

Anonymous said...

Your sweet spirit is such an encouragement and challenge. Thank you for allowing God to prove His grace to others through your example. I pray for you everyday. Lots of love,
Christa

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing! praying much for you and your family and for the doctors to have wisdom.

Rhonae

Anonymous said...

Amy & family,
We continue to pray for you many time throughout each day. We pray for much wisdom for your doctors and for grace for each member of your family and for safety for your little guy! We miss you all! The kids send their "hellos" to yours! Thank you for you sweet testimony of God's grace! I have heard that grace is "divine influence on the heart that is reflected in the life"--you are showing that! Love you!
Sheri

Anonymous said...

Dear Amy & family~I'm praying for you all out there~the Lord will show you how to handle all you have ahead of you~your testiomny is such an encouragement to so many of us!
Love & Prayers,
Judy White friend of your parents at HPBC(Annie Brooks(White)Mother

Rachel in VA said...

Amy,
You are so good to keep us updated, though I know you must have to MAKE yourself do it sometimes. Thank you. Continuing in prayer for you all.
Love you.
Aunt Rachel

Anonymous said...

Amy, You all are an inspiration for so many people. God is giving your family unbelievable grace to go thru this time. I am not at all surprised at you! All we can do is believe in our Sovereign Father. Easier said than done, huh? Love you and still praying everyday! Give everyone a hug from the Carters. Love, Bob & Sherry

thefedssc said...

Your testimony through your blog speaks volumns of God's grace. Thank you for taking the time, even when I'm sure you don't feel up to it, to share your heart. Continuing to pray for you.

Anonymous said...

Hunter and I love you and are praying for you. You are a precious testimony of His grace to all of us.
Keep looking up!
Love,
Aunt Becky and Hunter

Anonymous said...

Amy, thank you for the updates. You remain in my prayers. I love you. Aunt Sarah

Rachel said...

We are praying for you and for the Lord to give doctor's wisdom as when to deliver the baby.

I just wanted to let you know that when they do decide on a date they may be able to give a steroid (as a shot to you before the birth--it is called betamethazone) to help strengthen the baby's lungs for when he is born.

I know I have personally seen a baby born at 26 weeks who received this and it really made the difference in the progress he made after his birth.(less time in the hospital, faster progress, etc.) Cami was born at 23 weeks, and did not receive any steroids (there was no warning, since my water broke and the shot has to be given to the mom in two doses 24 hrs apart within a couple days before the birth.)which did cause a number of issues with her lungs and a longer hospital stay.

I know you are taking other medications so I don't know if the steroids would still be adminstered, but it is something you could ask. However , My OB's (who are also high risk )always told me 30 weeks is a big milestone for the baby's development, including the lungs and so they may not even need to do the steroids at this point. I also know that at 30 weeks gestation alot of the major complication risks go down significantly. We know several parents of children (we keep in touch with parents we met in the hospital at the same time Cami was) who were born 29 weeks or farther along and they had fairly short hospital stays and are completely healthy children today with NO delays or current complications/disabilities ,from being born premature, at all!

I hope I didn't overwhelm you with this information!!! I wanted to make sure I at least told you what I did know,along with real stories from people we know, that way you could do what you want with the info and at least ask your OB about it.

Rudy also said to tell you that you are prayed for regularly in the staff devotions at the Academy in our church, so you are being prayed for by many people!


Rachel