Good morning friends,
You really make the start of my day special. I sit here and read your kind notes and expressions and then cry my way through the pictures again and marvel with the question - why has God been so good to me?
Just a quick update. Gilead spent fewer than 24 hours with breathing help. He is already breathing just fine on his own and the vitals are great! He has also figured out the sucking thing very quickly. The question that remains is if there will be the strength, and coordination once Amy's milk comes in to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time. Another common issue is the ability to keep food down. Right now he is still on an IV with glucose.
Another minor concern is that the bilirubin counts are going up - that would indicate some jaundice and might need a little time under the "bright light"unless they stabilize or better yet go back down. We should know that by today.
Amy is doing great - up and around, of course there is some of the post-op discomfort, but so far she has handled that without narcotics, just the Motrin.
It is a great blessing to have my parents-in-law here, so I can spend the day w/ Amy, then have them bring the kids by for a visit before we switch. we enjoyed our time together yesterday.
Amy probably could have come home last night or at least by this morning, but they are keeping her as long as possible to make being close to Gilead easier. I am also sure that she is resting more there. She has slept very well at night - probably better than me... but I am not the one recovering so good for her.
See you again soon,
Jon
my experience with breast cancer and other life events
Amy and Gilead
True Breast Cancer Awareness
November 2010
January 2008
A Little History
I was diagnosed with stage III, metastatic breast cancer in October 2008. At about the same time, we discovered I was pregnant. Initially, the prognosis was bleak, but after detailed analysis of the cancer, successful surgery, and treatments, the picture brightened considerably. I completed nine rounds of chemotherapy, twenty-five radiation treatments, and took Tamoxifen until October 2010.
After the fifth round of chemotherapy and various other treatments and tests, Gilead Victor was born six weeks early on Mother's Day, 2009. He is a healthy littly guy and a joy to us all.
In October 2010, tests showed that the cancer had returned in my liver and bones. This is now considered stage IV, terminal cancer.
Jon and I have lived in Colorado since 1997. We have seven children - four boys and three girls.
After the fifth round of chemotherapy and various other treatments and tests, Gilead Victor was born six weeks early on Mother's Day, 2009. He is a healthy littly guy and a joy to us all.
In October 2010, tests showed that the cancer had returned in my liver and bones. This is now considered stage IV, terminal cancer.
Jon and I have lived in Colorado since 1997. We have seven children - four boys and three girls.
How You Can Pray
Please pray for Jon and the kiddos - this is much harder for them than it is for me. I would appreciate prayer that my pain would be insignificant. Even more than that, please pray that I will be able to think clearly all the way to the end of my life. And even more than that, please pray that I will accept the grace from God to deal with anything He chooses to bring my way. You may also pray for my healing, but I have to be honest - I am more mentally and emotionally invested in seeing Jesus right now than I am in being healed. If God chooses to heal me, He'll give me the grace to wait a little longer to meet Him "whom having not seen, [I] love."
11 comments:
We've been praying for miracles, so it shouldn't surprise us when they come, but it's all very awesome and we're thankful for all the news you take time to post. God continue to strengthen each one of you hour by hour.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! God is so good, as always! We will continue to pray for Amy and Gilead. Jon, we love you too. We just got home last night so did not get the news until this morning about Gilead's birth. We will leave for Mexico tonight on the red-eye to be gone til sometime in June.
Uncle and Aunt Alfaro
Will keep you in my prayers. I am happy to hear that Gilead is doing better. Thank God for miracles!
Praise the LORD! He is good. Thank you for taking time to post. I know it is a burden to you, but such a blessing to us. It also helps us pray.
Love you, Jon--and the rest.
DRB
Jon, Thank you for the update. It is good to hear that both Amy and Gilead are doing well. I will pray about the bilirubins, and that they will begin to go down to a normal level. You all remain in my prayers. Aunt Sarah
Wonderful, wonderful news! Thanks for letting us all know how things are going, Jon. The pics are just great and it's so fun to see everyone! We love and are praying for y'all!
cousin Cynthia (and the Dickens gang in Brazil)
I'm so glad to hear that both baby and mother are doing so well. Amy you are a very tough woman to do it all on Motrin, YOU GO GIRL! Love and best wishes, the pictures are so adorable. Thanks for all the updates.
We are so thrilled to see pictures of Gilead and and to read what our God is doing! Praise the Lord! We know He is sovereign and He will receive glory for how your family is demonstrating His faithfulness! We continue to pray for each of you daily!
The DalPortos
I am so glad to hear how things are going. I was praying for you all on Mother's day.
The church people will be so glad to hear the good news tonight. We will keep praying for swift recovery from surgery and for the upcoming chemo. We will also pray for Gilead's growth and health. Of course, we will pray for ALL of you. You all need strength and help with schedules and such. Thank you for the great updates. You do such a good job in spite of all that is happening in your lives. We love you BUNCHES! Jess
Delighted to hear the update. People at my church here ask regularly about you all. God IS gracious and merciful to us! We do have great cause to rejoice! Am praying you will get your necessary rest, Jon. Praying for you all.
Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jim
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