Andrew was diagnosed with Erythroid (M6) Acute Myeloid Leukemia on November 4th, 2010 when he was almost 5 months old. Andrew is currently in remission from his cancer, after finishing his 5 rounds of chemotherapy. He is a healthy, happy toddler.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

This Week

So Andrew has been doing really well this week. He's had another platelet and another RBC transfusion (making 4 total platelet, 3 total RBC), which both went smoothly. Even though his ANC is still zero, his total white count is creeping up slowly and his energy level is starting to really pick up. His diaper rash is finally almost gone (yay!), but he has had some intermittent diarrhea from the slough of antibiotics he's been on.

I just loved having Thanksgiving this week. We've had so much to be thankful for these last few weeks, and it's hard to express to people here or to God how we feel. I'm so grateful that Andrew doesn't seem to be in pain. It was so hard to watch him at the beginning and we are so grateful that has passed. We owe so much to the doctors and nurses who have been so cheerful and personable that being in the hospital isn't so much of a chore. The doctors are really up to date in academia, but at the same time, they're very much involved in our care and have his welfare is their highest priority. I'm so grateful for a little bed to sleep next to Andrew so I can be with him when he needs me in the middle of the night. I'm grateful for the other parents in here who are just there for us and know what it's like. I'm so grateful for the thoughts and help from friends, family, and coworkers who have come together to help feed us while we stay in the hospital. I'm so grateful for Stew's patience and strength as we go through this together. Most of all, I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father and the knowledge that no matter what happens, He'll be with us.

My thoughts are constantly on my cousin, Heather, and her sweet daughter, Charlotte, who is in the hospital in Washington (state). Charlotte has had a hard time breathing since Thanksgiving and as I understand it, the doctors are still looking for a cause while giving her respiratory support. One of my first thoughts when I went through this is that I wouldn't wish this on anyone else, and to hear them going through this right now just really hit home. We love them so much and will keep praying for them to feel peace and for Charlotte to recover soon.

Love to all!

Lizzie

2 comments:

  1. Hi! I'm an old friend of Stew's from Indiana and just wanted to let you both know that your little Andrew has been in our prayers and thoughts. I love reading your updates and your strength and optimism is an inspiration to me. Keep hanging in there. Kerstin James

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  2. I was going to comment on this post even before I got to the bottom of it when you mentioned me. I was going to say that reading it now means something totally different than when I was reading your blog a few weeks ago. I understand now a lot of what you are going through. I was SO grateful for a relatively comfortable bed in the PICU. I didn't ever want to leave Charlotte's side, even though I knew she didn't know I was there most of the time while she was on the ventilator.

    I really feel for you having to watch Andrew go through his treatments. It was so hard watching Charlotte in pain and scared. It was so painful watching them put needles and tubes in her. I actually think I really have some degree of PTSD from the whole thing and can't imagine how you must feel.

    I was so blessed by people like you who prayed and fasted for us. We made friends with some of the other PICU families, and felt really close to some of the doctors and nurses in the PICU and then on the pediatric floor once she got out. This Christmas is pretty amazing to us now. When I prayed before, I always thanked my Heavenly Father for the day. When I pray now, thanking Him for a new day means something completely different. When you are faced with the reality that you might lose your child, it changes everything.

    Lisa, you guys are always in our prayers, and we love you so much. Please let me know if I can do anything for you. I hope you find joy this holiday season. We all truly have so much to be grateful for, and some of us are given the chance to really see that. I hope no one else has to learn it this way, but there really are blessings in everything. I feel blessed that I understand a little better what you might be going through and am so proud to be your cousin.

    Love you,

    Heather

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