Monday, January 16, 2012

Hi friends.

We are with Grace at Children’s Hospital this afternoon waiting on a chemo treatment of cytoxan. The dosage will be 50% more than before. Hoping to minimize her sickness by pretreating with meds, and continuing to treat before needed.

We are praying that these treatments will heal Grace. Thank you for standing with us through this difficult journey.

On a lighter note, Grace finished Geometry this week from her sophomore year. Go Grace 🙂

Lynn

“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

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Monday, January 9, 2012

Here is an update on Grace.  Thank you for your prayers and support!!

It was at this time, one year ago, that Grace was sent to Children’s Hospital with balance issues. As you know, our journey continues today…still trying to determine what is causing Grace’s problems. We really don’t have any new news, but we are extremely grateful for God’s strength and your love and support!

The last chemotherapy treatment seems to have stopped Grace’s decline and might have brought some slight improvements. The doctors at Children’s remain unrelenting in their search for a cause and a cure. In a few days we will go back to Children’s for another treatment in hopes that it will bring about some improvements.

Today Grace went to “school,” through the “Bridges” Program at HTHS, and began trying to catch up on some lost time. We are blessed to live in Trussville. TCS has been incredible…as they are for all students whether in need or on the mainstream track.

Our prayer is that God will use this treatment to heal Grace and that her joy will be strengthened as she learns from Him. We don’t deserve your love and support but are certainly thankful for it! The “church” rocks!

Buddy And Lynn

“My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2

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Monday, January 2, 2012

Hope everyone is having a good start to the new year.

Grace handled round one of the chemo well, being sick but not for very long. Was feeling stronger by Christmas Eve. She is functioning at about 40%, a little better than before the chemo. During the hospital stay, we spoke with an immunologist, who suggested some different tests, looking for different issues. Always glad to have another doctor thinking about Grace.

Thank you for continuing to encourage us and pray for healing.

Lynn

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success.” Psalm 118:24-25
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A Year-End Message from Buddy

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Merry Christmas to each of you!

Grace was admitted to Children’s Hospital today to start a chemotherapy call Cytoxan. We’ve been told to expect the normal side effects of chemo. Today’s dose will be on the milder end, so hopefully Grace will feel well for all the Christmas happenings. Plans are to continue this treatment once a month.

Thankful to have Macie and Dailey home from Auburn, with all the insight and love they bring.

Thankful for your prayers for Grace’s complete healing. We’d love a Christmas miracle 🙂

Thankful to God for loving us with the gift of Jesus.

Lynn

“Breath of Heaven, light in our darkness…”

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Monday, December 12, 2011

Dear Friends:

We haven’t seen any positive changes with the ACTH injections. Grace has been a trooper, giving herself the shots. She is currently tapering off this steroid treatment. School is on the back burner for now.

The “treatment option” list is getting shorter, next one being cytoxan, a monthly chemotherapy.

Macie & Dailey are home from Auburn, which is great for Grace as they are much more fun than Buddy and I.

We are praying for courage and strength for Grace, that we will not waste this opportunity to put our full trust in the Lord, for complete healing and restoration of Grace’s health and life.

We are blessed by your concern for our family. You are a constant encouragement to us.

Our hope is in the Name of the Lord.

Lynn
Psalm 124

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Friday, December 2, 2011

Hi Friends:

Grace was admitted to Children’s today to begin “ACTH” injections. We (she) will learn how to do them herself and administer at home. This is a type of steroid therapy. 🙁

Also, Grace will have a treatment of rituximab tonight, which is a type of chemotherapy, and may follow up with another treatment in two weeks.

Grace is functioning at about 40%, generally not feeling well.

Did you know that Trussville’s movie theater will let you in free if you’re in a wheelchair? Who knew?

Recent tweet from Grace: “Lord help me have the strength, the courage, the love, the faith, of Mary.” Yes, Lord, give her this, along with complete healing.

Psalm 33…
Lynn

“We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our hope and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His Holy Name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You.” Psalm 33:20-22

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Saturday November 19, 2011

Grace had her last plasma pheresis treatment yesterday, had catheter removed (ouch.) Main side effect has been tired-ness. Dr. Ness agreed that we have seen no benefit from these treatments. Grace is possibly a little worse, 35 -40%. Hasn’t been to school during these treatments.

We will make decisions with Dr. Ness next week about next treatment.

We are once again overwhelmed by the support you offer. Thank you for praying faithfully for Grace’s healing. Thank you for every act of kindness to us, every word of encouragement.

Lynn

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1

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Friday, November 11, 2011

Today’s treatment went fine, with Grace not feeling sick, just very tired, a side effect of the plasma pheresis, which is also called “plasma exchange.” Been at Children’s most of the day. She is holding up well, sweet attitude as always.

We are meeting families who’s children have dealt with major health issues for years, such as a girl named “Precious,” who comes from Tuscaloosa three times a week for 4 hour dialysis treatments. Health is certainly a blessing we have taken for granted.

Hoping for a restful weekend for Grace. Next treatment will be Monday. Thank you for praying with us for effective and safe treatment.

82 vials and rising, if you are keeping up.

Beautiful day!

Lynn

“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31

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Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

Today, Grace had an appointment with Dr. Ness at clinic. We also saw an adult neurologist from UAB, Dr. Bashir, and Dr. Askenazi, from Children’s Nephrology. All agreed that Grace needs relief, and it’s time to move to more aggressive treatments. She is still “functioning” at 40 – 50%.

Plans were made to begin plasma pheresis next Wednesday. After a catheter is put in Wednesday am, Grace will have a treatment every other day, five treatments in all. Plasma pheresis is a blood filtering process, somewhat like dialysis, where blood is spun to separate the plasma, which holds antibodies, and the plasma is removed and replaced with “something.”

There is a chance that this treatment will help Grace to function much better day to day, as well a chance that it will not help at all.

IVIG treatments are off the schedule for now, as they don’t seem to be helping anymore. Grace will continue to take the oral immune suppressant.

We are praying for doctors’ wisdom and insight, for protection against the risks, that God will use this treatment to heal Grace.

We are grateful, truly grateful, that you continue to care for and pray for our Grace.

Lynn

“…I am the Lord, Who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

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