Blood count miracle

Received this text from Dad while they were at St. Vincent's today:

Great news! Blood tests were surprisingly good. White blood cell count yesterday 3.4, today at 10.8.

Platelet count yesterday 81, today 126! The nurse said that was amazing. We are now waiting for the surgeon to implant the port in your mother's chest. Love, Dad

Mom called later this afternoon after coming out of surgery. I could almost see her beaming.

She said, "The nurse kept looking back and forth from yesterday's charts to today. He said, 'I can't believe this. Your blood was just drawn yesterday. This doesn't happen.' I said, 'That's the power of prayer.'"

When she got home, Mom showed me the results: Yesterday's paper, 3.4 and 81.

Today's sheet, 10.8 and 126.

If the count didn't go up, Mom probably wouldn't have been able to have the port inserted.

So this is what it feels like to experience and receive a miracle. Amazing! Surreal. Super thankful. Laughter!

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love . . .

Thanks so much for standing with us in prayer.

Keep 'em coming! Every cancer & pre-cancer cell destroyed, in the name of Jesus.

~submitted by Ericka

Mid-Week Prayers

Prayer requests for Mom:

*Side effects of the drugs to lessen & stop

*For her body to be comforted, to persevere, and to overcome

1. Stomach pain

(Tues-Thurs)

Chemo attacks fast-dividing cells, which includes hair, mouth, stomach, and intestine cells. So if the digestive system's cells are "attacked" by the drugs, it can't digest food as well, and things back up, which is painful.

(Mom said, "I just want to remove my stomach.")

2. Achey-bones in her hips, knees, skull, teeth.

(From the white blood cell booster.)

3. For successful implanting of the port-cathetor today. (For her white blood cell count to be high enough to do the mini-surgery and fight possible infection. Her's was at 81 yesterday, and nurses want it at 90.)

4. For Mom to actively receive the prayers targeting & zapping cancer & pre-cancer cells.

(Insight received in prayer.)

Praises:

1. It snowed! (God makes us as white as snow.) It's so pretty & makes Mom happy. :)

2. After prayer, stomach is feeling better, but it needs to completely clear out.

3. Mom feels the prayers!

4. Encouraging healing testimony at Heritage chapel today, by Joy.

Truly "the Joy of the LORD is our strength."

Mom has a beautiful smile.

Love and blessings!

And thanks for taking time (even 30 sec) to pray for Mom's victory, thru God's mighty hand!

May the Lord encourage and strengthen each of your hearts, as we learn to abide and trust in Him.

Week in Review (Jan8-14)

Here are the Main Events from Last Week:

1. Thursday 1st Chemo treatment

2. Friday white blood cell booster shot

3. Saturday 14th-Mon 16th, achey bones, feeling like "cramps" in joints, knees, pelvic/hips, teeth

-My understanding is the pain is from her bones responding to drug and producing more white blood cells, which will keep her immune system strong. She gets this shot after each chemo treatment, every 3 weeks.

4. I decided to stay in Indy and help Mom & Dad during this season.

Highlights:

1. MRI and other scans CLEAR of cancer growth in liver, lymph nodes, etc - praise God!

2. Lots of prayers

3. Amazing care at St. Vincent Breast Center - doctors, nurses, and ladies receiving treatment

4. Family & friends gathering around Mom & Dad during a rough time - amazing love & support ~ thank you

5. Fun times, romping in the woods, exploring, and spending time together

Lots to be thankful for. God is good.

~Posted by Ericka

Week in Review (Jan2-8)

1. First oncology appointment Monday, Jan 2

2. Lots of tests through the week

(MRI, blood-work, check liver, check the heart before chemo/drugs)

3. Lots of phone conversations, love, prayers

4. Great time at Church, surrounded by wonderful "family"

5. Family chat time on skype tonight

Praises:

1. Watching God orchestrate, in the midst of some pretty heavy news,

• Sunrises
• Scripture verses with just the right words
• Phone calls or messages with lots of love
• Family and friends surrounding Mom and Dad with great unity and care

2. God is our wonderful, loving, caring Father, yesterday, today, and forever

• Scripture passages have deeper meanings when you're in need

3. God is our Healer and Great Physician and Counselor and Comforter and Guide, even when we can't see Him.

Written by Ericka