Elizabeth took her last dose of chemo on Friday for this final phase before Maintenance. I did an end of the phase dance and Liz looked at me and said "Don't ever do that again." Of course we all laughed and I continued to dance while adding a little singing with it. Don't get me wrong, we are a long way from the finish line, but the treatment will not be as intense and she should be able to resume a more normal life; life beyond just Children's!
Liz is looking ahead to the future with me for the very first time since being diagnosed. She asked for soccer shorts! A sign that she is getting back into her athletic mind set. She is looking forward to a new game in life, one that she can call the shots in. We are hoping that she will go back to school March 9. This will be the beginning of the third trimester, new for everyone at school, not just her. Liz has not been to school since Oct 13, 2008. She is looking forward to spring conditioning with the Mason Volleyball team, and lifting weights at Lifetime with her mama :-) Life is good and only going to get better. I know we will still have hard days but that is just it, it will be days, not months.
We are now day 10 of the antibiotics but Lizzy's ANC is at zero still. What does this mean????? We are not being discharged. Liz will remain on the antibiotic for the duration of her stay. We do not know how long that will be because it depends on the count recovery of her ANC. At the moment there are no signs that they, her neutrophils, are trying to come in. The inside of her body is a war torn battle field. The bone marrow is so fragile, immature, and little of it, that it is not enough to help her out and keep her safe from bacteria. As you all know by now, from reading the blog, that her cancer, ALL, is a blood cancer and grows in the bone marrow.
Thank you to our church, Wellspring. Your prayers on Sun. and throughout this week, making Liz your prayer focus, has helped her spirits. Normally at this time she would be so mad and upset that she still has to remain in here waiting for her counts to recover, but with all the support and prayers that you are sending on her behalf she is much more at peace and less combative. Thanking you for loving her and our family like God loves us. This journey would look completely different without our faith and you. May God enrich your lives as he has ours over the past 13 months.
Blessings and happy belated Thanksgiving.
Christine
6 comments:
I'm so sorry you're not getting out of jail anytime soon, that I can't visit, and of course that we can't do as much homework! :) However, I am so glad you're out of this phase and getting closer and closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully you taped that dance and song on the Flip so I can see it. I'm really sorry I missed that one. I know it was probably a sight!
Hey Lothrop Family! I thought of you guys during this morning's Homily. Father was talking about Advent being the start of the new church year and fresh beginnings -- making the world anew. It just made me think how true this is for Liz and all of you now that this last phase has passed and Liz will soon be in maintenance. I know you will see every day from this day forward very differently from before. It's a "new day," a fresh beginning and one with great promise!
Hang in there Lizzy!
Mrs. D.
Yipee! So great to get this phase behind you!!! Picturing Christine's dance and the teenage look she got in response - ha! Praying your numbers come up and you are set free SOON!!!
Lizzy!
i am so happy for you that this phase is over!:) that must be so amazing! and that you'll be able to go to school in march and then talking about getting back into sports! so exciting! im sending all my love and prayers towards you, i always do :) i really need to figure out when i can visit and see you. well stay strong, keep the faith, and believe! your such an inspiration, always have been always will be!
<3 Paige
Sports Fans lookout! Liz will be on the loose. We all look forward to seeing you on the courts and fields again Liz! We enjoyed praying for you at youth group and church. Now, we are praying for those counts to go up so we can see you at home. Love to you glitter girl!
Lizzie..We will have to fly into Cinci to see you on the court this year!!! Everyone is praying for you and you are very loved.
Love,
Aunt Cec and the tribe!!!!!
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