As most of you know who are on my facebook, Liz is through with her treatment phase. Thank God she will no longer be getting sick from treatment and only be getting stronger. I asked her on the ride home from the hospital if she could tell me how she felt about this phase being over and her response was "No, there are no words to describe how I feel." I am so proud of her and how she has handled this horrible disease and I know that I will continue to be amazed and proud of how she handles the rest of her life and this disease.
Our new reality for the next five years is not nearly as intense and definitely more normal. Liz will have blood work and a physical monthly for the next 18 months, at the end of this time she will graduate to every other month for a year, then graduate to every three months for 18 months, then down to every six months for 18 months, and finally once a year for the rest of her life.
Liz will also be seeing an Endocrinologist. She will be seeing the Endocrine Doctor for Reproduction/Infertility issues. This can be a common issue for children who have under gone chemotherapy and radiation. Please pray that any issues Lizzy is having will resolve on their own.
Her first visit with the Endo Doctor will be March 17. Liz will also have a bone density test and will have to fast for her blood work. She will have a few EKG's (electrocardiogram). An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of your heart. The EKG and bone density tests are normal tests done due to the amount of toxic drugs and steroids that have been put into her body.
We continue to give the glory to God. He did not give Elizabeth Leukemia, but he put the wonderful team of doctors, nurses, staff, and Children's Hospital in our path. He gave us a wonderful team of community, prayer warriors, old friends and new friends. This disease is not a private issue, it is one that knows no stranger. There is no way we could have or would have wanted to keep this private. We would not have made it through without all of you. We will be having an end of treatment party sometime in May/June. Stay tuned to the blog for more information on it.
On a side note, we are planing a 5k walk/run and corn hole tournament on September 3, at 5:30 p.m. The run is called Blazin with Love and will be in honor of Liz, Joel, Annie Coyle, and a few other Mason students/teachers that have cancer or are in remission. All the profit will be going to Team Blazin with Love for the Mason's Light the Night Walk on Sept. 15, 2011. The LTN walk supports the Leukemia/Lymphoma Society. Stay tuned for all the fun events.
Please keep Joel Brown in your prayers. He is progressing like he should but is in a great amount of pain and discomfort. Please pray that the engraftment of his sister's cells take root in his body and start to become his own.
Please keep Critter and his family in your prayers. Pray for peace, comfort, and wisdom for them. Let them be at peace with the decisions that they have to make.
Please pray for peace and comfort for Courtney, another one of Mason's special little ones. She was the other child in the fundraiser with Liz and Joel from Gary's barber shop in 2008 or 2009 (see I told you 2008/09 are the same for me).
Thank you to all the student, staff, and friends that came out for Zumba for Leukemia. It was fun and a great success!
Always praying!
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name;
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
Sing to him, sing praises to him;
tell of all his wondrous works!
