Thursday, February 17, 2011

Praise God!

Saying goodbye to the operating room and chemo!!!



Getting ready to leave the clinic.

When we came home that night there was a surprise waiting for her!

Signed shoes by the staff!

Wow! What a journey the past 2.5 years have been.  I can't even tell you that there was a 2009.  Our lives have gone from 2008 to 2010 with 2009 being a blur somewhere in our lives.  2011 has merged in with 2010 along the line but I am confident that it will have a life of its own soon!


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!

53 comments:

Christine Lothrop said...

John Ice Wonderful for all of you!

Christine Lothrop said...

Greg Hines
We are thrilled for you all, and to Lizzy way to go!!! What a to be smiling :) Lynn

Christine Lothrop said...

Vicki Aylmore

So happy for all of you. Will continue to pray for Liz!!!Yesterday at 8:55am · Like

Christine Lothrop said...

Sue Clarke Stratton
That is happy news. I happen to be a pretty good cook and a great party planner for large numbers :) Let me know how I can help with the BIG celebration :)

Christine Lothrop said...

Barb Campbell Harris
YAY!!!! So happy for you all! What a blessing! We would love to be part of the celebration!

Christine Lothrop said...

Melissa Lohman Grablovic
Whoo! I'm gonna celebrate tonight without you guys too! ;)

Christine Lothrop said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Christine Lothrop said...

Karen Cook Turner
turner's are wearing their orange in celebration!

Christine Lothrop said...

Sondra Newsome
PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Katie Cornelius Campbell
I am so happy for her and your family!! You have been through so much and your faith has given you strength to make it through. May God continue to bless your family!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Tammy Trenaman
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Timothy Murdock
Great News!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Tracy Renee Kafka-Carnes
Awesome news!! So happy to hear it...glad your feeling better Lizzie!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Karen Howell Chris, The best news I have heard in a very long, long time. Prayer does work:)

Christine Lothrop said...

Joy Sargent
Thats GREAT news Christine!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Will Mueller
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Kelly Davis Bodenbender
Oh WOW, so Happy for Liz and your family!!!!!!!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Joni Oakley WhooHooo!! Hope I can get to Zumba tomorrow!

Christine Lothrop said...

Laura Nelson Brown ‎"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!". Psalm 150:6
Glad I got to see you on this BIG day!! Can't wait to celebrate with you!

Christine Lothrop said...

Lisa Lovins Bargo
Yay!! I hope she is feeling better too. I think of you guys often...and can't believe I am one door down and have to check your "status" on facebook!

Christine Lothrop said...

Sharon Reichert Barns
Praise God!! Congratulations on making it to this milestone. You know, that we are always thinking and praying for Liz :)

Christine Lothrop said...

Karen Miller Hannah
Fabulouse news - still praying

Christine Lothrop said...

Gayla Schmidt Holmer
That is the best news I've heard in a very long time - Praise God and I am so happy for all of you!

Christine Lothrop said...

Laura Huff Newton
awesome!

Christine Lothrop said...

Pamela M Brooks
so happy for all ....

Christine Lothrop said...

Carole Barnhart
That is fabulous news!

Christine Lothrop said...

Rita Bradley
Yeah!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Kristi Jones
Yea!!! AWESOME!!!! Love you all and will continue to pray for you...
Livestrong ♥

Christine Lothrop said...

Kathy Dockery Barb
That is wonderful news!

Christine Lothrop said...

Annie Laurie Jones
YESSS!!! like my mom said...AWESOME:)

Christine Lothrop said...

Shelly Hoffman Johnson
Awesome news...so happy for all of you!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Kathy Ellis Sieve
I wore orange today in honor of Liz! So happy for her and the whole family. You all will continue to be in my prayers.

Christine Lothrop said...

Nancy McGrath Findley
Praise God, brought tears to my eyes, Liz is such an awesome girl, always the biggest smile love that. much love

Christine Lothrop said...

Ellen Mackowiak Smith
Oh Lizzie and the Lothrop Fam...a million conratulations and praises!

Christine Lothrop said...

Kim Meinert Swindeman
That is wonderful Christine! So glad to hear the great news! Stay strong God has great plans for your family and her! Love ya!

Christine Lothrop said...

Carol Zacharias
nice pics celebrate the greatest gift God has givin to your family boy does James look like Randy, what a great looking guy, I am so glad to hear that things are going good for u how is your mom & dad doing, don't see them much. Stop by if u get to LC Love

Christine Lothrop said...

Ellen O'Callaghan Mason
YAY!!!! Glad to hear they were able to continue with her last treatment. I'm assuming the RSV is in check?

Christine Lothrop said...

Jackie Kavulich Hammond
Really happy for Lizzie and the family! Lot's of love and prayers!

Christine Lothrop said...

Doris Piercefield
Thank you for sharing such great pictures.I can feel your joy just by looking at your faces.God Bless!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Jackie Bialecki Westfall
Yes! Amen!

Christine Lothrop said...

Kathy Dockery Barb
The smiles on all the faces says it all.

Christine Lothrop said...

Tammy Trenaman
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) There are not enough smiles to display how happy I am for your family!!!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Angie Blair Settelmayer
Oh Christine...what a wonderful day. Thank you for sharing with us!

Christine Lothrop said...

Hope Henderson Black
What a blessing!

Christine Lothrop said...

Debbie Leifling Post
Awesome news!!!Praise God for being Good and standing by all of you!

Christine Lothrop said...

Laura Mazzocco Westhoven
woohoo..... last day! :)

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS LIZ!!! You are such a fighter and deserve the world!!

Christine Lothrop said...

Martha Jimenez
kristine, just read what you have been going threw, i am so glad she is doing better, i will pray so hard for you and your daughter, and family, be strong.

Christine Lothrop said...

Michelle Hunsinger
PRAISE GOD!!!!!! Christine, Liz & Family i am so Happy for all of you. Liz i am very proud of you, you are a very strong woman & i Know GOD has Something Special in store for you:) We serve such a Big God!!!!!! My Prayers will continue for all of you. ♥ xoxo
February 18 at 10:58am

Christine Lothrop said...

Carol Zacharias
the Lord has truly shined upon you Liz and your family, I am so happy that it is over for all of you and pray that everything keeps going forward, all of you all Blessed
February 18 at 6:24am

Christine Lothrop said...

Kim Meinert Swindeman
That is so wonderful.........very happy to hear that. Thanks for keeping us informed of her progress during this long road your family has taken. God Bless each one of you!
February 18 at 7:45am

Christine Lothrop said...

Kylie Meloche Christine, this is so amazing that Liz could over come this. She is truly a strong girl and deserves the best. I know the road you all had to go down was hard but you guys made it through. I just recently lost my friend to Leukemia, it was awful watching her fight and be strong for so long. The worst part was watching her family have to completely stop their lives and be there for her. Unfortunately, none of the treatments she tried worked for her. It is an absolutely awful disease. Stay strong, you guys are a wonderful family. Love Kylie
February 18 at 3:18am

kniskerns said...

Liz, Randy, and Christine-
We are so happy for you all! Take a breath and celebrate. We will continue praying for good health for you, Liz, as well as the others you mentioned. Such good news!
Take care,
Trisha, Ethan, Lily, and Becca Kniskern