disclaimer

I forgot to give you my disclaimer. We prayed really really hard and we are going home! God is glorious and has reminded all of us once again who is in charge at all times, good and bad.
Thank you for praying.
Blessings,
Christine

hospital update

We are still here, just in case you thought we were anywhere else.

Liz is finally feeling better. She has been fever free for about 14 hours now, please keep praying. We have no idea when she will be released. The nurses and doctors are putting their educated guess on her white board. Earliest one is Thur. 4-1. Personally, I thought that was a cruel joke .... not really. The latest is Tues. 4-6. They are all being optimistic. I figure God will release us when the time is right. Go ahead, give us your guess. I will tell you she usually takes three weeks and we are 2.5 weeks into it. Also, a little insight, the precursor cells that they look at to see if her ANC is coming in are not showing yet. Now that you are adequately armed with this information, you are qualified to guess.

Please continue to pray for all the children on A5 South and the wonderful staff.

Blessings,
Christine

POWERFUL Lyrics!

If you double click on the still you can watch the video on youtube in it's original dimensions

In, Out, In, You guess!!!!!

We are back in the hospital. Liz spiked a fever of 103 last night and after spending much time in the ED, we arrived in our room at 2:45 am. She is resting semi-comfortable at the moment. The are giving her two units of blood, antibiotics- zosyn and vancomyocin, and morphine for the pain. We are in here for at least three days, 10 if she has a bacteria in her body, and until her ANC is 200 and rising. At present, her ANC is a whooping ZERO! The last time this happened we were in here for three weeks. Please pray that that is not the case this time. Each time this happens to her it gets harder to deal with. Life can be very cruel and disappointing at best sometimes.

Please pray that this is just a normal thing that happens in maintenance,
her counts come up quickly,
her spirits stay strong,
all the families on A5 South,
the wisdom of the team of doctors that are placed in her care,

God ultimately has the control. No matter how we struggle for it, he always has it. Please please please pray for her complete recovery; this means NO relapse. God is an awesome God. No matter what our struggle is he is with us and that gives us comfort.

Blessings and enjoy your God given day,

Christine

Prayers

Lizzy enjoying a slice of heaven at her Aunt and Uncle's in Orlando :) Thanks Dave and Suzanne!


Meet Ridgeway. You can follow his progress at: http://rally4ridgway.blogspot.com/
He was diagnosed with ALL in September of 2009 and of course, we met at Children's on one of Lizzy's many stays.

Lizzy has specifically asked that you pray for her health.
Once again her counts are down, ANC 500 and falling, platelets 14k, she had a platelet transfusion this afternoon at 3:30. All chemo has been stopped once again and will not start again until her ANC is 750 and platelets are 75k.
You know the drill when this happens..... no school, no outings without a mask, and no visitors if you are sick. This means a cough, runny nose, fever, or what you may think is allergies. Please call me first at 349-5966 before visiting. If Elizabeth gets a fever while she is neutropenic, ANC under 500, she is hospitalized for a minimum of 10 days, on two different antibiotics, and until her immune system is above 200 and rising. last time this happened to her, we were in the hospital for three weeks waiting on her ANC to make a reappearance in her body.
Lizzy's spirits remain high through all of this, even with the episode from last Friday. I do not know how she does it sometimes. I get very sad when her world comes crashing down around her when it should be getting better each day. I know that one day she will walk away and be cured. God has placed in Elizabeth's life very special, dedicated, and intelligent people to provide the best care and outcome for her.

Please pray for all the children on A5 South
for our friends who's children have lost their battle with cancer
for Ridgeway, who broke him arm today and ended up in the ED
for the wonderful staff at Children's
for Lizzy's health, her counts to rise, her cold to go away and not get any worse


Psalm 18:32-34 NIV
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

Blessings to all of you,
Christine

Back with a BANG!

We are home from our wonderful vacation. We had a great time. The weather was OK but who can complain, we were in Florida! Weather is subjectional anyway, right?!?!?!

We did not bring back the sunshine like we promised but we did bring back colds; we won't share them with you though.

Lizzy had a wonderful first day of school on Friday. Since her diagnoses in Oct. 25, 2008, Eight grade year, she has only gone to school 32 days. 30 days was before her diagnoses and two were the first two days of school this year. She has truly had her share of disappointments for a 15 year old but she handles it with such grace. I love her so much!

We had a rough go of things last night. After picking her up from school she began to feel poorly. She started to vomit in the car. When we got home I gave her ocycodone and ativan but the symptoms only got worse. The pain became concentrated on her right side where the appendix is. We called the hospital and they told us to go to the ED right away. I made it to Pfiffer Road but the pain became too much and we had to pull over and call 911. They meet us at the BP on Pfiffer Road and took us the rest of the way to Children's. About five hours after the pain and vomiting started it ended, just as quickly as it came on. The doctors have not figured out what the problem is/was.

Liz had a chest xray for the rattle and whizzing they heard in her lungs, they wanted to rule out pneumonia. Thank God it came back clear. The relief on her face and in body was actually visable. She also had an ultra sound on her ovaries and kidneys. The doctor felt it might be twisted ovaries which would entail surgery. That was also ruled out. Her ovaries are very small and was hard to find but they did and they were not twisted. Doctors said they are small due to the chemo and the depo provera shots she has received. Please pray that the small ovaries will correct themselves when she is no longer on chemo. She had traces of blood in her urine so they felt it could have been a kidney stone. Bottom line ....... we really do not know. That is not a real reassuring feeling but Liz is fine and not in any pain.

We were discharged at 1:30 a.m. and she is sleeping peacefully upstairs. All is well within our soles. As Liz said on the way home "God answered another prayer." "He always does!" She is so right!

Thank you for being with us on our very long journey. I am grateful to all of you for your prayers and support. People are always asking us why, why why???? Lizzy's response is and always has been "if not me then it would be someone else."

We go in Tuesday for her heavy dose of chemo. She will have Vincristine and Interthecal Methotrexate. Please pray for minimal side effects of both of these chemos. Vincristine causes bone, joint, and abdominal pain and Methotrexate causes back pain from the procedure, and mouth sores. Please pray that her cold goes away and does not turn into anything other than just that, a cold.

Blessings and prayers,
Christine

A full day

Liz had such a great time today, again!
She had to do some unpleasant business first, school work. I know Melissa, that you are glad to hear that. We had lunch at Seasons 52; an awesome restaurant from the Darden Company. They own Olive Garden, Longhorn, Red Lobster and a few others. It was so wonderful, all dishes being 475 calories, and Liz had her sushi. From there we went and had a manipedi which is a mini manicure and mini pedicure and WE all loved it! We meet her uncle, Dave, at the 6:00 showing of La Nouba, cirque Du Soleil. It was Awesome! The top photo was her favorite part of the play. These people are incredible to watch!
She is still asleep but will be going to the Disney Gaming Arcade today with Patrick and two of his friends.
We leave for Fort Myers tomorrow morning to see Grandma and Grandpa Westhoven, Aunt Patti, and the Blakster.
Blessings to all and I hope the weather is starting to get better for all of you.
Christine

Oh What a Day!

We spent Monday, all day, at Disney! I was so proud of Liz; this is the longest day she has had since before her diagnoses. She lasted EIGHT hours!
We rode all the adult rides and some of the more mellow rides. The mellow rides were for me but I did ride the bigger ones too! Don't worry doc's, they were not THAT big of an adult ride so Liz was safe :)
God gave us a beautiful day to tour around the world, Disney World that is, but is sure felt like the world. To see Elizabeth so carefree and feeling so well is such a joy and a gift.
Tune in tomorrow to see what she does today!
Blessings,
Christine and Elizabeth~Grace

LaRosa's and or Chick-Fil-A

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society has become a very important organization within the Lothrop home. My daughter is here because of this organization. I am not just saying this. It is fact! This organization provides at least 75% of the grants and funding in research for pediatric blood cancers. 4,000 children a year is not enough of a money maker for drug companies to put their money into and develop pediatric cancer drugs. Most of the drugs and chemo's used for these children are adult drugs that are tweaked to work for children. Leukemia and Lymphoma Society funds research for the cure. We are know at an 85% cure rate for the type of Leukemia that Elizabeth has, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This organization cares and is making huge strides in the field of blood cancers.

Please consider eating out at LaRosa's tomorrow and or Chick-fil-A on Wednesday and team-up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Mason Middle School to fight and save the lives of thousands of children. One lost is one too many. Below is the information sent to me from the Middle School.

Help support the Mason Middle School Pasta for Pennies campaign by eating at LaRosa's! Please spread the word! This is an easy one folks. Order out for lunch or get it for dinner that day!

When: Tuesday, February 23rd (from open to close)
Where: Mason LaRosa's
How: By giving/mentioning the attached flyer when eating there. It is valid for eat in, carryout, & delivery.
Why: 20% of food sales will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the MMS Pasta for Pennies campaign.

LaRosa's Mason Direct Number 513.398.0680

AND OR..........

When: Wednesday, February 24th (5-8pm)
Where: Mason Chick-Fil-A
How: By giving/mentioning the attached flyer when eating there. It is valid for eat in & carryout.
Why: A portion of food sales will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through the MMS Pasta for Pennies campaign.

Blessings,
Christine

Go for Monday!

Catherine, Lizzy, and Haley this past summer going canoeing.

We had Lizzy's lab work done and she is finally a go for her next big chemo. I feel like we are always fighting day 29. Her ANC is 950 and her platelets are 127k. Dr. Absalon, her primary Oncologist, was jumping with excitement when he saw her numbers. Thank you for your prayers for her.

Once again God continues to inspire me to always try my best and that is not easy to do. I fail at it all the time. I ran a race on Valentine's Day, oh how I wanted to quit that last 1/4 mile up hill to the finish line. Why do all races end on a hill and not going down the hill but up the hill???? All I thought about was Liz and how she would give anything to be out racing and doing things that we push ourselves to do because it hurts.......whaa whaa whaa. I didn't quit and it felt great! Not really, I wanted to heave my guts out but I am glad that I ran the race and did not stop.

Lizzy can't wait to get back into Volleyball. She said her goal is to get a volleyball scholarship. If anyone can do it, I know it will be her. If you want to see what a true fighter looks like just go to A5 south. I have never seen kids with such tenacity. Their will to survive and live a healthy life is something to admire.

We will go to Children's, at Liberty, for her chemo, Vincristine, Monday at 8:00am. Please pray for minimal side effects as this is the chemo that effects her joints and causes stomach pain. Liz will receive this chemo every 29 days; as long as her counts are 950 and 75k. Lizzy will also start back on her daily chemo Monday. We are now down to 363 days left of taking and having chemo. We are still in the Valley but we are walking toward the light with God always at our side.

Blessings to all,
Christine

Kids need your help

Liz giving a thumbs up to the donor of the blood and platelets that she was receiving.

I have asked a lot from all of you over the past 16 months; for prayers, for money to support our cause, fundraisers, walking events in support of Liz and the list goes on and on and on. I am going to prayerfully ask that you consider giving blood products. Elizabeth would not be her today if not for the generosity of selfless and giving people. I have learned so much from being a caregiver of a child with cancer. Elizabeth has gone through so many units of blood and platelets that I have lost track of the amount. She will never be able to give back by giving blood because of her type of cancer. This is something that really bothers Liz because she knows a persons life is depending on it. My child is here because of people who give and I cannot thank you enough.

Platelets take any where from one to two hours to give. The shelf life for platelets is three days, but no need to worry about them going bad, the last time I gave platelets the bag left with a name on it and it went directly to Cincinnati Children's. The Plasma I gave went to Shriners downtown. A person can give platelets every two weeks and blood can be giving every 56 days.

Patients continue to need life-saving blood, no matter the weather conditions. Like everyone, Hoxworth Blood Center is dealing with the snow yet again. Hoxworth will remain open! Donors can call 513-451-0910 to find a place to donate. All donors, 2/15-2/20 will be automatically registered to win a pair of Suite Tickets to the SOLD OUT Taylor Swift Concert on March 28th!

Please consider giving the gift of life, you never know who you are going to save!

Blessing and prayers,

Christine

Liz is having her her blood drawn this Friday, please pray that her ANC is 750 and her platelets are at 75k. Last time they were checked her ANC was 510 and her platelets were 63k. If they are at the right levels she will have chemo on Monday and go back on all of her daily chemo as well.

Liz is feeling really good, no chemo, it will do that to her : ) Please pray that she resumes her chemo on Monday and her counts remain high.

Blessings and prayers,
Christine

Movin on up, just like the Jeffersons

We are heading in the right direction; UP! We had blood drawn on Monday and her ANC is 540. WHOOPEEEEEEEE! This means she can wonder about like a normal person; NO mask and we can go places! Liz and I were like two school girls that were just asked to the prom. We danced, hugged, and wanted to cry but didn't. Who wants to be the first one to do that? JEEZ.

God is awesome. Liz and I prayed hard on the way to Children's that she would be at least 500. An hour later we called Children's and the prelims were at 450. The tech had one more step to do and this step usually brings the numbers down a bit. I told her "I am confident that God will work the numbers, I will call back in 10 min." called back and God gave us 540. The rest is HIStory. We were out the door to breathe the air and take in the day.

Liz needs to have an ANC of 750 and platelets of 75k to have her heavy chemo on Tues. please pray that her counts continue to climb and she is well enough to go back on her daily chemo. Feb. 17 , 2010 is one year away from her final chemo date. We will be celebrating our journey over the past 16 months and gearing up for the last 365 days. I don't know what we are going to be doing yet but one thing is for sure ...... the Lothrop house will be rockin. I can't wait to have the calendar count down like the kid's do at Christmas time.

Thank you all for your daily prayers, checking in and reading the blog, letters of encouragement to Liz, and your financial support for our cause.

Blessings and prayers,
Christine

Layups for Leukemia!

For those of you who could not make it out for the Layups 4 Leukemia, we made a little video of the highlights. Copy and paste the link below and enjoy. I don't have the total as of yet that was made for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society but when I do, I will let you know. Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odRazm4nui0