Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Bloodwork.....Day 1


Heaven got her first line of bloodwork taken this morning at 6 a.m. She is a strong girl...but it hurts my heart to the core as to what she has lying ahead. But praise the Lord she nor us as parents will hae to stand alone in this....I dont...' think we could have gotten thus this far without the Lord Jesus Christ being on our side.
I just thank God that He understands the tears that were crying. Thank you all for your prayers....dont' stop now, because now she will really need them. May the Lord bless you all.
---First treatment of mild Chemo has been started. (allopurinol).....Many have asked if this is Acute of Chronic.....it is Acute....Just keep praying

---UPDATE:::::Heaven had to have an EKG done and they said her heart looks great...later she will have to have dye inserted into her so they can make sure that her kidneys are working properly.
 Also,  Heaven and I will be spending the next 2 weeks here at Carilion for the first line of treatments. Alexexandra Alexandra V. Haak and Samantha Clark, our other two daughters will be having blood taken to see if they are a match in case there would be a bone marrow transplant needed. Lots of more info to take in btu with Gods grace we will make it through. I do know that He is here with us.


Jeremiah 33:3
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Update::::Heaven had been picked and pryed o today to the point that her body was so tence that the Dr. couldn't get a picc-line run. Then someone knocks at the door wanting to transport her to get dye run in a spinal to check her kidneys, then another lady shows up wanting to draw blood and then gets a bit of a additude about ehr coming up to the 11th floor for no reason, then another person shows up to transport her for the spinal.......

I finally had to go and get the Dr. that is under the main Dr. to come and do something becasue I was not about to let all this go on all at once to her. And all it was, was everything was already set and no one else knew they were having trouble runnin gthe pic-line.

All in all, Heaven has had a rough day and Dad and I have gotten an information overload. My head is about to bust and my tears just keep coming. Everytime I look at Heaven I just want to pick her up and hold her so tight. Suddenly some thins just aren't as important anymore. I do want to say...Thank you Lord Jesus for holding me today, for without you we just would not be able to handle all this.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Nov. 29th....Day 5

Well, Heaven was sleeping so good until just before 6 a.m.the nurse came and tried to draw blood formt he IV's but she was unable to do so. So they call a young man up form the Lab and he tried her right hand, had a good vein but then when the needle went in the vein dissappeared....but he was able to draw blood from her left hand. The IV in her right arm is basically considered "dry" so Lord willing they will be removing it today.
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 Dr. Dino, which is also helping with Heaven, told us her blood counts. They are....RBC are 9.5....WBC are 3.4 and her platelets are stable at 36.....I hope to go home soon but we will find out later this afternoon. Thanks again for the prayers and please keep praying.
She also got to meet Miss Virginia (Elizabeth Crot).....it's nice how some care about others. :)

Monday, November 28, 2011

This just in from Dr. Edwards mouth

 Just got news Dr. Edwards got to look at one slide and said that there were very few Luekemia (sp?) cells in the blood smears....but it doesn't completely rule it out because the other slides could contain all the info needed. The biospy will take a couple of days...the special studies will or should be back tomorrow afternoon. As before she will receive more blood today. If the results come back as a viral supression she can go home but if it does come back as Luekemia they want her here so they could go ahead and start treatment.....only if needed.

Bone Marrow Biospy

 O.K. Heaven went throught the biospy good. I know whe will be sore later. They will be giving her another pint of blood soon. Her Hemo. was 6.6 just before the biospy.....her bp was up but i can understand why. Not sure when we hear the results. I will post when we do.

She looked so small laying there...so helpless. I felt helpless that I couldn't reach over and just hold her and to reassure her that I was there, but she knew that I was. The Dr.s and nurses were contiually letting me know how things were going....in the end the main Dr. was amazed to find that I had watched the whole procedure in the window reflection.


They were amazed I didn't pass out. Guess I should have went to school for nursing.....oh, well, God has me where he wants me....right here with my family.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sunday w/ Heaven at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital update

 Update is....her bp and temp and is staying pretty stable, just a little fluxuation in the temp form time to time.

Dr. says the blood counts number are down a little but not enough to be concerened at this point, But please pray that they drop no more. The Bone Marrow Biospy is scheduled for 10 a.m. and her stay afterwards they will determine that by what information they receive but for now it will be about 4 more days but that could be added to.

The Dr. says that there is still some infection somewhere and they are going to have to wait for the Biopsy to determine where. Heaven is feeling faily good right now. She will be able to get up and walk around some today.
Please pray that Waynes work understands. They have allowed him to take a vacation day for tomorrow but not sure about the rest of the week. We know that we serve a might God and that He can take care of all things.


Also, Heaven was taken out of PICU since her temp and bp levels are at a stable state. So please pray that she will not have to go back in.
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Afternoon.....

O.K. Heaven was finally able to take a shower.....they also allowed her 30 minutes out of the bed to walk around, go to the play area, play videos, thinks like that. She has eaten very little so far today but Lord willing that will pickup. She told the nurse that she feels no pain other than just the sore areas.
She (Heaven) is very concerned and also a lil' scared about tomorrow...we are reminding her that it is all in Gods hands and that He and we will be right there with her. I think I am going to go in with her during the process, the Dr. said we could, that way she will know that I am there with her.
She thanks all of you who are praying for her and thinking of her...she was amazed at how many people in so many different states have been praying.
Again we, as parents, thank you to. We are so glad to have the power of God on our side....He is the One that gives us the strength to get through.
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Heaven is getting ready to receive another pouch of Cefepime which is the antibiotic she has been on and now she is on her 2 bag of Potassium Chloride.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday w/ Heaven at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital update

As of 6:35 a.m she had more blood work done, her temp was 100.5 and she received Motrin to try and regulate fever.
7:45 a.m Heavens hemoglobins had went from 4.6 to 5.6 and her hematacrit had went from 14 to 32....they are saying that her good protein is low.
8:00 a.m Her temp was 100.3 and her bp was 121/59 at 8:20 a.m
8:55 Dr. Edwards was given the rundown as to what had taken place and he checked her ears, eyes, nose, etc.
9:20 a.m Dr. Edwards explained to her about the blood cells and how they work. She will be receiving another pint of blood shortly and on Monday she will have to have a Bone Marrow Culture taken.
I ask that all our family and friends...please continue to reach the throne of grace and we as a family thank and love you all.

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 O.K. afternoon update.....

11:15 her bp was 98/45 and she then received her 2nd blood transfusion at 11:30
11:40 bp was 104/45-----12:00 her bp was 128/50 and her temp went up again to 102.2
15 minutes later her temp was 102.3 and bp was 111/51.
next 3 bp readings were 112/45, 113/48, 118/47
At 1:30 her blood transfusion was finished....her bp was 115/46 temp was 101.1 she was issued her 2nd bag of antibiotic and they will be checking her blood count again around 2:30..she is on her 5th saline bag and she just ate 5 chicken nuggets. :)
1:46 bp was 125/58 and at 2:05 her bp reading was 112/56

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 The transfusions seem to be doing well thus far. Glory to God. She does have more energy now than before. The Dr.s are jsut curious as to where the infection is coming from. She jsut got done with mroe blood work and we should hear about the blood count in an hour or so. Again we can't thank you all enough for the prayers and kind words of encouragement
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 Update on blood work....
Heaven's Hemoglobins has went from 5.6 to 7.7 but the Hematacrits have went from 32 to 23. This is after the 2nd blood transfusion. The hematacrits went down because they say it is due to how fast her body (absorbs) all it can. But please do not stop praying. The darkest hour is always just before dawn.

Also, I dont' know anything about the family but a Mom and Dad lost there son this morning. I ask you all to please say a pray for that family, was very sad...I cried and prayed for them throughout today. Makes me look at things from a different point of view. Feel so sad for them. Also,  they will be doing another blood count in the morning and that the Bone Marrow Biospy is still scheduled for Monday.

New day...after a long night

Though she is sleeping good, we thought that Heaven had broken her fever through the night, now at 4:45 a.m her temp is back to 100...her bp is now 117/45. The nurse will be back in the room to take more blood work around 6 a.m. I'm sure they will start another pint of blood too.

Information on our daughter

O.K. to all who are praying for our daughter Heaven,,,,thank you and please don't stop, she isn't out of the woods yet. Here is a run down of the day today.......
We couldn't get her to get up this morning so we took her to the Urgent Care but they were so full that the wait time was at about 3 hrs or more.......
We took her to Franklin Mem. in Rocky Mount and after the blood work they determined that she has Aplastic Anemia.....which could lead to several issues. All of her blood cells had decreased. A Franklin Mem. she had 2 Saline bags and it was also determined that it would be of her best interest that she be transported to Carilion Clinic Childrens Hospital in Roanoke.
 In route to Roanoke her bp dropped to 78 so her 3rd. Saline bag was started. Upon arrival, after being put in a room, her bp was then 95/35 and her temp. was 101.1. The nurse left at about 7:20 to give all the info to the head Dr.
‎7:45 her bp was taken again a nd it was 96/40....at this time any number over 90 is great. 7:55 her blood work was taken to determine what type she has. 8:25 the 4th saline bag was started.
Moments ago, we were jsut informed that since her bp is staying low that she will be going to ICU until improvement. Please keep praying and post any questions you may have here or email me personally, I will try to answer as best as I can.
O.K. late night update....At 9:55 Heavens temp was taken (101.2) we were moved to ICU for more obseration through the night...hope to be back in regular room tomorrow. More blood work was taken and her bp was 109/46.
10:30 She will be receiving an antibiotic through her 2nd IV they will also be giving her a benadryl for any possible reaction beings the antibiotic contains pennicillin, they are also going to give her some Motrin for her fever and headache.
10:35 bp was 118/51 ---- 10:50 bp was 107/42

We are praying that this transfusion does the job. We serve a mighty Saviour and we know that he is still in the healing business. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness and prayers.


 At 11:15 Heavens bp was 105/39
Just found out Heavens blood count levels....Her Hemoglobins is 4.6 and should be 12 to16...and her Hematacrits are 14 and should be 36 to 46. She will probably be receiving another pint of blood in the morning.

‎11:35....bp was 110/43
‎11:45.....bp is 104/39.....1st pint of blood is almost finished. Also, her heart rate is doing pretty good.
‎12:15...bp was 111/47 Heavens temperature has came down to 99.1 and we are pretty sure the fever has broken or is at least trying to. Glory to God.

Heaven is resting well right now...the time is 12:50 a.m. and we will see how things go in a little while.
Will try to update asap as information comes in. Thank you all. God bless you all.

You can go here to find out more about Aplastic Anemia http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CD0QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mayoclinic.com%2Fhealth%2Faplastic-anemia%2FDS00322&ei=joLQTqv2LMj50gGlw6iNDQ&usg=AFQjCNHikQsX3kIZ2qCiTG4LidftHkqb_w

Prayers Needed

All I can ask today is that my friends pray for our daughter Heaven. I will post deatils later.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanks-Giving......do we really give Thanks?

I am so thankful first for my Saviour that came and gave His life for mine. Oh, but to go so far as to tell the world how much you love them by giving it all, literally. Thank you Jesus for being there when I called on you to come into my heart, thank you for always being there when I feel all alone in a filled room, and thank you for loving me.
I am also thankful for the family that I am so blessed to have, yea, so what, we may not all always get along or see eye to eye, but who does? As long as we know that we can count on each other to be there when we need them...that's what really matters.
I am thankful for the wonderful husband that God has blessed me with. He is one of the hardest working men I have ever known. He loves his family and provides for us also. He loves our children enough to let their Mom (me) stay home and teach them the ways that the need to be taught. To home-school them, nurture them, teach them, love them, not many wives get to do that.
I am thankful that my husband has a job, right now he has lost over 20 hours a week overtime but, God is good and He will provide. After Jan. 1st, 2011...my husband will lose $1.75 an hour in pay, but, God is good and He will provide. Things around here are going to get really tight, but I would rather my kids be thankful that the fridge had a little food in it rather than take a full pantry for granted.
I am also thankful that we can buy about $50 worth of groceries at least 3 times a month and somehow still have enough food to last much longer. I said before...God is good!!
I am thankful that I can say "I love you" to my children, some find it hard to do. I am thankful for the little house on the hill that God has blessed us with even though we are praying that He will allow us to move to a more "Self-Sufficient" property.
I am thankful for our vehicles even though one smokes like a freight train, and one is losing 1st gear in the transmission and the other we still owe on for 4 more years.....I am thankful that we don't have to walk to the store.
I could go on and on and on but I am not sure that this page will..lol..but just remember there is always something to be thankful for. So the next time your feeling down...just pull out a pencil and paper and start writing what your thankful for and I will guarantee you that come next Nov. you'll have a list beyond compare.

........1 Thessalonians 5:18........

Monday, November 21, 2011

Mondays.....

Boy, Mondays can be tough to handle or they can be easy as apple pie. Well, today is tough to handle. I have soooooo much to do and so little time. I am now taking a few minutes to let the world know that I have been washing curtains all day long and cleaning windows.

I usually have all this work done a month before Thanksgiving....but not this year!! We have been about a month behind on housework and yardwork all year long. Well, maybe since tomorrow is Tuesday that I might just have a chance of getting caught up. LoL

Angela

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Some Clouded Day

Some clouded day I will be heading home. Amen!!!
Woke at 4 a.m. and it was still raining....WoW. We headed to church last night, but had to turn around due to flooding in the roads. A lot of water fell in the Southside area last night and this morning. Our poor wipers got a real sorkout last night. Really wanted to go to church but...safety first. And yes, I have faith in my Jesus, if you ask. :)
Mother came and picked up our 16 yr. old daughter this morning. She has been asked to go and sing and play piano with a group from Mothers church that goes and sings at rest homes and retirement centers. really wish Mother would have been in a better mood...guess she may not be feeling to well.
Will be heading to town tomorrow to buy some groceries and to do a little shopping for CHRISTmas. I love Thanksgiving so much, becuse it reminds me to be thankful for CHRISTmas and Easter. Lord willing we will be having a turkey this year too.
Lord, Thanks for you boutiful hand, we have been so blessed by your hand.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thursday.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Quiet Reflections during the Rain

As I sit here listening to the pitter patter of the rain falling from above....I have to stop and wonder....if we could only catch a handfull of raindrops....could we think back of that many blessings that God has bestowed up on us? Hmmm. makes me want to go outside and dance in the rain for a while.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

A new journey for us

Today is day one for our new Blog....American Crafting...Today. So as I sit here wondering what in the world to write next.....I am actually thanking God for a way to get what we are doing here in Virginia to the rest of the world.

So...with that said....my daughters and I do a lot of dofferent crafts. We sew, quilt, make small projects to sell. So give us a few days to get things up and running and maybe you, as well as others, will find this blog very helpful and useful.

Angela