Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Roanoke bound

We will be heading to Roanoke here shortly for Heavens Bone Marrow Biopsy. Pray for safe travels as it is raining and durung this time of year there are more people on the roads, also prat that her counts will be up and that the BMB comes back clean. Love you all and may you all have a wonderfully blessed day. <3

Sunday, November 25, 2012

1 year ago.....ours live changed forever.

Before I get into to what I'd like to say, I would like to encourage everyone who doesn't have health insurance for you or your child, to please try and find the best policy that fits the needs of you and your family.
I used to say that insurance was nothing but a big rip-off...boy was I wrong. The insurance that we have through my husbands job has been nothing less than a huge blessing, for out of the total of $397, 426.90 we have had to pay around a total of $500.00 out of pocket. All of this was for.....
83 chemo treatments
28 blood transfusions
22 platelet transfusions
5 bone marrow biopsy's
3 bone marrow aspirates
4 lumbar punctures
EKG's, MRI's, CT Scans, X-rays
unumerable blood draws and IV's and also includes.....
hospital stays, in-home nurse, nutrient and medical supplies, surgeries, doctors visits, clinic check-ups, nursing staff, etc.

So now, with all that said, Today, Nov. 25th, 1012, I would like to begin by thanking our Lord Jesus Christ for being with us continually the last 12 months and for loving guiding us. Our family has faced many valleys in the past, but nothing like the one we faced on Nov. 25th, 2011....that day, we would begin to face our stormiest valley ever.
Today marks our family's 1 year anniversary, the day all of our lives changed forever, and I say family because we face trials together. Though it has been a long journey to where we are today, we do know that God has been there with us every step of the way. The tears today are tears of joy, tears of realizing jsut how precious life really is, tears of knowing that there have been so many prayers lifted up to the portals of heaven and prayers that have been answered.
The Lord has been so good to us for He has surrounded us with family and friends, who at any given moment, would stop everything there were doing and pray...
They prayed for our family, they prayed that God would give us all the strength we would need, they prayed that God would guide us through, they prayed that God would give us the grace we would need to face our adversary, and He did. They prayed that our faith in Him would not fail, and it didn't. They prayed for the Dr.s, the Nurses, everyone involved with taking care of Heaven.....they prayed and God answered.
We are so greatly blessed to have a family and such wonderful friends that have sat themselves aside to pray for us as they did. Being strong and having courage needed to face your adversary doesn't come naturally, it's not something that you are born with...it comes through prayer, it come with having faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
It was 1 year ago today, black Friday, that we heard the words that no parent ever dreams of hearing..."Your child has leukemia". Those words still ring in my ears today...those words bring such a lump in my throat...those words will linger in my heart as long as I live. I have been asked on several occasions..."What went through your mind when you heard the news?" My response is..."You really can't think on one thing inparticular, for your mind begins to race with so many thoughts at once." But the one thing that I picture most often in my mind is how Heaven and I just held onto each other like never before.
For those of you who have known Heaven for any length of time, you know how she loves being on the move, outside taking pictures, having fun....anything. Well, the chemo treatments took her away form many things she loved to do, but by Gods grace and your prayers and encouraging words, she is getting back into the things that she loves to do. Her smile rarely leaves her face now and she has been such an inspiration to so many people with her faith and courage that she has shown. Her faith in the face of all she has encountered and experienced is a light for all who really know her. Heaven has such a drive in her to be back to her "normal" self and to get back to doing all those things she loves to do.

So with all that being said, I would like to leave you with some words from the heart of a Momcologist.....
I pray you never have to hear the words that "Your child has leukemia"
I pray you never have to hear about the "prognosis"
I pray you never have to watch your child prepare to undergo chemo, have a port surgically implanted in their chest, connected to an IV pole for weeks at a time and look at you with fear in their eyes and say "Don't worry Mom, it's gonna be o.k."
I pray you never have to hold your child while they vomit green bile and all you can feed your child throughout the day is Jell-o
I pray you never have to watch the "cure" you prayed for slowly take away you childs identity as they lose their hair, become thin from weight lose, barely able to walk and look at you with hope in their eyes and say "Mom, it's gonna be o.k."
I pray you never have to stay in the hospital for weeks at a time, where there isn't much privacy, sleeping on a small couch with your face to the wall, where you cry in muffled silence
I pray you never have to see a mother, alone, huddled in a dark hospital corridor crying quietly, after jsut being told "there's nothing more they can do"
I pray you never have to use every bit of the energy you have left, with all that is going on around you, to remain positive for your child and all the while feelings of guilt, hope and fear overwhelm you
I pray you never know what it like to take your child home, grateful but so afraid, knowing the chemo has damaged your child's body, they are 30 lbs. lighter. pale, bald and scarred and they look at you with faith in their eyes and say "It's going to be o.k. Mom"
I pray you never have to face the few family and friends that have stuck by you and hear them say "Thank God its over" because you know it will never be over, but you carry the strong faith that it is
Through it all your life becomes a whirlwind of doctors visits, blood test, check-ups, etc. and you try to get your life back to normal while living in mind-numbing fear.
 I pray you never have to experience what our family has had to experience for only then will you understand
And lastly, I pray that you learn to love your children, to show compassion to them, to nurture them, to let them know that you are there for them, our children are a gift from God and He wants us to guide them and listen to them. Please, I ask, hug your child today and thank God that you were blessed with them.

With tons of Love,
Thank you all for being there with us


Saturday, November 24, 2012

Very early morning today


Well, I am now glad that I went to bed early...goes to show that God knows best. Was awakened by Heaven calling me at 4 a.m. will abdominal pains, that didn't last long, but was strong enough to buckle her over. She has had these pains many times over the last year, but hasn't had them in several months. I took her temp and it was within a normal range, I gave her a few saltine crackers and that seemed to ease it, as it did many times before. She is resting o.k. now but I believe I will keep a watch on her and her temps throughout the early morning.
Pray that it is just a simple belly-ache from eating 2 packs of Ramen noodles before bedtime.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Very productive day here

It has certainly been a productive day here...Heaven and I moved about 5 wheel-barrows full of bricks from the front flower bed to the garden in the back. Then we put up a raised bed that will be used for carrots next year, then later when Waye had gotten home he and I moved 2 more loads of bricks and a load of rocks and I then made  short raised bed to be used for some cucumbers. After that, I grabbed the weed-eater and cut down the day lillies in the flower bed around back...then we burned out the fire pit so we can now, on chilly nights, roast some marshmallows.
Well, the agenda for tomorrow is, in the mornig Heaven and I are headed to the gun range with our neighbors, for some much needed stress relieving and when we get back I will need to finish cleaning out the front flower bed and possibly move a red rose bush. I have two Yuka (sp) plants that need to be moved but I  am curious as to how I am going to do so beings they are big. Also, I need to get some pine needles for the lower front beds but that may have to wait a week or so from now.
So for now...I am kicked back and reclined on the couch watching Tyler Perrys House of Payne just relaxing and enjoying some down time.
Hope you all have a restful evening also. Many blessings <3

Monday, November 19, 2012

Praise the Lord!!!

We are totally drinking from our saucer today...God has been so good to us even though we fail Him daily. Instead of typing in all the info, I just thought I would share a picture of the results, everything highlighted has increased by a little but increased in the right direction...we are just so overwhelmed at the goodness of the Lord. Hoping you all have a wonderful week. Love to you all and many blessings to.

Cancer through the eyes of a parent



This video was made by a lady who knows how important it is to raise awareness for our children that is fighting this monster. My lovely daughter Heaven Nicole is in the video at minute 3:05. It is heart-wrenching toward the end but it will definately give you a view into the eyes of these children. Milton Moore...the second song got to me. Thank you Mikayla Vickers for making this video and I pray it will raise tons of awareness . ♥

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Labs Today.

Heaven and I will be leaving soon to head to Rocky Mount to get her labs drawn, we will be waiting for the results...so please pray that her counts rebound back to a normal state even if a transfusion is needed.
I also ask you to pray that if she does need another bone marrow biopsy that those results will again...come back clean.
Hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday and may Gods blessings be upon you all. <3

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Labs requested by Dr.

OK...called the Clinic today, they want Heaven labs drawn in the morning so they will have time to look over the results (as to see if the counts are still dropping) and make a decision as to wether or not to do another  bone marrow biopsy.
Heaven has been feeling good all week, we have been cramming in and knocking out lots schoolwork, her temps have been fine, her appetite has been great so I think that if her platelets are still low that she may need a transfusion beings each time after chemo her platelets were the ast to recover and she always needed a transfusion...the bone marrow biopsy will only be done for precautionary reasons (remember this Milton). We know that God is still in control and He is the great Physician and Heaven is going to be o.k. Pray that her counts rebound even if a transfusion is needed.
Love you all and hope you have a wonderful week.


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Nice lunch today.....

Just got home from having my first wonderful dinner at El Parrel with Milton, Heaven and his Mom Paula. We had never eaten there before and it was very delicious and the service was exceptional. Thanks Milton for picking the place to eat today...and Paula it was nice chatting with you again. Thanks a bunch. :-) Hope you all have  wonderful evening.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Labs drawn a day early

Yesterday Heaven was feeling  a little light-headed and had a headache, so I called the clinic and the Dr. requested that I go ahead and get her labs drawn early. Well, her platelet, hemo, hema and her anc are lower than last week.
After returning home I contacted the clinic and was informed that this coming Monday the Dr.s will get together to make the decision as to wether or not to do another bone marrow biopsy. Also if her pateets gt to 10 or under she will be receiving a transfusion ( ths is why donating to Virginia Blood Services is so important) VBS supplies Carilion.
So I am asking you all to pray that her counts rebound and stay normal & steadily strong. Other than this she is feeling great and continually smiles.
Today she is feeling better and is enjoying  a big cup of hot cocoa.
Love and many blessings to you all.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Last few days.....

Havent posted much in the last fews days so here goes.
Took Heaven on Thursday to get her labs drawn and  all her counts had dropped. Even though her counts were low, even the nurse told her that she looked good and that she had noticed that her color was coming back nicely. I enjoyed hearing that. Through the weekend she had alot of energy and was smiling from ear to ear. By Sunday she became a little tired but her energy level picked back up as the day went on. Yesterday she rested a little while doing some of her schoolwork and then we went to visit with Alex, Samantha, Kynsie & Leea for a little while. She enjoys visiting with her sisters and neices.
Today, well, she has to go with me to go and vote...I know she doesnt want to but anyways, after that we have to go to Collinsville to drop off my laptop to get the screen replaced and then to Southern States to pick up feed and then straight home...I know though that she will want something from Mickey Ds. lol.
We will be heading to Rocky Mount on Thursday for more labs, I pray that her platelets rebound on its own but if not maybe a transfusion of platelets will help them with a little boost.
I am asking you to pray for normal range counts...there is no room for worry here (Milton)...prayer and positive thinking only. :-)
Hope you all have a wonderful day, may it be productive, and for all of you hunters out there...please be careful.


Friday, November 2, 2012

Were back in service

Well, what I mean to say is that we have the internet back...after 4days of being without it. I am amazed at how much we all rely on the world wide web. Well, let me try and catch everyone up on a few things.....
1st off...We pray that all our family an friends fared the storm. and thanks to Sandy...its getting cold! lol. during the nights it has dipped down to the low 30's and we have had to run the heat, which for this time of year is very surprising.
2nd...Heaven had her labs drawn yesterday morning and all of her couts were low, but, we are figuring it from the cold and her body having to use up more energy to stay warm and also where her bone marrow is rebuilding. Through it all...Gods been good.
3rd...I am beginning to not like the 22 Marlin rifle anymore. Why? Well we have stray cats everywhere here, animl control wont pick them up, the spca is already crowded, so that leaves us with only one option beings we raise game birds. Well that one option has not been to faithful at even firing. I think its the firing pin, my neighbor thinks it could be the bullets, so our little 22 is going to take a trip to the gunsmith today.

We hope you all have had a wonderful week, we hope you all have an even better weekend, & may the blessings of God be upon you all. Please keep those positive and specific prayers coming. Love you all.

The pic below is the view of the Blue Ridge Parkway from our back porch. Enjoy