progress

I think we've turned a corner in Amy's recovery from surgery. Last night was a rough time, but today she's been up and awake longer than any other day so far. She's using ice packs around the clock which seem to make her more comfortable. We appreciate the many prayers, phone calls, e-mails, and facebook messages on her behalf. Knowing people care is the best medicine of all!

Update...

While it was a joy to not have to go to the hematologist today to get results of her biopsy, there was still some follow-up with her primary care physician concerning "inflammatory markers" in her blood work. The Dr took some more blood today to check on a couple more things with results anticipated in the next week. Nothing major, thankfully. She doesn't know why Amy had such a large lymph node but hopes that now that it's been removed there won't be anymore unexplained, random fevers. She called it the "psychotic lymph node." Amy's Dr is eager and hopeful that she'll be fine to go back to school once she fully recovers from the surgery this week and thinks any potential follow-up can wait till the trimester is over...UNLESS the fevers continue.

Today Amy was on her feet for awhile, but it quickly wore her out and she crashed as soon as we got back from the Dr. She tried to get off pain meds yesterday but soon realized that was a bit premature. Still, we're hopeful that each day will be better than the previous one, and our goal is to let her go back to school sometime next week. Her next class doesn't begin until 23 March, so time is on her side. She's a bit frustrated that she isn't bouncing back as quickly as she normally does, but I reminded her that except for her initial foot surgery in 2007, this one was way more invasive that the others. Her neck is quite swollen, but she's keeping an ice pack on it and that seems to help. Brian came home last night, and Phil is coming down from the campus tomorrow to spend the night, so she's a happy girl despite her discomfort. If you know her facebook or e-mail address, feel free to give her a pep talk. I'm sure she'd love to hear some words of encouragement.

On another note, we have good friends and family members going on mission trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic this weekend, and I know they'd love all of the prayer support they can get. Gina, David, and Jordan are their names. Feel free to hit your knees for them as they become Christ in human flesh to the people who have been tragically affected by the recent earthquakes.

Laura is headed to Virginia with Ian tomorrow for spring break so he can introduce her to his extended family. And Bethany is gearing up for her spring break later this month...complete with more driver's education. There's always something! Much love and thanks again for your thoughts and prayers!

Two days out....

The "no cancer" celebration is still going on, but Amy's "fun-meter" is pegged as the post-op pain is very real to her. She can't turn her head easily and almost everything strains her throat which makes her neck hurt. At 4 this morning she felt very nauseous from the pain meds. I guess 2 pieces of toast just before she took them wasn't enough in her stomach, and it hit a little bit later. Somehow she talked herself out of being sick; just the idea of having to do so really scared her. She knew it would hurt. She has big plans for the day...wants to get up and shower and go over to the high school to see a few teachers. But realistically, she'll probably spend another day in bed. Brian comes home tonight, so that will give her something to look forward to. I'd give anything to be able to take this pain from her...I think just about any of us would. She, of course, is glad she's the one hurting and not anyone else. Brave girl, our Amy.

Answered prayers!!!!!

The hematologist just called and said we don't even have to come in on Friday since the biopsy showed NO signs of cancer!!! Amy does have some "inflammatory markers" in her blood work that he can't explain, so we need to follow up with her primary care Dr. But praise God..no cancer!!! When I woke Amy up to tell her, she just opened one eye and said "cool" and then went right back to sleep. I don't think she was surprised at all. What a faith that girl has! Since nothing seems too pressing, we'll probably just let her finish out the trimester and keep an eye on her to see if she still gets unexplained fevers. And we'll make an appt with her primary care Dr as well. For now she just needs to recover from surgery and get her strength back and press on!!! Prayers have been lifted up all over the country for our girl. I'm sure Satan is quite ticked, but the angels are rejoicing along with the rest of us!!! Thanks to all who hit their knees for our girl. What a mighty God we serve!