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5.04.2011

Got Faith?

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.  Matthew 8:26

I needed a miracle Monday night.  I needed to see God move.  I didn't deserve it, but I still wanted it.  I have been asking God for a LOT these days.  I am keenly aware of that, but boy was I begging Monday night.  Lucy was so sick.  She was as bad as she had been since Le Bonheur.  Over the weekend, she had vomited no less than 15 times each day.  And since she has not eaten for roughly 8 days (nothing at all), she was losing what little fluid her body was able to retain from the TPN.  She was primarily gagging on mucus that was collecting in her throat, which is very sore from the radiation. 

I knew that I was not taking her home Monday.  I had decided that I was going to go in to E Clinic and beg Dr. W to keep her in the hospital.  I HATE staying in the hospital, but there was no way I felt comfortable taking her home in that state.  But it didn't come to that.  When her labs came back her sodium level was critically low.  Low sodium can cause lots of harm to your body, including seizures.  That got us an express ticket to the 2nd floor.  The worst part about the whole situation was that Anesthesia would not sedate her until her sodium level was corrected.  It was far too dangerous to try.  It took more than 24 hours, but finally (after lots of intervention) her levels began to rise. 

Here's where the miracle part comes in.  In one night, her mucus secretions began drying up.  Her vomiting all but stopped almost instantly and her sodium corrected in time to only miss 1 RT.  This may not seem like much to you, but when you are living in this hell, it is huge.  I have been on cloud 9 all day.  I can't help smiling and saying "Thank you God" out loud when I think about how things changed from Sunday/Monday to today.  I seriously believe God intervened and laid his hand on my baby.  She is still super tired and can hardly hold her head up.  She sleeps more than she is awake during a 24 hour period but this is all to be expected.  It's part of her body healing and trying to combat all this radiation. 

GOD IS SO GOOD!

So....here's our exciting news.  And NO.  I am NOT pregnant.  If I were, I would be including my new address at the regional mental health facility.  I digress.

Lucy's last radiation treatment will be.....this FRIDAY!!!!  3 days shorter than we originally were told.  We are ecstatic.  This is huge.  3 days less of radiation, 3 days less of sedation, 3 days less of riding to Memphis every day, 3 days less of doctor visits.  Most importantly 3 days more of a break before Chemotherapy.  I am a worrier by nature.  I just can't help it.  However, I am going to try to enjoy every single day we have during our break.  The doctors have told us not to expect an overnight change in Lucy's energy.  The reality is that she will not be recovered before we hit her with 4 months of Chemo.  We are just going to pray every day that her energy and appetite will be restored as much as possible before June 19th.  We started Lucy on Periactin today so maybe she will start eating soon.  I am believing God will answer this prayer, too. 

God continues to provide strength when we are weak, hope when we feel hopeless, light when it seems dark and miracles when we need the most.  Thank you for your continued prayers.  This is only the beginning of Lucy's journey, but finishing RT is a major milestone.


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30 comments:

  1. This is huge! I hope Lucy finds something that tastes good to her. It can be so hard! Hugs!

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  2. So many wonderful things to Praise God about!!! God is so good! Praising Him and thanking Him for each and every blessing He is showering down upon your family.

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  3. Wow, I am smiling. I have to admit, that after reading my friend Summer's post tonight, I have been pretty down (her baby Lettie is not doing well). Thanks for your post to remind me that God provides. So happy for the shortened radiation plan:)

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  4. What a happy post!! Our prayers continue to be with your entire family!!

    The Quarles Family
    David, Lori and Wilson

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  5. This was my daily scripture e-mail that a friend sends out. I thought you might feel comforted in reading it. I think it is important to note that Satan, not God, put the thorn in Paul's side:
    Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me-to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

    Although God did not remove Paul's physical affliction, he promised to demonstrate his power in Paul. The fact that God's power is displayed in weak people should give us courage. Through we recognize our limitations, we will not congratulate ourselves and rest at that. Instead, we will turn to God to seek pathways for effectiveness. We must rely on God for our effectiveness rather than simply on our own energy, effort, or talent. Our weakness not only helps develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship, because in admitting our weakness, we affirm God's strength.

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  6. This made me so happy! Our God is so AMAZING!

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  7. Wonderful news! I like to think of those things as God winks, we will continue to pray.

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  8. Wonderful news!!! I am so happy :) Love you all! Constant prayers going up!
    P.S. Found my stuff today. So, glad you could use it!! :) You know theres more where it came from, AND I've already started packing Jack's next box of goodies. There aren't as much, but I am definitely sending his FF goods! ;)

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  9. THAT IS SUCH GREAT NEWS!
    PRAISE BE TO OUR FATHER!

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  10. Kate I am convienced that God will show us He is still in our personal ball games just when we need HIM most. Go God. Go Lucy!

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  11. Hello,
    I have just discovered your blog. We live in Millington and my husband had an appointment at the Speight clinic and I saw the web address on the door. My heart and prayers are completely with you!! I cannot comprehend the nightmare this has to be. We also have two daughters. Hannah is 6 and Autumn is 2. I hope to participate in the 5K!

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  12. So glad to hear there was a change and things are getting better. What a welcome relief!! I hope Lucy's days off go well and that she tolerates her chemo well.
    Thinking of you and your family and keeping you in my prayers.

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  13. Whoo hoo!!!!!!!!! We give you all the praise God for only you are mighty to save!!!!!

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  14. Praying for your daughter! That is such amazing news. Hold your head high.

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  15. That is all HUGE news! Wonderful! God is good, and the power of prayer is real! :) I will keep praying for you and Lucy and the rest of your family!

    ~A Stranger Named Holly

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  16. Well, here we are... another morning and me sitting here with tears - of joy this time! Praise God, I'm so happy for your good news. Prayers will continue for Lucy to gain weight and strength for the battle ahead. God bless you all.

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  17. Praise God! He is so good!
    Praying for some normal downtime before Chemo.

    God Bless!

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  18. Praise god for answering your prayers... we here in CT pray regularly for you and your family... May God hold you all closely.
    Love
    Tara Hurlburt

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  19. Soooooooooo happy to hear all of this news! I believe Lucy will gain some strength and appetite back soon. So glad to hear that radiation is over Friday! And your post about pregnancy and the mental health facility made me laugh! Prayers continue daily for you all! Now try to enjoy this small break before chemo. Love, hugs, and prayers always!

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  20. I wish I could hug you both! I am so glad Lucy is back on track to getting well!

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  21. Keep SMILING!!!!! You all deserve it!!!! Wonderful news....continued prayers!

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  22. That's wonderful that you get three more days, and also about your miracle. :) God is good! More prayers and thoughts for you as you continue on this long , hard journey!

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  23. Great news!! Our God is so good! I don't think we can ever ask too much of God for He wants to give us good gifts. Keep asking!!

    Praying always,
    <><

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  24. What terrific news, that Lucy will have a few extra days to gain strength, and hopefully begin eating, to put on some weight, before her next round of treatments. Just curious, but have they retrieved Lucy's stem cells,for harvesting, before she begins her chemo. I understand that this is usually something that is done, and I don't remember you ever mentioning it.
    Continuing to pray for Lucy, and your whole family, that you may have some great and enjoyable family time together.

    Sending Hugs!
    A Mom-Mom in NJ

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  25. Good news that her sweet little body gets a few more days of a break! I pray the coming days bring her more energy & appetite!

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  26. Our daughter broker her arm this past weekend so we were at lebonheur from friday until sun. The entire time we were there, i was thinking of yall. If it were just a month sooner i definitely would of came to visit yall. I think my little princess and your little princess would be perfect for each other! I think about Lucy everyday, she is such an angel,as are you. Also, our youngest one is an army crawler. She refuses to crawl normal, but believe me that does not hold her back! Yall will always be in my prayers!

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  27. It has been a few days since I've read your blog. Wow! Only three days to go! I know you see some light at the end of the tunnel! We continue to pray for you all!

    In Christ,
    Carmen Pfeifer

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  28. Kate ~

    You don't know me and I only know of you and your precious family through your blog. I live in Germantown and Lucy and your family were a prayer request in my Sunday School class. The past 2+ months I have read your blog daily and pray for you and your family.

    Someone sent me a link to a youtube video today and as I listened to the song, I kept thinking of you, Lucy and your family. I felt led to pass it on to you. The link is http://youtu.be/1CSVqHcdhXQ

    The chorus says, "what if your blessings come through raindrops
    What if Your healing comes through tears
    What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
    What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise"

    You know God's blessings and mercies on a completely different level than many of us. Your faith and each of your stories are a daily inspiration and blessing to me.

    I am so thankful that Lucy had a good turn and so excited for the 3 days!!!

    You will continue to be in my prayers,
    Angie McGuffee

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  29. Oh my goodness, Kate, just rejoicing with you for all that God has done!!! Woo Hoo for radiation being done!!!!!!!

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  30. I My sister found your blog through Lucy Lane's blog and has been praying so much for your little Lucy! She told me your family's story, and we have been praying too. I know we are thousands of miles away, and probably won't meet till heaven, but you have so many praying for your family. Including my little niece who is 5:) Seriously, she prays for your Lucy every day.

    Know you're not alone...

    Praying...

    Jessica Stemm

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