As much as I dread Savannah's treatment, I wish we could go and get her started today! The tumor on her neck is growing rapidly and is making her whole chest hurt. It even hurts her to move. She tries to be brave but I can tell she 's not feeling good. Please continue those prayers. Thanks!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
NIH called
We heard from NIH today. They have scheduled us to come out on May 4th. Savannah will start chemo on the 7th. They want her there a few days early to do some blood work. She will be on chemo for 7 days. It will totally wipe out her immune system. After that they will infuse the till cells into her system and then start the Interleukin 2. Since she will have no immune system the threat of infection is a very real one. I'm getting a head start and asking for prayer that God will just keep her cradled in His hands and keep her free of anything that could cause infections. I also ask for prayer with all the side effects of the chemo and IL2
Danny and I would also appreciate prayers for us to have the emotional and physical strength to handle all that lies ahead as we take care of her.
I feel a little strange promoting the benefit that some WONDERFUL FRIENDS are having for Savannah... but.... so many are asking for specifics that I thought I would address some of the questions.....
What - Dinner (mexican/fajitas), music show & auction
When - Saturday, May 2nd @ 6pm
Where - Greenland Community Center
From what I've heard, they could still use some volunteers to help serve, take $ for the auction and clean-up afterward.
Anyone interested can contact Diane Cramer @
Danny and I would also appreciate prayers for us to have the emotional and physical strength to handle all that lies ahead as we take care of her.
I feel a little strange promoting the benefit that some WONDERFUL FRIENDS are having for Savannah... but.... so many are asking for specifics that I thought I would address some of the questions.....
What - Dinner (mexican/fajitas), music show & auction
When - Saturday, May 2nd @ 6pm
Where - Greenland Community Center
From what I've heard, they could still use some volunteers to help serve, take $ for the auction and clean-up afterward.
Anyone interested can contact Diane Cramer @
Friday, April 17, 2009
Friday
We just got back from Savannah's appointment today. The scan showed that the bump on her neck....above her collar bone is a new tumor. It grew rapidly but some of the other spots did not SO... there is always something to be thankful for! Now, we will just wait for NIH to contact us with our schedule.
Thank you for keeping up the prayers. Also, Thank you to all of you who are volunteering all of your time, energy and resources to benefit our family. We don't deserve it but we definitely appreciate it. We are so blessed. :)
Thank you for keeping up the prayers. Also, Thank you to all of you who are volunteering all of your time, energy and resources to benefit our family. We don't deserve it but we definitely appreciate it. We are so blessed. :)
Well, I've decided that I had better watch what I ask you guys to pray for because the minute I put a prayer request on this blog......it gets answered before I get off the computer. I was re-reading the last 2 posts and I realized I left a part out. I said that God had just worked the IL2/ insurance thing out but I didn't tell how.
They were not going to give her the treatment because it is so expensive and some insurances won't pay. As soon as I logged off the computer, our connections at NIH had emailed and said If we decided to go that route, they would see to it that she got the drug. Then, that afternoon we had an appointment with our doctor here and He said that he had talked to WRMC and if she wanted the IL2 treatment...SHE WOULD HAVE IT...PERIOD! As I said before, now she doesn't need it because the till cells are growing so fast! :)
Savannah had another scan Wednesday and we go today to see what they say about whether it's fast or slow growing.
I have a sad heart this morning. Danny had a young friend and co-worker die in a car wreck. His name was Paul Lindey and he was 23 yrs. old. Danny said he was a really great guy. I feel for his family who lives in Mena where they are still recovering from the tornado that hit there the other day.
Coach Calhoun, one of Shelby's former teachers died of a heart attack. He was the sweetest man ever. The kids loved him so much....we will miss him dearly.
And.....though not last on my list by any means......Aaron Tomlinson, the son of some good friends of ours, has left this morning to serve our country in Iraq.
My prayer request today is that God will just comfort these families in their loss. I also pray that He will go with Aaron, keep him safe and return him to his family soon AND give his mama & daddy PEACE about it!
They were not going to give her the treatment because it is so expensive and some insurances won't pay. As soon as I logged off the computer, our connections at NIH had emailed and said If we decided to go that route, they would see to it that she got the drug. Then, that afternoon we had an appointment with our doctor here and He said that he had talked to WRMC and if she wanted the IL2 treatment...SHE WOULD HAVE IT...PERIOD! As I said before, now she doesn't need it because the till cells are growing so fast! :)
Savannah had another scan Wednesday and we go today to see what they say about whether it's fast or slow growing.
I have a sad heart this morning. Danny had a young friend and co-worker die in a car wreck. His name was Paul Lindey and he was 23 yrs. old. Danny said he was a really great guy. I feel for his family who lives in Mena where they are still recovering from the tornado that hit there the other day.
Coach Calhoun, one of Shelby's former teachers died of a heart attack. He was the sweetest man ever. The kids loved him so much....we will miss him dearly.
And.....though not last on my list by any means......Aaron Tomlinson, the son of some good friends of ours, has left this morning to serve our country in Iraq.
My prayer request today is that God will just comfort these families in their loss. I also pray that He will go with Aaron, keep him safe and return him to his family soon AND give his mama & daddy PEACE about it!
Monday, April 13, 2009
WOW!
In the last blog I posted earlier today, I asked you guys to pray that Savannah's till cells would grow. They told us last Friday that it would be at least 2 more weeks before they would know. About 2pm today NIH called and said the till cells were growing like crazy!!!!!!! Next week they will have our schedule ready and be able to start treatment earlier...in May instead of June.
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
He just keeps on blessing!
THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
He just keeps on blessing!
Oh "Me" of little Faith!
In the last blog on Friday I said we needed a MIRACLE........ by the time we got to our doctor appointment God had just taken care of it! I know He is an awesome God so why does it surprise me every time He answers a prayer?
Savannah's doctor talked to NIH while we were in the office and they expressed to him that they really thought it would be best if we waited for the till cell therapy. It has the possible highest rate of success. I guess the IL2 will be the treatment IF the till cells don't grow. It will still be about 2 more weeks till we hear about that.
PLEASE PRAY THE TILL CELLS GROW! She has had another small lump come up in a lymph gland on her collar bone...on the same side. The doctor said it is not unusual but of course, it bothers me. We go Wednesday for another scan so they can try to see how fast or slow things are growing. We will hear those results Friday at our appointment.
Easter was a nasty but glorious day. As I sat at the piano in church, I looked down and there was my whole precious family....Danny, Bo, Savannah, Shelby & Corinna (our exchange student). I looked the other way and saw Mom & Daddy, Aunts, Cousins and so many friends......SO MUCH to be thankful for. After church, we used our church's family center to have an Easter get-together. A bunch more showed up and the kids had a blast playing and hunting eggs.
All of that plus the obvious reason for Easter - The day our Saviour arose from the grave and LIVES !!!! Like I said....It was a glorious day!
Thank you all for your continued prayers!
Savannah's doctor talked to NIH while we were in the office and they expressed to him that they really thought it would be best if we waited for the till cell therapy. It has the possible highest rate of success. I guess the IL2 will be the treatment IF the till cells don't grow. It will still be about 2 more weeks till we hear about that.
PLEASE PRAY THE TILL CELLS GROW! She has had another small lump come up in a lymph gland on her collar bone...on the same side. The doctor said it is not unusual but of course, it bothers me. We go Wednesday for another scan so they can try to see how fast or slow things are growing. We will hear those results Friday at our appointment.
Easter was a nasty but glorious day. As I sat at the piano in church, I looked down and there was my whole precious family....Danny, Bo, Savannah, Shelby & Corinna (our exchange student). I looked the other way and saw Mom & Daddy, Aunts, Cousins and so many friends......SO MUCH to be thankful for. After church, we used our church's family center to have an Easter get-together. A bunch more showed up and the kids had a blast playing and hunting eggs.
All of that plus the obvious reason for Easter - The day our Saviour arose from the grave and LIVES !!!! Like I said....It was a glorious day!
Thank you all for your continued prayers!
Friday, April 10, 2009
I'm not doing a very good job keeping the blog updated. :(
We got home late Monday night.....we were exhausted so it took a couple of days to get back in the groove!
Savannah is feeling pretty good except the surgery site....it's still pretty tender.
We have an appointment today with the oncologist so he can keep up with her case and offer services if needed. While we are waiting for the till cells to grow, we are trying to get her on a treatment that she could take here at home. It's called Interleukin 2. It is the strongest treatment available right now with the least major side effects. She would have to be hospitalized for about a week while getting the treatment then released for a few weeks til the next round. This drug has the potential to shrink the tumors and possibly wipe out the cancer.
If the Interleukin 2 works there would be no need for the till therapy. They would then freeze the till cells to keep in case she ever needed them again. They can keep them for years.
This is where my prayer request comes in..... hospitals won't give the drug because so few insurance companies will pay for it. It's extremely expensive and they don't even offer it as a possible free drug from the drug company.
We need another miracle. I say - miracle - because dealing with insurance companies that don't care about human life......only money, are almost impossible to work with. Actually, I'm just praying for total healing so we don't even have to deal with insurance companies!!!!! :)
We would still appreciate your continued prayers. God has blessed us so much and we know He will continue.
We have been so touched and thrilled with all the phone calls, messages, emails, gifts, food and prayers from all of you wonderful family and friends and friends of friends...............it's truly amazing! We're SO thankful for ALL of you. I'm just sorry I can't get back with everyone of you and tell you personally what you mean to our whole family. We love you!
We got home late Monday night.....we were exhausted so it took a couple of days to get back in the groove!
Savannah is feeling pretty good except the surgery site....it's still pretty tender.
We have an appointment today with the oncologist so he can keep up with her case and offer services if needed. While we are waiting for the till cells to grow, we are trying to get her on a treatment that she could take here at home. It's called Interleukin 2. It is the strongest treatment available right now with the least major side effects. She would have to be hospitalized for about a week while getting the treatment then released for a few weeks til the next round. This drug has the potential to shrink the tumors and possibly wipe out the cancer.
If the Interleukin 2 works there would be no need for the till therapy. They would then freeze the till cells to keep in case she ever needed them again. They can keep them for years.
This is where my prayer request comes in..... hospitals won't give the drug because so few insurance companies will pay for it. It's extremely expensive and they don't even offer it as a possible free drug from the drug company.
We need another miracle. I say - miracle - because dealing with insurance companies that don't care about human life......only money, are almost impossible to work with. Actually, I'm just praying for total healing so we don't even have to deal with insurance companies!!!!! :)
We would still appreciate your continued prayers. God has blessed us so much and we know He will continue.
We have been so touched and thrilled with all the phone calls, messages, emails, gifts, food and prayers from all of you wonderful family and friends and friends of friends...............it's truly amazing! We're SO thankful for ALL of you. I'm just sorry I can't get back with everyone of you and tell you personally what you mean to our whole family. We love you!
Friday, April 3, 2009
New Challenges
Everyday brings new challenges to think and pray about.
We've learned that Savannah's tissue type does not match the qualifications it needs to use " genetically engineered" immune cells. So, we need to pray that in the next few weeks the lab will be able to grow the till cells needed to fight the melanoma . They will know if the cells will grow in about 3 weeks but it will still take 6 -8 weeks for them to grow enough to give her. There is about a 70% chance they will grow. Since she is young and otherwise healthy.....they are optimistic! :)
On a lighter note... The Family Lodge we're staying in is WONDERFUL.
It's like having our own little suite within a Mansion. Super Nice, very comfortable......AND.........MAID SERVICE.....wahoooooooooo!
We are not sure when we are coming home.....possibly Monday....who knows
We really miss everybody! Thanks All!
We've learned that Savannah's tissue type does not match the qualifications it needs to use " genetically engineered" immune cells. So, we need to pray that in the next few weeks the lab will be able to grow the till cells needed to fight the melanoma . They will know if the cells will grow in about 3 weeks but it will still take 6 -8 weeks for them to grow enough to give her. There is about a 70% chance they will grow. Since she is young and otherwise healthy.....they are optimistic! :)
On a lighter note... The Family Lodge we're staying in is WONDERFUL.
It's like having our own little suite within a Mansion. Super Nice, very comfortable......AND.........MAID SERVICE.....wahoooooooooo!
We are not sure when we are coming home.....possibly Monday....who knows
We really miss everybody! Thanks All!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A long day
It has been a long, trying day. Sitting around waiting is hard work!
Savannah went in to surgery around 9am to 9:30. She didn't come out till around 3pm. It ran longer than they had anticipated. The mass under her arm was much larger than they had first thought so that took extra time. They also removed the spot on her back shoulder which added time to the procedure.
Her team of doctors say they removed as much of the tumor as possible without getting into the nerves, muscle and other important parts. They have plenty of cells to work with now to grow the till cells.
They will be doing another procedure early in the morning to extract about 15% of her white blood cells to "feed" the immune cells to insure they grow well and multiply.
Savannah is doing well. She is in good but "mellow" spirits......I'm pretty sure that is due to the wonderful pain medicine they have her on.
Today Danny moved us in to the Family Lodge where we will be until we leave here. It is only about a 3 or 4 minute walk from the hospital.
Earlier this evening we had a room full of visitors......it was great! The nurse didn't know what to do........we told him it was a good thing we weren't at home where we knew everybody!!! ;)
God has answered many prayers today and we trust He will continue. Thanks for all the prayers!!!!
Savannah went in to surgery around 9am to 9:30. She didn't come out till around 3pm. It ran longer than they had anticipated. The mass under her arm was much larger than they had first thought so that took extra time. They also removed the spot on her back shoulder which added time to the procedure.
Her team of doctors say they removed as much of the tumor as possible without getting into the nerves, muscle and other important parts. They have plenty of cells to work with now to grow the till cells.
They will be doing another procedure early in the morning to extract about 15% of her white blood cells to "feed" the immune cells to insure they grow well and multiply.
Savannah is doing well. She is in good but "mellow" spirits......I'm pretty sure that is due to the wonderful pain medicine they have her on.
Today Danny moved us in to the Family Lodge where we will be until we leave here. It is only about a 3 or 4 minute walk from the hospital.
Earlier this evening we had a room full of visitors......it was great! The nurse didn't know what to do........we told him it was a good thing we weren't at home where we knew everybody!!! ;)
God has answered many prayers today and we trust He will continue. Thanks for all the prayers!!!!
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