Baseline Testing and Beginning of Chemo

                   We are in Little Rock again. We arrived last night and are staying at the Ronald McDonald house. Today was very long due to the battery of testing that Amy needed. The doctors are trying to determine a baseline for what is normal for her due to the many side effects of the chemo treatments.

                   So far she has had a EKG, echocardiogram, xrays, hearing tests and repeat blood work. The chemo treatments will be tough on Amy, the tests will give the doctors a guideline and they will be able to determine any side effects to her organs and senses. We were feeling very overwhelmed with what could possibly be but the benefits outweigh any side effects she may experience. It is not an easy process to see her go though and we ask for your continued prayers for us and our family. 

                   

                   Tomorrow she will have a port placed and begin a four day chemo regiment. Then we will return home for three weeks. She will have just enough time to recoup and then return for another four day treatment. This will continue for a total of four treatments. 

    

Million Dollar Smile

                   Her doctors are very optimistic but are proceeding as if it were stage 3. As of right now the plan is to only do radiation and surgery if Amy starts to show symptoms. Once the four chemo treatments are completed she will have more tests to determine how the cancer reacted. Then a new plan will be made based on those results. 

                It is hard to believe she is sick sometimes and it is difficult to have constant reminders that there is something inside of her trying to take her from us. It has already been a rough road and more troublesome days are to follow but Amy continues to be optimistic and smiling. She constantly reminds us that it will be ok.  We are holding onto the faith that God is in control and he does have a plan and a purpose in all that we face. 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 

Test Results Are Back

  We received a call from the hospital today. Amy's cancer has NOT metastasized (spread to other parts of the body) and it is NOT in her bone marrow! Praise God! We are so very thankful for the results of the latest testing.

Little Amy with a FROG! 

  The testing also revealed that the mass is in a high stage 2 almost at 3 so we will be starting treatment soon. The week of the 29th we will be returning to the hospital. Amy will have a port placed, consultation with the oncologist and treatment. She has an appointment with the neurosurgeons at UAMS ( University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)  for another consultation as well.
  Please continue to pray for Amy as she begins the next step in this journey.
  The picture on this update is of Amy when she was a very little girl. As small as she was she enjoyed being adventurous! We are reminded of the acronym F.R.O.G - Fully Rely On God! Our family is doing just that during this stage of our life. He is the one helping us to walk on the water as this storm is raging around us. We are so blessed to have her in our lives and how He is keeping us focused on the fact that she was put here with us for a purpose. God has big plans for our little girl and all we need is to rely on Him! 

Amy's New Friends

Laura and Amy

   Amy has made a few new friends.  The first is Laura. She was sent to us by the hospital and she is a Child Life Specialist. She has been wonderful for Amy and helping her understand her diagnosis, explaining her treatment, and going over what procedures are going to be done. She does all this to help keep Amy's mind busy by playing games and chatting with her. Her technical job is to help us and Amy prepare for upcoming tests, surgeries and procedures. She comes in to make sure while Amy is in the hospital she has time to play and experience things that she would normally be participating in at home and with her friends.  

Sadie Mae the Therapy Dog

 






The second friend is Sadie Mae. She is a Vizsla and part of the hospitals "TAILS" program. This stands for Therapeutic Animal Intervention Lifts Spirits. This wonderful girl came in to help reduce any anxiety and boost Amy's mood while at the hospital. Sadie Mae is a certified therapy dog and she has helped our entire family relax and enjoy her company. She is a volunteer from the community and we appreciate her and her owner spending time to get to know Amy and help us. Unfortunately she is so good at her job she has the entire family wanting to bring a Vizsla puppy home! 

                                        Thank you Laura and Sadie Mae for a wonderful day! 

Checked In and Awaiting Resuts

Wednesday Dec 3 - We are checked into the Ronald MacDonald House in Little Rock.  We have our own room and there are tv rooms, library, and a play room for the kids. The bone marrow biopsy is scheduled for tomorrow so we will get some sleep and start fresh in the morning. We met a little boy named Christopher that has been battling cancer for 3 years. Their family is in need of a miracle too! Please pray for them while you pray for Amy! We want to be sensitive to the needs of others while we go through this journey.

Thursday Dec 4 - The bone marrow biopsy was completed today and Amy had the injection for the MIGB scan. She is tired but other than that doing well and we are hoping to be home by Saturday. 

Friday Dec 5 - All Scans completed! We should have the results in about two weeks. Once the results are back her doctor team will make a plan on treatment. 

Busy Thanksgiving Week

   The Thanksgiving holiday had us very busy. We spent Monday and Tuesday with the Stafford family in Louisiana. The days were filled with fun activities including canoeing, campfires, putting up the Christmas tree and an early Thanksgiving dinner! The kids laughed and played while being silly and having a good time.
   
   Wednesday we were with friends in Livingston, LA at pizza, shopping, posing for pictures and having the girl's hair done.

   We are so thankful for all the blessings that God has given us.
We were with family on Thanksgiving Day including all the grandmothers and extended family members.

   Friday was exciting and busy at the same time. We drove all the way back to Memphis, TN and went to the Memphis Zoo. They had it all lit up for the Christmas holiday and Amy got to ride a camel and then the ferris wheel. The best part was when they made it SNOW! We are headed back to Arkansas to begin testing the first week of December.

We are so thankful for the wonderful week we had and continue to look for God's hand in our lives.