Blood Counts, MRIs, and Revolutions OH MY!

    We were back in Little Rock this week at ACH ( Arkansas Children's Hospital). Amy's white blood cells were low and they recommended isolation. Zeke has been a little under the weather so they had to be on separate ends of the house. As you may have guessed, Amy thought this was a much needed vacation from her little brother. So far as little brothers go he is the best but even the most patient of big sisters needs some down time! Amy says it was an answer to prayer!!

Amy's New DO! 

   She has been studying the French revolution this week and her creative mind has gone into overdrive designing clothes. She picked out a dress pattern, and of course some BRIGHT colored fabric, and has been sewing away!
( Oui Oui !!!)
    Amy's platelet count is also very low and we thought she may need a transfusion. Prayers were definitely answered and she did not. She did have scheduled MRI. Her neurosurgeon team decided it would be best to have a MRI done every 60 days due to the fact that the tumor is located on her T10 vertebra. The mass is is almost completely around her spinal cord and this area controls her diaphragm (breathing), bowel function, and lower motor movements.
    God has been so good to us! The team that has been working with Amy said that we could not have found this at a better time. Praise God that she has not experienced any symptoms from the cancer!
    The third round of Chemo is scheduled for Feb. 11th and we will be in ACH for a total of three days.  We humbly ask again for your continued prayers and affirm that they are indeed being heard. God has given us grace, peace when we needed it most, and continues to bless Amy throughout this journey. It has been AMAZING to see God's hand in all of this and how it really makes a difference when together, God's children, call on Him to do marvelous things!   

T-Shirt Update!

TEAM AMY 

We wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who has ordered Team Amy T-shirts. We ask for your continued patience as during this whole process we had to find a different supplier. The shirts should be arriving soon and we will keep you updated on when the orders should be here. Once we receive the shirts we will be mailing them out to you. We are all excited about getting these out there and were disappointed with the delay but now we are confident that they will be here soon! 

Second Chemo Treatment

Our Bright, Funny Girl

    Amy has such a positive attitude and going into the second round of chemotherapy her bright spirit really showed. We were thankful that her blood work came back normal and we were able to proceed with treatment. This second treatment was not supposed to be this week but the doctors felt it was necessary due to the fact that she was doing well and could handle another treatment so soon.
    We were praying that this time she could receive treatment and go home. Our prayers were answered, Amy did not spike a fever and we were released after only one day in hospital. She did receive three types of chemo, including a very nasty one nicknamed " the red devil".

Malinda, Paul and Lola

 Paul, Malinda and baby Lola arrived in Little Rock from NY on Wednesday and they spent the day with Amy at the hospital. After we were discharged from the hospital we all traveled together and arrived home Thursday night.

Lola and Auntie Amy

                                  Amy is experiencing some side effects of the chemo including pain and nausea. So far everything is manageable at home with medication. We were told by her doctors that this would happen but actually going through this with her is not something you can prepare yourself for prior to experiencing it with your child. Bryan kept reminding us last night that we needed to keep our heads on straight and be strong for Amy.
    We continue to trust that God has Amy in His hands and we ask that you continue to pray for us. 

First Chemo and Learning New Things

SELFIE!

    The placement of the port went as well as could be expected. Amy will receive everything through this port. It allows the doctors and nurses to administer her chemo, give her medication and fluids and also draw blood. It really is a wonderful device as it provides the nurses with access to her veins and alleviates the need for her to be poked every time she needs medication or blood work.
     

Piano Playing at the Hospital

Amy completed her first round of Chemo last night and all went well. She had mac n cheese and a boiled egg for dinner. What a combination! We played games with her doctor and her child life specialist, we also skyped with Lola in New York! Please keep praying that all goes well during the next several treatments.
       Send up a special prayer for us as Amy has decided to learn to play the ukulele. She is a special girl and has big ideas, this one happens to be very noisy!

Out and About

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!