Monday, June 8, 2009

It's day +2 and things are still going well. My donor cells will start "engrafting" into my bones soon so I'm told most of the side effects are still to come but as of now I'm tired but feeling pretty good. I will be neutropenic (low white blood cells so high risk of infection) for about 3 more weeks and hopefully I will get out of the hospital in about that amount of time. It's also common to get infections once I get out of the hospital and have to come back in. In addition, it will be an ongoing recovery process of whether my body accepts or rejects the cells. With all that said, I feel like the end of the difficult part of the treatment is in sight!

Hope you all have a good week! Amy

17 comments:

  1. Amy,
    Things are going great with you and I know you will get through this hurdle with the mouth sores, and any other side effects, with all the prayer support you are getting. You hang in there, we are counting the days, and things should be very much improved in a week or so. I know you expect all of this, but we pray it will have a minimal effect on you.
    I love you,
    Grandma

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  2. Hi,
    We are glad the side effects have not gotten too bad yet, though we have been told to expect it to get worse - it is hard to realize and understand what is happening within your body.
    This whole process has been absolutely amazing
    and I am so thankful for the wisdom of the entire medical staff, and especially thankful for all those former leukemia patients who were willing to undergo "trial" programs so that these current procedures could be developed. You may very well have some tough times ahead, please remember that this too will pass and that we have a wonderful God who is still in control.
    Love you so much,
    Dad

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  3. HEY AMY SO GLAD TO HEAR THINGS ARE STILL GOING GOOD. THE KIDS ARE COUNTING DAYS DOWN ONE AND HALF TO GO. WE WILL BE GOING TO TAMMYS THIS WEEKEND FOR ZACH'S GRAD. WE SPENT SOME TIME WITH HOLLEE AT HER COOKOUT SAT. AND HAD A GREAT TIME. SO GLAD YOUR SIDE EFFECTS ARE NOT TO BAD. WE HAVE HAD STORMS OFF AND ON TODAY. JUST KICK BACK AND COAST FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS YOU ARE DOING A GRAND JOB. TELL YOUR DAD TO BRING YOUR BABIES TO VISIT THE PLACE WOULD NEVER BE THE SAME.

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  4. Hi Amy,
    Wow, you are in a rare group - actual stem cell recipents. I am SO GLAD you are! Best of luck in the new few days and then until days 15-30 when you know more completely how things are going. We are thinking of you a lot, and telling your story to everyone we know. Ongoing courage!
    Love,
    Chris and Suzanne (in Toronto right now)

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  5. Hello Amy and all-

    You are doing so well with all of this-great strength and character-and grace-I think those new cells have found the best home possible and they are getting to work!

    Go cells and know how many folks are there with you in spirit-I got my book today-the Time on Fire and I am reading away-

    Love and miss you-

    mbas

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  6. Amy,
    We are so glad that this part of this process is underway. You are always on someones mind and in their prayers. We get stopped several times when we are out. Everyone wanting to know how you are doing.

    Been several weeks since we have seen you and Michael, and can't wait until your up for visitors so we can come your way. We will continue to send you pictures of your two boys at granny and grandaddys....I think they are getting spoiled. All the neighbors are enjoying them too. Granny and Grandaddy always have a story to tell about those two. I'm sure they can't wait to share them with you and Michael.

    As always we are so proud of you. Take care and we will see you soon.

    Love you Roberta David and Matthew

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  7. Amy,
    We are continuing to pray for you...you are doing an amazing job :) It's hard to believe that school is almost over for another year...it just seems like YOU were in fourth grade! We are keeping up to date with your progress via your Dad's great email updates. We're all praying...

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  8. glad you are doing good so far. Lots of people asking about you at Bluefield, all pulling for you! Keep on moving those cells, and soon you will be feeling much better. you can watch the Cavs this weekend and cheer them on if you get bored. Take care, we love you, Genie and Eddie

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  9. So glad to hear you are doing good. You are a strong young women and a fighter! We think of you everyday and know you will get through this. We can't wait to see you in GREEN & GOLD us Clifton Forge people kinda like it!! Take care, Love from the Wallaces

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  10. Amy, We are so glad to hear things are going well. We have been thinking alot about you and adding you to our prayers. I met one of your Phyllis Grandma's yesterday at the hospital. I believe she said she was your husbands grandma. She was very nice. Elizabeth finds it funny that you have 3 "grandma's" with the same name, Phyllis. Of course she thinks it is funny that grandma's actually have a name and not just grandma.

    We hope you continue to do well and we hope those side effects will not be as bad as expected. We are crossing our fingers and praying that you sail right through the next weeks, months and years. Get some rest and take care of yourself and know that many people are thinking of you and praying for you all the time. Much love, Kathy and Elizabeth Lee

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  11. Amy, it is so good to hear that things are going well. Before long all this will be over and hopefully a distant memory. My wife Renay went the cancer diagnosis and recovery process several years ago. We feel your pain and understand the extreme high and lows of the treatment process.

    Tell your Dad that of his VAS buddies (cronies) here in Richmond are rooting for you and your family. With all of our best thoughts and wishes, Love,

    Chip & Renay Richardson
    and the VAS Central Chapter..............

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  12. Good morning! Hope you continue to have good days and the symptoms will be minimal. Glad to hear you are still walking too. Keep up the good work. Seeing graduation pictures in the news lately has me thinking back to when you and Jarret were in the band. Your mom and I spent some interesting time sitting in the motel hallway during the wee hours of the morning. By the way, how are your babies doing with their visit with their other grandparent? Ashley & Jarret want to adopt a puppy/dog maybe this fall - any advice?
    Love & prayers to you and your family!
    P.S. Kathy & Elizabeth Lee-We have you on our prayer list too!

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  13. Amy,

    Glad to hear that the you are still feeling good enough to do your walking and we are praying that the mouth sores and other side effects are not too bad. Hollee is officially an alum of Alleghany High School!!! YEY!!!!!!!!!!!! And we are starting getting everything together for college so it is exciting. You are so AMAZING. You are always in our thouthts and also our hearts, we love ya girl!!!!
    Karen, Tim and Hollee

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  14. Hey there lady -

    Just wanted to send you a message to let you know that I'm thinking about you. It was great to have dinner w/ your dad the other night in Bluefield... everyone there was asking about you and confident in a full recovery! :)

    Keep your head up, keep fighting, and hopefully the worse will be behind you before you know it. I hope that everything continues to go well. I love you and miss you!

    Blair

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  15. Amy,

    Keep up the great work! From those we know who have been through the same ordeal, it sounds like you are the champion!!!

    Hang in there and know that we are praying for you every day.

    David & Candy

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  16. Hang in there! Tough times are ahead but will be over before you know it!

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  17. Amy,
    I continue to pray for you and so does the Low Moor Church family!
    I am praying that God will carry you in his arms through this time, that God will strengthen your body and cheer your heart, and that God will help you to be keenly aware that He is right there with you, helping you through it all!
    You are never alone -- thanks be to God!
    Much love,
    Lisa

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