Friday, September 4, 2009
God's Miraculous Gift
On November 21, 2008 Joshua Brian Hemric was born. God gave us a healthy 7 lb. 11 oz. and 21 in. baby boy. We praise God for His goodness.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Trust
I had labs drawn on June 10 and met with the doctor on June 11. The Lord blessed with great results again. My white blood count is finally normal! I also had been praying that the Lord would allow my IGM protein count to go down to the 500 range. The Lord answered my prayer and it was 592!(Down from 860 in March). The doctor was very happy, and the external exam showed no swollen lymph nodes. She said that I didn't need to come back for 9 months! She said we'd have a lab 3 months after I had the baby! I was so happy to not have to go back to the Cancer Center this year. It really is an emotional experience every time I go to that place. The Lord has once again renewed my trust in Him, that He is in charge of our lives.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Blessing
Just wanted to update the blog to say that the Lord is blessing us with another baby! The new little one will arrive in November around Thanksgiving, Lord willing. All doctor visits have rendered normal reports, and I will have a level 2 ultrasound on June 20. Upon hearing the news my oncologist said, "Congratulations!" To which I was glad. She added that she saw no problem with this pregnancy having any effect on the cancer to reoccur. God is merciful and kind to us.
God's Sustaining Grace
On February 28, 2008 I went to my eye appointment hoping to get released. The doctor whom I had been seeing last year was no longer at the practice, so I had to see a new doctor. This doctor said that he saw some "cells" in the eye and weren't sure if this was getting better or going away, since this was his first time seeing me. He explained that with this type of cancer that you can develop cancer in the eye. Not to alarm me, but just to let me know that he couldn't release me without seeing me again (in 4 months.) Well, I was alarmed! However, I didn't ask many questions, which made my fear worse. My 3 month blood check was still over 2 weeks away. I had to give it to the Lord, and not worry about the unknown. The Lord was faithful to get me through the weeks of waiting.
On March 10, 2008 I had my blood checked and praise the Lord, the best yet! Everything was normal except white blood 3.2 (3.5-10.5), which the doctor said was great. My IGM went down to 860! I asked her about the cells in the eyes and she was not concerned, yeah! I will be going back to have my blood checked on June 11.
On March 10, 2008 I had my blood checked and praise the Lord, the best yet! Everything was normal except white blood 3.2 (3.5-10.5), which the doctor said was great. My IGM went down to 860! I asked her about the cells in the eyes and she was not concerned, yeah! I will be going back to have my blood checked on June 11.
Friday, December 21, 2007
God is Good!
I would like to update this blog with the last two doctor visits. On 10/31/07 I went to have my blood checked and had good results. My labs were all normal except white blood and IGM protein level. My white blood level was 3.1 (normal is 3.5-10.5), and my IGM level stayed basically the same, lowering to an even 1200. The nurse also explained another test they do on my blood called LDH. That level was 109 and the normal range is 100-190. She said that it was very good to have a lower level because that showed that the cancer was not active. I was glad for another sign that I was getting better.
I went to have my blood checked on 12/03/07 and then had my 3 month visit with Dr.O on 12/05/07. Everything checked normal except my white blood and IGM. My white blood was 3.0. I asked her why it wasn't normal yet. She said that my level was good, but the reason it still wasn't normal was because the chemo that I had could supress the immune system for up to a year! My LDH was 124 which was good as well. The big answer to prayer was that my IGM was 905!!!I had been praying that it would drop below 1000 and it did! I still have a ways to go before it's normal(40-200), but this was such a nice blessing. I asked her what she thought was going on with the cancer. She said that she believed that it was not progressing, but the only way to know how much was left was to have another bone marrow biopsy. We both don't what to do that yet. Dr. O said to just keep doing what I was doing. She said that I could wait 3 months(March) to have my blood checked again and 6 months (June) for an exam with her. We were very excited to have the good news. Just continue to pray that I can keep up the diet and juicing. Thank you for all the encouraging cards, words and prayers.
I went to have my blood checked on 12/03/07 and then had my 3 month visit with Dr.O on 12/05/07. Everything checked normal except my white blood and IGM. My white blood was 3.0. I asked her why it wasn't normal yet. She said that my level was good, but the reason it still wasn't normal was because the chemo that I had could supress the immune system for up to a year! My LDH was 124 which was good as well. The big answer to prayer was that my IGM was 905!!!I had been praying that it would drop below 1000 and it did! I still have a ways to go before it's normal(40-200), but this was such a nice blessing. I asked her what she thought was going on with the cancer. She said that she believed that it was not progressing, but the only way to know how much was left was to have another bone marrow biopsy. We both don't what to do that yet. Dr. O said to just keep doing what I was doing. She said that I could wait 3 months(March) to have my blood checked again and 6 months (June) for an exam with her. We were very excited to have the good news. Just continue to pray that I can keep up the diet and juicing. Thank you for all the encouraging cards, words and prayers.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Our Faith is Strengthened
Once again we would like to say we're sorry for taking so long to update this blog! Four children sure keeps you busy! But no news is good news, in this case!
On July13 we met with Dr. Lola and she informed us that I still had 20% of the cancer left. I began with 80% saturation. She suggested that I try a new chemo drug called Valcade. Brian and I told her that we wanted to wait and mointer my blood levels. My labs showed that my white blood count was low 0.8. (Allowing my body to be suceptable to infection)The doctor told me to be careful and to call her if I got a fever. I had lower white blood levels before and had never gotten sick, so I wasn't very concerned.
The following weekend July 21 we were at a reunion at Brian's parents when I began to feel sick. I was up all night with fever and chills. When I took my temperature the next day around 3pm it was 104 degrees. Brian called the Dr. Lola and she called in an antibiotic and told me to go to the ER if I felt nauseous. While Brian was out getting the medicine, I began to feel worse and nauseous. I made it to the bathroom and collapsed on the floor. Brian's mom stayed with me and tried to help. I now know that I was going into septic shock(a drop in blood flow and blood pressure due to an infection in the blood)Brian was having trouble getting the medication and called and they told him to come right back. He had to carry me to the car and rush me to the hospital. I had to stay in the hospital for three days to get my blood pressure, potassium level, white blood count and fever back to normal. Needless to say it was a very scary experience, but the Lord sustained us. We returned to Raleigh on Tuesday and I met with the doctor on Friday. My levels had rebounded and I was feeling better.
August 2 - lab results showed increasing white blood count 3.o(normal is 3.5) and a Igm protein level of 2o42. We stayed with the course of no treatment as long as the levels remained steady.
August 14 - lab results showed white blood level 2.2. and Igm protein level 1310! The doctor said that our decision to wait was a safe one and that we could monitor the levels once a month.
August 30 - went to the retinal specialist. No retinal hemorrhage! The other multiple hemorrhages were almost all cleared up ! Praise the Lord. Another sign that the cancer was diminishing.
Sept. 5 -lab results showed 3.6 white blood count! First time it has been normal! My Igm protein level was the lowest ever at 1232!
Sept. 18 - had a cough that just wouldn't go away so I called the Doctor. She gave me an antibiotic and told me to have a chest xray to check for fluid in my lungs. The results were all clear for my lungs, but she thought my lymph nodes in my abdomen looked enlarged. She said that I would need to have a CAT scan be able to get a better diagnosis. If they were significantly enlarged, she would suggest I go back on chemo. Needless to say, this upset me and I had to pray and give it to the Lord, who know all.
sept. 28 - today I had the CAT scan and lab work. The results showed normal size lymph nodes!!! God is good! My lab work was good with 2.8 white blood count, normal red blood count(a first!) and a steady Igm of 1237. Normal Igm is 40-200; However, I came into this with level 6383. Dr. Lola said we would just keep doing what we're doing. For those who don't know, I've been eating a diet of mostly raw vegetables. I am staying away from meat, dairy, wheat and sugar. That doesn't leave much left! My mom has been staying here on and off over the last 6 months and has really been a help. She helps by making carrot and vegetable juice which I drink up to 4x a day. It actually tastes good! Josiah loves carrot juice! I also am taking various vitamins and minerals. I'm going to continue on this course and we are praying that God will heal me without taking any further medical treatment!
On July13 we met with Dr. Lola and she informed us that I still had 20% of the cancer left. I began with 80% saturation. She suggested that I try a new chemo drug called Valcade. Brian and I told her that we wanted to wait and mointer my blood levels. My labs showed that my white blood count was low 0.8. (Allowing my body to be suceptable to infection)The doctor told me to be careful and to call her if I got a fever. I had lower white blood levels before and had never gotten sick, so I wasn't very concerned.
The following weekend July 21 we were at a reunion at Brian's parents when I began to feel sick. I was up all night with fever and chills. When I took my temperature the next day around 3pm it was 104 degrees. Brian called the Dr. Lola and she called in an antibiotic and told me to go to the ER if I felt nauseous. While Brian was out getting the medicine, I began to feel worse and nauseous. I made it to the bathroom and collapsed on the floor. Brian's mom stayed with me and tried to help. I now know that I was going into septic shock(a drop in blood flow and blood pressure due to an infection in the blood)Brian was having trouble getting the medication and called and they told him to come right back. He had to carry me to the car and rush me to the hospital. I had to stay in the hospital for three days to get my blood pressure, potassium level, white blood count and fever back to normal. Needless to say it was a very scary experience, but the Lord sustained us. We returned to Raleigh on Tuesday and I met with the doctor on Friday. My levels had rebounded and I was feeling better.
August 2 - lab results showed increasing white blood count 3.o(normal is 3.5) and a Igm protein level of 2o42. We stayed with the course of no treatment as long as the levels remained steady.
August 14 - lab results showed white blood level 2.2. and Igm protein level 1310! The doctor said that our decision to wait was a safe one and that we could monitor the levels once a month.
August 30 - went to the retinal specialist. No retinal hemorrhage! The other multiple hemorrhages were almost all cleared up ! Praise the Lord. Another sign that the cancer was diminishing.
Sept. 5 -lab results showed 3.6 white blood count! First time it has been normal! My Igm protein level was the lowest ever at 1232!
Sept. 18 - had a cough that just wouldn't go away so I called the Doctor. She gave me an antibiotic and told me to have a chest xray to check for fluid in my lungs. The results were all clear for my lungs, but she thought my lymph nodes in my abdomen looked enlarged. She said that I would need to have a CAT scan be able to get a better diagnosis. If they were significantly enlarged, she would suggest I go back on chemo. Needless to say, this upset me and I had to pray and give it to the Lord, who know all.
sept. 28 - today I had the CAT scan and lab work. The results showed normal size lymph nodes!!! God is good! My lab work was good with 2.8 white blood count, normal red blood count(a first!) and a steady Igm of 1237. Normal Igm is 40-200; However, I came into this with level 6383. Dr. Lola said we would just keep doing what we're doing. For those who don't know, I've been eating a diet of mostly raw vegetables. I am staying away from meat, dairy, wheat and sugar. That doesn't leave much left! My mom has been staying here on and off over the last 6 months and has really been a help. She helps by making carrot and vegetable juice which I drink up to 4x a day. It actually tastes good! Josiah loves carrot juice! I also am taking various vitamins and minerals. I'm going to continue on this course and we are praying that God will heal me without taking any further medical treatment!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Renee's Improvement
First, I would like to apologize for taking so long to update the blog.
On Wednesday, June 13th, Renee had a bone marrow sample taken, and a bone sample. These were sent to the Mayo clinic for analysis, as the original bone sample had been.
On Wednesday, June 20th, Renee had a PET scan which returned as "normal".....Praise the Lord.
Around Thursday, June 28th, we received the results from the Mayo clinic. When Renee was first diagnosed, there was 80% cancer "involvement" shown on the bone sample. The latest test showed 20% cancer "involvement", which is a great improvement.
Since there was still IgM protein in her blood, we did not expect to see the cancer completely gone, but we praise God for the great improvement.
Renee is in Charleston visiting her family for the week of July 4th, and will return next week to have a blood sample taken on July 12th. We will then meet with her oncologist the next day(July 13th) to discuss the future direction for continued treatment. Please pray for wisdom, and the continued grace of God for Renee and the family.
On Wednesday, June 13th, Renee had a bone marrow sample taken, and a bone sample. These were sent to the Mayo clinic for analysis, as the original bone sample had been.
On Wednesday, June 20th, Renee had a PET scan which returned as "normal".....Praise the Lord.
Around Thursday, June 28th, we received the results from the Mayo clinic. When Renee was first diagnosed, there was 80% cancer "involvement" shown on the bone sample. The latest test showed 20% cancer "involvement", which is a great improvement.
Since there was still IgM protein in her blood, we did not expect to see the cancer completely gone, but we praise God for the great improvement.
Renee is in Charleston visiting her family for the week of July 4th, and will return next week to have a blood sample taken on July 12th. We will then meet with her oncologist the next day(July 13th) to discuss the future direction for continued treatment. Please pray for wisdom, and the continued grace of God for Renee and the family.
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