Thursday, June 14, 2012

Updates

Had we written a post on Tuesday it would have been filled with anger, rage, and little hope.  We were so aggravated that there is not a clear plan for Elena and that the options are getting narrower and narrower.
But, we can't forget the truth - - "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."   Lamentations 3:22-23

Wednesday, we had to focus on Liv.

We are so very happy to report that her scan was CLEAR!  There are NO signs of recurrent tumor!  Praise be to God!

We had prayed that the entire morning would go well.  That didn't happen.  Liv was poked three times before a vein was successfully found.  She was scared, anxious, and upset, lots of tears and fright and once again woke up very agitated and upset.  But, the ultimate prayer of clear results was answered.

Yesterday, a plan for Elena's next steps also came into focus.
Her doctor will be giving her another dose of the 36 hour Methotrexate in combination with one or two other drugs in hopes of reducing the leukemia even more.  She will be admitted into the hospital (Scottish Rite) on Tuesday, June 19th. He estimates her stay to be about the same as last time, five days. Back on Memorial Day weekend - she stayed from Thursday til Monday.

We will then wait until the first week in July to have another bone marrow test. Once again, depending on the results of that test, we will have more decisions to make.  Elena's doctor has shared some possible options with us, but if Elena still has any detectable leukemia cells in her body, the options have risks and the decision will not be easy to make. 

We hate that there is not a clear plan for Elena.
We hate that long term outcome seem less and less bright.

We do know that we want Elena to be completely healed from cancer.

So, we will be focusing only on what we do know and on enjoying every day of summer we can! 

In Him,
The Tates

"Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."  Joshua 1:9


4 comments:

  1. Hi
    We are praying for you. Is there anything I can do? The girls could come over and get their mind off all this?? Call me anytime.
    Im gonna sign up for the mealtrain thing.

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  2. Hey Elena! I cant believe that you and Olivia have to go through all this stress! I would love to come over anytime and just spend sometime with you! Good luck to you all! Your dad has my phone number, please, call anytime!!! Love you guys! And again, GOOD LUCK!!!
    Lots of love,
    Micah Veraart <3

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  3. Thinking of you and praying for you guys on a daily basis. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help you.
    Love and Friendship,
    The Mraz Family

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  4. Hi,

    There is a verse of scripture that is so often quoted and I think, at times, can really mess with people's hearts and minds with the way it sometimes understood. Here is an understanding that I think is correct and more helpful.

    Praying for all of you,

    John

    http://www.mbseminary.edu/files/download/geddert1.htm?file_id=12815136

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