I started a blog to help people stay informed about my mom's treatment and recovery for Acute Myleogenous Leukemia (AML).
While I will continue to post here, you can also link to Sharon's blog which will highlight current prayer needs, a timeline, and regular up-dates.
Remember, you can leave her a message on her blog. To do so click on the 'comments' link at the bottom of a post. Please be positive, supportive, and remind Sharon how much you love her and are praying for her!
To link to her blog: http://www.strengthofmysoul.blogspot.com/
THE KINTNER CLAN
Monday, October 13, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Mom Up-Date
Here is a quick up-date on my mom, Sharon's progress.
- Sharon's pneumonia is showing improvement
- She was able to drink chicken broth yesterday and today. Not only did she keep it down but it actually tasted good! She's hasn't eaten anything but ice chips for 2 weeks so this is a step in the right direction.
- She is still fighting an infectious disease which has caused her significant stomach pain. Now when entering her hospital room visitors must wear a throw away gown in addition to a face mask.
- Her white blood cell count which had barely increased has now decreased to .1 - the very bottom. This means that she remains in a weak state and is very susceptible to infections.
- Sharon is feeling claustrophobic. Imagine yourself trapped in a small hospital room unable to leave your confines under any circumstances (its been 2 weeks now). Wouldn't you be a bit stir crazy?
Again, I thank you for your prayers and support.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Pneumonia
Please pray for my mom Sharon as she is very very weak and doesn't feel well.
The Dr. has found fluid on her lung and she is now being treated for Pneumonia. This complication adds a tremendous burden to her system.
I feel encouraged about the clear biopsy results but rather discouraged about what my sweet mama is having to endure. She is miserable.
Please pray for renewed hope and encouragement for me, my mom and our family.
The Dr. has found fluid on her lung and she is now being treated for Pneumonia. This complication adds a tremendous burden to her system.
I feel encouraged about the clear biopsy results but rather discouraged about what my sweet mama is having to endure. She is miserable.
Please pray for renewed hope and encouragement for me, my mom and our family.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Good News
Yesterday, we got the good news: MOM HAS CLEAN BLOOD & BONE MARROW. This means the biopsy did not detect any cancer cells in the blood or marrow. When my mom told me the news I had to pinch myself. Is this for real or am I dreaming?
The news was a huge lift to everyone, especially my mom. The hematologist and oncologist are very pleased.
The first phase of mom's chemotherapy treatment (Induction Chemotherapy) is standard for patients with AML. The goal of induction chemotherapy is to bring the disease into remission. Remission is when the patients blood counts return to normal and bone marrow samples show no sign of disease (less than 5% of cells are leukemia cells). Induction chemotherapy has been very intense. It has consisted of one week of the drugs Cytarabine/Idarubicin, followed by three weeks of recovery. At this time she has 2 more weeks of recovery.
Successful induction chemotherapy destroys most of the leukemia cells, but typically a few will be left in the body. If these cells are not destroyed, they can cause a relapse of the disease. More treatment is needed to destroy the remaining leukemia cells. The next step will be consolidation chemotherapy.
I know we still have a long road ahead of us. Leukemia is a tough disease to battle but I am hoping and believing for the best outcome.
If you would like to send a note of encouragement to my dear mama send it to:
Arrowhead Hospital
Sharon Hurley
18701 N. 67th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
Please don't send flowers as she is unable to have them in her room.
Thank you for taking the time to read the 'good news'.
The news was a huge lift to everyone, especially my mom. The hematologist and oncologist are very pleased.
The first phase of mom's chemotherapy treatment (Induction Chemotherapy) is standard for patients with AML. The goal of induction chemotherapy is to bring the disease into remission. Remission is when the patients blood counts return to normal and bone marrow samples show no sign of disease (less than 5% of cells are leukemia cells). Induction chemotherapy has been very intense. It has consisted of one week of the drugs Cytarabine/Idarubicin, followed by three weeks of recovery. At this time she has 2 more weeks of recovery.
Successful induction chemotherapy destroys most of the leukemia cells, but typically a few will be left in the body. If these cells are not destroyed, they can cause a relapse of the disease. More treatment is needed to destroy the remaining leukemia cells. The next step will be consolidation chemotherapy.
I know we still have a long road ahead of us. Leukemia is a tough disease to battle but I am hoping and believing for the best outcome.
If you would like to send a note of encouragement to my dear mama send it to:
Arrowhead Hospital
Sharon Hurley
18701 N. 67th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
Please don't send flowers as she is unable to have them in her room.
Thank you for taking the time to read the 'good news'.
Peace
I'm sorry I haven't posted an up-date since the diagnosis of my mom. Please understand the past two weeks have been somewhat of a whirlwind for me and my family.
First of all, thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. Please keep them coming as they mean the world to me.
I've been receiving some personal e-mails in response to my blog. Did you know that you can also send me a message on our blog? At the end of each post you can click on the 'comments' link and it will bring you to a screen where you can send me a comment. Please do, comments make me happy!
My mom's current condition is fragile and unsteady. The chemotherapy drugs are doing their job, killing the bad cells and the good cells and thus taking a toll on her body. The past 5 days have been discouraging as she has been very sick. One complication leads to another complication which leads to more drugs being pumped in to her body. It's all one vicious cycle.
Here is a picture of my mom and I wearing our fashionable masks. She isn't required to wear the mask but I thought she should join me in 'mask misery' for the picture's sake.
Even in the midst of the shock and disbelief of my mom's condition I felt Jesus holding me, loving me and giving me a bigger picture of who He is - the God of all, giving hope and healing and rest for our souls.
First of all, thank you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. Please keep them coming as they mean the world to me.
I've been receiving some personal e-mails in response to my blog. Did you know that you can also send me a message on our blog? At the end of each post you can click on the 'comments' link and it will bring you to a screen where you can send me a comment. Please do, comments make me happy!
My mom's current condition is fragile and unsteady. The chemotherapy drugs are doing their job, killing the bad cells and the good cells and thus taking a toll on her body. The past 5 days have been discouraging as she has been very sick. One complication leads to another complication which leads to more drugs being pumped in to her body. It's all one vicious cycle.
Yesterday my mom had a blood and bone marrow biopsy. We expect the results soon. Please Pray!
Her Chromosome Test came back negative. What I understand is that a negative result will give her a better chance of fighting the cancer. Amen!
Last Thursday I flew to AZ to spend 4 days with my mama. I couldn't wait to hug her and just be there for her in the shock of the news and aggressive treatment plan. It was a good trip but also hard.
Prior to my arrival she had entered the neutropenic stage. Neutropenia is a condition characterized by an abnormally low number of white blood cells. The white blood cells serve as the primary defense against bacterial infections. So, during this time the Dr. gives extra precautions against infections. This means that so she cannot leave her room, all guests are required to wear masks, and she has a limited diet with no fresh fruits or vegetables.Here is a picture of my mom and I wearing our fashionable masks. She isn't required to wear the mask but I thought she should join me in 'mask misery' for the picture's sake.
Even in the midst of the shock and disbelief of my mom's condition I felt Jesus holding me, loving me and giving me a bigger picture of who He is - the God of all, giving hope and healing and rest for our souls. I felt the many prayers lifted up and I truly sensed the Lord close to me, his presence surrounding me. His peace, which surpasses all understanding was literally washing over me like a waterfall - hitting me from all angles, through and through. For this peace I am thankful.
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
I will continue to keep you posted. In the meantime: Pray, Pray, Pray!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
What can happen in one day...
is mind boggling.
I woke up this morning expecting an average day in the Kintner household. I was hoping that Carissa's temp had returned to normal and that my plans for canning applesauce would not be disrupted by a sick child. I was hoping that during our morning errands the kids would sit quietly in the back seat singing songs and trading books back and forth. And surprisingly, they did. When my friends Julie and Stacy came over to make applesauce the little ones went down for naps like little angels.
I thought to myself, "This is turning out to be a great day!".
And then, I got the phone call.
It was my mom.
"Hello" I said. "Hi honey, do you have a minute?"
"Yeah, what's up?" (it had been less than 2 hours since we last talked)
She said, "I'm in the hospital"
At that moment my average day became not so average.
It turned upside down.
I began to weep while trying to listen and gather the basic information.
-In the Hospital, admitted yesterday by her hematologist
-White blood cell count is dangerously high
-Bone marrow test done last night
-More tests, more pokes, and hopefully a result by tomorrow.
The afternoon wore on. I was in shock.
My brain was trying to put the disjointed pieces together, replaying the conversation over and over -Trying not to jump to conclusions, not to think the worst. And thankful that my friends Julie and Stacy were at my house, of all things, to make applesauce.
The evening arrived, still no news. I called my brother and he said in a quiet voice "I'll need to call you back." I could hear other voices in the room and I had a gut feeling the hematologist, Dr. Verde was giving them news.
45 minutes later (about the longest 45 minutes of my life) my mom called.
The prognosis is not good.
She has been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
Apparently if you have leukemia this is the kind that you want to have. However, it is progressing rapidly and Dr. Verde is treating it aggressively. She will start chemotherapy tomorrow. It is expected that mom will be in hospital during the induction phase of chemo for about one month. After this time period Dr. Verde will be able to get an idea of how her body is responding to the treatment and then go from there.
Our hope and prayer is for full remission and a good quality of life. I so want this for my mom and for me, Jeff, the kids and the rest of our family and friends.
IT IS truly mind boggling what can happen in one day. Today's news makes the little bumps in everyday life (traffic, sick kids, fighting, challenges with potty training, not enough time in the day, etc...) seem like no big deal. It's all about perspective isn't it?
It is my prayer that during this difficult time that we will all have an eternal perspective. That our eyes will be fixed on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. That we will rely upon our Lord and Savior for all things and be watchful for how He works.
Life is precious. Please, with all sincerity, pray for my mom and our family.
I woke up this morning expecting an average day in the Kintner household. I was hoping that Carissa's temp had returned to normal and that my plans for canning applesauce would not be disrupted by a sick child. I was hoping that during our morning errands the kids would sit quietly in the back seat singing songs and trading books back and forth. And surprisingly, they did. When my friends Julie and Stacy came over to make applesauce the little ones went down for naps like little angels.
I thought to myself, "This is turning out to be a great day!".
And then, I got the phone call.
It was my mom.
"Hello" I said. "Hi honey, do you have a minute?"
"Yeah, what's up?" (it had been less than 2 hours since we last talked)
She said, "I'm in the hospital"
At that moment my average day became not so average.
It turned upside down.
I began to weep while trying to listen and gather the basic information.
-In the Hospital, admitted yesterday by her hematologist
-White blood cell count is dangerously high
-Bone marrow test done last night
-More tests, more pokes, and hopefully a result by tomorrow.
The afternoon wore on. I was in shock.
My brain was trying to put the disjointed pieces together, replaying the conversation over and over -Trying not to jump to conclusions, not to think the worst. And thankful that my friends Julie and Stacy were at my house, of all things, to make applesauce.
The evening arrived, still no news. I called my brother and he said in a quiet voice "I'll need to call you back." I could hear other voices in the room and I had a gut feeling the hematologist, Dr. Verde was giving them news.
45 minutes later (about the longest 45 minutes of my life) my mom called.
The prognosis is not good.
She has been diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
Apparently if you have leukemia this is the kind that you want to have. However, it is progressing rapidly and Dr. Verde is treating it aggressively. She will start chemotherapy tomorrow. It is expected that mom will be in hospital during the induction phase of chemo for about one month. After this time period Dr. Verde will be able to get an idea of how her body is responding to the treatment and then go from there.
Our hope and prayer is for full remission and a good quality of life. I so want this for my mom and for me, Jeff, the kids and the rest of our family and friends.
IT IS truly mind boggling what can happen in one day. Today's news makes the little bumps in everyday life (traffic, sick kids, fighting, challenges with potty training, not enough time in the day, etc...) seem like no big deal. It's all about perspective isn't it?
It is my prayer that during this difficult time that we will all have an eternal perspective. That our eyes will be fixed on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith. That we will rely upon our Lord and Savior for all things and be watchful for how He works.
Life is precious. Please, with all sincerity, pray for my mom and our family.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
So I think they can dance
Caleb and Carissa LOVE dancing to 'Farmer Tad' in the kitchen. I swear (thanks to Nana and Grandad) I've heard the 'Farmer Tad' music enough times to go batty but hey, the sacrifices we make as parents. When were in the kitchen the twins will replay the button on the 'Fridge Farm' in order to accompany their dance moves. This past month though, their dance moves have advanced from individual performers to partners. Carissa will say, 'hold my hands', 'dance with me' and will hold out her hands until Caleb gives in. I have tried to capture this partnering on video before but when they see me with the video camera they freeze frame and say "cheese". But now...for your viewing pleasure, I finally caught them in action and can share the cuteness with you. After I recorded them on camera they watched their playback about 20 times - not kidding, my children like repetition.
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