ParTay!

Sharon (aka Mom, Nun, Nana)'s fifth day in the hospital was not ordinary.

We threw a ParTay!(Angie & Brian hugging Mom)

Just prior to Sharon being confined to her tiny room she was able to step outside the hospital doors and spend some precious time with those who are closest to her heart.

(Nana and her grandson: Kyle Scott)(Nana and Patty doting over Kyle)

(Angie, Melanie, Lorna, Patty, Sharon)

(Angela and baby Kyle, aka smiley guy)

(Angie and her Mom)

(the Nun with her son Brian)

A ParTay to remember!

Sitting at her Feet

I'm sitting at her feet.

And words cannot express how comforting it is to be next to my mom's hospital bed.

She is sleeping. Sleeping and Snoring.

Her breathing is labored.

I waited 14 days to place my bum in this rigid chair. 14 days too long.

Surrounding my chair is the bare space mom studied not long ago. It's chillingly familiar but I'm comforted by the fact that I'm only an arm's reach away rather than the alternative - hundred's of miles away.

I am thankful for this moment.
Thankful that I am here.
Thankful that I can just be.

Be with my mom, sitting at her feet.

D Day

Wednesday was Decision Day. The weight on my mom Sharon's shoulders determining what her treatment would be was very heavy.

When she met with Dr. V the test results were conclusive. Leukemic cells were found in 90% of the bone marrow. Mom is not only fighting Acute Myelogenous Leukemia but also features of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia . With these findings Dr. V recommended one course of action.

The drug of choice is Clofarabine. It has been an effective treatment for patients with AML and/or ALL who have relapsed after remission. The drug is aggressive and it is her best option lest she desire the alternative...which she doesn't. We have high hopes that this drug will kill all of the bad cells and do it quickly.

Dr. V estimates that her hospital stay will be about 30 days. (we're hoping it's less!)

And I'm hoping that she will achieve remission again.

It was Jesus who gave my mom the gift of life these past 14 months. And anyone who knows her can give affirm that her life has been a testimony of God's goodness.

I know that God could choose to heal my mom completely. God has the power to erase her cancer and align all of her blood counts. It could be that He plans to and it could be that he doesn't plan to. Either way I know that my faith is being stretched and that God desires for me to trust Him during this time of trouble.

P.S. A remission report will definitely make headlines. Instead of 'D Day' it will be 'V Day' = Victory Day!

Devastating News

I have bad news about my Mom's health.

Devastating news.

So devastating that it has taken me an entire week to actually sit down and share the news of my mom Sharon's relapse with you. Each day I've had the goal of writing a post but I've found myself tired and void of extra time and energy.

This morning isn't much different but I'm finding it helpful to click the keys and share what's going on - what's on my heart.

Here's the bottom line.

My mothers leukemia has returned. It doesn't look good.

Relapse in Acute Myleogenous Leukemia is common however we were hoping Sharon would fall outside statistical lines and have many more years of living. She responded favorably to treatment and has rebuilt her system with nutritional supplements. She looks great and she feels great. If you saw her you would never guess that she is a terminal patient. (picture taken with Carissa Christmas Day 2009)

If you want to understand Sharon's disease here is a short tutorial from marrow.org.

• "Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. In AML, the bone marrow makes many unformed cells called blasts. Blasts normally develop into white blood cells that fight infection. However, the blasts are abnormal in AML. They do not develop and cannot fight infections. The bone marrow may also make abnormal red blood cells and platelets. The number of abnormal cells (or leukemia cells) grows quickly. They crowd out the normal red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets the body needs

The devastating news of Mom's relapse came shortly after her monthly doctor's visit. During the appointment Dr. V expressed minimal concern over her blood work but it was understood that he was going to send her labs in for further testing. When she received a call two days later Dr. V told her that the labs showed a return of leukemic cells and that she is out of remission.

Hours later my brother sat by her side while Dr. V shared the harrowing realities and outlined her options.

Unfortunately options are limited.

Sharon has also consulted with the head physician at City of Hope, the Bone Marrow Transplantation Center in Phoenix, AZ. His assessment, while delivered with honest professionalism, was sobering.

A sobering confirmation of the devastating news.

For now we are awaiting extensive test results from a lab in California. Also, on Tuesday (January 26th) Sharon will have a bone marrow biopsy. The combination of these test results will better equip her Doctor about her condition. In light of this information my mom will evaluate and ultimately decide her treatment plan.

Her decision is pivotal. We all agree that her decision about treatment is hers. No one can make this decision for her. She has to own the decision and live and die the decision. literally.

So, along with our family, will you please join us in praying for my Mom Sharon?Please Pray:

• Sharon is able to discern God's voice and direction well.
  
• That Sharon experiences peace about her decision and treatment plan.
• For clear test results and wisdom for Dr. V and the medical team
  
• That our family would know how to best love and support Sharon through this health crisis
• That our family, in the bigger sense would walk through this trial well
• For Sharon's dreams to be made possible - for her wish to be to travel with our family to Disneyland, for a family reunion and for other special memory trips
  

Thank you for your prayers and for walking this road alongside me.

09 Halloween

This year the tots were very excited about dressing up.

Caleb Jackson dressed up as a 'Fire Chief' aka 'Fireman'

He wore the costume for 4 days prior to Halloween.

Carissa Joy dressed up as 'Tinkerbell'

Fireman extinguishing Tink. Tink aghast.
Caleb thought he was 'big time' with his real fire extinguisher

Tink 'ding-ing' Fireman. I'm not sure what she's changing him in to but...her face is glowingOur first stop was our neighbors home - this is where the tots play while I'm teaching voice lessons
Our second stop was at the Peterson's home. Caleb and Carissa thought it was really funny to say 'Trick or Treat'. Given the reward there was no coaxing needed.
Carissa 'ding-ed' Uncle Brian (pictured above) and he turned in to a monkey! Brian was fairly believable (to a tot) and Carissa got a little scared and wouldn't turn him back. Poor Kim, she had to live with a monkey the rest of the evening!
-

Our third stop was our church Harvest party. Complete with a bouncy house, toddler games and food, the kids had a blast!

Pumpkin Carving

Caleb and Carissa's preschool teacher 'Ms Vicki' gave them pumpkins at their 'Fall Party' on Thursday.

The tots were very excited about having their very own pumpkin and wanted to carve them asap. Daddy acted without hesitation. (He was probably more excited than the kids!)

After scraping out the insides the duo told daddy exactly how they wanted their pumpkin faces carved.

-

Carissa's pumpkin was a happy pumpkin

and Caleb's pumpkin was a sad pumpkinIn line with Caleb's Fire Chief costume he was particularly interested in the 'fire' inside the pumpkins.

Celebrating Life part 2

Tonight I joined 'Greg's Lymphoma Phyghters' and hundreds of others in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's 'Light the Night Walk' - a night to pay tribute and bring hope to people battling cancer.
The event raises funds for patient services, lifesaving research for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Pictured here is the greater part of 'Greg's Lymphoma Phyghters'. A fighting team!I participated in the walk for several reasons.

1. to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

2. to support our friends Greg and Nancy. Greg is currently in treatment for Lymphoma.
3. to celebrate my mom's life - she is in remission from Leukemia - today marks one year since her diagnosis Sept. 17, 2008.
Everybody carried illuminated balloons during the walk.(me and my friend Nancy, Greg's wife)

Celebrating Life

Today, 9-17-09 we celebrate life for my mom Sharon.

Sharon is a one year survivor of Acute Leukemia.

We celebrate this year of life with great joy and give thanks for the many memories yet to come.

"Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits"

I Chronicles 16:34

Miracle Report

It's a miracle, my mom's bone marrow biopsy report came back...

...and the results show that my mom is still in remission!!!!

This is a wonderful report. We are all relieved and so happy for this encouraging news.

To read more link over to my mom's blog.

And, wish her a happy birthday! She turns 60 today.

No Glitches in Bone Marrow Biopsy

My Mom made it through her bone marrow

test this morning without any complications.

After a friend drove her home she spent the day

sleeping off the anesthesia and catching up on her rest.

Thank you for lifting up prayers."Nana, this hugs for you" Love, Carissa

Bone Marrow Biopsy

For about the past month my mom Sharon's blood test results have not showed good signs of continued remission. It is possible that she has relapsed and that the Leukemia has returned.

This is mere speculation (based on her test results) so no definitive answers will be had until she has a bone marrow biopsy.

So, tomorrow morning (Aug. 14) at 7:00am my mom will be admitted to the hospital and put under full anesthesia for the procedure. Results should be available within a week. After that my mom will evaluate what kind of treatment is necessary (if any).

My mom has endured quite the battle this past year. She continues to trust in God for ultimate healing supernaturally or through modern day medicine. If you want to read more of her story you can click over to her blog http://www.strengthofmysoul.blogspot.com/.

I so appreciate your prayers and support.

Victory Day

Today is a "Victory Day" for my mother who has been fighting for her life since her diagnosis of Acute Myelogenous Leukemia on September 17, 2008.

Today was a "Victory Day" because my mom had her Hickman line/Port surgically removed from her body. Since September 18th, 2008 she has been living with the tangible and uncomfortable reality of her illness through her port. Now she is free from the discomfort of foreign objects hanging out of her body, free from flushing her lines daily and free from weekly re dressings.

Today is a reminder of God's faithfulness.

It is a reminder that God has prolonged my mom's life and used modern medicine to do so.

Today is a reminder that God is in control.

After spending a total of 70 days at this Hospital since September my mom is feeling tremendous thankfulness, relief and high emotions about what this season has been for her.
As you can see in the picture, my mom is looking and feeling good. And her hair is growing in curly, the opposite of her previously straight hair!

I personally continue to be thankful for your heartfelt concern, encouragement and prayers.

If you have not been invited to follow my mom's blog and would like to do so please e-mail me at angelakintner@hotmail.com to request an invitation.

And if you feel led, please lift up a word of praise for the miracle that has occurred in my mom's life.

Hair Affair

Yes, my children have a 'Hair Affair'

An affair with Nana's Hair

Carissa and Caleb like to jump in to the future and see what they will look like with brown hair.

They not only like to try on Nana's hair but they like her to take off her hair.

They say '1, 2, 3' and then giggle as Nana whisks off her wig.
Its too cute!

Time for More Chemo

Yes, its time for another round of Chemotherapy for my mom who is fighting for her life with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. She was admitted to the hospital today and will stay a minimum of five days.


It is possible (hope, hope, hope) this could be her final round of chemo before her team of Doctors affirm that she is in full remission.


It does not mean however that life just goes back to what she once knew as 'normal'.

Sharon will continue regular visits to Dr. V, maintain her Hickman line, and be continuously aware of her blood counts and overall health.

Living in remission is better than the contrary (at the time of her diagnosis she was given approximately 2 weeks to live) but even so she will experience a time of transition as she navigates a 'new normal'.

If you would like to follow my mom's blog 'Strength of My Soul' please send me an e-mail at angelakintner@hotmail.com requesting an invitation.

I so appreciate the support that so many of you have blessed me with during this difficult time with my mom. Your prayers, words of encouragement, and listening ears have been significant in my life. Thank you.

Thankful Thursday

"Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

1 Chronicles 16:8

My heart is filled to the brim with appreciation for the stolen moments with my family recently. Each moment was special in its own way. Some happy, some sad, melancholy, and down right hilarious. It was good medicine for my soul.

My mom was given permission to fly on an airplane and come visit us. That in and of itself was a miracle while she under go's chemotherapy.

The lens in which I looked at our time together was different. It was a lens that didn't want to take anything for granted, a lens that appreciated things more deeply than prior to her diagnosis; a lens that is thankful for even the littlest of things.

I tried to savour each moment like it was gold - to hold on to the memories, to grip them tightly.

But then, in a moment of panic I felt Jesus tapping me on the shoulder and reminding me that ALL THINGS ARE HIS. And that while I can remember the good, I need to loosen my grip and hold my mom more loosely. I admit, this isn't easy and I'm still in process of what this particular lens looks like.

I am so grateful for our time together. Nana played with Caleb and Carissa non stop.She read them lots and lots of books.
And Nana also took us out for ice cream! Caleb and Carissa ordered 'strawberry'. Our deprived child Carissa told Nana "thank you so much" over and over.Yesterday my mom saw Dr. V and received a great report. She has responded favorably to her third round of chemotherapy and her counts are fabulous. I am so thankful for this encouraging news.

All I can say is Thank you, Thank you, Thank you God.