Posted by Kate/CA on 11/2/07 11:39am
Msg #219448

I would like to ask for your prayers

On Tuesday 10-31-2007 I called my neighbor, she had just gotten out of the hospital, knee replacement.

She told me that my other neighbor that lives just across the street is coming home from the hospital. He has been there since the middle of Aug. There is nothing more they can do for him. He has leukemia, he just wants to spend his last days at home.

Then a little while later that day, I got a email from one of our friends. He told us his grandson has leukemia. This is the only grandchild, and they are devestated.

This is the email I got today.
Well here's the latest on Isaac. He's been in the hospital now since Mon. He has been in surgery 3 times. He has had 2 spinal taps, 2 bone marrow samples taken and now has a "port" in his chest. This is for all the meds he will be needing. They hope to get the leukemia into remission in 30 - 45 days. He started chemo yesterday. He will be on chemo for 3 years. Most of this will be at home after the 30 day period. About once a week he will have to go to the hospital for a treatment, if he has no side effects. This is about what I know at this time. This month will be really hard for everyone. We have to take it from day to day as they fine tune the meds depending on how his body reacts to them. Thank you all for your support and prayers.

My husband and I were really shocked with this news all in one day. We had planned to go to dinner so we went.

My husband asked if I wanted to go to the bowling alley afterwards, as some of our friends are in a league and we could watch them. We went. One of our friends that was bowling told us that she and her husband just found out that day thay her husband has cancer of the esophagus. The type he has they were told, there is very little hope. She is totally devastated, she has never even written a check to pay a bill. Her husband had just tracked down his only child, a daughter and got to see her for the first time last month. He had not seen her in 35 years.

I would appreciate your prayers.

Thanks

Reply by Phillip/TX on 11/2/07 11:45am
Msg #219450

You all are in my prayers and thoughts.... this is all terrible... I have a friend with cancer now as well, he goes from good to worse in about 20 minutes.... I hope that all works out. God has a plan... we just may not always understand it.

Reply by Yoli/CA on 11/2/07 12:42pm
Msg #219454

All of this is so devastating for all of you. My prayers for you and your loved ones. God bless!

Reply by T/IA on 11/2/07 12:43pm
Msg #219455

You're in my thoughts and prayers as well. Cancer is such a cruel disease for both the patient and the emotional toll it takes on the family/friends. I lost my mother when she was 50 to leukemia. Often times we all take each day for granted and we truly need to cherish every moment. Good luck to you, Kate.

Reply by Ernest__CT on 11/2/07 12:54pm
Msg #219459

Our prayers are with all of you. n/m

Reply by Melissa Haley on 11/2/07 1:32pm
Msg #219461

Prayers definitely with you & all the families. It's especially bad when it happens to a child. That really tears me up (good thing for waterproof mascara!) Have the family check into local programs to help with the incidential bills that go along with all those trips to the hospital -- overnight stays are usually required.

Depending on how far away the hospital is, gift cards for gas, meals, parking tokens etc. will be much appreciated by the family, as these are usually not covered by any type of insurance and they add up quickly.

Reply by Brooke Squyres on 11/2/07 2:25pm
Msg #219468

If this inspires hope...

Kate, my own daughter(only child) was diagnosed with leukemia at 5 years of age. She went thru the same treatment the little boy is going through, for three years. We were of course devastated by the whole idea of possibly losing our child; but what we came to find out is that treatment for childhood leukemia is so much better than it was even a decade ago, and her chances for survival were pretty good. The three years were long, tough, and challenging, and I always liked hearing survival stories. Well, the day finally came when she had her last spinal tap (24 overall) and her surgery to remove the tubes from her chest that I daily injected, cleaned and changed the dressing on ,arrived. Now she is 10 years old, in remission, completely healthy and thriving. We of course still get monthly check ups and blood tests with her doctor, but he says he can't wait for the day he attends her high school graduation.
God bless all who are going through the battle, and let hope bring us the strength to deal with it all.

Reply by claudine osborne on 11/2/07 8:56pm
Msg #219532

Re: If this inspires hope...

My 20 yr old nephew has been cancer free for a year! He was given 2 weeks to live at diagnosis! Had a bone marrow transplant at MD Anderson in TX.. He is doing great! He is being treated the same way a child is..because of his age they used the childrens protocol. He had Lymphoma, which treatment is close to Leukemia. Never Never give up!
My thoughts and prayers to all who suffer..