Well, a WHOLE lot has changed since I last posted on here.
Right now, I am temporarily postponing my plans to leave for the Philippines.
Last Friday (March 28th) we checked my mom into the hospital to receive a blood transfusion and get tested for the possibility of having leukemia.
She hadn't been feeling well for awhile. After returning home from our Easter in Florida she went to the doctor. Concerned with her blood tests, they asked her to see a hemotologist (a blood doctor) for further testing. In his office that Friday he told us he was 99% sure that she has leukemia. He wanted her admitted immediately to our local hospital with the understanding that she'd be transferred to a hospital in the city for further testing and treatment.
We spent last weekend at the local hospital, St. Mary and transferred to Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) last Monday night.
Over this last week my mom was received confirmation on her diagnosis. She has AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) - M-4. We sat and talked to doctors about possible treatment. We discussed the possibility of taking part of a clinical study. We listened. We asked questions. We were confused. We were given a better understanding of things. We were helped. We had more questions. We were confused. You get the pattern.
One of the final tests that doctors needed to decide on my mom's treatment plan came in near the end of last week. A very small percentage of people with leukemia have one of three cytogenetic abnormalities. My mom is one of them. Knowing that she is "abnormal" identifies a standard route of treatment AND also improves the chances of chemotherapy being a success.
Today is DAY FIVE of her chemotherapy. Doctors have been pleased with how it's going so far. Mostly my mom has been effected with high blood pressure and high blood sugar. These are things she dealt with outside of chemotherapy. However, with the drugs and fluids being pumped into her, it raises her levels. Other than that, side effects at this point have been minimal - praise God!
It has been a looonnnnggg week. It feels like months already.
So many have been praying for my mom and our family. It has been so encouraging. I have been reminded of the power of prayer and the beauty of caring family and friends. God's grace is so evident to me these days and I'm thankful.
Because my mom's chemotherapy will be for a total of 7 days, followed by about a month of recovery time, I have postponed my plans to leave for Manila. I am thankful that in God's perfect timing in plan ... I wasn't already in Manila as I had hoped to be. It has been a blessing to me to be able to be home, to be here with my family and to be able to help out at this time.
I'm not sure what the period of time after this month and half will be like. Pray with me for discernment as we seek God's wisdom for the plan forward.
Pray for us. It will be a long road ahead.
I have created a blog to share updates on my mom's treatment and how things are going. If you'd like to get updates on her, please visit: http://www.lorlina.blogspot.com
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