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

Yes. I'm still in shock. I can't believe it. It's what I've been waiting for for months now. It's what I've been working towards. They were the words I've been wanting to hear. I'm at 100%. I can go.

There's this overwhelming overflow of emotions.

Excitement. Fear. Anticipation. Eagerness. Worry. Exhaustion. Worry. Confusion. Uncertainty.

God, keep me focused on YOU.

There is much I need/want to do before I can actually go. Heaviest on my heart is seeing my mom feeling better before I leave. She's not been well and is to see someone tomorrow. Pray for her, please!

I'm in Central PA for the rest of the week. I've been enjoying my time out here...

Today I drove out to Elizabethtown where I got to have lunch and visit with a very special friend. When I was a part of the youth group in high school we had a "Prayer Aunt/Uncle" program. They matched us young folk with older members in the church congregation who prayed for us. Mrs. Bauer was my Prayer Aunt since probably my junior year in high school (1993!). She has been faithfully praying for my since and has been such a sweet encouragement!


We had lunch in the BEAUTIFUL dining hall (tall ceilings, wood floors and ceilings, stained glass everywhere), took a tour of the residential campus where she lives and had a great visit. She also bought me two chocolate-filled Easter eggs (coconut and peanut butter!) I already ate the coconut one... it was YUUUUMMY!!!!



After leaving Elizabethtown I drove to Grantham, PA to visit with my sister at Messiah College.



I'm staying with her in her dorm... fun!


Having fun tagging along with her, eating her guest meals at the dining hall. In general, you know just being the annoying big sis :)