An Update

This past week has gone really well for Amanda and our family. During these days we have laughed a lot, done homework (a lot), chomped down a lot of fish ( a new computer game) , and a lot of cookies (real ones and delicious!) and mostly been very, very thankful for each day that Amanda has felt stronger.

Amanda has continued to attend school and has been so grateful for the wonderful way that her teachers at CFS have worked with her to help her keep up with her classmates. (So are Larry and I! Your support, kindness and flexibility mean more than we can say.) Amanda even joined her fellow cheerleaders for practice this week...ok, so she wasn't allowed to do any stunting or jumps, but hey...she can still yell for the Knights and she was really glad to be back with the girls of her squad. :-0

Tuesday, the 7th, Amanda and I were back at the University for lab work. The results were good, not as good as the first time but they tell me that was to be expected. Now that the chemo has been in her body for almost 2 weeks, they knew that her levels would begin to drop in response. The good news is that they were still within the safe range and so no transfusion was needed. The reality is that we need to pray for her protection because her body will not be able to fight an infection as well as it usually could. They assured me that she could continue to go to school and they were actually very happy with how energetic and well that she was feeling.

So, with that, I would like to ask for your prayers regarding...

1) That Amanda would soon be healed. We are thankful for every Dr. and nurse that has worked to care for Amanda and for every bit of knowledge that God has given to them, but she is my little girl. I just want this behind her and I just want her well.

2) That Amanda would stay free from infections and that she would continue to gain back her strength and energy.

3) Special blessings to each of you who continue to think of Amanda and of her brothers and sisters; as well as all that you continue to do to bless our family and make us feel so cared for. *A special greeting to my classmates from MVHS. What a wonderful surprise to see your notes. How great it is whenever I get a chance to communicate with one of you. Our years together there in Iowa are still so dear to me. Thank you for your kind thoughts and comments.

4) For Joshua, Haley, Abby, Anna & Caleb that they would continue to do well in their schooling & their extra curricular responsibilities in the midst of the uncertainty we feel and in their love & concern for their sister. And that each day they would be reminded of how much they are loved and how very proud we are of them.


Each of you who read our blog, who say a prayer for my daughter and our family....it all means so much to me. Thank you.

Still coveting prayers and still believing in their power,

Denise