We thank you for your prayers and your patience these past couple of days and we want to take a moment now and share with you what the scans showed.
A new tumor has formed in the tissue on Amanda's left pelvic area. Additionally, there is cancer growth at the base of her spine (L5). Scans also showed that the spot in her lung (which we had been watching) has grown plus a few new spots have now been detected. Finally, her left kidney is blocked, and will need relief.
Needless to say, this was very difficult news. On Thursday, Denise flew down to join us and today we met with all of Amanda's team. The following is our new plan...
- On Monday, December 14, Amanda will have the last infusion of an experimental drug she has been on.
- On Tuesday there will be something called Cryoablation, which is basically inserting a long needle probe, or perhaps two or three, into the recurring cancer growth that has taken place in the original site in the left pelvic area. Once the probes are in place, they will insert a substance that will freeze the tumor and hopefully kill as much as possible. The goal of this procedure is pain control.
- On Wednesday there will be two procedures. The first will be inserting a long needle probe to the base of the spine where some more cancer growth is weakening the spine and causing it to be in danger of collapsing in that area. Once the probe is in place, they will insert some cement type material to keep the bone in that area from collapsing. The goal of this procedure is pain control.
The Second procedure to take place on Wednesday will be to insert a tube through her back into a blocked kidney, so as to drain it and help relieve some pressure there.
- The earliest Amanda might be discharged from the hospital after these procedures might be Thursday, but could be Friday as well (December 18), depending on the circumstances.
- On Monday, December 21, new chemo will be started.
- On Tuesday, December 22, Amanda is scheduled to have a follow-up appointment for the procedures of the previous week, and then should be released to come home for Christmas.
- At some point in the early to mid part of January, Amanda will return to Houston for a 3 week regimen of radiation on a tumor that is near the heart. She may be in Houston for a month or so at that time.
12 comments:
Oh my...so very much to deal with. All I can say is we love you guys and have thought and prayed for you so much these past two days, and will continue to do so.
Lori and the rest of us
We are so very sorry to hear of Amanda's recent diagnosis. Please wrap her in her prayer shawl and let her know that we love her and are praying for her here in Kansas.
Lynene Sandbloom
College Church Prayer Shawl Ministry
Yes, this is very difficult but not impossible. Remember that MD Anderson has incredibly knowledgeable doctors, Amanda has an incredibly strong body (normal heart in spite of all the chemo), an incredibly strong spirit, an awesome, supportive family, a huge group of caring friends who are praying every day for her recovery and most of all an incredibly loving, powerful God. God has seen your tears and will heal Amanda. Hold onto 2 Kings 20:1-5. Nothing is beyond God's power. Love to you all. A friend.
We love you McDaniel Family! Many prayers are being prayed for you at this time. Hold your heads up high, continue to smile. keep positive attitudes and enjoy this holiday season.
I have been praying over a year now for your family and for your dear Amanda who is the same age as my daughter. I will not stop until complete healing takes place. I believe in the power of God and the grace that he gives us to receive it!
Praying hard in Springfield, Missouri!
There is always an extra bed or two here in AR if you need a break on your way home!
Continued prayers. Love you guys.
Dixie
Sweet Amanda-my daughter Malorie is in your sister's class at LWCS. Please know we are praying for you daily, and holding up your sister too!
love and prayers,
the Florer family
My heart goes out to you...I am so terribly sorry that you are having to go through all this pain....I wish I could lessen it somehow, please know that prayers and petitions will be doubled up on Amanda's behalf and of course on
behalf of her wonderful family.
I do not understand why she must face these new trials, but I know that God loves her very dearly, His presence in her life has been
strongly evident as I've followed Amanda's story through this site...So much goodness surrounds her, so many people reaching out to help, to offer assistance and prayer, to help her make this journey, painful as it is. That is how God works, through the hearts of those He surrounds us with and it seems to me that He has surrounded His beautiful Amanda with many, many wonderful hearts...
Dear God, please wrap your child Amanda securely in your loving arms and hold her close as she goes forward. We pray your tender mercies around her and beg you to grant her every grace needed, and if it be in your will for her a complete and total healing. Thank you Father for all the doctors, nurses, therapists, technicians, who have been doing their level best to help her fight the cancer. Grant them wisdom Lord and insight so they can give her the very best of care. Work with them Lord, guide them and lead them to make the right decisions on her behalf.
Lord, bless Amanda's family with the necessary graces to continue on strongly by her side. Give them the power to hold together, to lift her spirits, to find joy in the midst of this storm as they continue to lean on their faith in You and in your goodness...
Lord, bless all the friends who have been reaching out. Bless every person who lends Amanda a smile, extends a hand, or reaches out to this family in any way. Multiply the army of prayer warriors you have been mounting for this battle, Lord. Though we do not understand or comprehend the "why" of this battle, we trust in You Lord. We will continue to lift Amanda up to You and place her in your arms, with full knowledge that ultimately she is yours anyway, as we all are. We praise You and thank You Lord, always, even in our grief, believing that you stand always by our side....You count our tears, You understand our heartaches and fears, You share in our grief, You CARE.....Help us to remember this, Lord, to internalize it and hold on to it, to rest in it always.....Amen
Know that prayers continue from Iowa...
Still praying, still believing, still knowing Miracles happen, still trusting in the Most High God of Heaven, still loving, still caring, still knowing nothing is impossible with God, still knowing His Will will be done, still knowing He loves Amanda more than we can possibly fathom, still expecting, still excited to see what God is going to do, the All Powerful, the All Knowing, the Healer, the Only True God, still believing that He carries Amanda in the Palm of His Hand, still knowing He feels your pain, your sorrow, your hope, your dreams...
thoughts from a Grandmother
I've not been on your blog in a while and my heart is hurting for you at this hard time.
Immanuel,..God is with us. In airplanes, in gold minivans, in hospital rooms, in waiting rooms and in the dark quiet places of our heartaches. God is with you and so am I as I pray.
I have been praying for Amanda since Lori told bout what they jus recently found. I am sorry to hear that. May God watch over her.
-Lisa
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