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Prayers for Lindsay and Mackenzie 
Mackenzie was diagnosed at 15 months of age with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia on January 16, 2004 after weeks of high fever of unknown origin. Her bone marrow responded well and at two and four weeks into treatment, both aspirations showed remission. Unfortunately, with leukemia, it is a long road, and even when remission occurs, a 2 1/2 - 3 year protocol of chemotherapy must be completed. The first year was rough, as Mackenzie endured many, many complications. In October 2004, she entered the "maintenance" phase of therapy and was doing well until April 18, 2005 when we received news that the leukemia was back. Mackenzie's relapse occured in her central nervous system and she enduring ten more months of intensive chemo and cranial/spinal radiation, followed by another year and a half of maintenance therapy. Her doctors told us they thought she had a 40% chance of beating this thing. It was a crushing, heart wrenching blow to our lives. But we didn't know the storm wasn't over. Five months into maintenance, Mack relapsed again on January 18, 2007. This time the cancer was back in her bone marrow and the doctors thought she had a 10 percent chance of surviving. We uprooted our family and left suddenly for Cincinnati Childrens Hospital where she was inpatient for over six months. Four months of intensive chemotherapy and finally an unrelated umbilical cord blood transplant on May 15, 2007. We continue to remind ourselves that life is not about numbers or statistics... it's not about someone's best guess at whether or not my child will live or how long she may live. Rather, it's all about a plan and a purpose that God has for our lives. And so we continue to place all of our hope in Him, trusting in His constant care. His faithfulness has been evident in the many ways He continues to provide for us on this long and exhausting journey. We praise God for Mack's life everyday and for the miracle of His healing hand. We are so grateful for all the changes that have occured in our own lives through this journey we have been on and have learned to appreciate the suffering. YOU are another example of His outstretched arms and we pray that you will be touched by Mackenzie's life and blessed through your love and support for our family!
Lindsay was born with 5 heart defects (pulmonary atresia, total anamolous venous return, levo-transposition, dextrocardia and a VSD. She has undergone 7 open heart surgeries and will continue to need surgery for the rest of her life. Because of the complex nature of her heart and the rare combination of defects together, doctors did not expect Lindsay to live past age 3. She is a joyful 14 year old who continues to remind us that life is all about God's plan. The "repair" surgery that she had done years ago was the first time that surgery had been done. Doctors suspect she may develop a cardiomyopathy someday and require a heart and lung transplant. For us, we just live in "today", not worrying about tomorrow because we have learned that God's grace is sufficient. We are so grateful for the gift of life and the miracles we have witnessed in both of our girls.
Journal
Friday, November 2, 2012 9:31 AM CDT *****November 15, 2012 UPDATE****** Just wanted to let you all know that I have been offered and accepted the job with working with pediatric palliative and hospice care patients. I begin work on December 10th. I'm amazed how God has orchestrated all the details, I feel honored to be able to help and care for those in need AND I am so excited to see how God uses all of this for His glory! He is so amazing! I'll update again after our appointments in Cincinnati in December.*************
Wow! I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted. I guess that is just living proof that we are settling into "normalcy". Well, to get you caught up... we are still in Illinois, we did not move. We had the house on the market for about 6 months, had little activity, one low offer and decided to take it off and wait. I had applied at several places in AZ, had a couple of interviews and nothing panned out. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement, but I now have total peace knowing without a doubt that at this point in our lives, this is where God wants us. Yes, I did a little kicking and screaming and complaining to God, but I am so happy that He guides and directs and knows what is best for our lives. And I trust Him! :) On that note... it seems as if God may be opening a door for me in completely unexpected and unsolicited ways. I interviewed this week for a pediatric palliative and hospice care job, something I had never considered and now appears to be a perfect fit. To be able to use all of our experiences to help ease someone else's burdens would be amazing. To do something with such rich meaning and purpose in life would be an honor. Most people's knee jerk reaction is "why would you want to do that" and years ago I probably would have said the same thing... but now its calling me and I have a unique perspective, a compassionate heart and a burning desire to pay it forward and help others. So, if you think of it... please pray for God's continued guidance in the next couple of weeks. I'll keep you posted.
On the health front... all is GOOD! Mackenzie is doing awesome! We have been watching her Igg levels anticipating she may need to go back on the monthly infusions of IVIG, but she is holding steady in the 500's! Still low, as the low end of normal range is around 750, but not dropping. It's apparent that she is finally producing enough of her own Igg to keep her safe from serious infections. Praise God! We go back to Cincinnati at the end of December to see the endocrinologist, eye doctor, oncology check up and follow up liver MRI to monitor the lesions on her liver. Also, she's doing well in school. Although it takes a lot of work, effort and concentration on her part, she is keeping up with the 3rd grade curriculum with the support she receives through her IEP. She has come a LONG way!!!
Nothing new with Lindsay... she also goes back in December for her check ups. We've been busy looking at colleges as Lindsay and Taylor will graduate in May.
That's about all the news I have. Miss corresponding with you all on a regular basis, but thrilled to be riding this calm to the storm!
Much love,
Amy
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Hospital Information: CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
3333 Burnett Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45229
513-636-4200
Links: www.caringbridge.org/visit/awesomeali Remembering Awesome Ali
www.jenessabyers.com Remembering Boey
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