Celebrating Miracles

My Dad is celebrating his birthday this week.  He went to get a blood draw today and his labs are looking really great.  It's funny, when health is secure and our birthday comes, we think about what we would like to do on that day.  Where you would like to eat, who you would want to spend it with...  What about...For my birthday, I would like to be alive.

Through all the research I have done about blood and bone marrow and the cells that individually make up our blood, I am learning that every birthday we celebrate is a miracle.  There are so many components that have to be in working order, just for our bodies to function.  And this is just one part of the human body.  I marvel at the thought of such an incredible piece of handiwork that the human body is.

Despite what the doctors have said and what my Dad's body has been through, he continues to enjoy life.  His life is in the hands of the Creator.  As is all of our lives.  There is so much to be thankful for during this season of thanks.  Every day is a blessed miracle of God to be lived for the purpose of glorifying Him.

You have granted me life, and favor, and Your care has preserved my spirit...Job 10:12

When Life Seems to Get You Down...Eat Sushi

This has always been our tradition:  when good news or bad news comes our way...we get together and have sushi...

This photo was taken the day that my father came home from the hospital the first time he was admitted for his leukemia.  This was hours after we had heard the dreaded news about his diagnosis.  We were all trying to be so strong on the outside for each other, but on the inside, I know all our hearts were breaking.

I wish life was as easy as eating your troubles away.  The truth is, that there is no earthly way we could make ourselves feel better when tragedy hits.  When life gets us down, we turn to Jesus Christ.  The words from the pages of the bible have directed my emotions and my concerns in the face of great despair and uncertainty.  Jesus promises in the bible that He will send His comforter, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, to come to our aid in these times. 

Psalm 46:1...God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, even though  the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, thought the mountains shake with its swelling

Psalm 62:8...Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 119:50...This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life.

Philippians 4:6-7...Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We also have a great support system around us who pray for us, visit my parents in the hospital, bring us meals, and are constantly checking on us and encouraging us through this time.  We would not be able to make it without them.  Every text, call and inquiry of my parents is so greatly appreciated.  Each of us kids is also blessed to have amazing spouses and children who allow us to be by our parents' side.     


After his release from the hospital this last time, he told my dad told my mom that he wanted to take her out on a date.  His doctor has forbidden him from having sushi because of the leukemia, but he told my mom that they were going to have sushi.  Afterwards, he took her to a jazz club in town and they hung out till midnight.  It's miraculous the way a man can have a severe brain hemorrhage and then still be able to take his wife out a week later.  We serve an amazing and powerful God who can confound doctors.

When It's Just Not Your Time Yet...

I knew he didn't look well on that Monday.  But with my husband leaving on a business trip, me preparing for women's study and attempting to school my daughter, there was no time to coax him into going to the emergency room.  Deep down inside, I suppose I was hoping that there was nothing to be concerned about.  He had been having a pressure headache but I would see him that evening because I would be staying the night with them until my husband was back from his trip on Wednesday.

My father's bone marrow has been through so much over the last couple of years.  Bone marrow is what produces healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.  The platelets are the component of the blood that causes coagulation.  In the absence of platelets, severe bleeding can occur in any part of the body that has had even a blood vessel burst.  Up until this point, he had been receiving a blood and platelet transfusion once a week to avoid bleeding.  Little did we know that it hasn't been enough, and that pressure headache was caused by hemorrhaging on the right and left side of his brain.

The neurosurgeon's plan was to drill a hole on both sides of his skull to drain the blood.  Unfortunately, or fortunately (for God knows what is best), they were not able to keep the platelets high enough for surgery. A week later he was released from the hospital.  The report from the neurosurgeon this week is that there is not much pressure on the brain at this point, although he is having a little trouble walking.  His platelet transfusion has been increased from one time a week to two with 2 units of platelets at each transfusion.

It just wasn't his time yet.  God is not done with him here.

Psalm 139:16...Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Recalling the Past and Looking Forward to the Future

The week he was diagnosed

My heart was beating so fast as I rushed into the hospital's lobby.  The elevator could not come fast enough and the hall seemed so unusually long.  We knew there was something very serious happening when my mother called us to tell us that the doctor was going to be coming in to give my dad some news.  As I rushed down the hall and into the room, I could see my sister's face.  Her eyes were downcast and her countenance was completely fallen.  Acute Myeloid Leukemia was the diagnosis.  The oncologist predicted 3-4 weeks of life without treatment and months to a year with chemotherapy, even if they were able to get him into remission.  The only hope for a cure would be to have a bone marrow transplant, which is a very risky procedure and highly unlikely because finding an Asian donor is very difficult.  We had no idea what the future held, and even the thought of going to bed, and waking the next morning seemed overwhelming because it meant that we would have to begin this walk through something so unimaginable. 

We are now 21 months into the journey.  My dad barely survived one induction of chemotherapy but was able to get into remission.  He was never able to find a suitable match for the bone marrow transplant.  He continued to have a low dosage of chemo once a month for 5 days called Decitabine and combined it with supplements he takes daily.  At the end of October, he began to show the first signs of weakness as his platelet count began to fall.  After one more dose of Decitabine in November, his counts plummetted, and by December, his white blood cells were so low that the doctor gave him days to weeks of life.

We rejoiced with every passing day.  We savored every moment of the Christmas season.  Day by day, week by week, month by month, we did not know if we would have one more Valentine's Day, one more celebration of my mom's birthday, one more visit with his sister during Spring Break...  Last month they celebrated 35 years of marriage.  My mother never expected to spend another anniversary with him.  And here we are three-fourths the way through September.

Since December, things have not been easy.  He struggled through three serious infections.  One infection which caused some heart complications along with the onset of diabetes.  Blood and platelet transfusions also occur once a week.  Within the last few weeks he has had a decrease in appetite and has been losing about 2 pounds a week.  He has also experienced insomnia.  My mom has waken to him sitting alone in the front room, staring out the window.  He says he has been speaking with the Lord. 

Looking forward, he hopes to spend one more Christmas with us.  We are so grateful for the time that we have had with him and will be so appreciative for what we will continue to have.  Much love and appreciation to those who have walked with us through this journey.

If you have been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, please feel free to contact me through the comments.  I remember combing the cyberworld in hopes of finding another person who could understand what we were going through.  We have been blessed with the relief of walking with others who are fighting the same battle.   

Beating the Odds

It was about a year and a half ago that my Dad was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  July marks 7 months past the time frame that the doctors gave him to live.  So far he has survived three bouts of infection, and blood and platelet transfusions nearly once a week.  Every day is a gift, and how have we enjoyed every moment with him. 

It has been a tough journey, but one that we have not made without our heavenly Father at our side.  At times we have been able to stand firmly on the assurance of His presence and other times we have found ourselves lost in the bondage of our own fears.  We will continue to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.   

In the Hospital Again

Dad is in the hospital again.  He was admitted on Monday and we have spent much time there since then.  My husband took the day off and let me spend the whole day there yesterday.  He is fighting another blood infection but this time he has a skin infection on his elbow and his foot.  The doctors are concerned about the skin infection.  He is in good spirits but has not had much of an appetite.  Please pray for the skin infection to subside and for the swelling to go down.  An orthopedic surgeon saw him yesterday and said they may have to lance the area to drain the fluid.  We are hoping that they will not have to break the skin since his platelet count is always dangerously low.  Thank you for your prayers.

Delighting in Another Day of Life

Psalm 139:16...Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. 

Beloved Family and Friends,

When I think about today's date and see how far the Lord has brought my Dad, I marvel and rejoice and acknowledge that we have a mighty and powerful God that knows our frame and knows our days.  It was 4 months ago today, that the doctor told my Dad that he gave him days to weeks of life.  No prayer, concern or even the smallest of thoughts has escaped the ear of our loving, heavenly Father...nor gone unaddressed.  Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers for my Dad and Mom.

A couple of weeks ago, my Dad was having high fevers.  At this point in his Leukemia,  his immune system is so compromised, that he is instructed to go to the ER if his fever exceeds 100.3.  When he finally went into the doctor's office the following day for a blood transfusion, they told him that he needed to go to the ER and that he sounded as if he had a lung infection, possibly pneumonia.  Tests came back clear of pneumonia but he was kept in the hospital for nearly a week to make sure that the bacterial infection in his blood stream was completely clear.  He was given very strong antibiotics intravenously, which essentially fought the infection for him.

 

He has done well since he has come home from the hospital.  He had a platelet transfusion last week and will be having a blood transfusion tomorrow.  He has been receiving blood or platelets about every other week as he has been getting weaker and weaker.  He also has quite a loss of appetite.  Please pray for continued strength, a good appetite and the ability to enjoy his days with my Mom and the family.
 

I apologize for the delay in sending this message to you all.  Thank you so much for your love and care for our family.  It is truly a blessing and a pleasure to be part of a family of believers who live out the message of the gospel of Christ.

In Christ's love,
Girl Delighted

Divine Moment....At the DMV

As I approached the counter I saw her fumbling over her papers.  To my surprise, she was trying to figure out which Betty Boop sticker to put on her stapler.  This put me at ease as I was at the DMV to process some paperwork for my Dad and wasn't sure how I would be received.  The woman who helped me was very endearing as she asked me what my Dad's needs were.   She was surprised to read on the paperwork and that he has leukemia.  Eleven years this month, she had lost her Mother to leukemia.

She recounted the story as if it were just yesterday.  How she and her 7 siblings came together to support their Mother who was given only 3 months to live.  How her Mother lived passionately and wanted her children to celebrate passionately at her memorial service.  Her request was that they all wear red.  As she processed my request, she took the time to share her entire story with me.  It was a blessing to hear her encouragements.  Her Mother actually lived 8 months from the time the doctors had given her. 

I told her how much I had appreciated her story and asked her where she stood with Jesus.  She told me that the Lord used these difficult trials to draw her into a relationship with Him.  I thanked her and rejoiced that the Lord had put someone in my path that could share with me in my time of trouble.  Divinity could happen anywhere, even at the DMV.

Becoming a New Creation

We had to take my father to the ER on Thursday night.  After a 3 hour wait just to get into an examination room, we found out he needed a blood transfusion and a platelet transfusion.  My parents ended up going to the ER just before having dinner.  He had been saying that he was craving certain snacks, so just before midnight, I went out in search of them.  I slipped into a grocery store just before closing and was the last customer of the night. 

The young man at the cash register asked me if I was getting a snack after being at the hospital.  I told him about my Dad's leukemia and how we were going to be there for several more hours.  His Grandmother had just passed away the month before from leukemia he told me.  This common thread brought us to the topic of where he stood with Jesus.  We talked about religion and how it was man's futile way of reaching God, and how by believing in Jesus, we could be connected to Him in a relationship all through the work that Jesus did on the cross and not by any effort of ours.  A friend of his who had been raised Catholic and had begun going to a bible teaching church, had already been sharing with him.  I too was raised Catholic and I told him about the change that had taken place in my life from reading the bible.  Just like the metamorphosis of a butterfly, I too had become a new creation. 

Several co-workers were demanding his attention during our conversation.  He needed to walk me out and lock the door behind me.  So at the door, I just took the risk and asked him if he wanted to ask Jesus into his heart.  "Yes, I want to, but I don't know how."  "Repeat after me,"  I said, and he gave his life to Jesus. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new...2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Lifting My Eyes Up to the Hills

Within the confines of  the four walls inside of the medical examination room is a very intimate place.  The conception of a child is confirmed there, our bodies are scrutinized, illnesses are diagnosed, and life expectancy is estimated.  My parents and my Dad's physician have allowed me to be part of this personal place for the last year, and I am so thankful to have been accepted. 

It is so difficult to see my parents go through this time in our lives, though.  Please pray for comfort and peace. 

I will lift up my eyes to the hills- From whence comes my help?  My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth...Psalm 121:1-2

Update and Prayer Request

I suppose I would describe it as a blessing and a curse.  A blessing because I get to be the one to walk side by side with my parents as they tread through this valley of affliction.  To alleviate some of the burden that weighs heavily upon them in the form of appointments and paperwork.  To be an encouragement and support when the emotional load becomes cumbersome.  To be the first to celebrate through the victories won throughout this last year.  Nevertheless, a curse because, often times, I am the first to receive information about his condition.  I am the one who has to break the news to my parents as things progress. 

A little over a month ago, I received the news from the doctor that he suspected his leukemia was back.  By the looks of his white blood cell count, he estimated that he had days to weeks of life.  I celebrate because my Dad is still alive.  He is weak and he is tired, but he is still here.  The Lord has spared him in the middle of flu season thus far, and I am so grateful to our God, and for you who are lifting him up in prayer.

Tomorrow he has a doctor's appointment.  His blood test today indicated that he needs a blood transfusion.  This will be the first transfusion that he has needed since leaving the hospital last year at the beginning of February.  Please pray for strength to endure physically and emotional strength to overcome discouragement.  Pray for my Mom to receive comfort, and rejoice with us for the grace and mercy we have already received.  Thank you so much.

4th Prayer Request

Hello Everyone,

When we stand before our Lord one day, and "no longer see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face", I believe we will be in awe at the detail in which He weaves our lives together with one another.  Day to day, it is easy to overlook, but in extraordinary circumstances it becomes more visible.  There is a family that has been unconventionally woven together with us.  The parallels are uncanny.  He is the same age as my father, their kids have same ethnic mixture as us kids, they have three children: two daughters and a son. His wife  is even my mother's height if you can believe that! 

He also has Acute Myeloid Leukemia and left the hospital one week before my father did following the same course of intense chemotherapy.  They were both in remission, however, due to the aggressiveness of AML, were still given months to a year of life unless given a bone marrow transplant. 

Two weeks ago we found out that his cancer relapsed.  A week and a half ago he contracted a cold and this week his lungs filled with liquid.  Within the last couple of days, they put him on life support and last night the family made the difficult decision to take him off.  His daughter called me this morning to ask for prayer.  They are praying for a miracle or for rest for their father.  I would also like to add assurance of salvation for him.  Please join us as we pray for this family.  His wife and their children are solid believers and have been a tremendous support as we have sought out empathy in this trial with one another.

Thank you for your continued support and prayer for my family as well.

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom...Psalm 90:12

3rd Prayer Request

Hello Family and Friends,

 

Thank you so much for continuing to ask about and pray for my parents.  My father looks so great these days as his coloring is back and he has gained back the weight that he lost.  He tells me that he is enjoying every day.  My mother also continues to stand upon the encouragment and comfort of God's word and is a strong anchor for my father and for the rest of the family.  

 

His oncologist let us know a few weeks back that his leukemia is in remission, meaning that his bone marrow biopsy shows less than 5% of his cells containing cancer.  However, he also told us that a study of the chromosomes of the infected cells show that this form of leukemia is aggressive and, although it responds well to chemotherapy, will typically return within weeks to months of being in a state of remission.  Thus, the doctor continues to give my father months to live but no less than a year without a bone marrow transplant.  

 

In the meantime, a patient with this acute leukemia awaiting a transplant would normally go through another round of the aggressive chemo where they are hospitalized and quarantined for a duration of about 3-4 weeks.  The doctor does not believe my father would survive another intense chemo so he has started him on a less intense, 5 day outpatient chemo which started on Monday.  He says that it may or may not keep his cancer in remission, but will keep in on this 5 day treatment every 28 days.  

 

As I learn more about the bone marrow transplant, I am facinated at how much has changed over the last several years.  To become a bone marrow donor is much simpler of a process than what I thought it was.  Stem cells can now be collected through a process similar to donating blood.  On the other hand, receiving a bone marrow transplant is much more of a dangerous procedure than I had ever imagined.  Statistics show that 1 in 3 people (of all ages) will die from the bone marrow transplant itself.  

 

With all that said, you can imagine how much there is to pray for.  We are praying that the Lord will continue to keep the Leukemia in remission despite the fact that my father is receiving a less intense form of chemo.  We are also asking that the Lord will lead and guide my father as he decides whether or not he should even get the transplant.  That the Lord would open and close the doors and opportunities for the transplant if it is not in His will.  We are still believing that the Lord has the power to heal my father despite the circumstances but continue to ask for the grace to accept His perfect will.  Most of all that the Lord will be glorified through this trial in our lives!

2nd Request For Prayer

Hello Everyone,

 

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.  The last three weeks have been very eventful for all of us.  My father was diagnosed on Wed. Dec. 30th and decided to go home for the holiday.  His two sisters came into town on that Friday and we all spent the weekend together.  At times, if we didn't think about our circumstances too much, it was almost as if we were just spending time together for Christmas.  It was wonderful.

 

My father returned to the hospital on Tues., Jan. 4 and by Thurs., he started his chemotherapy treatment.  The treatment consisted of 7 days of a continuous drip of chemo through an IV.  The doctor told us to expect his white blood cell count, red blood cells, and platelets to decrease drastically after the 7 days.  At this point, his body will be unable to fight any kind of sickness or infection until his body begins regenerating.  This is considered the riskiest point of his treatment. 

 

Today marks the 9th day after the chemo has ended and he is having a number of complications.  He has an obstruction in his intestines which is keeping him from passing fluid or gas.  As a result, he is being fed intraveneously, which also causes difficulties.  Please pray for his body that the obstruction will be worked out on it's own and for the tremendous pressure his body is going through from all of the treatment. He has been battling high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, bloating...daily it seems like something new.  Also pray for his white blood cell count to begin to grow as there is not much the doctors can do until that number increases.

 

Despite all of the discomforts, my father is still desiring to get through this.  My mother has been living at the hospital with him and does not plan to leave his side.  They are both clinging to the Lord and looking to Him for daily sustenance, physically, spiritually and emotionally.  My mother tells me of how together they read the bible daily.  I am humbled and blessed at my father's courage to fight this battle against cancer and my mother's unwavering devotion and care for her husband.  In the face of this tremendous trial in our lives, I must say that the Lord is proving Himself mighty. 

First Urgent Request

Hello Everyone,

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years with your families.  We certainly did as my brother is home safely from Iraq and we all managed to be together at the same time to celebrate.  I thank the Lord for such a blessed memory. 

 

In the last couple of days things have happened so quickly that I have not had the chance to call or ask for prayer sooner.  My father has had several small health issues that hadn't resolved themselves quickly enough in the last few months.  After one final visit with another complaint of a lingering cough he was given a blood test that indicated that he needed a blood transfusion.  He was admitted into the hospital on Tuesday and underwent more tests.  By Wednesday night, the doctor diagnosed him with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.  It is a rare form of Leukemia that causes a rapid growth of abnormal blood cells and interferes with the production of red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells.  On Tuesday his platelet count was 50,000 and on Wednesday it was 29,000.  A healthy adult has between 450,000-150,000.  The oncologist's prognosis is that he will have 3-4 weeks to live without treatment and has given him three options that may or may not increase his life taking into consideration his age. 

 

We know that the Lord is the one in control of my father's life and that the doctor's prognosis may or may not coincide with the plan that the Lord has for him.  My mother has such an incredible perspective with the understanding that the Lord has blessed her with 34 years with my father, but if he wants to keep him around a little longer she would be so appreciative.  Nonetheless, it is still difficult for each one of us to deal with such unanticipated news.  My father jokes about his condition now and then but is very disappointed and fearful.  He was discharged from the hospital on Wednesday night for the holiday weekend and we went to have sushi as is the great Iwasaki tradition when any big news comes our way.  My aunts have come in from out of town to be with us and we have been getting together everyday to enjoy one another. 

 

My prayer request comes in five parts:

 

1.  That we will be able to hear the Lord's voice as we call out to Him for guidance as to which option would be the best for my father.  We will all be coming together as a family to discuss his options and he will be seeing the doctor on Tuesday.

 

2.  For physical strength and endurance for my father if he undergoes treatment.  Our hope would be that his cancer would go into remission and that his sister would be a bone marrow match for a transplant. 

 

3.  My father has prayed to accept the Lord into his heart many years ago, but it is unclear if he has an assurance of his eternal destination.  Please pray that in the next few weeks he will have that assurance. 

 

4.  That his two sisters who are visiting with us will also give their lives to Christ.  May our witness to them be powerful and effective. 

 

5.  For each of us to have the hope to believe that the Lord can make a miracle happen, but the grace to accept whatever the Lord's will may be. 

 

My aunt was asking me how I am dealing with the news, and it was wonderful to tell her that I know I have the spiritual support of all of those who belong to the body of Christ.  I too am fearful of what the future my hold for my family, but those fears quickly dissipate as I remember the power of Christ's love and comfort and the great cloud of witnesses that surround us.  Thank you for joining together in prayer with us.