This morning at 8:15 Ben, my mom, and I met with Dr. Robert Gottlieb at the Health Campus Hematology/Oncology Medical Specialists. After leaving there we all felt like he was the one we should stay with for the treatments. He spoke to the pathologist who performed my PET scan and was told that the tumor in my abdomen is about 6 inches by 2 inches.
I will be getting a MOGA (heart test) done tomorrow morning at 7:30am at LGH, then at 1:30pm Dr. Heinle will perform the surgery to remove the lymph node under my left armpit.
On Thursday at 1pm Dr. Gottlieb will be doing a bone marrow biopsy from my hip bone.
But the best part of this week is that on Friday afternoon Ben and I and the kids and my sister will be leaving for a week vacation at Ocean City, MD. We are all looking forward to that time away!
When I get home all the results should be back in from my tests and Dr. Gottlieb will be meeting with Ben and I at 8am Moday, September 14th to go over all the test results. He would then like to start the chemotherapy with Rotuxin (CHOP plus R), which he will do once every 3 weeks soon after that.
Thanks again for all your encouragement, cards, prayers, and meals!!! You touch my heart and I am so thankful for all of you!!
Love,
Amy
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Dear precious family and friends,
I want to thank you all so much for the encouraging and uplifting comments that I have been reading on here over the past few days because they have blessed my heart immensely! I am grateful for every one of you and your prayers that you have been saying on my behalf!
Love,
Amy
Love,
Amy
Friday, August 28, 2009
From Amy's sister Julie...
In the midst of all of our surprise at the realization that Amy's cancer was far more advanced than any of us thought, my sister has never ceased to amaze me. I remember the day after we were told that her non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was in stage four and very aggressive; she was neither anxious nor upset, but rather completely at peace and full of joy. Not that this has not been hard for her, but her eyes are not focused on the temporary things which we cannot control, but rather on the LORD and on those things which are of eternal value.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says it best.
"16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
It was last Friday that she received the call from the doctor with the news, and the following Saturday morning of her birthday we had been discussing the results and I was trying my best to be strong for her and not cry. I was not so successful in my attempts, and I remember her looking at me and saying there is no need to cry; that she sees all the positive things in this. "First of all", she says, "I have been wanting to lose a few pounds, and I'm pretty sure that with all of the treatments, that that will probably happen." (Amy can always find a bright side to any situation). "Secondly, if I lose my hair during chemo, I can get some wigs and change up my hair-do whenever I want. And, to be honest, I just see all the wonderful things that God is going to do through this. I'm really not worried." Leave it to Amy to be the one comforting me when it should be the other way around. She is always encouraging, always positive, and always trusting in the LORD, knowing that our lives are not our own, but all for God's glory!
-Julie
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says it best.
"16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
It was last Friday that she received the call from the doctor with the news, and the following Saturday morning of her birthday we had been discussing the results and I was trying my best to be strong for her and not cry. I was not so successful in my attempts, and I remember her looking at me and saying there is no need to cry; that she sees all the positive things in this. "First of all", she says, "I have been wanting to lose a few pounds, and I'm pretty sure that with all of the treatments, that that will probably happen." (Amy can always find a bright side to any situation). "Secondly, if I lose my hair during chemo, I can get some wigs and change up my hair-do whenever I want. And, to be honest, I just see all the wonderful things that God is going to do through this. I'm really not worried." Leave it to Amy to be the one comforting me when it should be the other way around. She is always encouraging, always positive, and always trusting in the LORD, knowing that our lives are not our own, but all for God's glory!
-Julie
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Amy Wrote...
Hi Laurel,
We are going to meet with Dr. Robert Gottlieb from the office of Hematology/Oncology Medical Associates in Lancaster on Monday morning, August 31st at 8:15am. Hershey Medical also called me today to let me know that the oncologists at Hershey just really wanted to wait to meet w/ me till they had the results from the larger biopsy on Tuesday. So as soon as they get the faxed results and look over them they will meet w/ me. They will also match me up with the best oncologist for my specific cancer to treat me. So I will meet w/ both oncologists then and ask questions and see who we feel would be best for treating my cancer.
I also wanted to share a great verse that I was reading in Romans 11:33-36 that I enjoyed.
"Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
For who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen."
We are going to meet with Dr. Robert Gottlieb from the office of Hematology/Oncology Medical Associates in Lancaster on Monday morning, August 31st at 8:15am. Hershey Medical also called me today to let me know that the oncologists at Hershey just really wanted to wait to meet w/ me till they had the results from the larger biopsy on Tuesday. So as soon as they get the faxed results and look over them they will meet w/ me. They will also match me up with the best oncologist for my specific cancer to treat me. So I will meet w/ both oncologists then and ask questions and see who we feel would be best for treating my cancer.
I also wanted to share a great verse that I was reading in Romans 11:33-36 that I enjoyed.
"Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
For who can know the Lord's thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen."
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Surgery Tuesday, the 1st
Amy has surgery scheduled (to remove part of the lymph node) on Tuesday, September 1st at 1:30. It's outpatient surgery.
If you are able to drop a meal off Monday or Tuesday, please let Amy or Ben know by commenting below. Childcare is taken care of.
If you are able to drop a meal off Monday or Tuesday, please let Amy or Ben know by commenting below. Childcare is taken care of.
Consult Today
This morning Amy is meeting with a surgeon at the LG's Health Campus for a consult. They will be setting up an appointment to remove part of the lymph node that she originally found under her arm.
Once again Amy said, "I just know God is going to use this."
Please feel free to post comments on this blog-Amy will be checking it!
Once again Amy said, "I just know God is going to use this."
Please feel free to post comments on this blog-Amy will be checking it!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
I am so sorry that I haven't got an update out in the last week. I was waiting till I knew a little more.
Last Friday I got a call from the Dr. and he let me know that I had B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some of the cells showed low-grade and some showed more aggressive. I was hoping to be able to update you when I knew more as far as treatment and such. But just yesterday morning I had a PET scan done, and the Dr. called me tonight with the results.
He said, "The scan didn't look good. It shows that it is in your arm pit, abdomen, pelvis, one spot in the bones, right arm and some in the chest." He said it is Stage 4. He did tell me though that the more aggressive the cancer the faster the chemo takes to it.
I still feel at total peace with everything and know that God is going to do Amazing things with this! I can't wait to watch all these wonderful things happen because of Him!
A week ago when the Dr. told me that I had a form of lymphoma I told him that I wasn't worried and know that God is in control. And then again tonight I was calm on the phone with him and said, "Thanks for calling, Have a great weekend!" I don't know if he believes in God w/ all of his heart, but I would love to see that happen.
So Hershey Medical should be calling me soon and then we will go from there. I will let you know as soon as I know, but I thank you all for your prayers and love!!
The times I get emotional is when I get sweet emails, and calls from all of you dear ones and that is when I cry. I feel so blessed that God has given me you as my family and friends!!! Tomorrow is my birthday, but the reason I tell you is because I know that God is going to give me the BEST birthday ever because He is going to do some AMAZING things this year!! To Him be the Glory!!
Love,
Amy
Last Friday I got a call from the Dr. and he let me know that I had B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Some of the cells showed low-grade and some showed more aggressive. I was hoping to be able to update you when I knew more as far as treatment and such. But just yesterday morning I had a PET scan done, and the Dr. called me tonight with the results.
He said, "The scan didn't look good. It shows that it is in your arm pit, abdomen, pelvis, one spot in the bones, right arm and some in the chest." He said it is Stage 4. He did tell me though that the more aggressive the cancer the faster the chemo takes to it.
I still feel at total peace with everything and know that God is going to do Amazing things with this! I can't wait to watch all these wonderful things happen because of Him!
A week ago when the Dr. told me that I had a form of lymphoma I told him that I wasn't worried and know that God is in control. And then again tonight I was calm on the phone with him and said, "Thanks for calling, Have a great weekend!" I don't know if he believes in God w/ all of his heart, but I would love to see that happen.
So Hershey Medical should be calling me soon and then we will go from there. I will let you know as soon as I know, but I thank you all for your prayers and love!!
The times I get emotional is when I get sweet emails, and calls from all of you dear ones and that is when I cry. I feel so blessed that God has given me you as my family and friends!!! Tomorrow is my birthday, but the reason I tell you is because I know that God is going to give me the BEST birthday ever because He is going to do some AMAZING things this year!! To Him be the Glory!!
Love,
Amy
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