Thursday, September 24, 2009

Lovenox Shots



Two weeks from tomorrow (October 9th) Abbey will have another MRI of her head to see if the blood clot is completely gone in her brain. It's hard to believe that she has been on the shots, two times a day for a little shy of 6 months. We are more than ready to be done with them. Her little arms and legs look so sore from them and the bruising in those areas looks painful. Please be praying for the spot in her brain where the clot was to be completely normal. At her last MRI, three months ago they saw some residue of the clot still so that needs to be completely gone for us to be able to stop the shots.

Abbey's doctor told us that 90% of the time, by six months there is usually no sign of the clot, but 10% of the kids need to continue the shots past six months. Please pray that Abbey is in that 90% of kids and that there is no question about it... that it is gone!

After she gets her shots, we dispose of them in a large old bleach container. The picture above is only one of the many containers that we've filled with old shots. We so want this to be done for our girl.

I also wanted to mention that the 1 year anniversary of Abbey being diagnosed is coming up in one short week. It's so hard to believe that we've been in this battle for a whole year and words can't express the emotions that flood our minds as we think about how our lives have changed over this past year. We have come so far and oh how I would never want to go back. We are thankful that we are where we are in her treatment and can only look ahead to her being completely healed of this disease. We still have a long road ahead, but know that we will get there.

I am putting together a slide show of our journey that I will share on here of this past year. It will be an emotional week as we have much to celebrate and also much to mourn as our lives were forever changed on October 2nd. Please continue to ultimately pray for Abbey's body to be completely healed. Pray that not only will she never relapse with leukemia, but that she will never get any other sort of cancer as a result from the many chemo and drugs that she is on and that she will live a long, healthy life.

Thank you for continuing to flood Heaven with our Abbey's name. We will need prayers more than ever these next couple weeks as the reality of this past year is so real right now.


As I look back at pictures from just a few short months ago (above), the tears flow as it's amazing how much she has gone through. It is hard to look back, yet good. Those hard times break our hearts, but also show us how far we've come. We know God will continue to carry us through every day and feel confident that Abbey is ultimately going to be healed so we can spend a lifetime with her.
And a picture of her at this point in our journey.... Here she is being a normal four year old, playing with her cousin Grace and friend Chloe. She has come such a long way and as a family we will continue to put one foot in front of the other and keep looking ahead. I know God has great things in store for this girl and as He shapes our hearts through this time we will continue to walk with Him and trust His will for our lives.

James 1: 2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.

4 comments:

Beth said...

There are tears in my eyes as I read this post. I can not imagine the range of emotions and feelings that you have all gone through this past year, all the trials, and milestones met!

I don't know you, but you have been such an inspiration to me of faith, of love, and perseverance!

I will continue to pray for sweet Abbey, that she may be completely healed and live a long and happy life! And for you, that you will continue to find peace, comfort and strength from our Father!

I also pray that it is in God's plan that Abbey can stop taking the Lovenox shots and put that part of this journey behind her, behind all of you!

Blessings to you, especially during this week of remembering and looking forward!

:)

Cindy Bailey said...

Shelley, thanks so much for sharing the last year with us. You and Jim and of course Abbey are a true inspiration to so many.

I'm continuing to pray that the clot will be totally gone and that NO MORE SHOTS will be needed for Abbey.She's been such a brave trooper through it all, and I'm so happy to know she's nearing the end of the yucky shots!

I also pray for her to have a complete healing. God has something special instore for Abbey's life. May you all continue to find comfort, peace and strength from our Heavenly Father. God Bless!

Once A Mother said...

I am praying for your tough little girl. I have followed here, but rarely comment. I lost my daughter to ALL on the very day that your Abbey was diagnosed and it brings me such joy to see her getting further and further away from her diagnosis. She is getting her miracle and that warms my heart. There are so many people keeping your sweet girl in their hearts as you approach this bittersweet date. I am one of them.

Sarah said...

I just had to be on Lovenox for 3 weeks (now just taking asprin) to avoid blood clots after surgery. I don't have a problem with needles but I thought the shots were terrible! I'll be praying that Abbey won't need Lovenox anymore!