Saturday, October 10, 2009

Abbey's MRI Results...

Yesterday was a long day. We had been waiting for October 9th to come for a long time now and when we woke up yesterday morning, we were both excited and nervous. We knew it was very possible for this clot to be completely gone and for the shots to be done, but we also knew it was possible for them to be extended again. So as of yesterday morning we were excited, yet nervous to think of what this day would hold.

I didn't mention this in my last post, but yesterday was actually the very first day that I haven't gone to clinic with Abbey. Jacob had a special day called Grandparents Day at his school where families could come and see them in action in their classroom and then he was able to show us around his class. There then was a presentation where all the students did something special, from reciting Bible verses, saying poems and singing songs. So, of course when we saw the date of this special day at his school we were both very torn as Abbey's MRI has been on the calendar for over a month now and if we were to change it we knew it would be for a later date (which we weren't about to do). So we talked to Jacob and Abbey and explained to them that we would each take one of them for the day. I sometimes feel like Jacob gets the least of me, so really wanted to spend that day with him and Jim feels like he gets the least one on one time with Abbey so we thought that this was a good plan. They agreed that it was good so that made it easy.

It was hard not being there all day to know exactly what's going on with her every second. Jim was really good about texting me all day with updates and pictures of Abbey though so that helped. Abbey was put under sedation for over an hour (that always makes me nervous), but Jim said she did great and woke up in good spirits. Her ANC continues to be very low (it was 70 yesterday) so her body still has not recovered from her last virus. Her WBC count is going up though and platelets were up some also so they are coming up, just slowly. Another thing that they look at is her monocytes. These turn into nuetraphil (ANC) and that number was very high so we know they are coming. She got a chemo through her port and started her 5 days of steroids last night. She also got her flu shot while in sedation which was nice that she didn't even know.

So back to her MRI results.... The doctor told Jim that he would definitely call us last night and that we should know the final results by then. Doctor B whom we think the world of gave us his cell phone number very early on and told us to feel free to call him with questions and concerns. We haven't used it too often, but at 9 last night when we still hadn't heard anything Jim decided to call and just see if he knew anything. The doctor said he was just about to call us.

Jim went in the kitchen to talk and I was in the living room with the kids. It was pretty loud as they were all playing so I couldn't hear the conversation. My heart was beating out of my chest. It seemed like Jim was in there for an hour and I almost didn't want him to come back because at that point I still had the hope that we were done and didn't want that to be crushed with bad news.

Jim came in with a huge smile on his face and just said "It's gone. We're done." I think I smiled for an hour and just couldn't believe it. We told Abbey and Jacob right away. Abbey just smiled and dug her head into her blanket. Jacob was more verbal and kept saying it was great! We are so thankful to be done with this very hard part of her treatment.

I never, ever thought I would be able to give my own child two shots a day for over six months. It is hard to believe that we did it! This morning I spent some time cleaning out our one cabinet that is just for all of Abbey's medications. It felt so very good to get to throw away all the needles, alcohol pads and syringes filled with lovenox. I can't wait to see her little arms and legs heal over these next couple weeks and know that I won't be causing anymore new bruises or bumps.

Thank you so very much for praying! This is a huge answer to prayer and we are so thankful to be done with this part of our journey! No more shots and no more blood clot!!! Yay!!!


24 comments:

Shonda said...

You do not know me, but I had to drop a line and tell you thats WONDERFUL news!!!! Abbey is a tough little girl, and I know she is excited for NO MORE SHOTS!!!

I will continue to pary for your family.

Jen said...

Oh Shelly, Praise the Lord!!, this is perfectly wonderful news! I just couldn't be more happy about anything else in the world right now!! - I have tears of joy streaming down my face!! YAYYY!!
Go Abbey!! ~ you are my hero little darling!! I have been checking my dashboard all day, ... hehe, about every ten minutes!!, waiting for your post and was sitting on the edge of my seat when I saw it- Praise God, no more lovenox!!. And please know that we will continue in prayer every morning and every night (and lots of times in between!) for Abbey and you all - and send much with this little message.
Love and hugs
Jenny and Doug in Perth Australia
xoxoxoxox

Kristine said...

That's great news!!! Go and celebrate. :)

Anonymous said...

Praise God! Such great news! Yay!!!!

Cindy Bailey said...

AMEN! So happy to read the news, not as happy as you guys though.:) God is so good and it's wonderful to know that the clot is gone. I'll continue to keep Abbey and your family in my prayers. It's also nice to hear how you guys switched and Jim took Abbey to clinic while you were able to visit Jacob's classroom and spend one on one time with him. Have a great weekend Colbert's.:) God Bless !~

Bethany said...

I am so excited for this news! Hooray for no more shots!! Woohoo!!! Give Abbey a big hug from us and keep that smile on your face :)

Bekky said...

That is such wonderful news! I am so happy for all of you that Abbey is done with the shots and that the clot is gone! Praise God! What a great thing to celebrate that this step is through!

Sewconsult said...

Tears of Joy for Abby.
Beckie in TN

Lisa Mae said...

tears of joy! you don't know me but i check in on abby and your family often. saying a prayer of praise through the tears at this moment!

Amber said...

Praise the Lord! That is wonderful news! I'm so happy for Abbey that she doesn't have to have shots anymore!

Anonymous said...

yay! praise the lord!!

Anonymous said...

My eyes are filled with tears right now. I am so happy for Abbey and your family!!!! God is SO good! :)

Anonymous said...

This is wonderful news! Continuing to pray for more encouraging results and strength for Abbey.

Gail
Annapolis, MD

Beth said...

Praise the Lord!

Terri said...

Praise the Lord..Wonderful news!!!

I am all smiles too :)

Give Abbey a big hug for me please!

WOOWHOOOO..so happy for ya'll!

Hugs
Terri

Anonymous said...

Praising God right along with tears of joy for you Colberts!! So excited for you to be able to celebrate yet another of God's miracles in your life! Yayyy Abbey! No more shots!! You are such a wonderful little angel, and Leah and I are so proud of you! Hoping your family can celebrate in your own special way. It was so nice to see you at clinic Friday..You looked absolutely perfect! Still keeping you in our family's prayers day and night right along with our little Leah...Hoping to see you very soon.
God Bless you all.
Niki and Leah (from clinic)

Beth said...

Praise God!! He is SO good!!

Wonderful news, SO happy for Abbey!

Prayer Pals 4 Orphans said...

No more shots!!! Praise God!!!!

Michelle Riggs said...

Praise God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Andy Gammons said...

Crying again. I am just picturing Jim's face as he got to tell you the news. Jim, I have prayed for you often and thought of you even more in all of this. Though I feel I don't know you that well, you have been the person with whom I've identified most with as I've followed your journey. Father to father, man to man, sinner to sinner, struggler to struggler. Thank you for struggling well, loving well, relying on God and battling. I will continue to pray for you. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for once again answering our prayers in such a tangible way. May God receive all of the the glory and honor.

Shawna - Round Rock, Texas said...

May God continue to bless your beautiful little girl!

Triple J's Girl said...

Tears of joy for sweet Abbey and the rest of your sweet family! I am so grateful you didn't have to hear bad news today or tell Abbey anything discouraging. Praying for more answers to prayers as Abbey's little body continues to fight.
Sarah in OK

Unknown said...

Praise God!! Praise Him that He gave you the strength to praise you even when the results weren't good. Continued renewed strength...

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified and do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is always with you... Josh 1:9

Amy Beachy said...

Yeah!!! Praise God for His faithfulness!! I am so happy for your family and am praying for you all!!