Tuesday, June 16, 2015

A Good Day

I wanted to share a quick update since so many folks have been so diligent to pray for us over the last 24 hours.  THANK YOU for the prayers and other forms of support sent our way.

Over the last year Ashleigh has posted periodic "Praises + Prayers" updates to the blog that all follow the same format, and I tried to match that format in the post yesterday.  At the risk of breaking tradition without clearing it with Ash first, I'm going to do something slightly different tonight.  I want to share how today God answered specific prayer requests that I posted yesterday.

ANSWERS to Prayers:
+ Ash was a ton more alert today, laughing and visiting with family in the hospital room.  She was even able to walk all the way down the hall to the lobby on her floor and visit for a few moments there as well.  She was much more her usual self, telling stories and making everyone in the room laugh
+ Her pain was much less severe and much more controlled.
+ Her liver function looked about the same - no drastic changes, which is the best news we could hope for over such a short timeframe

Since you guys were so great to help get those crossed off the list today, I have a few more for you:
+ Ashleigh has a brain MRI scheduled for tomorrow morning.  Obviously the prayer request here is that we don't see any evidence of metastasis
+ The doctors are still worried about her pleural space; we have a procedure scheduled for Thursday to get a permanent catheter installed.  I'm tempted to not even post this one yet since Thursday seems like an eternity away, but just in case I don't get a chance to update between now and then you can be praying that goes well.
+ Her blood counts (e.g. white blood cells, platelets, etc.) were pretty low today from the chemo on Saturday, so she got a platelet infusion.  There will be increased risk of infection over the next several days, so pray that her counts stay high and she doesn't get an infection.
+ We're going to try to get the boys there to see her tomorrow morning, in the hopes that she's as awake tomorrow as she was today.  Pray for sweet time together as a family.

We have a talk about our experience with cancer that we've given a few times now to various groups.  One of the points Ashleigh always tries to make during the talk was how she's learned to enjoy each day as it comes.  She would always say something like:
 I woke up today without pain.  I am able to play with my boys, and am here talking to you.  If I die from cancer, those things won't always be true.  So why would I let the fear of what may happen later steal my ability to enjoy what I have today?
 Even in the midst of being in the hospital with all the uncertainty facing us, Ashleigh had many long moments today where we were able to laugh and enjoy the company of family.

Today was a good day.

24 comments:

  1. Praying for all of those things and more good days..

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  2. Glad to hear about the good day yesterday. Hoping your boys get to come spend some quality time with their mama very soon!

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  3. I'm praying that there are pain-free, clear thoughts and joyous moments ahead. I know Jesus will hold you tight and not let you go during the times ahead. I always think of Todd Burpo explaining about his experience in Heaven (Heaven is for Real) and the joy of talking to Jesus and the angels laughing. Remember when he could see his Dad getting mad at Jesus and his Mom praying? I believe that we will be able to see our little family on earth (this side of the veil) when we are in Heaven. Love survives. Love is all that matters. Moment by moment, sweet Ashleigh. Love you!

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  4. So glad to hear that Ashleigh had a good day. Praying for another good day today and more good days to come (as well as the specific needs listed).

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  5. My thoughts are with you and Ashleigh.

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  6. In another entry, you (Brad) wrote that you don't update much, and that if you updated regularly it would probably only be a few times a year. I just wanted to thank you so much for updating so frequently lately and for keeping all of your family's supporters up to date on how Ashleigh is doing. I pray that the brain MRI goes well and that there are no brain mets. Praying that Thursday's procedure goes well. Praying for increased WBC and no infection. Praying that you all have a wonderful time with your sweet babies. Praying for guidance for the doctors and peace and comfort for your family, and praying for no pain for Ashleigh. You all are so gracious. God bless you guys

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  8. Answered prayer! Hallelujah! Prayers continue and thanks for the list!! So thankful for good days, please hug Ashleigh for me❤️

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  9. Sending love, prayers, and hugs your way! We love you guys!

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  10. I don't know you or your family, but I am touched by your posts, and heartbroken over your struggle. Its amazing to be able to appreciate the small joys you can, and that is something anyone can understand, regardless of faith. Life comes into such sharp focus during times like these. Wishing as many small moments of happiness as possible in the coming days.

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  11. Thank you so much for sharing this! Yay God for blessing you all with a good day! Surely God is enjoying the prayer bombardment He is getting on behalf of sweet Ashleigh!

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  12. Awesome praises!!! Praying for the new info as well as just praying for your stamina and both of your time with your kids! Thanks so much for the update!!

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  13. I admire Ashleigh's wisdom and Christian faith. My thoughts are with your family. Have a good time tomorrow with your lovely little boys.

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  14. Prayers for all your requests today and that Ashleigh has many more good days so that she can spend an enjoy time with you and the boys...Praying for successful procedure Thur and that her liver continues to hold....

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  15. You and your precious wife have touched me like no other..I found your blog because my aunt is at MDA going through treatment for IBC..I am a mom in Dallas with two precious kiddos. I am an addict so addicted to alcohol and an eating disorder. I am going to go into treatment on Monday because of your beautiful wife and for the first time in a long time I am praying. She IS inspiring and helping people, as are you. I completely understand IBC and i so admire your bravery and faith and want that for my family. I'm sorry to sound so self-centered, but yall are heroes and God's voices. I am know praying for you every 15 minutes...I would like to come to your church to pray. Thank you for sharing

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  16. Praises for a GOOD day.
    Michelle Ashby

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  17. Thinking of you all today. Hope the brain MRI went well and that today's pleural space catheter helps too. Please update when you can. hugs xxx

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  18. So many prayers for so many things that have been happening since your last post. Please know you are in my heart and prayers. Anxious for an update. God bless!

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  19. Prayers for you Ashleigh and family. God bless you.

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  20. Ashleigh, I may live on the other side of the world, but your story has touched me very deeply, and your example inspires me to be a better daughter, sister, friend, partner.
    That sparkle you have inside you, your faith and your serenity are truly amazing and humbling.
    I'm sending you and your loving husband Brad lots of love and prayers.

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  21. Any news on the MRI from yesterday?

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  22. Any updates? Sending your family so much love right now. Ashleigh, you are such an inspiration to all of us on how to live life to the fullest.

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  23. Oh the joy to hear of a good day for Ashleigh. Prayers will continue, with emphasis on your special requests and needs. Hoping for a special visit with mommy for those 2 beautiful boys. In God's name, we pray.

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