Cancer-FREE

Cancer-FREE

Monday, June 14, 2010

The Bone Marrow Extraction = Success!

I feel like this may be a P.S. to my early morning blog, but so many things happen that I feel MUST be shared. As you know, Gideon told me about the "fishies" that were hurting him. After I posted my blog, his new nurse came in. Gideon said, "Look, mommy! Nice fishies!" The nurse had scrubs on with happy fish all over them and heart bubbles. As if that wasn't enough of a connection, we went into the "garage" to get more blood-work done before the sedation, and Gideon's IV worked beautifully (no additional pokes needed). When they cleaned out the IV line before reconnecting, they flushed it full of something to clean it out. Gideon asked if those were the good fishies to take away the bad fishies.

We were ushered into the Sedation Room and Bone Marrow extraction room, and I told Dr. Lobel (Gideon's main man) about the angel, the sharks, the bad fishies, the good fishies...all of it. It was such a comfort to my soul. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "Do you want to see the acronym for one of the tests?" He lowered his clipboard and pointed. There in black and white was the word "FISH." Is there any doubt that we are not surrounded by God? None. This moment made me feel a surge of strength and as medication after medication was zapped into Gideon's IV and he began to drift off, I knew everything would be okay.

...and it was! They needed to get two samples in order to have enough, but at least he won't have to go under for this procedure again. As Gideon began waking up, the first thing out of his mouth was a song. No "Hi, Mommy." He fluttered his eyelids and in full voice began to sing, "Somewhere...over the rainbow! Way up high!" (This is one of our nigh-night songs that I have forced Gideon to sing for me as my ability to sing them has not been very strong). Talk about sweetness.

Gideon is napping now after a long day of visiting and an EKG (when he was hooked up to all the wires he said in his best robotic voice, "I. Am. A. Robot!"

THANK YOU for the prayers, everyone. Please know that we FEEL them. We can tangibly FEEL them working.

Brody and I had a chance to go play outside and take a walk. He made a couple of wishes at the wishing well... He didn't see my tears as he wished, only smiles. He wished his daddy could get a motorcycle and then he wished Gideon would be all better. He whispered them, but I heard. I'm sure he was heard by Someone else, as well. Brody's birthday is tomorrow and his birthday party with a few friends is Wednesday. We are trying to make it as SPECIAL as we can. He is really, really struggling. He may be taking this present situation the worst out of all of us. Please think of him on his special day. We adore him, as well. I want him to FEEL that the way I FEEL your prayers.

15 comments:

  1. Hey from VA! Auntie Mary told us about Gideon and your situation. Glad to hear that the Bone Marrow Extraction went successful! Gideon and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  2. i'm totally speechless and teary. God and his angels are truly working, and we will keep the prayers coming! we'll be praying for brody, too. what sweet little boys you have. i hope i get the privilege of meeting them one of these days. lots of love and hugs to you.

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  3. Hey there,
    What a sweetheart! Through all the tears, I must admit that I smiled as I pictured Gideon singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow. That should not have surprised me! A true bit of his mom shining through :) I'm checking in on you daily and praying for you all throughout the day. Please know that I'm available anytime!
    Lots of love,
    Katie

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  4. We are so glad that everything went okay today, keep us posted on the results. God is with you and your family is loving and strong. Hang in there and let us know if there is still anything we can do.

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  5. We are praying for little Gideon. It is great to feel how God is making his presence known to you in so many ways. Thank you for sharing with us. We are also praying for you, Tom and Brody as I am sure you will need lots of strengths in the days to come.

    Teri Connors (Chuck, Megan and Ashley too)

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  6. Amanda,
    I heard about your son thru our mutual friend Carrie Leonard. My daughter was in Mrs. A's class this year and I met you during the school year. Please know that my family will be praying for your family faithfully.
    Love,
    Gretchen DeVisser

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  7. Amanda, my thoughts are never far from your little family. I have prayed constantly today for Gideon. I want to share a post I wrote shortly after my diagnosis. I hope it brings you hope. I am praying that God will "drive" out the cancer in Gideon like He did mine. I would envision the hornets attacking the cancer in my body! Fix your eyes on Hope! I know the waiting is hard!
    http://clergygirl.wordpress.com/2008/03/12/go-hornets-deuteronomy-7/

    Love you guys!

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  8. Amanda, I don't know you nor anything about you except what I have read on this blog, which I connected to through a friend of yours who is a friend of one of my friends. How convoluted is that!

    I am praying for Gideon. You have entered a mission field, a place where people need to see Jesus lived out and I believe your warrior child will be a witness for Christ in a very scary place. As will you. God has called his people to be a voice for Christ in the darkness and some of us must go into the hospitals and, through suffering, identify and speak peace into the lives of others in those places. I will be praying for all of you as you are that witness. I am praying specifically for healing for Gideon and strength for all of you! God bless you! ~Kathie

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  9. I too am like Kathie... I don't know you, but am a friend of a friend of yours of facebook. It is amazing how God uses things like the internet! I am praying for you and your family. I pray God will heal Giddeon, and walk with you and comfort you on this journey.

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  10. Dear Amanda, Gideon, and family,
    I am a friend of Carrie Leonard's, who shared your story with me. Please know that I am praying fervently for you all. God will show you so much about himself through all of this. He is the Lord, the Great Physician, the Comforter, the Healer, and the Prince of Peace. I will be praying for daily practical needs to be met as well as for you to enjoy each precious moment together. Thinking of your other son today as you celebrate his birthday... Thank God for every little moment. With much love and heartfelt prayers ~ Cheryl

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  11. Dear Tom, Amanda, Brody and Gideon,
    My heart breaks to hear what Gideon is going through now. My family will be in prayer for strength and comfort. I grew up with Tom and Sarah at Hope Reformed church. God can work a miracle through this...I know because my nephew Dustan is one of those miracles. We will be praying for healing.
    Love,
    Kim Morrell

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  12. Amanda,

    PRAISE GOD - What wonderful news! I am praying for you guys. I told your story to my husband last night and it brought him to tears, as so many others. I sat watching my children sleep last night - thanking God for them and praying for yours. I pray that Brody has an awesome birthday today, what a gift from God he is. I will hold him in my prayers as well that he feels Jesus with him every minute of the day and feels HIS arms around him.
    Love,
    Stacy Cane Ritter

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  13. Tom and Amanda,
    Wow, it sounds like your faith is strong and your positive attitude will carry you through this trial. Remember that you are not alone in this and if you ever want to talk to another "cancer mom/dad" Jason and I would love to talk to you. Dr. Lobel is also Dustans doctor and we have trusted him with our sons life for the last 10 years! Our family will be praying for complete healing and remission for Gideon and we know that God answers prayers, we have a miracle boy, 3 time cancer survivor living in our house!
    Jason and Karey Colyer
    www.dustancolyer.blogspot.com

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  14. Thank you sharing with us, Amanda. It sounds as if your lil' troopers are facing this situation with grace and love. We're here with you every step of the way.

    Scott Masson

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  15. I am so touched by this situation. I am friend's of the Devries and found out through them. I have been praying so much for your precious Gideon...believing God can do ANYTHING. I pray tonight for God to gather Gideon in his arms and to hold him and never let him go. He is God's child and God will be with Gideon every step. Much much love and many blessings to all of you!!

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