Infection

Sharon is battling a infection in her blood.

A serious infection.

Sharon is being heavily dosed with an antibiotic to help fight off the infection found in several blood cultures taken since last Tuesday. We should know the result of today's culture in a couple of days.

While she doesn't show multiple outward signs of an infection the medical staff is concerned that the infection may be connected to her Port. If this is the case her Port would need to be surgically removed and all medications would be administered through a traditional IV.

If you know how 'nice' a port is you'd understand that losing the port is less than ideal. It would make life even more difficult for Sharon.

Please pray: (also, notice the right sidebar with listed prayer needs)

• for ultimate healing of the infection
  
• the culture comes back negative - that it is not in her port site and she can keep it
  
• for general strength and healing

In His Grip,

Angela
(Sharon's daughter)

What its like

Here's a glimpse of what its like for Sharon right now.

It's like...

• being in a cage
  
• every minute counts when your in the hospital. Four weeks down and counting
• looking out the window and seeing blue skies and rooftops (not rooftop gardens!)
• having Chemo, realizing the leukemia's are resistant and then going back for more chemo
  
• having your white blood cell count down to nothing for days on end
• struggling with a wound that won't heal because there's no white blood cells to heal it

It's like...

• withstanding intense pain for many many days
• pain that completely debilitates you
  
• being sick and being tired of being sick
  
• getting smiles, hugs and many drugs from the nurses
• getting a homemade European pudding dessert delivered by a nurse
• unrest-full sleep
  
• waking up from the in-room intercom that's impossible to turn off
  

It's like...

• getting platelet transfusions every three days
  
• getting hemoglobin transfusions every few days or when needed
• overcoming back pain
• having loved ones sit at your bedside
  
• having a staff or visitor enter the room wearing a protective mask - watching your visitor suffer with beads of sweat forming on their forehead from the vapor of the mask
• staring at the pictures on the wall hoping to get out of here so that you can be with them

It's like...

• fighting with everything that you have to get up, to go to the bathroom, to take a shower, to get dressed, to function
• shedding tears over the health crisis
  
• being interrupted a thousand times a day by a hospital staff
• being blessed a thousand times a day by the nursing staff
• having the nutritionist bring you a box of Go Lean Kashi cereal
  

It's like...

• passing out from the aroma wafting from the tray that holds your dinner for the night
• not being allowed to eat any raw produce
• Choking down the same foods each day
• sitting in two places only -the bed or in the uneasy chair
• listening to music, watching TV with a static-y volume or reading bits at a time
• being hooked up to 'Shadow' (IV station) unable to walk freely
• getting all hot and bothered by the infectious Dr. - an Italian Stallion

There's more but this is a glimpse of what its like.

Remission Denied

My mom received the results of the bone marrow biopsy yesterday afternoon.

Remission was denied. She is not in remission.

The chemo did slow the leukemic cells however 5% leukemic cells remain.

While that sounds like good news (which it partly is) 5% wouldn't be much different than a higher percentage because the rate of multiplication is extremely rapid. This rapid metastasizing is due in part to her fighting two types of Leukemia (AML & ALL).

Dr. V is recommending further chemotherapy starting today. He strongly urged Sharon to accept the chemo now as waiting is not in her best interest.

If Sharon does not get these chemo drugs today her time here would be very short - possibly only weeks.

The hope is that this chemo will shock her system and get rid of the 5% of remaining leukemic cells.

Dr. V estimates that Sharon will be in the hospital another 2 weeks. She was admitted 3 weeks ago today. Please pray that her time will pass quickly as she truly loathes being in that tiny room.

As you can probably imagine my Mom was extremely downhearted yesterday. As are all of our family. This disease is absolutely devastating.

Please, keep praying for my Mom and check the blogs for up-dates.
www.strengthofmysoul.blogspot.com
www.thekintnerclan.blogspot.com

In His Grip,

Angela
(Sharon's daughter)

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Sharon has a Bone Marrow Biopsy scheduled at 2:30pm on Friday, February 12th.

A bone marrow biopsy is a test frequently done for patients with blood disorders. Sharon's doctor will insert a long needle in to the back of the pelvic bone to remove bone and fluid and cells from inside the bone (bone marrow).

The result of this test will confirm if the chemotherapy has put her disease back in to remission.

Please join us in praying for:

• Dr. V as he performs the biopsy - that he will get good samples for the lab to test
  
• Sharon, that she will not over-bleed during the procedure. No pain following the biopsy.
  
• A miracle result come Tuesday. Remission!
• for Sharon to be released from the hospital soon

Letters of Love

Let's shower Sharon with letters of love in light of Valentine's week.

You can send your words of love and encouragement to:

Arrowhead Hospital
Sharon Hurley
18701 N. 67th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308

It will be Lovely!

ParTay

Sharon (aka Mom, Nun, Nana)'s fifth day in the hospital was not ordinary.

We threw a ParTay!(Angie & Brian hugging Mom)

Just prior to Sharon being confined to her tiny room she was able to step outside the hospital doors and spend some precious time with those who are closest to her heart.

(Nana and her grandson: Kyle Scott)(Nana and Patty doting over Kyle)

(Angie, Melanie, Lorna, Patty, Sharon)

(Angela and baby Kyle, aka smiley guy)

(Angie and her Mom)

(the Nun with her son Brian)

A ParTay to remember!

Making Progress

Sharon is making progress.

Today is 'day 5' of her chemo and is the last day of this cycle. Side effects have been minimal considering the aggressiveness of the drug. The number of white blood cells have dropped rapidly the past four days. This is a positive indicator that the drug is doing its job. Amen!

Please pray specifically for:

• nausea and vomiting
• back pain (a side effect she has had in the past) partly bed related, mostly drug related
• peace and lack of anxiety
• the hours to quickly pass. Sharon dislikes the hospital greatly
• God's story to be bigger than the medical story

To God be the glory,

Angela
(Sharon's daughter)