Iva has been feeling well, but the heat doesn't agree with her. We went to Kemah, which is a boardwalk on the water where you can sit at a restaurant and watch boats float by from their covered patios, or you can sit by a large water fountain where children play in the water, and really awful (sometimes) cover bands try to recreate the magic of CCR and other 70s rock bands. It was too hot for her, as you can see by her expression in the first photo. Even though we were in the shade, she was miserable.
Today we went to the doctor for blood work and they found (as expected) that she is anemic and her white blood cells are too low. So she got 2 injections of medications to help stimulate both red and white blood cell production. This is all very science fiction-esque. The fact that she even has the option to receive these medications makes her move here to the US such a blessing. The only drawback, is that today cost more than a day of chemotherapy. Her chemo has been costing us about $1500 a day, on average. Today, with labs and the 2 shots only, it cost $2000. The moral of the story: science fiction costs a lot.
But the silver lining: I hear her in the other room playing with my daughters and it is the most amazing sounds in the world. I have goosebumps from the overwhelming sense of joy. My oldest daughter, Milena, has especially developed a bond with Iva. She wants nothing more than to be sitting in teta Iva's lap, being kissed and hugged, and experiencing nothing short of pure bliss.
Thank-you everyone for your donations and prayers that continue to make this all possible. You are the reason she can have this life, this time, this hot bliss!
Please tell Iva the heat doesn't agree with me, either, and I would have been miserable at Kemah, too! =^_^= I've been there in the fall, and it's still too darned hot...but then, that's life on the Texas Gulf Coast.
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray for all of you. What a wonderful thing that Milena is able to enjoy Iva's company, and that Iva can share her beautiful smile with all of you. I can't wait to meet her.
Sue.
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteCould you please make sure she eats broccoli every day? Please. It is proven to beat cancer.
Broccoli really upsets her stomach. She isn't able to eat it. :(
ReplyDeleteEj...dozvoleno li e na makedonski da se komentira?
ReplyDeleteAko ne,eve sepak na English:
I bumped into your blog and story today...and here is what I as a total stranger want to share with you:
First off,I dont know why problems like this come into our lives,but I do know from personal experience that God works for our end benefit(krajno dobro).At the moment it does look terrible but in a while often I`ve seen that things turn out good.She is still alive atleast.
Second,what if there was a cure for that rare cancer,at what stake or trouble would you be willing to go to find it and apply it?
How high would you be willing to pay?
Well I have wonderfull news for you!!
There is a cure which might work for you...its allmoast free and you cant get any sidefects...but it will take some time and effort on your side.
In 1999 some guy called Jerry Brunetti was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and given 6 months to live. He did not submit to chemotherapy, but rather, developed his own unique dietary approach to enhance his immune system. And guess what?...He might still be alive!I cant get a contact,but the latest info on the web about him is dated last year-2008.
Did you get that?
THE CURE MIGHT BE AS CHEAP AS THE FOOD THAT YOU BUY!!
Watch his personal experience and his recipe for healthy living on
http://www.nuganics.com.au/2007/07/06/jerry-brunetti-food-as-medicine/
And guess why the theatments for cancer still include chemoterapy?
IT`S BIG BUSINESS FOR THE CANCER"FIGHTING" PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES
I`m studying about food at the faculty here in Skopje and can confirm that he is telling the truth about its effects.
The documentary that Jerry mentiones on Nova PBS can be found here http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cancer/program.html
WATCH IT ALSO!!!
Also,a good start for more info is
http://www.lef.org/protocols/
And lastly there is only one remark that I have about him...he mentiones using cows milk,amd he might be right about the other compounds,but:
"...Something that you might also consider, is that cow milk is designed to grow cows, and to grow them quickly. There is a hormone in cow milk that triggers rapid growth, and rapid maturity. This hormone is biologically IDENTICAL to the human hormone that regulates growth...http://colleenpatrickgoudreau.greenoptions.com/2007/07/19/cows-milk-a-substitute-for-human-milk/"
So you might be carefull about that,or use goats milk.
NOW DONT BE LAZY,AND WATCH THE VIDEOS...AND IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGLISH GET SOMEONE WHO HAS STUDIED MEDICINE AND CAN TRANSLATE TO YOU.
All the best for Iva...now its up to you.
Well, I wanted to let you know that we've sold the first two sets of "Iva's Beads." Rachel and I made these beads from polymer clay, and Rachel made the necklaces and earrings. My sister bought a set for herself and for her daughter.
ReplyDeleteThey're going out in the mail today; we should have the money by the end of the week. Just thought you'd want to know.
Sue.