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Amanda Jackson Previous Updates |
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Sat., Nov. 19, 2005
Amanda has been
readmitted to CHLA with a fever. Mary is with her. At
this point, they're still waiting to find out whether
the fever is due to an actual infection or just a side
effect of the chemo. They will remain there until at
least Monday. Amanda's blood count was low, so they have
given her platelets Mary said that Amanda is tired but
continues to have a great attitude. Understandably,
being back at the hospital is very hard on Mary. Please
keep the Jacksons in your thoughts and know that every
phone call, card, and prayer is appreciated.
Thanks,
Heather Burris
Wed.,
Nov. 16, 2005
Yea! They're home! The
doctors felt like Amanda was doing better and sent her
home this afternoon where she'll continue
antibiotic treatment. Thanks for your prayers!
Heather Burris
Nov. 15, 2005
I received the following from
Mary this afternoon. What an amazing lady! With her
permission, I'm passing it along to you all as an update.
After Mary emailed this, she found out that they
will have to stay in the hospital for a few more days, but
they're still hoping (and praying) they'll be home by the
end of the week. -- Heather
We are "circling
the airport" as I like to call it. We woke up
at 7 am this morning to 7 doctors surrounding Amanda's
bed. They came to the conclusion that her
infection is definitely better, and I'm glad because
another surgery is not the best thing. Now they've
called in the infectious disease team to consult and make
a decision as to what to do with her now. Who knows?
We may even go home soon, but maybe not. You have to
be flexible.
She did very well with
the chemo that was used. They plan on starting
another round the last week of November, if her blood
counts recover as planned. Then they'll scan and see
whether or not it is working. Our prayer is that
it will be working and shrinking the large tumor in her
chest. Some have asked me what will they do,
assuming it shrinks. Her doctor told me the plan
would then be to use radiation, not surgery.
I feel like I'm in some
sort of time warp. Being back here at CHLA and
seeing so many familiar faces (older, yet familiar).
Everyone is "glad" to see us. They are as
heartbroken as we are and yet here they are ready to help
us in this next phase. I don't know how they do this
day in and day out. It is also hard to see kids that
we've known along the way. One of our first
roommates (same diagnosis) is getting ready to go home on
hospice. The neuroblastoma came back everywhere in
his little body. His parents told me they are
waiting for God's will.
We just want to thank
all of you for walking this road with us. We feel
your prayers for the peace of heart that we have.
And all of the practical ways you are showing your love
overwhelm us. Please continue to pray for Amanda.
We want her healed, but more than that we don't want
her to suffer. Her spirit is strong and so accepting
for whatever comes.
We made a "Give
Thanks" wall yesterday in our room. I cut out
fall leaves and we wrote what we're thankful for.
Amanda's top choices were: Jesus, faithfulness and food
(namely turkey). Mine were God's word, family,
friends and coffee. There were many others, plus I
wrote down some verses having to do with thankfulness.
It was a fun activity, as well as a reminder to be
thankful, even in these difficult times in life.
Jesus promises to never leave us or forsake us, and
believe me, I'm hanging on to that.
Love and thanks,
Mary
Sat., Nov.12, 2005
Amanda has a staph
infection, which means she will need to be isolated at the
hospital, and they won't be able to come home Monday. The
doctors are treating the infection with antibiotics, but at
this point Mary doesn't know how long the hospital stay will
be extended. Fortunately, Amanda isn't feeling poorly and
continues to have an awesome attitude.
Please pray that the
infection would clear quickly. In the meantime, pray for
Amanda and Mary as Amanda is confined to her room, and for the
rest of the family facing the disappointment of knowing that
Mary and Amanda won't be home as soon as hoped.
Thank you,
Heather Burris
Wed., Nov. 11, 2005
This afternoon, Mary called
from the hospital (Children's Hospital, Los Angeles) where
Amanda was resting in her bed and enjoying watching a
family video on the TV/VCR. Amanda's surgery lasted about one
hour this morning. The surgeon removed the spot near her
collarbone, which is being biopsied, and installed the port (to
be used for the chemo treatment which was supposed to start
tonight).
Please pray for Amanda and
Mary during this hospital stay (through Monday) and for Dave,
Emily, Megan & Melissa at home in Ventura. Pray that the
days would go by quickly and that God would supply each of their
needs.
Thank you,
Heather
11-1-2005 To all of Amanda Jackson's "Fans" -- Following is a message from Mary. We'll continue to keep you updated as we did before. -- Brian & Heather Burris
I don't know how to begin,
but to just tell you that Amanda's cancer is back. We got
the news this afternoon and are coming to grips with the relapse.
She has had a cough for a few weeks and we just thought she had
what every other kid has had lately. But the scans revealed
she has a tumor (about the size of a baseball) in her chest, which
is partially blocking the air into her left lung, and is
causing a partial collapse of her lung. She also has a
small spot on her lymph node just above her right collarbone.
The plan is to go to CHLA on
Thursday at 1:30 pm for a consultation with a surgeon regarding
the biopsy of the spot on her neck and the placement of a catheter
(for blood draws and meds). The actual operation will
probably be next week, I think. Then the plan will be to do
an out-patient treatment of a chemo called "topotecan",
which will be a 5-day course every 3-4 weeks. After the
first two courses, they will re-do the scans to see if it is
effective.
Please pray along with us as
we walk through this. Right now we are pretty much
heart-broken. Relapsed neuroblastoma is very hard to treat,
although her doctor said we should not
give up hope. We could see her get to remission again.
But, the fact remains that this is not good and it will be a
battle. Amanda's attitude is amazing. In the
doctor's office I was crying and she put her arm around me and
said, "Don't worry Mom. I'll be with you."
It is wonderful to know that
God is in control. We praise Him for what He has done, and
yet to do in Amanda's life and we will bless His name no
matter what. I'll let you know what is happening.
Mary Jackson
February
17 2005
Hi
to all of Amanda Jackson's faithful fans!
Mary
just called to let me know that Amanda's 3-month check-up went
great, and she continues to be cancer-free!
In
Him,
Heather
Burris
May
26, 2004 (a momentous day!)
Thurs.,
April 29, 2004
Wed.,
April 14, 2004
Dave
and Mary met with Amanda's doctor today for the results of her
tests and received "guarded good news." Amanda's
cancer has not spread. Huge praise!!! However, there is a
small spot at the site where the original tumor was. At this
point, the doctor says it could be neuroblastoma cancer cells,
but it could also be developing nerve cells as a result of the
antibody treatment. Another scan in six weeks should be more
conclusive, so they are back home until then.
As
always, Amanda was a great patient throughout the last couple
days of testing. She and her family had a great getaway to the
Bay Area on their Make-A-Wish Trip over spring break. She woke
up last Saturday with a mild cold, but her system was able to
fight it without infection and she just has a cough now.
Thanks
for your continued prayers for the Jackson family!
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