Amanda Jackson Previous Updates

12-02 through 3-03

Mon., March 31, 2003

Amanda is back home from the hospital after her 4th round of chemo. Although she was quite ill during the treatment, she hasn't gotten sick since Friday. She is feeling great today, but her immune system is very weak. Please pray for protection from infection. Also, she is scheduled to undergo at CT scan on Friday to determine how much the tumor in her abdomen has shrunk as a result of the treatment. Thanks for your ongoing prayers for Amanda & her family!

Tues., March 25, 2003

After enjoying her time at home, Amanda is back at Children's Hospital, starting her fourth round of chemotherapy. Because she now knows what to expect (i.e. the nausea), she is more apprehensive this time (and also concerned about her hair falling out). Please pray that God would give Amanda His abundant peace and strength.

Thurs., March 13, 2003

Amanda is home and feeling better this week. If her platelet level is high enough, she is scheduled to start her 4th round of chemo next week.

A Praise: Last night, Amanda was feeling well enough and had enough of an appetite to sit down and eat a few bites of dinner with the rest of the family. This was a first since the first week in December.

A Prayer Request: Please pray for Mary, who is experiencing vertigo (dizziness), most likely due to the aftereffects of a cold she had a couple of weeks ago.

 Monday, March 10, 2003

Amanda was admitted back into Children's Hospital Sunday evening after having a nose bleed they had difficulty stopping due to her low blood platelet level. She has undergone platelet/hemoglobin transfusions and is feeling better, but it's yet to be determined when they'll release her.

Dave and Mary have shared a specific prayer request concerning Amanda: Although she has remained such a "trooper" throughout her illness, recently has she started sharing (with some tears) that she is tired of being sick. Please pray that God would encourage Amanda in His special way and that he would continue to give her strength and endurance.

Mon., March 3, 2003

Amanda has completed her 3rd round of chemotherapy, and is feeling better today. She will receive another blood transfusion to help keep her red blood cell count up & hopefully be able to return home tomorrow (Tues.).

Following is a timetable of Amanda's upcoming treatment plan:
    - After her 5th round of chemo (mid-April), she will undergo surgery to remove whatever remains of the abdominal tumor.
    - After her 6th round of chemo, she will have one additional very strong round of chemo.
    - She will then have her stem cell transplant (and will be in the hospital for 5-8 weeks)

The family greatly appreciates everyone's encouragement through email messages, cards and notes. (And Mary says that phone calls at home are fine, too!)

Thurs., Feb. 27, 2003

Another big praise regarding Amanda: Results from the body scan showed that there is no additional cancer than was originally found. (This test is not designed to find out if the abdominal tumor has shrunk.)

Amanda started her 3rd round of chemo early Wednesday and is half way through. The doctors are trying to manage her nausea with medication which has caused her to sleep a lot. Although she has had some nausea, it hasn't been as bad as previous treatments. She will have a blood transfusion on Friday to help keep her red blood count up.

Please continue pray for Amanda and Mary while they're at Children's Hospital, and for the rest of the family in Ventura

Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003

We happily report that Amanda is continuing to do well! She had her body scan last Thursday. Her platelet level was too low to begin her 3rd round of chemo treatments last week. However, this allowed her to spend some time at home, where she is continuing to feel well and enjoying being with her family. She is now scheduled to return to the hospital on Tuesday to begin her treatments. Please continue to keep Amanda and her family in your prayers as they await the results of the body scan and prepare for this next round of chemo.

Mon., Feb. 17, 2003

GOOD NEWS! The results of Amanda's bone marrow aspiration (done early today) show that it is still free of cancer! And even after her long day, she is doing great tonight. She still has a big week ahead of her, with a body scan (also to check for any new cancer) Wed. afternoon-Thursday morning, and then starting her 3rd round of chemo Thursday or Friday.

Sunday, 2/16/03

PRAISE: Amanda has been home since Friday and has been feeling very well! She now has a wheelchair, so she has been able to get out for "walks," to watch a sister's basketball game, etc.).

PLEASE PRAY: Amanda has another big week ahead...
    1) Early Monday morning (2/17), she will undergo a bone
        marrow aspiration (from her hips) to test for signs of the
        cancer in her bone marrow, which has been clear so far.
    2) She is scheduled to undergo a body scan procedure
        on Wednesday afternoon/Thursday morning.
    3) She is also scheduled to start her 3rd round of chemo on
        Thursday or Friday. (Due to the drugs used in this round,
        side effects are usually even worse than with the first two).

Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003

Amanda's procedures (replacement of her chest catheter & her stem-cell draw) went smoothly, and she is doing well. She and Mary should return home tomorrow (Friday). Another out-patient procedure is planned for early next week, and Amanda is also scheduled to start her third round of chemo the latter part of next week.

Please continue to pray for Amanda and her family (especially during this time of so many trips back and forth to the hospital), as well as for the wisdom of the team of doctors and nurses caring for Amanda.

Tues., Feb. 11, 2003

Amanda had two platelet transfusions today. Her spirits remain high. If her blood count is at an acceptable level, she will have her chest catheter replaced as well as her stem cell draw done tomorrow (Wednesday).

Friday, Feb. 7th

Amanda developed a fever and was admitted back into Children's Hospital Thursday evening. They are still hoping to replace her catheter and do the stem-cell draw next week.

Please pray for:
- the doctors/nurses as they treat Amanda and prepare for the procedures.
- Amanda's physical & emotional strength.
- the entire family during these "roller coaster" times.

Feb. 5, 2003

Amanda is back at home after her second round of chemotherapy. She is doing well overall. Please continue to pray for protection from infection while she is so vulnerable.

Also, please pray for Amanda and the family as they prepare for two procedures planned for next week (both of which are considered "out-patient" but are still somewhat involved): Replacement of Amanda's current chest catheter with a different type, and a stem-cell draw to be used for her stem-cell transplant at a future point.

A big THANK YOU to the Day School and all of you who participated in the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser held on Jan. 30th. The event raised $3,000 for the Amanda Jackson Trust Fund. Praise God!!!

Thursday, Jan. 30th

Amanda started her second round of chemotherapy on Wednesday. While she continues to have a very good attitude, the physical side effects (mainly nausea/vomitting) kicked in immediately. The treatment should last through Saturday morning, and if all goes as planned, she'll return home early next week.

Please pray...
- For Amanda as she undergoes the treatments, that God would comfort her.
- For Mary, as she's by Amanda's side at the hospital.
- For Dave, Emily, Megan & Melissa, busy in Ventura. (Emily is getting over the flu -- please pray that the rest of the family would stay healthy.)

Thurs., Jan. 23, 2003

Amanda was able to come home yesterday afternoon! She is feeling much better, and is quite spunky today! Please continue to pray that she would be protected from infection. If so, she will be home until she starts her second round of chemo treatment next Wednesday.

Thank you!

Heather Burris

Tues., Jan. 21, 2003

Amanda is still at Children's Hospital, receiving antibiotics. She is feeling much better -- her fever is down & she's less nauseated. It's yet to be determined how long she will be hospitalized. Mary is staying with her. Dave and the other girls were able to visit them on Monday.

Sat., Jan. 18th, 2003

Amanda developed a fever Friday evening and was readmitted to Children's Hospital early this morning. She is receiving antibiotics through her IV, and will be there at least through Monday. She has also been very nauseated the past few days. :(

Please continue to pray Amanda, her parents, sisters & grandmothers, especially for their physical and emotional stamina after a "roller-coaster week."

In Him,

Heather

Wed., Jan. 15, 2003

Yea, Amanda is home! (Hopefully for a few weeks, until her next round of treatments.) This is a big PRAISE! But this phase is not without challenges. Please pray specifically that:
- Amanda would stay healthy so she doesn't have to be readmitted to Children's before her next treatments (her immune system is very vulnerable right now).
- That the family would be able to adjust to having Mary and Amanda home, but things being very different.
- That Mary especially would be able to carry the burden and responsibility of being Amanda's primary caregiver (administering meds through her IV, giving her shots, being up at night, etc.)

Thank you!

Heather

P.S. While the Jacksons greatly appreciate everyone's support and concern, they need to request "no visitors" since Amanda is so susceptible to viruses, etc. right now.

1-13-03

Monday Evening, Jan. 13th - Amanda wasn't able to come home today as hoped. She's doing well but needed to complete a blood transfusion this afternoon. So, they're hoping to make it home Tuesday! I'll provide another update when she's home (hopefully tomorrow evening) and let you know how you can pray specifically for Amanda and her family during this time.

Heather

Wed., Jan. 8, 2003
Today is Day 2 of Amanda's 1st round of treatment. She was sick throughout last night (Tues.), but was feeling better today. On a positive note: Today, when the Therapy Dogs came to visit, Amanda (who is usually not crazy about dogs) really responded to her four-legged visitor and even let the dog get up on her bed with her!

This round of treatment will go through Friday. It is still uncertain exactly when Amanda will be able to come home.

Specific prayer requests:
- That Amanda's sickness from the treatment would subside, and that she and Mary can get rest
- For Mary, as she takes classes at the hospital to learn the various medical procedures she'll need to know in order to care for Amanda when she is at home between treatments.

Thanks for your continued prayers!

Heather

1-6-03

Just another quick update -- Terri Thompson spoke w/ Mary tonight. Amanda wasn't able to start her chemotherapy treatment today as hoped (a few more tests had to be conducted). But the doctors have given the full "go-ahead" for the treatments to start tomorrow. When I talked to Mary earlier today, she again asked me to convey how much they appreciate everyone's concern and support.

Heather

1-4-03 PM

Just a brief update...We talked with Dave this evening, and Amanda is settled in at Children's Hospital. They are hoping that she'll be able to start her chemo on Monday. They also requested specific prayer that Amanda be selected to receive additional antibody treatment (as part of a clinical study, in the near future).

Heather

1-3-03

Hello Everyone --

We received a message from Mary on our answering machine this evening, with an update re: Amanda's move. They will be transferring her to Children's Hospital (also in L.A.) Saturday or Sunday, hopefully starting chemo on Monday.

The Jacksons appreciate all the thoughtful messages sent via Amanda's web site.

We'll keep you informed as we get additional updates so that you can continue to uplift the family in prayer.

In Him,

Heather Burris

1-1-2003

New Year Greetings to All --

Just wanted to let you know that Amanda hasn't started her treatments yet. Mary called this morning to let us know that she & Dave will be meeting with doctors at Children's Hospital tomorrow (Thurs., 2:00 p.m.) to talk about moving Amanda there for her treatments & involvement in a clinical trial. Please be praying for their meeting & the decisions that need to be made.

Amanda had a good day yesterday but some pain & nausea overnight. Dave & the other girls were going down to visit today.

There is now an "Amanda" web site (thank you, Dan and Janet Whelan!). The address is: http://fbcamanda.tripod.com

The site currently includes updates and a way for you to leave messages for Amanda and the family. We will be updating it with additional information. For the time, we will continue to send out these email updates as well.

Thank you!

Heather Burris

Here's another update on Amanda ( 12-30-02 PM)

Doctors have officially diagnosed Amanda's cancer as neuroblastoma (stage 4). She has a large tumor in her abdomen (not "on her liver" as previously thought). Cancer has been detected in her neck lymph nodes, but not in her bone marrow. Plans are to start aggressive chemo treatment Tues. or Wed. to shrink the tumor (with plans to remove it in the future). The doctors also plan to harvest some of Amanda's bone marrow for future use.

Some specific prayer requests & praises:

Please pray that:
- chemo treatment would be successful in shrinking the tumor
- Amanda would tolerate the chemo without too much discomfort
- the rest of the family would experience continued emotional & spiritual fortitude
- that God would use the Jacksons to minister to others in the midst of their situation

Praise God that:
- Dave & Mary really are feeling God sustaining them through this
- that Amanda did well over the weekend and her spirits remain very good

Thank you, everyone, for your desire to serve the Jacksons in practical ways. We have meals covered for this week, and I will start calling down the list for the weeks to come. We are in the process of setting up some other areas of assistance and will have more information as it becomes available.

In Him,

Brian & Heather Burris
Mark & Terri Thompson