Welcome to my blog! I want to use this blog to help communicate to family and friends about my journey with Non-Hodgkin Lympoma. For those of you who haven’t heard, I have been diagnosed with NHL. Early in January I discoverd a lump in my belly, real close to my belly button. I went to my doctor and we monitored it for a week or so because we thought maybe it was just general tummy problems. Well it wasn’t. So Dr. Jerome quickly scheduled a CT Scan and on Valentines day we met with our surgeon, Dr. Casset. The following Monday, 2/18 I was in the hospital getting a fist sized mass removed from my belly. I was in the hospital unitl Thursday of that week. Tuesday the 26th we met again with Dr. Casset to discuss the lab results. The results confirmed NHL. We then met with Dr. Sjak-Shie with The Center for Cancer Care and Research www.tcccr.com and discussed our next steps.
Next Thursday and Friday we really begin the process as I get a PET Scan, CT Scans of neck, chest and pelvic, Heart test and Bone Marrow Test. These test will help Dr. Sjak-Shie stage the disease and determine the regiment for getting rid of the cancer.
We have been very blessed with having the great support of family, church family, great friends and great doctors with awesome staff.
Tom and I know that God is in control and we are trusting and depending on Him during this season of the Journey!
Hi Amy,
Just found your blog site. It is cool. I hope I’m doing this right. I love the background.
Love, Mom
Hi Mom,
Love you too! Tom and I are working on it. Talk to you soon.
Love you guys.
Amy
Hi Amy
Just wanted to tell you I love you more than ice cream.
Tom
Well… I am glad that your wife comes before food. However, This is going to be a good site for everyone..
Hebrews 6:19 talks about a hope that we have as an anchor for our soul. A hope that both is sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.
Keep it up. I will be prayin for you Amy………. and Tom
Love
Chuck
Hi Amy,
This is a neat blog! To be honest, I didn’t know what to say after I found out last week. I have praying for you every day. You will beat this, and God will make it happen. I know we have no control over the things life puts in front of us, but God’s will can be an amazing thing. My church group that meets Tuesday is praying for you, and my church is as well. I will be checking in.
Darren
Hi Ames,
You are going to pull through this because you are not alone, you have Jesus and all the rest of us praying for you.
I just wanted to thank you and Tom for taking the time to spend the time with little ole (get it) me celebrating my birthday at a time like this. Especially Tom sacrificing a nap.
Love you lots but it’s probably a tie with the ice cream,
Vickie
Amy:
This is great!!!
Only once in awhile I will have to call just to hear your cheery little voice.
God will be with you during this time.
We Love You
James and Stella
Amy,
I just wanted to let you know that we will be praying for you and your family as you go through this. We are here for support and if we can do anything to help out, let us know. Since we are just down the street we can help with the kids if you need us to. Thanks for taking the time to use this blog, I think it will be a great way for you to keep people informed.
God Bless,
Duane
Amy-
You and Tom are on our prayer list at Bem Church; we are all praying for you, and know that God will give you the strength you both need to go through this. Don’t forget to draw your strength from God, and notice God speaking to you in all the little details of life every day!
-Pastor Rick Oberle, Bem Church
Hi Amy!
What a wonderful way to keep in touch with you through your journey! I continue to pray for you, Tom and the kiddos and will continue to check in for updates. As we know, God is in control and our faith is strong. He brings you to it…and He will bring you through it!
Blessings and DeColores, my friend!
Cathy
Dear Amy,
We have never met yet…I will look forward to seeing you at Tom’s graduation from Rockbridge in October this year. May you both be blessed beyond measure. Please know our staff will be lifting you and Tom in our prayers.
Linda LaRussa
Hi Amy,
Your Mom just sent the address for your blog. This is pretty high tech stuff for a meagre English teacher! I’ve been, as you know, on a similar journey. The trip is the pits, but the results will be good! Sounds like you have many warriors standing in the gap for you. I put your name on our church prayer list; there are a lot of people who remember you!
Love, Marilyn
Amy,
I don’t know if you remember me, but your Mom and I have been very good friends for a long time. I remember you bouncing into the office at the MS when you were in high school letting your Mom know what you were up to after school! Many prayers are being sent your way from your home town, mine included. With all these folks on your side as well as your docs and your Lord, you will be well looked after. Keep the faith. God bless you and your family.
Mary
Hello Amy:
I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside of Tom as one of his seminary professors. I’m so sorry to know about the very serious health challenges you face. As you and Tom walk this journey together, may God wrap you close and hug you often as only He can do.
Sam
Hey Amy:
Just wanted to say hi and to let you know that Scott and I are praying for you, Tom and the kids. When you get a chance read Jeremiah 30:17. I also want to thank you and Tom for helping Kyla with our mom’s suprise birthday party!
In Christ
Tina
“Sometimes I go about pitying myself
And all the while
I am being carried across the sky
By beautiful clouds.”
-Ojibway Indian Expression-
Dear Amy, Your Mom wrote me about your courage and, I see by your statement, the strength of your courage. The best medicine is laughter and love- and you seem to have a lot of that. May I add my prayers and encouragement from across the “big puddle”? I look forward to reading of your progress to wellness. cousin Michael (Portugal)
Amy-
You are so loved! This is a wonderful site. I’ll be checking it frequently to get updates – and to see how many other people love you as much as I do!!!
Deb
Hey Amy – When I mentioned on Saturday that I had been reading blogs about people who had been through NHL I had no idea that you were on track with getting one going. God is Good! And always at work around us. May you find this a journey. We are all praying for you. Your friend Linda
Amy,
Our Sunday School Class is praying for you along with my Ladies Bible Study group on Tuesday nights!
)
This verse comes to mind…it has been close to my heart for many years: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1&2
Stay strong…He is your ROCK…and your FORTRESS!
)
Love, Chrissy Adams
Hey! I thought I shold wirte and say hey. You know I am here for you whenever you need me.
Hey mama, Donna! Great to see you Bogging. You are so hip!
Talk to you later Amy.
Much love,
Lena
Tom and Amy,
Our 29-year old daughter discovered last August that she had breast cancer. She’s been through one surgery and now more than halfway through her chemo. She will then undergo several more surgeries. There is no such request as “just pray.” We know prayer is not our last resort, but our first response. Our staff has been praying for you and will continue each week.
Our daugther’s blog is: http://www.mattandmelinda.net.
Hey Amy & Tom,
You’ve done a great job on this blog – just letting you know that the Troyer clan is praying now too, which amounts to a lot of prayer!
“I’ve never heard anyone say the really deep lessons of life have come in times of ease and comfort. But, I have heard many saints say every significant advance I’ve ever made in grasping in the depth of God’s love and growing deep with Him, have come through suffering.” John Piper
Much love to you guys –
your sis,
Diane
Amy,
Just wanted to let you know that our college/career group here is Springfield is praying for you! I’m so glad you are blogging
) it will be a wonderful way to keep us updated on your progress. I’ll be home March 20-30 for Spring Break. If you and Tom want a day for the two of you, let me know…I’ll be more then happy to take your kids for a while!
Love you,
Jenny
Amy
I think this is so cool. Too bad Tom put it together, well I guess we will give him credit for once. Tom I love you like a bro. Anyways, thinking of you and and what I am going to eat for supper! Ha Ha!
Love ya bunches!
By the way sweet picture!
Hi aunt Amy
how are you?
I’m looking forward to seeing over spring break.
I hope that I can spend some time with you.
Your niece Melissa
P.S. tell Katie and Ian I said Hi!
hey how’s it goin? I look forward to seeing you at spring break!! I haven’t been over there in Missouri for a long time!!! haha
Hi Amy,
Larry and I are praying for you and hope that things go well for you. We are thinking of you, Tom and the kids. God is so awesome and I know that he is in control. Please let us know if we can do anything for you and the family. God Bless!
Larry and Lesley Boettcher
Amy,
I was nice to chat with you today……and this blog is a great way to keep people informed. Kurt and I are praying for you daily….for your physical and mental health , for your family, and for the many people that you are going to touch and bless with your story. You are truly an amazing person!
Carol
Hi Katie and Ian!…….Tom too!
Hey amy,
You have been such a help to me in my life. I miss back when you, tom and me and mike used to hang out and play spades. You have always been there when I needed mom advice, when I needed to hear a calming voice, when I had no idea what to do with my babies. You are such an inspiration to so many people, and through this you continue to be that same inspiration to us all. I am here, like so many others, if you need me. In the meantime I am praying for you!
Love ya girl!
Kassie
Good Morning Amy,
I want to be with you every minute through this journey holding your hand, and as your mother I want to make you well. That’s what mother’s are supposed to do!!!!! I fixed your scraped knees, put a bandaid on your finger when you caught it in the mixer and made all your hurts well. But, since I can’t be with you every minute and make you well, I have let God, your family, your friend’s, your church family hold your hand on your journey to getting well too. One of my best friends gave me a suncatcher years ago that said, “Let Go, Let God.” I’m “trying” to do that, but then my mothering sneaks in every once in a while. You, Tom, Katie, Ian and Betty are surrounded by angels every minute. But….dad and I are holding your hand anyway, praying and are with you every minute. We will be with you tomorrow and Friday for all your tests…..And all along the journey you are on. We love you all.
Love, Mom
Tom, Amy and Family,
Just wanted you to know that you are all in our prayers.
Valery
Amy, Thanks for allowing your friends to hear updates on your condition through this blog. I am praying for you and will be checking frequently to see how things are going for you. We will take care of your little ones here at school
God Bless you as you begin new treatments and make new decisions.
Amy,
hey, i got on ur website you should be proud of me since i said i probably won’t get on. but i did for you. well i am praying for you. and thanks for talking with me the other day.. well ttyl
Amy – How old were you when you got your hand in the mixer? I am sure glad that there are a lot of ladies in our church who like to cook – HAHA!
Love ya, Linda B
Hi aunt Amy,
this website is so cool.
I can’t wait to see you over spring break.
It feels like I have not seen you forever,
Your niece melissa
P.S. tell Katie and Ian I said Hi!!!!
Amy -
I’m so glad to be able to have updates at my fingertips on your condition. Know that Lee, Rylee and I are here for you guys in whatever way you need.
Hugs!
Ames,
I want to hear more on the hand in the mixer. The truth is coming out on why you don’t cook.
In my prayers, Vickie
Psalm 125:1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Amy, just wanted you to know that I am thinking about you and your entire family. Thought about sending you an envelope full of red glitter and seeing if you could guess who it was from. But then, you’d have to clean up the mess from opening it so . . . consider this a sprinkling and remember the trail between your back door and mine. Smiles, hugs, kisses, and my little kids running back and forth. God gives each of us countless and untold blessings. Cherish them and use them for your strength. So when you have a tough moment – just think “RED GLITTER” Continuing to hold all of you in my prayers. Sandy
Amy, so happy to see the website up and going! I will be checking it regularly and trying not to bother Tom with details. Hehe. Seriously, it will be a great way for those of us who love you guys to keep up and know what to be praying for in more detail. It will also help us to help you. We will be praying daily and ready to help with whatever is needed.
Love ya, Robin
Amy-
glad you overcame the “mixer moment” and got all those meals in your freezer!!! Trust us moms to remember all those cute kid stories!
Love you!
Debbie
Dear Amy:
We’re here in Why, AZ and we all know God hears and answers prayer no matter where we are. That is exactly what we are doing today and tomorrow for all the test you must undergo.
We love you, Tom, and the Kids.
God Bless,
James and Stella
Hi Amy. I love the blog. Our family is keeping you in our prayers and thoughts. Let me know if you need anything at all, the kiddos are always welcome with us. (what’s 2 more when you’re already CRAZY!-lol) God bless you and your family during this difficult time, and the best of luck.
Love you guys!
Katie, Justin, and the gang
Hi Amy! Katie told me about what was happening and I didn’t really understand at first.Katie gave me the website that your blog was on,and now I understand a lot better. I have been praying for you every night and I hope you get well soon.Just remember that everyone here is praying for you.If you want to talk,just go on my website http://www.penguinfantasy.wetpaint.com and E-mail me there!
See Ya!
Ce-Ce
Amy
Although we haven’t talked in a long time I have kept up on you through our Mother’s. Just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and your family and keeping you in my prayers. Hope to get to P-Burg in May for our 20 year. Will look forward to seeing you then.
Amy
Betty just gave me your website this is a great way to keep everyone informed. You and Tommy and the kids are in our prayers. I have you on the prayer list at church. Know the Lord is always with you to help you to get through everything you are going through.
Don and Norma Curtis and Amy Whitten.
Hi Amy!
I am so sorry to hear of your illness. It certainly looks like you have many many people praying for you. I know that you are on the prayer list at FCC. You know that “home town” folks will never let you down.
I hope you are feeling better and that the testing went ok. I’m sure that it was not easy! I will keep you in my prayers!
You know, I’ve been doing alot of preparation for our upcoming class reunion. In doing so, my mind races with curiosity about the well being of fellow classmates and what kind of life they may have. I have thought of you so often lately, and maybe this is why! You were in my prayers even before all of this! Time certainly does change things, but no matter how much time passes, friends are friends forever!
I look forward to hearing about your progress, and hope to see you in May!
God Bless You,
Jan Means
Resolve to keep happy and your joy and you shall
form an invincible host against difficulties.
–Helen Keller
Where there is love, there is hope and encouragement.
Know that you are loved very much.
We are with you on your journey-
Love, Marvin & Mary Anne Wieben
El Centro, California
hey dentons:
amy i’m praying for you and that everything goes well. tom thanks for the chat today was very good. you guys have been awesome and a very big part of my life. thanks for all you do for me no matter what and i wanna do the same for you all. let me know if i can help in any way. stay strong and praise the lord.
god is good.
Surprise, Amy!
So far, I’ve only had to backspace six times and start over twice!
The idea of using the computer scares me to death! I would only do this for someone REALLY special. I read the entire blog today. I felt something deep inside; something stirred. Watching you grow spiritually these past nine years has been as real and evident as watching our boys grow. You, my friend, are a blessing. Hmm. Had to restart, as I got the weepies. (Can’t believe that, can you?) I hope today is a wonderful day for you. I’ll try to do this again soon. (If I can figure out what to do to get this to you.) I love you bunches!
terri g.