Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Tuesday night

Thanks again for all the messages. Mari does love reading them. Her temperature has generally been kept under control by paracetamol though her blood count is still low. Her neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell, are very low and have not risen over the past days. They currently measure at 0.4, normal is between 1.5 to 6 and they will not consider letting her home until they are at least 0.8. Consequently they are giving Mari daily injections for the next 14 days to try to build the cells up. We dont know at this stage whether she will have to stay in hospital all that time. Chemo, which should have been today, has been postponed.

The Drs seem to think that these symptoms are not suprising at this point of the chemotherapy. Mari is still needing oxygen as she is very short of breath.
Her veins are still a problem, the Dr had to have six attempts to get a line in today and each attempt was painful.

So, please keep praying for the cell count to increase, her lungs to clear up and her veins to become stronger. She needs grace and strength too to cope with all that is happening to her body.

Many thanks again for all you love and care.

The Days and Phil

15 comments:

Debbie Carter said...

Have been reading your news and praying for you regularly. So sorry to hear that you are going through such a rough time. Praying that you will feel God's love and strength carrying you through every hour. Also that you will feel the love of all the people who are constantly lifting you up to God in their prayers.
Love
Debbie Carter
PS. I wonder what Dave really does look like in a plastic apron!!

Unknown said...

Dearest Mari,

Despite the fact that we've not posted many comments, you have always been in our prayers and thoughts. We love you and are praying harder than ever for you - and for your family and for Phil. So sorry that things are so rough - we're praying that God does great things for you TODAY.

All our love,
Jennie Woodfield (and Derek, Ethan and Zoe)

Unknown said...

Dear Mari

I'm continuing to think of you and pray, especially when I'm in the car for some reason!

Thank you for the updates and for giving specifics to pray for. We're all praying for better news soon.

Love Josie

Unknown said...

Dear Days and Phil, thanks for the update, you have all been in my thoughts and prayers throughout the day today. Phil and I will continue to pray for all those things, our hearts go out to you all at this difficult time. Mari - when I was praying today I was reminded of that bit in JOEL (3:10)where he is rousing the warriors to fight. It says "Let the weakling say, I am strong'". My dictionary defines 'weakling' as 'a person lacking in strength'. I don't claim to be an expert in scripture, but what I felt was that if you can bring yourself to over the next few days, I would encourage you to declare over yourself that YOU ARE STRONG! I know this might seem like the last thing you feel like doing, or infact feel (strong) infact, I imagine you might feel the complete opposite, but I just wanted to encourage you to (when possible) make declarations over yourself to rise up that fighting spirit in you. Hope this makes sense in some way, Love Lisa X

Shalome said...

Dear Mari, Dave, Rhi and Phil,
My last msgs got lost when the computer crashed which may or may not have been a good thing! Elaine and I are going to pray for you together tonight. In the meantime you are all constantly in our prayers. May you all enjoy some much needed rest and recovery. And for you, Mari - that you'll feel your breath returning and those WBCs soaring to normal levels again. I'm also praying that God will send only the best lines person in the hospital from now on (that goes for the blood taking too).
Much love,
Shalome and co. xxxx

Mary said...

Thank you for the update; we continue our prayers for you.

I think Dave should model the plastic apron at a Grange meeting.

Love from Mary, Terry, Abbie and Matt Wood.

wheat said...

dear mari rhi dave and phil

well done for managing to update the blog it is always fantastic to hear your news.
many of us at church here in brighton are continuing to pray.we are alert for you!!!
i cannot get you off my mind!!!
with love and prayers for you all.

jan in btn xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx xxx

suzi * said...

love you, love you, love you Mari-lou..lots of prayers and tears and joy - God is in the midst of this dark night of your soul, His splendour and marvellous testimony of faithfulness will be seen..may you know His tenderness in every heartbeat and nearness in every breath..arohanui dear sister, Suz XX

Hannah said...

Hey guys,

So sorry to hear the last few days have been so hard, we have only just heard as we didn't have internet for a while. Mari you've been on my mind the last few days particularly and I have been praying for you without knowing the situation.

Will keep praying for God to surround you and fill you with his spirit and life. We pray for comfort and relief and swift healing. Miss you lots Mari and will continue to pray.

We love you all lots and look forward to seeing you soon, God bless
Han & Niall x

Unknown said...

Dear Mari,
I woke up this morning and realized that I had dreamt about you last night. In the dream you were very pregnant!!! I shared it with Johan and we both smiled to ourselves saying "Let it come to pass, Amen!" :-)

Hang in there! Praying for you everytime I think of you, which is quite often throughout the day. God has a great plan for your life and every bit of it will come to pass for His glory. Praying for all your dear folks too.

Love,
Debbie & Johan

Gill and Andrew said...

God bless you Mari and speed his healing to you.
Love,
Andy and Gill

Tina said...

Hi Mari, Rhi,Dave and Phil,
Just thought l would check in to be updated with the news, sorry to hear your poorly and having to stay in hospital,will be praying that God gives you His Strength that will encourage your spirit, and to comfort you in those dark hours when no one else can. Our God is able, Amen.
Oceans of love to you all
Tina Perry
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chris said...

Hi,
So sorry to hear that you're going through such a hard time.
As so many have written, you continue in my prayers throughout the day.
May you be carried through these times by the love of the Father expressed through so many of his children.
love to you all
Chris

Raewyn Winny said...

Dear Mari,
It's daffodil day here tomorrow(cancer awareness week) and our school has a tree of hope to plant tomorrow (with lots of messages of hope for friends and family with cancer). Will make sure there is a Mari Day message on our tree.

I was thinking about the way that the Starship gives children a necklace bead for every unpleasant procedure they have - maybe you need to collect some kind of treat for every time you have a line into your veins - something you can treasure as a trophy of your bravery later.

Lots of love and prayers for you all,

Raewyn XXXX

wheat said...

just a quick note to you all. i am visiting my family in liverpool for a few days and i am able to pray for you wherever i go!
today i read in my bible about us as Gods children being able to know His comfort. so i pray you would experience His comfort as you go through the night.

did i ever tell you that you are all particularly fabulous?

love as always jan in btn xxx

p.s. my mum has benn praying for ou with others from her church.i call her up when i feel we need a few reinforcements!!