Prayers for Pam

I haven't blogged in a week, I realize.  After Pam went into the hospital, nothing really seemed worthy of blogging.  My horrible fantasy football games?  The fact that my cable was finally shut off six months after I stopped service (but the day before football started?)  Nothing seems important or funny or worthwhile. 

I don't have good news.  Pam's blood won't clot.  When the body suffers a trauma (say, like, leukemia) it sometimes decides it's not going to clot anymore.  It's life threatening.  She can't open an envelope.  She can't brush her teeth.  She can't do anything that might cause her to bleed.  Because she might not stop.  

To treat the condition (DCIS) they have to treat the leukemia.  So arsenic it is.  Pam's already had 3/4 of a lifetime dose of it, but they're going to try another 1/4.  

A bone marrow transplant is on the agenda.

A transfer to the University of Michigan hospitals for more advanced specialists and options is on the horizon.

She's on extreme bed rest, unable to even get out of bed without alarms sounding and nurses scolding.  But she's really too weak anyway.

When I talk with her, though, she's still laughing.  And teasing her 78 year old mother about having another child to help cure her leukemia like the tabloids talk about.  She understands that the doctor has said she'll have to take the entire year off teaching, but she was holding out hope since they wrote "a semester" on some paperwork.  

My heart just aches.  I struggle to find God's meaning and purpose in all of this.  

I'm feeling guilty for feeling selfish.  I miss her at school.  I miss her on the phone.  I miss her funny emails and jokes about pixie sticks and apple pies.  I just plain miss her.  And I want to go see her, but I know she's had too many visitors.  I know she needs to rest and wants to rest but won't turn people away.  I know I have a sore throat and have no business going anywhere near the hospital right now.  But I want to see my dear friend, Pam.  I want to see the hope in her eyes and the optimism in her heart and I want it to wear off on me.  

I spent an afternoon with Pam this summer at Race for a Cure.  We sat at the auction and she bid on more things than she usually does and bought a $50 afghan that someone had made.  In addition to the hundreds of dollars she already spends on the event, she didn't hesitate to spend more at the auction.  Today she said, "At least I made a big donation this summer."

Unfortunately, it would seem leukemia doesn't take bribes.  

Comments

stacy said…
cancer is sooo heartbreaking, first of all for the person suffering with the disease (and suffering with the cure!), but also for the people who love them, who stand by helplessly, wishing they could somehow, someway, do something.

praying for pam, and you, and everyone who loves her.
Anonymous said…
Hang in there. . .I do believe that while bad things are happening to a great person that there are good doctors out there and lots of prayers in the works so things have the potential to improve!! Jules
Mig said…
I'm keeping her in my prayers. Keep us posted and keep being a wonderful friend to her.
Katrina said…
I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's struggles (and yours.) I will be praying for her, too.
Jennifer said…
I was so hoping for happy news of Pam's miraculous healing...so I will hold-out hope that we will soon read of it! Meanwhile, Pam will be in my prayers for healing; you will be in my prayers for peace and understanding; and you will both be in my prayers for rest.

Jeremiah 29:11...
Anonymous said…
Sending prayers to you and Pam.

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