Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thankful Thursday!
I have not spent much time here talking about Sienna's health. At some point I will be more specific. Thalassemia is complicated, and I want to make sure I have the time to give it the respect it deserves...But today I want to focus on how WELL Sienna Grace is doing. When we received her file from China along with updated information we were told that she was getting blood transfusions consistently on a quarterly basis. Her last transfusion was January 13, 2010. That is exactly FOUR months ago.... So, today I am thankful that Sienna has not needed to be transfused since coming home. We have seen her wonderful Hematologist monthly since her return and her Hemoglobin levels have remained constant! (Her next appointment is on the 21st.) This is truly answered prayer. We do know at some point she will be transfused, but the longer we can wait between treatments the better for her long term health!
Sienna will be having dental surgery on July 22nd. Since she runs on an overall lower Hb level than most children her age, she will need to be transfused for this procedure. I am praying we can hold out until then! It's possible!!
I am so thankful that Sienna came to us with a love for protein, and green vegetables!!!! I have been filling this girl with folic acid!!!! Yes, she loves spinach, broccoli, asparagus, etc... I think her body craves it!! Thank you Lord!
Sienna's diagnosis is Alpha Thalassemia, Hemoglobin H Disease. For any of you out there that may review files of children with this chronic illness, I want to encourage you! This disorder is manageable! If I didn't know it to be true, I would never think Sienna is ill. She is as active as her little sister in every way!
Lastly, I have a prayer request for Sienna. Her spleen is very large. When she came to us it was almost 10cm from end to end... Our prayer is for this to shrink on it's own.. Most likely she will be facing having her spleen removed. Perhaps even in the next year. But, if we can shrink the size of it, her surgery will be less invasive, and recovery so much easier.
One other miracle about Sienna to share.. We found out when her first blood was analyzed that she was NEVER vaccinated for Hep A nor Hep B. This child has survived 4 years of quarterly blood transfusions IN China without getting a serious disease from tainted blood! We know God has protected her since she was born, and we are so very thankful.
So for now, we will continue to pray for Sienna's Hb levels to remain steady or for them to miraculously increase... And, for her spleen to shrink on it's own... The only answer then, will be God.. Because these two things will not happen on their own and no medication exists to make it happen.
We are so thankful that we felt the nudge to seriously review the file of a little girl with Alpha Thalassemia! She was born to be here!
Blessings,
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Blogs I Try to Keep Up With!
-
God's Got Her3 weeks ago
-
Melting into July~4 weeks ago
-
Destin Day 45 years ago
-
-
The Fourth7 years ago
-
What I have read lately7 years ago
-
-
{Happy Birthday to you...}8 years ago
-
-
Flood Part 4: Shelter Living9 years ago
-
-
Celebrating 2 Years With "Sweet Colin"11 years ago
-
Hilton Head ~ 201412 years ago
-
-
DON'T EVER QUIT !!!12 years ago
-
27 comments:
Praying for Sienna's upcoming dental surgery and for a reduction in her spleen. God is showing us a miracle thru Sienna Grace. What a testimony Sienna is.
...SO many Sienna blessings to be thankful for! Your sweet girl has definitely been protected by God all these years and He has delivered her to the family He hand-picked as her own! A match made in Heaven!
Praying for precious Sienna's specific needs, and sending love and hugs from TX...
AMAZING. Thank you for sharing this.
So much to be thankful for! I am always amazed at how God keeps his hand on them!
She will be in our prayers!!!
Diana,
Sienna is a such a pretty and happy little girl!! She is blossoming in your lovely family. About her blood disorder and advocating for others with it...have you seen the two precious girls with thalassemia "Rachel" 5 1/2 and "Caitlyn" 6 recently added to Rainbow kids?? Both are darling. Caitlyn has sweet, porcelain like little face.
Please know that I will be lifting Sienna in prayer! For sure God has had His hand on her--and He will continue to!
Praying!
I will certainly be praying for all these requests and rejoice in all your praises!!! God is so good and know exactly what He is doing. I am certainly thankful for that!!! :)
blessings!
Thank you for sharing about your little miracle. So glad she is doing so well. God is a great God! Praying for her! Hugs!
What a gift from God! HE is holding her in his hands and will carry her through. HE's carried her through thus far. She has only great things ahead in her future...I just know it. I will specifically pray for your requests. She is a beautiful little girl with an equally beautiful family! Blessings!
She is in our prayers. We are so glad she is doing well.
Our little girl also has Thal type A. I love to hear how Sienna is doing as I see a similar future. Thanks for sharing.
We will keep her in our prayers! God truly has watched over this little girl! What an amazing gift!
Diana,
Thanks so much for sharing all this, and I will definitely be praying for Sienna's continued comfort and health. Truly...what a miracle she has not contracted anything. Definitely God's hand in my book.
Hugs,
Tami
You know that the Lord is involved when you can feel such a peace about your child's medical condition. We've seen God's hand through John Asher's surgery and recover and how it has all been used for his glory, just as Sienna will as well. I will remember Sienna in prayer as I thank God for the health of our babies and thank Him for being the Great Physician!
Blessings,
Robyn
Wow Di...God's grace shine so beautifully all over her sweet story. I pray for her always but will offer up some extras as you face these appts and her dental surgery.
It's great to hear Sienna is doing so well. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh my gosh! Lots of stuff going on with your pint sized blessing! She has truly been covered by God's Wings and we will join you in prayer that her spleen with shrink & that she can wait to be transfused until her dental surgery! Poor, sweet thing. I think it helps with her attachment that she doesn't have to undergo anything invasive for awhile...less scary!
I have not heard a word from Tanya! Though I know she left on Tuesday, so by now - she is heading to Khloe's province to GET HER. I know she already met her at New Day & her foster home...her sister is supposed to be updating the blog?!
I keep checking!
By the way, I only got the trial of Lightroom. For some reason, the hubs does NOT think $300 is a priority right now?? Hmmmff!
Oh Diana, so much to be thankful for! I am amazed! She was meant to be yours that is for sure. I will keep praying for her upcoming procedures!
There is a beautiful 2 yr old on AAC's shared with Thalassemia right now!! She is so super cute. If anyone reading this is looking for their baby girl here is the link
http://www.aacadoption.com/adoption/waiting_children.aspx
Mary
Thankful to have found you! Love our Sienna aka Tung Tung and Lexi girl.
Just visiting blogs and came across yours. We have also adopted and had our first daughter biologically. Lately, we have been considering a special needs adoption but have not come to any conclusions. Just wondering how you came to the place to add a 3rd child and also go back to China.
Your sweet girl is always in my prayers. I hope and pray that her dental surgery goes well! I'm sure your little trooper will do great!! She's a special girl who has been watched over carefully! Now she has all of you to love her and take care of her!!! Missing you guys and can't wait for June!
Oh Diana, I'm so happy to hear how WELL Sienna is doing!!!!! I pray she continues along this path of good health and no transfusions needed! And for her spleen to shrink!
I echo your heart about being glad to say YES to this particular special need! God truly sets our children right where HE wants them, where they are needed and loved beyond comprehension!
Bless you, friend!
Loving and praying for special Sienna!
She is so beautiful! Her hair is getting longer and she is changing so much!! So happy she is doing so well. Praise the Lord!!
Is Sienna still on track for not needing to be transfused until late July?
hi diana-
i am a friend of amy (ruby's mom) and came across your blog...i volunteer with LWB and wanted to let you know that they just made a video about thalassemia!
we brought our neely kate home from china a year ago, just a week before her 4th birthday....what a special blessing!
marcy