Bone Marrow Test

Lydia returned to the hospital this afternoon for an outpatient bone marrow aspiration. This test is a routine part of the pre-transplant procedure to ensure that she is still in remission with zero cancer cells. Although this is a fairly routine procedure for leukemia patients, we still had difficulty watching our precious Lydia being sedated and poked with needles. Lydia came through the procedure just fine and we should have the results of this bone marrow test by the end of the week. Please pray for continued remission!

We also had a meeting with the bone marrow transplant team this afternoon to review the plan for transplant later this month. As it currently stands, Lydia will be readmitted into the hospital during the week of June 18. She will then undergo approximately eight days of chemotherapy followed immediately by the bone marrow transplant sometime around June 28 or 29. The pre-transplant chemotherapy is much more intense than what was previously given, and Lydia will most likely experience very uncomfortable side effects. Her immune system will also be eliminated and it will take several weeks for it to return with the assistance of the "new" stem cells from the sibling donor. We will reach out to you with specific prayer requests once we are closer to the transplant.

In the meantime, our family is enjoying time together at home where the simple things with Lydia have taken on extra meaning and provided us with much joy. We now take an extra moment to watch Lydia as she learns how to grab her toys while playing on the family room floor. We laugh as she makes a mess in her high chair while eating next to us during evening meals. We even smile when her cry wakens the home early in the morning. Thank you God for these special moments with Lydia!

Blood Drive Successful!

The Kovac family would like to thank everyone for their participation in Lydia's Blood and Bone Marrow Replenishment Drive. It was held last Wednesday at the South Hills Bible Chapel.  The following words from Marcy Braunstein (the coordinator) best describes the success:
 

Paul and Angela: the blood drive was absolutely a wonderful day! An unbelievable 73 units of blood were collected including 7 donors who donated double red cells. Nine additional donors tried to donate but were deferred for medical reasons. It was a VERY successful blood drive.  There were about 60 people on schedule and several walked in without appointments. I was there for the first hour and a half but had to leave to attend to other appointments. 

I hope you realize the impact Lydia’s blood drive had on the community blood supply. Once the blood was taken back to the lab, each unit is separated into three components—red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Over 200 blood products were made available to patients in area hospitals as a result of your willingness to share Lydia’s story.  Many of the donors either had never donated blood before or hadn’t donated in quite a while.  Lydia’s photo and story motivated so many to give the gift of life. And several joined the National Marrow Donor Registry.

Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do to service your family. Thank you again!  Marcy

Marcy Braunstein 

Replenish the Need Hospital Program

Central BloodBank

TODAY: Lydia's Blood & Bone Marrow Replenishment Drive

Hello Folks:  Just a reminder that the Blood and Bone Marrow Replenishment Drive will be held today from 1:00 - 7:00 pm at the South Hills Bible Chapel in McMurray, PA.  They are encouraging participants to schedule appointments on line: www.centralbloodbank.org and using sponsor code ZRTN0930.  However, walk-ins will also be accepted. 

Please see previous blog entry for the flyer containing additional details. Thanks in advance for supporting and greatly assisting the cancer patients in our community. 

Lydia's Home - Second Round Complete!

Lydia was released from the hospital at 3:00 pm Sunday.  Since the initial diagnosis and hospital admission on March 30, Lydia has spent a total of 52 days in the hospital and only six days at home. She has successfully completed 18 days of chemo over the course of two months. Angela has been by her side the entire time.

The separation of our family has not always been easy.  There have been many athletic games where our children have played without the cheering support of a parent.  There has been challenges managing schedules and getting to the hospital for visits.  There has been loneliness, arguments, and frustrations.  But through it all we have been blessed with a calming assurance that God will protect and guide us through this challenging time.

We are especially thankful that Lydia is doing so well!  By just glancing at her, you would never know she is a cancer patient.  Lydia has not lost her hair (she didn't have much to begin with), she has increased her weight, and is just as happy and alert as ever.  The hard part begins next month after Lydia's current home stay which will last approximately 2-3 weeks.

Sometime in June, Lydia will be readmitted into Children's Hospital for the bone marrow transplant.  All tests have come back with positive results and the process is a go.  The transplant will begin with a very intense course of chemotherapy that will last approximately one week and wipe out her entire bone marrow system.  Lydia will be in a very dangerous spot during this time and will need to be surrounded by prayer for God's protection.  Once her system is cleared, the sibling bone marrow will be inserted through an IV tube into Lydia - the process only takes a short time.  We then wait and pray that the new bone marrow begins to "graft" and produce healthy cells for Lydia.  During this bone marrow transplant phase, Lydia and Angela will be in the hospital anywhere from 5-8 weeks.  After successful completion of this period, our prayer is that Lydia will return home healthy and with the blessing of a normal childhood with only periodic oncology check-ups.

REMINDER:  LYDIA'S BLOOD AND BONE MARROW DRIVE IS THIS COMING WEDNESDAY - SEE PRIOR BLOG ENTRY FOR DETAILS.

Peek-A-Boo

Lydia is enjoying her favorite new game of peek-a-boo that is played frequently with doctors, nurses, and other visitors.  Our little girl continues to bless us with her playful spirit and warm smile.  We are so thankful to have you Lydia - you are loved very much!

We are playing a waiting game this week as Lydia's blood counts are slowly rising to a level appropriate for discharge.  The doctors have hinted that she may be discharged by this weekend.  It would certainly be a blessing to be all together for the long weekend.  Lydia continues to do well - she is even sleeping longer in the hospital which certainly makes things easier for Angela.  The bone marrow transplant is still being anticipated as the next major step in Lydia's treatment which should occur sometime next month.  Please continue to "Pray for Lydia!"

Bus Stop Lady

Paul tells the story of a lady he used to meet at the bus stop each morning during his morning commute from the Kovac house in Bethesda, Maryland to downtown Washington, D.C. She was an older lady who showed up religiously for the 7:00 a.m. bus.  After waiting with this lady for several mornings, Paul initiated a conversation and asked where she was going. The lady responded that she was going to church, as she had been doing each morning for the last 30 years. The lady further explained that many years ago she made a deal with God - if you bring my son back from Vietnam, I will go to church every morning. Well, the son safely returned from the war and she kept her end of the "bargain" by going to church every morning.

Many people in crisis situations have found themselves bargaining or deal-making with God. Perhaps some of you have even considered praying to God and attempting to strike a deal: "God if you bless me this way, then I will do this." It is our imperfect human inclination that tempts us to manipulate God in this manner and seek his blessings by doing good.

How easy would it be for us to bargain with God in Lydia's situation.  "God if you would just completely cure this beautiful child and return our lives to normal, we will serve more faithfully in your church," seems like a very reasonable deal to me. However, this would be a mistake because our standing before God is not based upon our performance.  Instead, God has called us away from deal-making by his grace.  "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast."  Ephesians 2:8,9.  Therefore, in times of crisis we turn not to deal-making but to a more fervent trust in God and His plan for our lives.  We are told to "[t]rust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."  Proverbs 3:5.  Total trust and relinquishment of control is certainly difficult, especially in crisis situations, but our prayers will be for strength in this area as we continue to deal with the challenges surrounding Lydia's leukemia.

Lydia's Blood and Bone Marrow Drive

Wednesday, May 30, 2012
1:00 pm to 7:00 pm

The Bible Chapel
300 Gallery Drive
McMurray, PA 15317

Please schedule an appointment to donate blood at this drive by logging
on to www.centralbloodbank.org using sponsor code ZRTN0930 or
by contacting Marsha Molinero at 412-725-8100
(Appointments are Strongly Encouraged)