Last week, I could not get chemo as my white blood cell counts were too low. As is protocol, they sent me home with a regimen of five shots to take five nights in a row to boost my white blood cell counts and prepare me for chemo this week.
I did all five shots right on schedule, but it was more painful than it had ever been before. My ribs hurt so bad they felt like they were throbbing. The shots work in the bone marrow to stimulate production of white blood cells.
Then yesterday morning, I noticed a lesion on my stomach – like a boil. At first I thought maybe I’d run into something. But it quadrupled in size and finally turned black with this peculiar red ring around it. Then another one showed up on my left leg later in the day, then others on my legs, back, stomach.
Don took me to the ER first thing this morning. They’re running tests but believe I have a blood infection and my white cell counts are EVEN LOWER than a week ago, despite the booster shots. And they were LOW a week ago. The ER doc came in and told me this is very serious. I have an infection and my army is almost depleted.
They will be admitting me and starting me on a powerful round of antibiotics. I’m so very scared. I know how serious a blood infection can be. I’m praying to God that it’s not like those old commercials for the Roach Motel, where you check in, but you never check out.
Please keep me in your prayers and I’ll update as I’m able.
Copyright 2011, Amy Rauch Neilson
It's in the Genes 
You’re in my prayers, Amy.
OH Amy. I’m with you.
Amy, I’m so sorry to hear this! 😦 I truly hope that you’re able to get kick this infection and return home to your family. Best wishes for a full recovery.
Sending my love and prayers your way! Cal me if you need ANYTHING!!!
Thinking of you … this ailment is no match for you. Scoff in its general direction. 🙂 Get better soon.
Thank you for the morale boost, Mark! It worked!
I’m so sorry to hear this! I’ll continue to pray for you and your family.
Amy, thinking of you and sending lots of love and hugs!
Amy
YES you will get out of there! Prayers for a quick fix and on your way! Keep the faith and keep on keeping on ! Friends and family here to support you. While it’s a scary time for you, I have faith that the doctors will get your body back to the levels they need to be. Hang in there my dear friend.
YOU WILL BEAT THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXO
Keeping you in my prayers…
I’m hoping our collective prayers and good thoughts help rally your army quickly and with great strength!!! I’m sorry this is so scary, but know we are all sending good thoughts your way.
We’ll be watching for news. Call or text if there’s anything we can do to help.
Amy, I am sending out many prayers to you. Stay strong…
Our love and prayers are with you dearest Amy……..be as strong as you always have been in the past.
We love you,
Mom
They have met their match. Hugs and prayers from the north!
Amy, I’m praying for you!
Praying for you Amy!!!
I’m praying and praying for your strength and full recovery. If only there was a way each of us friends and family who love you so could actually do SOMETHING to help you….because I know you would be cured in a no time.
I’m sure it’s incredibly hard (possibly even impossible) to keep a positive outlook, so I wish you the inner peace and strength to keep pushing through.
A big comforting hug to you.
Praying so very hard for you. Hang in there and fight hard!
Same here, kid. I’m with you, too.
Praying for you too Amy. Everyone who reads your blog will be sending you healing thoughts and love. Beat the infection and be home soon.
Amy,
You are not alone. There is a Presence with you in that hospital room Who is able to bring comfort, hope and healing. I will be praying for you fervently!
Sending prayers your way. You will beat this- no doubt in my mind!!
Praying for you and your family. Please know we are all rooting for you. Sending sunshine and hugs.
You have a strong army of those who love you, praying that your body wins this battle. Get well, get home and keep your spirits up!!!
Add my prayers and best wishes to all the others sent by your loving friends and family. You’ll get reinforcements, and the fighting army of good blood cells will win.
Dear Lord,
In the name and the blood of Jesus Christ, we ask that you hold Amy and her family in your healing hands right now. Fill them with courage and strength, and surround them with comfort and peace so they can focus on healing. Guide the doctors to perform your miracles and quickly bring Amy back to complete health.
Amen
AMEN
Amen. Thank you Carol – your prayer resonates with what my heart prays for Amy.
Amy,
I am praying and praying real hard for you.
Love,
Kathy
You are in my prayers, Amy
You are in my thoughts and prayers, Amy. You WILL beat this!
Paul
Damn it.My radar was going off. You are in the best place you could possibly be. I am so glad you are getting the attention and care you need. My money, payers and all of my good energy are on you. Anything you or Don need – just say it. Blood, emergency trip out, cooking for you for a week WHEN YOU GET HOME! Ordering anything you need from the internet…. just name it Amy. I love you, and will be praying non-stop unilt I hear you are home with hugs, laughing about your next random adventure.
I am sending you my prayers right now!! Keep your positive attitude!!
praying for you , Amy , and trusting God to bring you through this victoriously
No way, Sweet Pea. They don’t want to keep you! You will make them CRAZY! Love you, my friend. Let me know if you want me to come visit you. I’ll bring my purse to knit on. xoxox
Hang in there Amy!
I knew something was up when I didn’t see you laughing and joking last week end! And this morning when I didn’t see your light shining, I got worried.
Stay strong now! We are all with you! All our thoughts and prayers go to you and yr family!
Love you guys!
And ‘Keep that Light shining’
Sending prayers your way for a speedy recovery.
Amy, we are all praying for you! If you need anything at all please let us know. You will be out of there in no time at all. 🙂 xoxoxoxo Love & Hugs!!!!!
I’m so sorry. This sounds like sepsis (what many people call blood poisoning). My thoughts are with you and I know I’m not the only one.
Take care.
We are all praying for a positive outcome! Hang tough Amy. Please let Dave and I know if you need us to do anything for you.
Amy, I will be praying that God will comfort you and encourage you with His Holy Spirit and surround you with ministering Angels to protect and watch over you! I pray for protection over you and complete healing in Jesus name, Amen.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. We all need you so much, you are the center of our circle. You are so amazing, I know you will beat this setback.
Praying for you, Amy.
Ain’t nothin’ you can’t handle!
Amy, Kick this thing in the butt!
Praying your feel the physical presence of the Lords arm around you. Don also as I’m sure he is scared as well. You have a army out here bombarding heavens throne on your behalf.
Hugs Hugs and more Hugs
My prayers and thoughts are with you Amy. Lets rally up the troops and get that Army built back up…hus to you
Praying for your recovery.
Lots (and lots and lots…) of good thoughts headed your way, Amy. You’re a superstar – you’ve got this covered!
Praying for you Amy! You are an inspiration.
Sending positive energy, light and love to you. You are young and strong remember that. No visualizations of old roach motels allowed!
I’m praying and am sending positive energy and much love, Amy.
Get those negative thoughts out of your head Amy, unless you’ve grown another pair of legs that I don’t know about, Roach Motel doesn’t apply to you!. Sending you positive energy and thoughts, one step back two steps forward is the way you are headed. Love, hugs and prayers from Palmyra PA headed your way!
Amy, you are in my prayers. Take this time to give your body the rest that it needs.xoxo
Aim,
Jodi called and I just read your blog. I am praying for you and your docs. I hope that you are already getting the treatment and that the antibiotics can turn this problem around quickly. Please let me know what I can do to help you, Don or Theo. This is scary, but keep faith and feel God’s spirit support you. I love you.
Holding you close in my heart.
Okay. You can do this. You ARE doing this. Just keep on doing it, and i know you get through to the other side of it.
How can I help? I’m close by- I can watch Theo, I can bring dinner. Hell, I can mow the lawn and grocery shop. I realize Don isn’t likely to ask for help, but you all should know that you’ve got a bazillion people behind you, always. Love.
So many people sending out good thoughts for you. We are all holding your hand.
You are in our prayers…always.
You are in our thoughts and just look at the list of friends and family with you! You checked in and will check out of this MOTEL….stay strong AMY!!!
(((hugs))) this too will pass… Positive..think positive!
You sure are loved Woman – let our prayers and love flow through your body, growing in exponentially in energy, healing AND WHITE BLOOD CELLS OF LOVE AND LIGHT!
Was just thinking about you and concerned something was amiss. . . . add my name to the prayer warriors . . . .
Molly
You’re in my prayers.
Praying for a fast recovery. You got this girl!
Amy,
I am so sorry to hear this news. You’re a tough lady that can get through this and I will pray that you do. Keep on Keepin on Amy. =)
Hugs to you and your family!
Amy–You are one tough cookie and will overcome this. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Don and Theo. Keep your chin up. You can do this.
Betsy
I’m think of you!
Love kelly
Amy – “May the blessings of the God of Abraham be alive in you, for you and through you.” Prayers and thoughs are with you.
Mary
I am sorry to hear you are so sick Amy. My family (and your extended family the Quick’s) are all praying for you and praying for a speedy recovery from your infection. If you need anything, anything, please call me and that includes Moe and Joe (Quick) the extended family I spoke of…hehe:)
And we will be there in a heartbeat!! We Love you!!
Big hugs and kisses –
Nickie
Amy, I’d be scared too, but you’re not fighting this latest battle alone. You’ve got love and prayer and medicine and your indomitable spirit supporting you.
As always Amy my thoughts & prayers are with you (along w/the whole Sherman clan). Let me know if there is ANYTHING you or your family needs.
Oh Amy, I just read your blog. You are surrounded by a bubble of love and prayer. May that buoy you up to get through this difficult patch; knowing so many of us are here to hold you up and support Don and Theo is hopefully a comfort to you and will help keep the fear at bay. Love you so.
Amy,
I normally don’t pray, but will for you. Get well quick.
You will be in my prayers.
oh amy and don and theo–this is so much for you all to be going through. may God give each one of you all the courage,comfort, peace and healing that you need right now. amen lucy
Praying for you and your family, Amy. While I have been following your blog for some time, I have never posted. I am a breast cancer survivor myself so I know just a little what you’ve been going through – especially those shots. Praying for a speedy recovery and the antibiotics will work soon. God bless you and hang in there!!! Remember you have friends out here praying for you that you don’t even know about.
Amy, I’m sending you all the most powerful vibes from meditating, and a thought picture of Casey dancing in the waves of Lake Huron with boundless energy, all to join your army!
Sending you a huge get well HUG. I am keeping you in my thoughts. Hang in there.
Amy — Although I’ve never met you, you’re in my heart and prayers. You continue to touch so many lives with your wisdom, courage and honesty. An army of prayer warriors are storming heaven on your behalf. God bless you and keep you!
Amy — Although I’ve never met you, you’re in my heart and prayers. You continue to touch so many lives with your wisdom, courage and honesty. An army of prayer warriors is storming heaven on your behalf. God bless you and keep you!
Prayers and hugs never ending coming your way!!! Love you,Stay strong!
More healing energy and prayers coming from the west coast. Peace and love.
Amy, you’ll get through this. It’s just a hiccup–soon you’ll be back on your feet. I’ll be in town starting July 25; come early August our laughter will be echoing throughout the Rauch-Neilson household. Much love to you, Don and my buddy Theo.
Marnie’s Aunt Evie, Amy, The whole Leonard family has kept up with your blogs, wears the wristbands and PRAYS every day for you, Don and Theo. We know you and are on your team. Just DO what the docs tell you and let us all do the MEGA PRAYING. LOVE and PRAYERS.
Praying hard for you. Hugs, prayers and good juju to help you kick cancer’s ass.