A miracle is when God intervenes in our lives in inexplicable ways. This week our family saw a miracle from God. It all started this last Sunday when a couple members of our Church felt a strong need to pray for Natalie. They wanted to arrange a time where they could come over an pray for her in person. We are they type of people to always welcome prayer and yet sometimes God even surprises us after we have seen so many prayers answered.
Throughout the diagnosis of Natalie's Leukemia, we have been working at slowly getting our lives back to where it was before (or as close as we can). There are many who have prayed to heal her of her disease (and we have no doubt that God can heal her) but we always have wanted to keep a rounded perspective that God is God and He can do what He wants. We didn't want to be let down if it wasn't in God's will to heal her. So when some people came to pray for Natalie, I just assumed it was for healing of her disease.
Over the previous few days Natalie developed a deep chest raspy-ness in her breathing. When she would cough her pour little lungs and throat would make a horrible croup-like sound -- similar to a seal barking. When they arrived we had no furniture in our living room except two chairs. Dana was not home yet and I was holding Nicole (who was crying). When they started praying they were praying for her little body being able to recover from her disease. They also prayed that they imagined someday that when all of this is behind us a day when Natalie could share how faithful God has been to her throughout this trial.
We socialized a little bit more and just like that they had gone. For one reason or another my Dad kept checking on Natalie through the night. My mom must have told me he got up nearly 10 times throughout the night. He told us that around 4:00AM in the morning the raspy breathing just went away! Gone. The next day, day after that, and the day after that there was and is no sign of the deep chest infection. Totally gone. Now a week later and she is still running strong. She was just dancing to Jingle Bells (with some impressive vigor I might add) this morning.
God works in amazing ways through those who are obedient to Him. Who knows why God did what He did. I stopped guessing why many years ago. But for us Dad & Mom and Grandma & Grandpa, we are glad He showed up that winter night in November.
Special Note:Sometimes we get feelings that in retrospect turn out to be significant. It can be as simple as checking in with someone or maybe being obedient to pray for someone for reasons you don't even know why. But, when you respond to God's call (making sure the call is from God), I think it brings God Joy to see the beautiful reflection of your obedience.
It's an incredible thought that God is working to draw us together as a community. How He is not leaving the dealings of our our daily lives up to us alone. He is calling on family, friends, loved ones, and sometimes vague acquaintances to build into each other. To look at each other with respect and dignity. Not to see what we see from a condemning perspective but a loving and patient perspective. It is truly amazing how if we just softly listen to His (sometimes whispers), He will heal our brokenness and the brokenness of others. All we need is the love of Jesus in our hearts and we will be able to stand strong together.
Special Sidebar:As an aside to be clear there are many acts claimed in the name of God. In any event we will be held liable for our actions, that's why the Bible is clear that we are to test the spirits because the Bible says not all spirits are from God. A few verses later in 1 John chapter 4 gives us clues as to what types of acts (in Jesus' name) are from God.
"7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."
Sorry, we have not had as many updates lately. Things are slowing down to a regular pace now so news isn't as readily available. We will continue to update as new information comes in.
Here is the latest from Dana.
"We have been playing a little bit of a waiting game lately. Each time Natalie receives chemo, the treatment makes her blood counts go down (as it is suppose to) but then, we must wait for the counts to come back up for her next treatment. She was suppose to receive chemo this last Monday but her counts were low, so we moved it to Wednesday and still, low so now we will have her blood count done again Thursday to see if we can go in on Friday. We are told that this is common, but it's a bummer to see Natalie having to get her port accessed soooo often. She really does not like it.
We are finally receiving the carpet that we are replacing this Friday. It will be nice to get our surroundings back in some order and for Natalie and Nicole to be able to play freely on the floor with their toys.
Overall, Natalie is still happy and playful. Nicole is growing fast, soon I think she will pass up Dominick!"
nat update
In chemotherapy when the drugs are given there is an absolute low point called the Nadir. This low point represents when most of the individual components of the blood are low. Natalie for the next 2 weeks is at that low point because of a heavy drug called Cytarabein. If you remember this is the drug that Dana and I have had to administer through her central line (a chest tube used to deliver non oral meds and for drawing blood labs) for the last few weeks. Being at this low point we need to be especially careful around germs, fungi and bacteria. This is the point of chemotherapy. Since there is no one drug that will only kill Leukemia cells in her blood we have to use drugs that will kill most all of the cells, then let them regenerate and do it again.
Though this is a common procedure for cancer patients, Dana and I are a bit nervous because cold and flu season is now here. Natalie is still sleeping a lot. Just yesterday she took a 5+ hr nap. Every Monday we have outpatient hospital appointments at Stanford. This week and last we've had to make an additional special trip to get transfused (get blood) because here levels (AKA: Counts) have been so low.
I would like to encourage everyone to consider giving blood. I always thought it was for emergency surgeries but it's not. In our case it is a part of our normal everyday life. Since this is cancer awareness month consider helping someone in need. The Red Cross is a great organization to find an area near you visit www.givelife.org.
From DOM
Today we had a wonderful surprise from John L. Coble Elementary School's 6th grade class in Georgia. They each sent letters with little written prayers written directly to Natalie. It was sweet gesture to see each card, with a picture of a pair of praying hands, accompanied by their personal note. We've decided to include some of their words in our blog entry below. Even though we could not list every prayer, we thank you boys and girls for your love and prayers. Here are some examples:
"Dear Natalie I do not know who you are but I have heard a lot about you. I hope you get better. Dear Lord help she's about 6-months, help her. - Amen"
"Natalie, God is still with you. Parents, God is with her He has a plan. - Simon"
"Natalie, I want you to know about God. God is able to heal you. I know how bad you feel. We pray for you. - Love Cameron'
'P.S. Here is what you need to do. Pray, Read the Bible and love Him."
"Dear Natalie I am praying for you. - Love Olivia"
"Dear Natalie, you're small but God is Big I'm praying for you - Peyton''
P.S. I have been to Tahoe a lot!"
"Dear Natalie, my name is the same. I hope you get better. God loves you and we do to. - Love Natalie"
We would like to thank the John L. Coble Elementary school sixth grade class for your kind words. You have encouraged us and brought a beam of sunshine into our lives today.
We pray that God blesses you for your kind thoughts and words. - The Orlando's
With the announcement of my daughter (Natalie Orlando's) Leukemia diagnosis, 51 days ago my life took a turn unlike any I could ever imagine. One day I was working, doing my usual things and within a few minutes, I would drive away not knowing if I'd ever return. Nearly everything I had thought was important had quickly atrophied. I had one focus -- securing of the best medical care for my little girl.
To be honest, the first weeks I felt so broken, my heart was as heavy as it has ever been in my whole life. Sometimes not even able to stand because of the gravity of the situation. I became the advocate for my daughter who couldn't speak because she was so young. I immersed myself into her disease so I could fight for her every benefit. Feeling the stretch and taxation in my marriage, family and my faith, I regularly received bad news only to receive worse and worse news after that. BUT out of all of it I knew (and still know) God is good He desires the best for my family. This even has scared me but it has given me even more reason to hunker down in his love. God is my rock and my shield. He has the keys to life and death and even after death we are still secure in His grip. I know that this life will bring trouble but the LORD will strengthen us and equip us to do His work where ever it leads.
I am witting out of gratitude for your incredible prayers and gifts you've showered us. Your prayers have warded off the evil ones plans and have lifted us up when we could hardly holds ourselves together. Your presence has truly made us feel like we are not alone even when I felt like I had the weight of the deepest ocean on my shoulders. The incredible out pour of love and support through this initial stage of Natalie's treatment has truly allowed us to better bear this burden.
We have seen so much support there were actual times where I've felt guilty that so many people have supported us when other families hadn't even had a visitor in six weeks. The monetary support, the encouraging letters, phone calls, emails and the visitors have not simply encouraged us but have spoken to others families and hospital staff too. The prayers have extinguished the fiery arrows of the evil one and have fought back so many undesirables. Your support has given us courage to face our darkest fears head on and has given us the strength to press on with power, persistence and endurance.
At best we have 788 days left of chemotherapy so our fight is truly just beginning, but I will always be indebted to all of you who've lit the walking path for our darkest hour. You are truly the hands and feet of God.
With much love,
Dominick, Dana, Natalie, Nicole and Daisy the dog too