Our life is nothing short of an adventure...

Wind in our hair and screams of delight but also unpredictable turns and unknown outcomes. We are a family of six; Dave, Susie, Nate, Jake, Sam, and Bella.

God has been faithful in our marriage and through the birth and blessings of our boys.

God has been faithful during our adoption journey and united Bella with us in May of 2008. We were privileged to visit with Bella's birth mother; therefore, Bella's family in Guatemala will always be dear to our hearts.

On October 16, 2008, Bella was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia. We are now battling the disease with 2 years and 3 months of treatment. We believe God will continue to be faithful!

Our family is committed to living life to the fullest...even on the hard days. Thank you for checking in and journeying with us!


Friday, October 17, 2008

Our Hearts are breaking.....

But we are strong in the healing power of our God and know that it will come to pass. I sit in the hospital room of my 13 month old.....what started as a stomach bug, than cough, then ear infection was quickly diagnosed last night as Leukemia. I took Bella back to her Pediatrician at 4 pm because she was not improving that much, we thought it was still her ears. The doctor took one look at her and immediately sent us to the lab. We were there by 5 pm and had the results by 6 pm. We are currently waiting for the bone marrow results which will give the doctors direction as to how they will treat her. What we do know, is that we will believe God, and He said "ALL who come to me shall be healed"! And that is exactly what we believe. We have seen God in so many ways in the last 17 hours, we stand in His glory.

Please pray with us that the Doctors will be able to control Bella's pain (her bones are really hurting her),that her veins strengthen so that she continue to receive the blood transfusions she desperately needs, strength, peace and comfort for Dave and I and the boys as we work through this and partake in the manifestation of healing.

Thank you for your love, support and faith.

42 comments:

Nevididi said...

I am speechless. I have silently followed your blog for so long and my heart is breaking at this news. Heavenly Father, I pray for miss Bella, for strength and for healing in her little body. I pray for her family to have courage, strength and continued faith during this hard time. Amen God can and will work miracles!

Dan Johnson said...

Dear Dave, Susie, Nathan, Jacob, Sam, and Bella,
Our hearts fell this morning to learn of Bella's illness and to imagine what your hearts face today.
As part of your family at KCC we promise to pray for all of you...to petition the Lord for healing and other miracles of peace, comfort, help, encouragement.
We were amazed to see how God sustained you as you waited for Bella and we pray He enables you to stand steadfast in your faith again through this trial.

With love, prayers and tears,
Joni and Dan Johnson
Ben, Jack, Kira

Pineapple Princess said...

Oh my gosh! This can't be.
Jesus, I ask for a miraculous healing for precious Bella. Give her tiny body protection and strength for treatments and that every hidden cell is eradicated in Jesus' holy name. Hold Susie and her family in the palm of your hands, and cause your unfathomable peace to wash over them. Amen.

Susie, my dear friend's little daughter was diagnosed last year with the same. She is doing wonderfully and has been completely healed. I am here for you, Susie, at any hour of the day to pray or talk.

I won't stop praying.

Stacy

Courtney said...

OH NO.................I am praying for you and for Bella. You are in my prayers. (((HUGS)))
Courtney

Michelle Riggs said...

I am so sorry that your daughter and family are going through this. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

Our 3 year old daughter, who was adopted from Guatemala, was diagnosed with leukemia on 7-11-08. My husband and I are here anytime you would like to talk and we will be praying for you.

You can read our story and see pictures of our daughter at http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/ Our daughter was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Please keep in mind when you read our story that it is RARE for a child to need as much chemo as Abby needs and most children in the "high" risk category do NOT have as many side effects as Abby has had.

Even with the extra chemo that Abby needs, she is a child who still laughs, plays, and loves with all of her heart. This journey is hard, but it doesn't define our family. Even in the midst of this trial, our home is filled with laughter, joy and hope. God is so good!

If you would like me to, I would be happy to post a prayer request for your family and link to your blog, on ours. Because our blog is VERY public, I won't post anything without your permission. The prayers and support are very comforting to me, but other families long for more privacy.

In Him,

Michelle

michelle@brentriggs.com

Gail said...

Oh Susie!! I don't even know what to say. I am so sorry this is happening. Know that I am praying for Bella, you and the rest of the family. I will also be asking for the prayers of my friends on Bella's behalf. God is the healer and the miracle worker. That is the direction I am praying.
Much love,
Gail

demp5 said...

Susie,
Praying, and praying, and praying for you and Dave, and Bella and the boys.
Love,
Meghan

Susie said...

I'm shaking. Oh Susie, your faith is so strong. Sweet Bella will come through this. Your family will come through this. I will pray that God will heal your baby girl and keep your faith strong. God will see you through this.

Love you--Susie

jeck said...

I have not been to your blog in a while but I wanted to send you my thoughts and prayers!

Hugs
Jessica

Our Family of 5 said...

I too am a blog follower. I am saddened to hear about Bella's illness. Please know you have many many prayers from around the world. Raising you and your family and precious Bella up in prayer.

Kim said...

Prayers for your family. I can't imagine what you are going through.

bellagirl26 said...

Prayers are being said, please know that. I'm so sad to hear this. Please if your location for treatment, is not tops, please find out about getting her to St. Jude's, they are working Miracles there. God Bless you and keep you all, you'll get through this. St. Jude's can also do phone consults with your doctors.

Melissa Mom to Ana and the boys.

Arena Mom said...

I too have been following your blog and watching your daughter become more and more beautiful each day. Words can't express what you must be feeling. I am so sorry, but I can tell by her pictures.....your little girl is a fighter.

Laurie said...

I am so sorry to hear of your news. I worked with a guy whose daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia a few years back. She was treated and doing awesome now! My Bella and I will keep you in our prayers. The Lord can and will work mircles! Blessings to you all!

Our Girls said...

I saw your blog from a friend another Guatemala blog and my prayers are coming my way for you and your family.
Prayers amd HUGS to YOU all!

Jack said...

I have been following your blog for awhile and I am so sorry to hear this. Our family is praying for Bella and your family!

Courtney said...

Susie........can't stop thinking about you guys. We are praying so hard for you all. XOXOX courtney

Anonymous said...

I have followed your journey and have too adopted a child from hannahs hope. I prayed for bella to come home. I will be praying so hard for her now. There is power in prayer and Jesus is listening...
In christ,
Karen

Joe and Erin said...

Susie,
You already know we're praying incessantly for you and Dave, for the boys, and for precious Bella. If there is anything else you need, we're here :)

Stacy said...

Susie and family,
I was in tears this morning when Jenifer shared the news about Bella, and I am crying now as I write~I have no words other than we are praying continually for you, and for healing for little Bella.
You are in our thoughts and prayers,
Stacy, Ryan and family

Cheri said...

I am just sick. I am praying for God to work a huge miracle for our girl. I love you and yours so much. Love, Cheri

LynnieB said...

I am a fellow GuatMom and will be praying for your precious Bella, as well as your family. Hold tight to Jesus.

Gina & Tommy said...

I have followed your blog for a while now and want you to know that I am praying for you and your family. Your faith has been an inspiration to me as we waited for our babies to come home.

Lifting you up,

Gina Whaley

Pam L said...

I know your heart is breaking. I know that same hurt and fear. 21 years my oldest son was diagnosed with Leukemia. It was a very difficult road to go down but we're celebrating his 28th birthday tomorrow. God carried us through as I know he will carry you too.

Shannon said...

Praying for precious Bella and your family. I cannot even put into words what I am feeling reading of this news. I found your blog through stacy's and am the mommy of another Guataprincess. I will be following your story from now on and will be praying for you all.

Blessings,
Shannon

Jaime said...

I have tears in my eyes. Believe me, you will have prayers coming from Missouri. We will add your little girl to our prayer chain.

Praying Bella strength & healing.

Hugs

lisa kindred said...

Our hearts are breaking for you right now. We stand here in belief that God is a God of MIRACLES and will pray that you will find total comfort in Him right now. Jer.29;11....He has plans for you and this precious daughter of you. He knows her more than we can comprehend and loves her with everything. He is holding her in the palm of his plan.
Please know that we adoptive families will join together and continually lift you all up in prayer. I have too followed your blog and we recently brought home a little one in July. We have been to Hannah's hope several times. Jesus wants you to TRUST with all your being. I hurt and ache for you but want you to know we love and care for you.Get a 2nd opinion for tx and go for the best treatment center.God is going to use this precious one for His GlORY .
Praying for rest for you and total healing on your precious one.

The gFamily said...

Oh Susie, my heart is breaking with you! It is the middle of the night, and I couldn't sleep. I checked my blogs, so I know God led me here tonight, so I can start praying! I am on my knees now in prayer and will continue to pray! I am praying for all of you, for strength! I am praying for healing and direction! Just praying!

--We serve a MIGHTY and POWERFUL GOD!!

Here for you! BIg hugs!

Vanessa said...

My prayers are with you, your family and sweet Bella!! PLEASE let me know if there's anything I can do for you!! I'm praying God wil touch Bella and rid her of this cancer!! My thought and prayers are with you!

Becca said...

I don't know what to write... Praying for you.

Mary Ann said...

Oh sweet Bella!! I am lifting you and your family up in prayer! I am praying that God will heel your precious little body!!!!

Chantelle said...

Susie,
Cheri called me last night. I am just so sorry. We will be parying for you and little Bella. What a beautiful child. We are believing for God's great healign on her little body.
Much love to you and your family-
Chantelle, Eric, & Bianca

sunnydeveloper said...

I came accross your site quite accidently, through another blog. My baby was diangosed with leukemia back in 2005 (at 10 weeks of age). She is now three years past her treatment and thriving!
Just as you have every reason to be scared, you have every reason to be hopeful, and to believe in her cure. I believe in her cure, I am prayin for her mommy and daddy's strengh to get her there. She will get there!

Sig said...

May God carry you through this hard time. I just beat cancer and I know how hard it is. To watch your child suffer will be heartbreaking, but you will be stronger for it. I am so sorry for you, but I know God will keep you in his hands and cure Bella.
Praying for you and your family!!!!!

The Adoption Journey of Baby King said...

I, too, am speechless. I was shocked to read this. I can't imagine what you are going through right now. My prayers go out to you and your family. I pray for little Bella.

Heidi said...

I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through but I wanted to say I am thinking about your sweet baby girl and praying that she will get well.

weightlosers said...

May the Lord keep your family in His arms and carry you along the way. Connie and I are deeply saddened at the news of little Bella's illness, yet at the same time expecting healing. We are praying for her healing and your family's well-being. We miss our extended family.

In the name of the One who heals our pain,
Michael, Connie, Hannah, Rebekah, and Acacia

Daphne said...

You will all be in my prayers.

Michelle said...

I am praying for your family and this situation

Kathy said...

I will keep your daughter and whole family in my thoughts and prayers.

Angie said...

I am so sorry. I will be praying for Bella and you all.

Carla said...

OMG! I am so very sorry. Bella, sweet Bella, is in my prayers. You are all in my prayers.