Hey family and friends! Welcome to our website created to notify and update each of you regarding Rainya's recovery story how she is striving to achieve optimal wellness! I'll update this site on a regular basis to keep all of our family and friends up to date with how she is progressing. We also wanted a convenient way to thank each of you for all your support and love!
We love each of you and encourage you to leave messages and offer prayers, as both help tremendously!! :-)
Initially, Rainya was having a very difficult and painful pregnancy that we knew was abnormal. After two months of struggling and stumping her Ob, she finally got in to see a neonatal specialist on August 18th. At this point she was 36 weeks pregnant. Within about 5 minutes of her ultrasound, she was ordered immediately to Northside Atlanta Hospital by ambulance.
At this point she could hardly breathe or move. Turns out she had 4 liters of fluid that was drained from her left lung. Additionally, 2 liters were drained from her abdominal cavity.
Within a short time during that day, we learned Rainya had a malignant 19 and 8.5 cm tumor as well as several that were smaller. Finally, we all felt validated that something was terribly wrong, yet the news seemed so surreal and devastating. A treatment team of many physicians determined that an emergency C section was to be performed and all tumors removed that were 1 cm or larger. She had officially been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
She spent a few days in ICU and then about 2 and half weeks in the oncology unit, where her lung and abdomen were drained another three times. Our baby girl spent that entire time at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Both were released from the hospital September 4th.
So, that was the horrible news and how our world got turned upside down... From here on out we believe that things will only get better. After several days of spending time with our little girl we determined that her name was to be Serena. She has been such a calming and peaceful influence in spite of all the craziness, so her name seemed to fit perfectly.
Strangely, or perhaps not, Rainya and I have felt a peaceful feeling that can only be described as divine through this whole ordeal. Somehow, we both know and have an assurance that all is going to work out for the good and be all right.
With that said, we want to sincerely thank all those who have been praying and watching over us by pouring out love to our family. Many have wished us well, expressed love, and offered to help with anything we stand in need. The kind acts of service and words have been overwhelming and left us deeply moved and grateful!
We've also been tremendously blessed by a wonderful team of physicians headed by Dr. Matthew Burrell-Oncologist. Day one he told us that the spiritual component to healing was the most important. This has set the tone for a wonderful relationship with him and his expertise gained over 30 years of practice. He's known internationally for his success in helping patients recover from ovarian cancer. He has also encouraged us to use any complimentary medicine that seems appropriate. So, we are seeing two chiropractors that have an amazing background in nutrition coupled with several modalities and protocols that support the body in healing.
Cindy White, my mom, spent the first two weeks with us and was a tremendous blessing and help. Rainya's mom, Cammie, also came down and is still staying with us, as well as Neal, my father-in-law. They've all treated us like royalty and been so kind and helpful. We've had friends from our church and a baptist church help with meals, cleaning, and caring for our little ones. I've had classmates reach out with gifts, cards, flowers and many offerings to baby sit and help in any way. Again, so overwhelmed and grateful!! We are also very aware that many are fasting and praying for our whole family. These acts have provided tremendous spiritual strength and joy in the hearts of each one in our family...
Serena is doing fabulous and even gained 1 lb. during her first week with us here at home. She is already weighing in over 8 lbs now! She is beautiful and I'll get some pictures posted soon for all to enjoy.
Rainya is now nearing her fourth weekly chemo treatment. She continues to be optimistic that she will heal completely, in due time. We've chosen to not focus on any disease state or "statistics", but rather how to create the most favorable conditions for healing and optimal wellness by treating her whole body...
We love each of you and encourage you to leave messages and offer prayers, as both help tremendously!! :-)
Initially, Rainya was having a very difficult and painful pregnancy that we knew was abnormal. After two months of struggling and stumping her Ob, she finally got in to see a neonatal specialist on August 18th. At this point she was 36 weeks pregnant. Within about 5 minutes of her ultrasound, she was ordered immediately to Northside Atlanta Hospital by ambulance.
At this point she could hardly breathe or move. Turns out she had 4 liters of fluid that was drained from her left lung. Additionally, 2 liters were drained from her abdominal cavity.
Within a short time during that day, we learned Rainya had a malignant 19 and 8.5 cm tumor as well as several that were smaller. Finally, we all felt validated that something was terribly wrong, yet the news seemed so surreal and devastating. A treatment team of many physicians determined that an emergency C section was to be performed and all tumors removed that were 1 cm or larger. She had officially been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer.
She spent a few days in ICU and then about 2 and half weeks in the oncology unit, where her lung and abdomen were drained another three times. Our baby girl spent that entire time at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Both were released from the hospital September 4th.
So, that was the horrible news and how our world got turned upside down... From here on out we believe that things will only get better. After several days of spending time with our little girl we determined that her name was to be Serena. She has been such a calming and peaceful influence in spite of all the craziness, so her name seemed to fit perfectly.
Strangely, or perhaps not, Rainya and I have felt a peaceful feeling that can only be described as divine through this whole ordeal. Somehow, we both know and have an assurance that all is going to work out for the good and be all right.
With that said, we want to sincerely thank all those who have been praying and watching over us by pouring out love to our family. Many have wished us well, expressed love, and offered to help with anything we stand in need. The kind acts of service and words have been overwhelming and left us deeply moved and grateful!
We've also been tremendously blessed by a wonderful team of physicians headed by Dr. Matthew Burrell-Oncologist. Day one he told us that the spiritual component to healing was the most important. This has set the tone for a wonderful relationship with him and his expertise gained over 30 years of practice. He's known internationally for his success in helping patients recover from ovarian cancer. He has also encouraged us to use any complimentary medicine that seems appropriate. So, we are seeing two chiropractors that have an amazing background in nutrition coupled with several modalities and protocols that support the body in healing.
Cindy White, my mom, spent the first two weeks with us and was a tremendous blessing and help. Rainya's mom, Cammie, also came down and is still staying with us, as well as Neal, my father-in-law. They've all treated us like royalty and been so kind and helpful. We've had friends from our church and a baptist church help with meals, cleaning, and caring for our little ones. I've had classmates reach out with gifts, cards, flowers and many offerings to baby sit and help in any way. Again, so overwhelmed and grateful!! We are also very aware that many are fasting and praying for our whole family. These acts have provided tremendous spiritual strength and joy in the hearts of each one in our family...
Serena is doing fabulous and even gained 1 lb. during her first week with us here at home. She is already weighing in over 8 lbs now! She is beautiful and I'll get some pictures posted soon for all to enjoy.
Rainya is now nearing her fourth weekly chemo treatment. She continues to be optimistic that she will heal completely, in due time. We've chosen to not focus on any disease state or "statistics", but rather how to create the most favorable conditions for healing and optimal wellness by treating her whole body...
Serena Nicole born 8-19-10
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| Rainya and Serena |
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| Jon and Serena |
Thank you for sharing your journey here. It is inspiring to hear your courage and love and see Serena. I'll send prayers and light to Rainya daily.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story. It's sometimes sad that we know our own bodies so well but others don't give us the credit when we 'know' something is wrong. We think it's wonderful to concentrate on the positive. Prayer can work miracles too so you'll be on our list of those we're praying for. We wish we lived closer so we could be more help to you. What a beautiful baby Serena is. And what a perfect name! We will keep up on your postings. If there is anything else specific that we can do PLEASE let us know. We love you both and your sweet family. Give Raynia a big hug and kiss from us!!! Thanks for remembering us in this blog. Love, Ruth and Mike
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!! Rainya you are such a fighter. Your baby girl is beautiful; congrats on her. I am confident that you and Jon will make it through this tough time as you two are truly amazing. Your family is in our hearts and prayers. Keep the faith. Love, Corey Reed & Family
ReplyDeleteRainya, what a gift God has given you and Jon with a baby girl. Know that you are in my families prayers. Trust in him that his will be done.
ReplyDelete