I’m a bit late, but it’s still the 15th! 
14 years ago today, God blessed us with our little Anna-Pie!
When Anna was 14 months old, right about the time of this picture, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, Immune Thrombocytopaenia Purpurea (ITP), a disease where the body destroys its own platelets.
It was very scary–3 blood draws per week and at least one appointment at the clinic 1 1/2 hours away where the hematologist was. We didn’t know for sure it wasn’t leukemia until they did a bone marrow biopsy. It was extra tough as I had just gotten off bedrest with my pregnancy with Rebekah!
The treatment we chose (we only had four options, and one of those was waiting!) backfired and she ended up with a blood transfusion. We chose to wait after that. But it was hard!
She got to the point where if she fell down or got hurt, and we asked, “Where’s your ‘outsie’?” she would extend her arm and show you where she usually got her blood drawn! 
She got to the point after 6 weeks where she would cry but hold out her arm!
The disease was serious–she could have a brain hemorrhage just by crying too hard. We bought a padded seizure helmet, her “bumper buddy”, to help with the bumps that come with a toddling 14 month old!
The decision to wait was not an easy one to make. But our other two options weren’t much of options. ITP had only been “discovered” about 20 years at that point. So the options were slim.
When we felt the Lord gave us the word to wait, of course we second guessed ourselves. Then He confirmed it in such an amazing way, there was no doubting it!
A dear friend of mine, who had moved a few states away, would call from time to time to get updates. Last time she’d called was when Anna had to have the blood transfusion. She had told me about a gentleman about our age, who had never married, but felt God had called him to prayer. She called me and before I could even tell her about our decision, she told me how this gentleman, Stephen, had asked her how Anna was doing. She explained to him about the blood transfusion and that we were praying for wisdom. He told her, “If I could say one thing to the parents, it would be to wait.”
Can I tell you that I got shivers all up and down my spine?! I told her that that was exactly what we had felt the Lord wanted us to do, but it was so hard and we were doubting ourselves. The Lord wanted to encourage us–and boy was it ever an encouragement!
Thankfully, after 3 months, her platelets came up for no explainable reason–other than prayer!
We are so grateful to all who prayed for her—and I never met Stephen, but I’m grateful for his sharing that with my friend to pass along to me!
One more blood draw 6 months later, and she was declared clear of ITP and has been ever since! Praise the Lord!
And now she is a lovely, 14 year old young lady–loving the Lord!
I love you very much, Anna!
You will always be my Anna-Pie!
HUGS!
For more pictures, go to the girls’ blog post!
