Topton mother Amy Roth was recently re-diagnosed with Leukemia while pregnant with her third son. She was induced at 34 weeks to immediately start chemotherapy.
Her son, Nathaniel, born 5 pounds 3 ounces, spent several weeks in NICU.
The Topton mother and newborn baby boy were recently released from the hospital on the same day, Labor Day Weekend on Sunday, Sept. 1. This was Amy’s prayer request to friends and family.
‘We KNOW GOD can move this mountain!’ wrote Amy in her email prayer request to friends and family two days before her prayers were answered.
‘Amazing! We had kept believing, hoping and praying that we would both be discharged on Sunday, Sept. 1, and it was awesome hearing we would both be discharged the same day. God hears ours prayers and miracles still happen!’
Her husband, Jamie, writes, ‘No matter what you are going through, however big or small, God has a plan for your life. Remember Jesus loves you and He is always there for you.’
Amy was first diagnosed of Acute Myeloid Luekemia on Christmas Day 2011. After battling Leukemia for six months, she heard the words ‘remission.’
Her health problems returned in April this year, starting with a severe sinus infection, followed by shingles, then viral meningitis.
Amy was three and a half months pregnant.
Then at 32 weeks into her pregnancy, Amy heard the words, ‘Relapse.’
Amy was re-diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Luekemia on July 31, and doctors told her they would induce her at 34 weeks. She started taking an oral Chemotherapy pill the Friday before Nathaniel was born to keep herwhite blood cells from spiking.
Nathaniel was born Aug. 12. On Aug. 15 Amy started 7 & 3 Chemotherapy treatment. She is currently in treatment awaiting a bone marrow transplant.
‘It has been extremely hard,’ Amy writes to The Patriot. ‘I thought the first time I was diagnosed with a 3 year old and a 1 and a half year old, it was the worst time of my life, but then hearing those words again while 32 weeks pregnant, I knew this was the worst time!’
She writes that her illnessand recovery affects her on a daily basis.
‘I cannot be the wife and mother I want to be, I have a lot of fatigue and pain. It is very challenging for us as a family. We have to spend time away while I am in the hospital or when I get blood transfusions.’
Some of the challenges include that her husband is unable to work at this time because ‘again he is taking me to appointments and taking care of our three children age 4 and under.’
‘For me, not being able to be the wife and mother I’d like to be at this time’ is her biggest challenge.
But no matter how big the challenges, Amy’s email posts to friends and family are always upbeat and uplifting.
What has helped her cope? ‘Prayers and knowing God is in control and that He has a plan. Trusting in Jesus.’
When asked about her return home after 21 days in the hospital, Amy said the homecoming was wonderful.
‘I was so thankful to come home with my son, Nathaniel! That had been what we were believing, hoping and praying for! I am so thankful to be at home and enjoy time as a family.’
Amy reports that she is currently in remission and will have another bone marrow biopsy around Sept. 20.
‘We hope, pray and believe that will be remission, too.’
Then plans will begin for the Bone Marrow Transplant that will be done in Hershey.
Baby Nathaniel also had his challenges.
Amy tells The Patriot, ‘He is perfect! He is doing great, with all he had to endure though the pregnancy and having to be delivered early and spend time in NICU he is doing amazing!’
She said his name means ‘true gift from God.’
‘We are very thankful for the miracle we have in him, he is such a blessing! He is a true gift from God.’
