On Tuesday October 11, 2011 Leanne (Chin) was diagnosed with breast cancer. This blog will follow her journey. It will share the peaks and valleys along the way. But it will also serve as a way to communicate prayer requests and praises. Join us as we partner with Chin and fight along side her for she "...can do all things through Christ who strengthens her." Phil. 4:13

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The meaning behind Chin ... There is a Chinese restaurant in the Twin Cities named Leann Chin. While Leanne was attending a basketball camp in middle school, a fellow camper had a bag from the restaurant. This camper made the connection between the name of the restaurant and Leanne's name. And the nickname Chin stuck!

Friday, December 30, 2011

Grover update

Leanne had an appointment today to check on Grover. He looked great! I even got to go to her appointment with her!


Leanne will have one more appointment next week before Grover enters the world. They will measure him and do some tests at that appointment. 

Please continue to keep Leanne, Ryan, and Grover in your prayers. Pray specifically pray for:
  • Continued health for Leanne
  • Continued growth for Grover
  • A safe, natural delivery for Leanne
  • Continued peace for Leanne, Ryan, and their families
  • Praise! that Leanne & Ryan are all moved into their townhouse!!
  • Praise! that Ryan will start his new job on Tuesday!!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

trusting

Leanne and her parents met with the care team on Wednesday, all 16 of them. The meeting went a little differently than planned, but isn't that the case with life? It did, however, go according to God's completely sovereign plan for Leanne, Ryan, and Grover. 

So here is the new plan:
  • January 10: Leanne will be induced (a.k.a. we get to meet Grover!!!!!)
  • January 11 & 12: Leanne will have tests and imaging done to make surgery easier
  • January 13: Leanne will have a single mastectomy
First and foremost, Leanne, Ryan, and their families trust the doctor's and their knowledge about how to best care for Leanne.

With that being said, the doctor's want to deliver Grover so they can move on to the next round of chemo sooner. They also want to deliver him before surgery so the medicine and anesthesia won't affect him. Leanne, Ryan, and their families have a lot of peace about this. They are trusting God that, even though this is not what they expected, He will continue to watch over them. As Leanne said to me, "Look at how God has already been putting the pieces together?! This is just another piece to the puzzle."

Once again, here is where you come in. We are BEGGING that you will spend LOTS of time over these next few weeks in prayer about the following:
  • That Grover would be a BIG, healthy baby.
  • That Leanne would have a natural delivery (no c-section)
  • That Leanne would have a smooth recovery from surgery on the 13th
  • Continued health for Leanne, Ryan, Grover and their families
  • Continued wisdom and knowledge for the team of doctors
  • Praise! God's continued provision and planning in each step of this journey!!
  • Praise! Leanne had good blood counts at chemo this week!!
  • Praise! A great team of knowledgeable doctors!!
Due to the health and safety of Leanne, Ryan, Grover, and their families, we ask that you would use extra caution while being around them this Christmas season. The best gift you can give them is the gift of health. To put it bluntly, if you are sick, feeling sick, getting sick, or recovering from being sick keep your distance!

TEAM CHIN is praying that you would experience the peace and provision of Christ this Christmas season.
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.
     He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
        He renews my strength.
   He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
    Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
   I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
   Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
     You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
   You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
      My cup overflows with blessings.
    Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
   and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 
New Living Translation

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

#4

Leanne had her final chemo treatment before she delivers Grover today! And she had some fun company ...


Tim and Aimee were both in town and decided to bring a little Christmas cheer to Leanne and the other chemo patients. Happy ugly Christmas sweater Tuesday! Leanne will meet with her Oncology team on Wednesday to discuss the plans and timeline for surgery. We will keep you posted!

As you celebrate Christmas with your family, we ask that you keep Leanne and her family in your prayers. Please specifically pray for:
  • Health for Leanne during this Christmas season
  • Continued growth for Grover
  • Peace for Leanne, Ryan, and their families as they await Grover's arrival
  • Wisdom for the doctors as they decide the plan for surgery and treatment
  • Leanne to carry Grover to 37 weeks
And Praise the Lord for the successful move this past weekend! Thank you to all that helped! Merry Christmas from TEAM CHIN!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Grover & moving update


Leanne had a perinatologist appointment yesterday and got to catch a glimpse of Grover. I don't know about you, but I cant wait to kiss those sweet cheeks!! Thanks so much for your prayers. Grover is growing (2lbs 6oz!!) and doing well. Leanne even gained a pound :)
On another note, there have been some changes with the moving plans. Here is the new schedule:

Saturday December 17, 1:00pm - Load the truck in Fergus Falls
Sunday December 18, 1:00pm - Unload the truck in Eden Prairie

Please call, facebook message, text, or email Leanne and/or Ryan if you are interested in helping.

We are so thankful for your partnership in prayer. Please continue to lift Leanne, Ryan, and Grover up in prayer. Please pray for:
  • Continued growth and health for Grover
  • Continued health for Leanne
  • Rest and peace for Leanne, Ryan, and their families
  • Leanne to carry Grover to 37 weeks
  • A smooth move this weekend

Friday, December 9, 2011

Moving!

*Written by Leanne

God is so good!  He is answering prayers and proving for all of our needs right now.  What a powerful experience it is to sit back and watch Him work and learn to be patient and wait for His timing!
We have been praying since the beginning of this cancer journey that God would somehow open up doors for us to be in the Twin Cities.  There were a number of reasons behind this prayer but the two most important ones were that:

1. Ryan and I could be together as I go through treatment and once Grover is born
2. I could be near my doctors so that if anything odd happened we would not have to drive 3 hours to get to a doctor who knows my case. 

For the last few weeks we have been working on details so that we can move to the cities.  Ryan found out at the beginning of December that Titan would work with him and allow him to keep his job and work out of the Shakopee store.  What an answer to a prayer!  They worked out the details and he will start there in January.  I have been in Fergus Falls this week and have been working to pack as much as I can.  Ryan's mom and dad came over on Tuesday and were a HUGE help!  They helped me pack sooooooo much!  My parents are on the other end and have been looking at places for us to live and found one last night!  It is close to them so they can be there quick if we need them. 

Here is the timeline:

Friday December 16- Celebrate Aimee's COLLEGE GRADUATION!!!!!!!!!!!! (our baby ... ok, my parent's baby is all grown up)
Saturday December 17- 1:00 pack up truck in Fergus Falls
Saturday Evening- unload truck into Chris & Fran's garage

We would love to have help here in Fergus on Saturday.  The truck will be here around 1:00.  If you want to help please send us an email, facebook message, comment, or text.  We could also use some help once we get to the cities but we don't exactly know what time that will be yet.

This move is what we need to do right now and as hard as it is to leave the Fergus/Alexandria communities we need to do what is best for my health.  We pray that if it is His will, God will bring us back to the area someday.

Thanks for loving us and supporting us through this.  We could not do this without TEAM CHIN!!!!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Bump update



Leanne is 26 weeks along! She had an appointment with her perinatologist (aka baby doctor) this morning and Grover looks great! His heartbeat was in the 150's; which is normal for him. Leanne is doing great and the Dr. said everything looks wonderful. Praise the Lord for continuing to knit Grover together in his mommies womb.

Please continue to pray for Leanne to have a safe, healthy, and long (37 weeks) pregnancy.