Dear Friends and Family,
Wow, where do I begin? This week has been a walk of faith for all of us. God has showed us so many things…the beauty of waiting on Him, His faithfulness to hear the prayers of his people, the way in which God can give us peace amidst total uncertainty, and the strength that pours forth from the Body uniting together to minister to a need. We experienced God’s comfort and the love pouring forth from our friends who took care of every need. Most importantly, when we requested prayers, we saw you all call upon Jesus on our behalf. I truly believe that whatever was attacking my body God took away because of so many of you that were on your knees asking God for healing. To God be all the glory and praise!
This all began over a week ago when I contracted a bladder infection that wouldn’t go away with medication. It only began to worsen and become more painful especially in my back area. That pain took me to the E.R. where I was told the infection was also in my kidney’s and I had kidney stones. During this process, however, blood work determined that my white blood cell count was very low. A normal count is between 4.5-11 with most people being around an 8 or 9. Mine was 2.7 and had been there for a week. This explained why my body was not fighting off the infection. As a result, they called an oncologist who recommended I be admitted to the hospital and have a bone marrow biopsy. Eventually, the oncologist decided to transfer me to Baylor medical center and monitor me for a couple of days to see if my blood results improved. I was told my numbers should get better due to the powerful medication they had given me to rid my body of the infection. However, the numbers (my entire CBC report, not just the white blood cells) did not get better. When this happened, the oncologist actually told us they thought I had Lukemia and taking my blood work into consideration only gave us a 10% chance it was not cancer. They ordered the bone marrow biopsy which was almost unbearable. The normal procedure should only last about 15 minutes but mine took just under an hour. My bones were very hard and they had to make three incisions instead of the one that is normal. I don’t want to describe this process because it is just too terrible honestly. But God got me through it!
Afterwards, they did more blood work but basically we just had to wait. Eventually, they came in and told us that they had ruled out Lukemia but was now thinking it was Lymphoma due to an abnormality that came back in the bone marrow. However, today, I was told that when all the results were in, nothing else in any of the blood work was positive for cancer. Thus, they concluded something viral attacked my body causing a reactive chain of events to happen that totally bottomed out my white blood cell count and other numbers. The abnormality was related to a cluster of lymph node cells that formed together that can mean lymphoma but can also be caused from a viral attack, although it is rare. In fact, they told me what happened to me occurs only in 1 out of 10 cases. Wow! Isn’t prayer powerful?!
One previous test was also positive. It is what can cause Lupus and other things like Thyroid Disease. However, based on all the other results, the Dr’s believe it is a false positive due to the reaction of my body to the virus. They did more blood work this morning to look at that test more specifically. I am going to follow up in 10 days with the oncologist to get a final report… BUT they ruled out cancer before I left! Now, what does all this mean? They are going to monitor me very closely for a while. After looking back at my blood tests the past two years, I am always on the lowest end of “normal” regarding my white blood cell count. I believe this is why my immune system is always weak, I stay tired a lot, and get sick often. They even concluded from the tests that I had Mono at some point and didn’t even realize it. The oncologist told me that the good news is that they are going to be on top of this and if anything does appear again in the future we will know early. They say if I ever start feeling sick they will do a Complete Blood Count and the oncologist will read my numbers. I really feel confident that they are on top of things.
As of right now, I am just resting and trying to heal from the bone marrow biopsy. Jim and I literally feel we’ve been given a second chance at life! We are just beyond grateful for the news. I have been so blessed to hear how this has caused everyone we love to stop and place value on what is truly important in life. Thank you to everyone who has been on their knees this week and interceding on our behalf. God has been so faithful! We are so humbled by the prayers and love given by all of you. I mean, really, what can I say? How do you really express that kind of gratitude. Know that we deeply love each of you who have played a part in this healing.
Jim and I would like to particularly thank Jay and Ashli Hall who kept Riley and Jack. Ashli went overboard to handle every detail of their care and we just can’t thank you guys enough. Thanks also to Scott and Lori McCullough who kept them for a night and to Lori, his teacher, who watched over Riley at school for me. To Jeff & Ginevra Ott, thanks for providing them with one of the most memorable moments of their lives…mud-riding on your farm (even though Jeff threw Riley off the back of the 4 wheeler into a mud puddle)! Thanks also for taking them to school every day this week and making sure they started their days with fun and laughter. Thanks also to Karla Graul for bringing us much needed items from the house. Thanks to Bart Millard and all the MercyMe gang for using the MercyMe website to inform everyone and enlist prayer support that truly lifted our spirits. Thanks also to Ginger Beggs for creating the Facebook “Pray for Misti Bryson” cause page that became an awesome tool of encouragement for Jim and me.
We were so excited to read everyone’s prayers and scripture verses. We read every comment. And thanks to everyone that came to the hospital to pray over me and visit. I would have gone stir-crazy without you guys! Your presence meant so much! And thanks to my Mom, who was here with me every step of the way and cared for my every need. I love you, Mama! To Jim, my best friend, thank you for showing me every day why marrying you was the best decision of my life! And to my sweet little boys, I will never look at you the same again. Every moment with you is truly priceless and I will forever treasure every second. Holding you in my arms today has never felt so good. And thank you, God!!!! You are the Great Physician! You hold all things in the palm of Your hand. Thank you for being on Your throne always, for seeing me and answering our prayers. My love for You is beyond measure. We will keep you guys posted of any new news. Thanks again for all the prayers and words of encouragement. We are all so blessed to have each other. I only hope I can spend the rest of my life serving all of you the way you have served our family this week. With much love and gratitude,
Misti Bryson
Praise God! I will continue to lift you guys up in prayer. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Praise the Lord, for He is so GOOD!! Wow, that is amazing and so incredibly wonderful!!
I will continue to keep you in my prayers. Please let us know if you need anything else!
Blessings,
Jess
Praise God! I’m so excited to hear such incredible news. The power of prayer, and most importantly, the power of God is sooo amazing! Amen!
Thank You Jesus For touching Misti. Thank You Jesus For your Healing Power. Make her whole!
we are all so grateful to God for bringing you out of this dark time. my family will continue to love the MM family and pray for your continued recovery. good things are ahead and i know God has great plans to use you in bringing nonbelievers to Him. please keep us posted on your recovery and let us fans know if there is anything you need. i thank God for your family and friends that were there on the front lines to care for your boys & jim, so that you could use your energy for recovery. thank you for what all of you bring to us fans and keep us encouraged in these sometimes trying times.
So glad to hear the good news! Although I am very optimistic in times like these, it made me pray a little harder because it was touching someone I knew, personally. I had mono a couple of years ago and I though I was dying. You be careful getting back to your daily routine because that disease can relapse at any time and cause you some major problems. Keep in touch. Love and Prayers
Amen.
Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.
When I read this, I think of y’all……isn’t God amazing?!
God is on his throne. He hears and answers our prayers. He reigns.
There is no match for God and His people, when we all come together in His name!
Praise God!! Once again, we get to privilege of testifying to the magnificence of His mercy and love for us!! Hallelujah!!
Thanks for sharing this trial (and victory) with us, and allowing us to pray with you through it! Praise God for His grace and mercy! We will continue to pray that your recovery is quick, and your immune system will strenghthen.
praise God for such great news! all of us at Compassion have been praying for you this week. thanks for the update!
I am glad for your recovery. Prayer is indeed powerfull. Willkeep praying that all your results have the right outcome.
i’m so very blessed to hear of your quick and complete recovery . our god truly is our healer . thanks for keeping us updated of your progress . HAPPY MOTHERS DAY
lorraine
Thank you for sharing with us how the Lord was faithful to you through this. I never doubt the power of prayer in our lives. I Praise God that He is faithful and I am amazed at His promises to us. That the Lord that created the Universe and everything in it would be so intimately involved in our lives because of a Love we cannot fathom is awe inspiring!
That is SOOOO awesome, Misti!
I’m sorry you had to endure the testing part, but so thankful the results were good! What a testimony!
PRAISE GOD.
–You’re still in our prayers.
Much Love.
rachel
Thank you God. This was the most wonderful news I recieved the day you were going home. My first comment was “Praise God” I have had so many emails from my family in Little Rock, & The Class of 1961 (the year Arthur graduated from High School, Bart’s Dad) wanted to know if I knew any more and that she had sent out prayer request to each one in that class to start praying. I recieved an email last night & a phone call from a individual in that class and we talked about how great our God Is, and we could not even began to imagine how people could not believe in prayer. We continue to pray for you Misti and Jim,and thank God that you are home. If I can do anything to help you please call. I’ve always said when Bart & Jim & Mike started the band, that the guys were just like my kids, we love you all sooo much. Dell & Bob
AMEN
WOW! Praise God for he healing power and for answering prayers. All Glory to our Father in Heaven!! ~AMEN~
Thanks so much for sharing.
Happy Dance!
Hey Misti This is Melissa Your old dental hygenist from Dr. Woodalls in Gadsden. God is so Awesome!!!! You’ve been in our prayers this week . I’m so ready to go to church this morning and give God the glory!
Happy Mother’s day, Misti! Thanks for sharing.
(((HUGS)))
God is so good! I will continue to lift you up in prayer.
i believe in the power of prayers and i also believe good things happen to good people ive learned from lifes experences…so gladd to hear thing are better and ill contue to pray for you guys may god always bless you and the things you both do…your friend in christ rick
What a scare! Praise God for putting His hand over you Misti. I can’t imagine all the worry that was going through your head.
God bless you and your family.
Praise the Lord!!!!I am filled with Joy in my heart after reading your post!!!God is good!!
Lamentations 3:22-24
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
I would say these verses describe this testimony very well! God is so great he marvels us every day!
Praise His holy, holy name. What a wonderful reminder of who are Daddy is! God bless you Misti and may He continue to pour His love and healing into you life and body
Yours in Christ
Betty
Praise God that is awesome! He is truly a gracious God!!
Reading your story reminded me when I had a similar problem. When I was six, I got sick. I don’t remember if I had a bladder infection or why I was taking Sulfa but I was. When my mom was pregnant with me (before she even knew) she got a bladder infection and took Sulfa. She broke out in hives. When I took Sulfa, I lost the platelets in my blood. You’re supposed to have 250,000 and I had 1000. They did a bone marrow test on me (and I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!!!!!!!!) and they were looking for Lukemia as well. My pastor at the time came and prayed for me (I was a shy little girl so I flipped over in my bed and put my head at the foot of the bed) and I was out in a week with normal platelet counts. God is truly a wonderful God! Prayer changes things and you are living proof! God bless you!!
Praise God! I am so glad to hear you are doing better and will recover from this challenge. Take care of yourself. Life often will test us with challenges but it only makes us stronger!