A New Journey of Faith

Josh is our youngest son. He is 17. Last month he had the opportunity to go to California to stay with Ilene's Mom and visit with family and friends.

He was super excited to go and had some great times, including going climbing one day with his Aunt Millie and Uncle David. He came home the last week of June (in the middle of VBS here at church). We were so excited for him to come home and for the first time since we have been in Texas, he seemed to really want to be here.

We waited at the airport that night, his fight was delayed several times. It was after midnight when he finally got in. We were so happy to see him when he walked off the plane. He seemed tired and little pale for someone who had been in California for a month and spent time at the beach. But he claimed he had used sun screen (SPF 100) as his mom had asked him to, so we didn't make a big deal about it.

For the next couple of days, he seemed really tired and we just thought he had not slept much while in CA. Ilene let him just sleep for a couple of days (and we were busy finishing up VBS and getting our grandson back home to Colorado). We were a little afraid that he had his days and nights mixed up and that he was staying up all night and sleeping during the day so we didn't make a big deal about it.

The second week he seemed to be running a low grade fever but was still getting up to do his volunteer work at church and even got out to mow the yard. Every Monday and most Fridays for the last two years he has gone over to church to help Mingo (Domingo Duenez - our church maintenance man and custodian) clean and replace/repair things. They have a great relationship and he looks forward to helping every week.

He was super tired after work and went back to bed after working each day. That Friday (July 16th) we told him we would have to go see Dr Turner if he was not better. He slept most of the weekend, but on Monday when he heard that Mingo's sister had had a stroke, he got up and went to church to help them get finished so they could go to Abilene (keep Domingo and Alice in your prayers, his sister had a serious stroke and will have surgery on Thursday morning).

Brian was able to get a 2:00 appointment with Dr. Turner. Dr Turner sent him to get his blood drawn and other lab work done. Josh was frustrated that things were taking so long. He just wanted to get back to the church to help Mingo. We went and did that and went back to the church, by the time we got back to the church, Kristy from Dr Turner's office called Brian to say they had some results and that we needed to come back to the office right away.

(Ilene writes) Matt brought us all back into the examine room, Patty was there with us as well. In hind sight, I should have recognized the concern on Patty's face, but I was clueless at the time. Matt told us the problem had shown up quickly, his blood counts were very low and that he wanted us to go to the ER in Amarillo have him seen by a blood specialist. He had already sent copies of the lab results to Dr Sharp, and he wanted to do a bone marrow biopsy the next morning. Again, in hindsight, I can see that Matt and Patty were trying to get us to see the urgency of the situation without scaring us. Again, we were clueless.

We went home to take care of the dogs and grab a few things, not knowing if they would keep him overnight. I ran through the house like a crazy person grabbing random items before we left. Josh went to his room and stood firm on the fact that he would not be going to Amarillo because he had to take care of the Cearly’s dogs and yard and with Alice and Mingo gone and our other custodian on vacation, he needed to help at church. He certainly did not want to let someone cut open his hip and drill a hole in his hip (his understanding of what it meant to get a bone marrow biopsy) so he saw no reason to go. We were all scared.

As we drove the 75 miles to Amarillo, I (Brian) prayed the whole way. In the ministry, we have made many trips to the hospital and ER for others, (but rarely for our immediate family other than a few broken bones with teenagers) so we expected the usual long wait in ER. I prayed that we could get in quickly and begin to get some answers.

We arrived at BSA at 7:01, and within 25 minutes were in talking to a ER physician. They took some more of his blood (of which he had a short supply of) and expressed serious concern over his results. They admitted him to a room on the oncology floor, and scheduled a bone marrow biopsy for 7:00 AM Tuesday morning. The ER doctor said "I know it sounds abrupt, but his lab results indicate that he has lymphoma". (Both Ilene and I heard him say lymphoma, but we later learned that they were screening for leukemia).

Josh was amazing during the bone marrow biopsy. He tolerated it well. Dr Sharp told us that he hoped to get some results by Tuesday night so we sat and watched the clock most of the day praying for peace and understanding. Rodney and Debra Weatherly came by and prayed and then waited with us for the results. Josh was hoping to get the results and head for home as he did not want to spend anther night in the hospital. The doctor finally came by at around 6:00 pm to tell us that the lab did not get the results back yet and they hoped to have something in the morning.

Rodney and Debra had graciously arranged for a room at the League House (like Ronald McDonald) so we began thinking through a longer stay in Amarillo. Ilene ran to get somethings and get a shower, and we had some more visitors who were a big encouragement. After another restless night, praying and hoping to know what is going on, Dr Sharp came in at 8am to tell us that the results ere still not back and he would check in with us after lunch. He is reluctant to even discuss possibilities until the results get back, but the test are to identify why Josh's bone marrow is not producing blood properly.

We know that God is faithful. Ilene was reading this morning in Jeremiah 29

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD

Last week started with the churches in Dalhart coming together to pray. we were praying for rain and praying that God would draw people to him. This week we still have not had any rain in Dalhart, but God has answered our pryers in that our full attention is focused on Him