It has been almost a month since Josh's last chemotherapy treatment.
He had all of the side effects and continues to recover slowly. The most encouraging part is that now he can recover and doesn't face any more treatments. His appetite has been good and he is gaining weight slowly. He is getting his strength back and wants to do more.
His blood counts are recovering slowly, but it will be another week or so before he can be out in crowds.
We are planning a party for him on February 25th to celebrate his birthday (he turns 18 on February 3rd) and his completion of chemo. It will be here in Dalhart at the ROC (the churches recreation building) from 6 - 9 PM. We want to celebrate Josh's birthday along with his cancer being in remission, but more than that we want to celebrate the amazing grace that God has shown us in our lives.
Our lives have been changed along this journey, we will never be the same. God has shown us His faithfulness and grace. We have experienced His mercies in new ways. We know that many of you have also seen God work in your lives and we would love for you to come and celebrate with us what God continues to do.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Anniversaries
I woke up at 4 AM to give Josh his IV antibiotic. It took an hour and then I went back to bed for a little more sleep.
After waking up and getting ready for work, Ilene reminded me that it had been 6 months since we got the diagnosis of Josh's AML (July 20, 2011). It is not yet an anniversary that we get excited about. Partly because we are still waiting to see what comes next. Partly because we still experience the pain and hurt of what we have been through and may still need to go through.
It was just another busy week in the middle of summer. It was the second week of community prayer meetings for rain, our daughter was away at summer camp, Josh had just gotten back from being in California for the month of June and we were just working our way through a busy summer towards Fall.
I remember that felling like everything in our lives had been turned upside down. The things on our calendars had to be changed, the plans for Josh and Sarah to start college classes had to change, even things that were very important to us had to be given up.
Now, 6 months later, as we look back at what we have been through, we know that we have experienced God's faithfulness and grace. We have known that He was walking through it with us, and yet we have been changed. I don't know what our lives will look like 6 months from now, but they will never be the same as they were 6 months ago.
Something has been taken from us, something that we didn't understand very well has been ripped from our lives. That part of us that believes that today will be like yesterday and things have the potential to get better, has been challenged. If you have lived your life and never been touched by serious illness, death or great loss, you may not know what I am talking about.
There is a perception that life will go on and get better, that some of the things that other people experience won't touch your life. Almost like you are immune to some of those tragedies that others experience. We are no longer naive, we have experienced how quickly life can change. Our lives have been changed.
But we are convinced that when God ids in control and that He has a plan. We are told in Romans 8:28 that:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
We have seen Him at work, and He has used our journey to touch peoples lives and it may take a while for us to see all of the good that He is working out, but along the way, I am confident that nothing will separate us from God's love.
Mark the anniversaries in your life. Make note of what God has brought you through. Six months ago today, we were in shock after hearing about Josh's AML. Along the way we have lost much, things that we can never get back, but along the way we have also learned that God can overcome mountains that we can't climb, He can restore broken hearts and heal cancer.
Our God is an awesome God.
After waking up and getting ready for work, Ilene reminded me that it had been 6 months since we got the diagnosis of Josh's AML (July 20, 2011). It is not yet an anniversary that we get excited about. Partly because we are still waiting to see what comes next. Partly because we still experience the pain and hurt of what we have been through and may still need to go through.
It was just another busy week in the middle of summer. It was the second week of community prayer meetings for rain, our daughter was away at summer camp, Josh had just gotten back from being in California for the month of June and we were just working our way through a busy summer towards Fall.
I remember that felling like everything in our lives had been turned upside down. The things on our calendars had to be changed, the plans for Josh and Sarah to start college classes had to change, even things that were very important to us had to be given up.
Now, 6 months later, as we look back at what we have been through, we know that we have experienced God's faithfulness and grace. We have known that He was walking through it with us, and yet we have been changed. I don't know what our lives will look like 6 months from now, but they will never be the same as they were 6 months ago.
Something has been taken from us, something that we didn't understand very well has been ripped from our lives. That part of us that believes that today will be like yesterday and things have the potential to get better, has been challenged. If you have lived your life and never been touched by serious illness, death or great loss, you may not know what I am talking about.
There is a perception that life will go on and get better, that some of the things that other people experience won't touch your life. Almost like you are immune to some of those tragedies that others experience. We are no longer naive, we have experienced how quickly life can change. Our lives have been changed.
But we are convinced that when God ids in control and that He has a plan. We are told in Romans 8:28 that:
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
We have seen Him at work, and He has used our journey to touch peoples lives and it may take a while for us to see all of the good that He is working out, but along the way, I am confident that nothing will separate us from God's love.
Mark the anniversaries in your life. Make note of what God has brought you through. Six months ago today, we were in shock after hearing about Josh's AML. Along the way we have lost much, things that we can never get back, but along the way we have also learned that God can overcome mountains that we can't climb, He can restore broken hearts and heal cancer.
Our God is an awesome God.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
We Are HOME
Initially we thought Josh would be released on Monday, but his counts were still bouncing around, and they really wanted to take him off of 2 of the antibiotics gradually. Monday and Tuesday they weened him off of 2 of the 3 antibiotics, gave him 2 units of red blood on Wednesday and discharged him around 9 pm Wednesday night.
It is a tremendous relief to be home. We have no idea what to expect next, other than hope that we are done with extended hospital stays. Josh is still tired and weak, and needs to gain about 30 pounds.
Josh is on an IV antibiotic 3 times a day for a week, and of course his mountain of oral antibiotics, anti-fungals and antivirals (not to mention his heart meds, and potassium). We know that we have finished a part of the journey, and the next stage involves gaining weight and strength along with rebuilding his immune system.
We are just very glad to be home, knowing that we are done his chemotherapy, trusting that he will stay in remission and praying that God restores his heart to full function. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement and support.
We will continue to give regular updates on his recovery and the next phases of our journey.
It is a tremendous relief to be home. We have no idea what to expect next, other than hope that we are done with extended hospital stays. Josh is still tired and weak, and needs to gain about 30 pounds.
Josh is on an IV antibiotic 3 times a day for a week, and of course his mountain of oral antibiotics, anti-fungals and antivirals (not to mention his heart meds, and potassium). We know that we have finished a part of the journey, and the next stage involves gaining weight and strength along with rebuilding his immune system.
We are just very glad to be home, knowing that we are done his chemotherapy, trusting that he will stay in remission and praying that God restores his heart to full function. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement and support.
We will continue to give regular updates on his recovery and the next phases of our journey.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Just Another Monday
We have not heard whether Josh will be released today or if they will keep him for a few more days. They mentioned that they may keep him on antibiotics for a couple more days if the infection is still in his system, but we should know more later in the day.
His spirits are good and he has not had a fever in over 48 hours. He is eating pretty good and his blood counts were trending up a little. At this stage his counts sometimes fluctuate up and down, which is what happened yesterday. He got a unit of platelets but his hemoglobin went up so he didn't need red blood.
Yesterday, Josh was restless, tired of being cooped up in the hospital. We know that feeling of wanting a change of pace, wanting to get on to the next step. Wanting to be home and being about the things that usually fill our lives. But we have found that sometimes God allows circumstances in our lives that force us to wait on Him.
Each day is a testimony of Gods grace and faithfulness. His mercies are new every morning. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
If we go about our day like everyone else, they presume that there is nothing different about us. But if we face each day, thankful for the opportunities it brings and thankful to the God who gave it to us, our day, our lives, will have a very different reflection. Rather than reflecting the world around us, our lives will reflect the God who gave us this day.
Someone in my relational world needs to see something different today. Someone who knows me, needs to see a reflection of something unworldly. They need to see God at work, and if they don't see it in me today, they may not see it at all. It may just end up another Monday if I live like everyone else, but think about how different their world will be, how different their day will be if they see a reflection of John 3:16-17:
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
God chose to shine His light into the world through us. The world lives in darkness with our hope, but His light brings hope.
As you experience this day, let others see that you are rejoicing because of who gave you this day, and what He did to make sure that today you have something to rejoice about.
His spirits are good and he has not had a fever in over 48 hours. He is eating pretty good and his blood counts were trending up a little. At this stage his counts sometimes fluctuate up and down, which is what happened yesterday. He got a unit of platelets but his hemoglobin went up so he didn't need red blood.
Yesterday, Josh was restless, tired of being cooped up in the hospital. We know that feeling of wanting a change of pace, wanting to get on to the next step. Wanting to be home and being about the things that usually fill our lives. But we have found that sometimes God allows circumstances in our lives that force us to wait on Him.
Each day is a testimony of Gods grace and faithfulness. His mercies are new every morning. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.
If we go about our day like everyone else, they presume that there is nothing different about us. But if we face each day, thankful for the opportunities it brings and thankful to the God who gave it to us, our day, our lives, will have a very different reflection. Rather than reflecting the world around us, our lives will reflect the God who gave us this day.
Someone in my relational world needs to see something different today. Someone who knows me, needs to see a reflection of something unworldly. They need to see God at work, and if they don't see it in me today, they may not see it at all. It may just end up another Monday if I live like everyone else, but think about how different their world will be, how different their day will be if they see a reflection of John 3:16-17:
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
God chose to shine His light into the world through us. The world lives in darkness with our hope, but His light brings hope.
As you experience this day, let others see that you are rejoicing because of who gave you this day, and what He did to make sure that today you have something to rejoice about.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Head Aches and Fevers
When you have kids, you get used to all the little bugs that come with the territory. If they run a fever or have the sniffles we never made that big of a deal about it.
Now when Josh runs a fever or has a head ache, the doctors are very cautious. Every time he runs a fever they take a blood culture and start antibiotics. When he told the doctor the other day that he continues to have sever headaches, they ordered a CT Scan to make sure he doesn't have something else going on. It was fascinating to see what the inside of my sons head looks like and we were thankful that the results were negative.
With his fever and head aches, they will keep him in the hospital through the weekend to be safe. We are hoping that if all goes well, we can head home early next week.
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