Christmas Play 2013

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Christmas Week

 Merry Christmas!  Monday Josiah went to the clinic and hospital for chemo, some platelets, and another spinal tap.  His ANC, platelets and hemoglobin were all low.  I was surprised by that because his energy has been good lately.  He was back for red blood cells on Tuesday.  We got to meet the lady that makes Comfy Cozies!  You can read her daughter's story and find out more about these shirts she makes for kids receiving chemo treatments.

That night we headed to our community park for our church's candlelight Christmas Eve service then had cupcakes to celebrate Jesus' birthday at home afterward.  This morning we opened gifts, had breakfast and headed to a local nursing home to help hand out presents.  The kids enjoyed helping unwrap gifts and the residents enjoyed having some little ones about.  It was special to see all the beautiful blanket and throws that had been made for the residents.

In one wing, most of the residents were out in the lobby and in the other wing, we took their gifts to their room.  After the first group, our little introvert Mary was shot and ready to go home.  She had a complete turn around in the second group and was having so much fun she didn't want to leave.  It was amazing to see the difference for her between being in a large room with a lot of people and being in a small room with one or two individuals.  And then there was brother who was totally in his element on the first wing and quickly got bored on the second wing!  :)

Our house is a mess and we ate leftovers for Christmas dinner, but our hearts are full and we get to celebrate the hope we have in Christ this Christmas!

A good story...

I met a lady named Christina and her son Jordan about two weeks ago in the clinic.  Jordan has four other brothers.  Two older, a twin, and one younger.  He and his twin were born with sickle-cell-anemia.  Several years ago, while in the middle of a divorce, she and her husband found out they were expecting a baby.  In addition, they were told the baby would not survive due to a growth that was pushing on his internal organs.  Though advised to terminate the pregnancy, they chose to continue carrying this life.  They proceeded to give birth to their fifth son and arranged to have his cord blood saved in order to treat the twins' disease.  They were heartbroken to learn that the cord blood was accidentally disposed of after the baby's birth.  Fast forward a few years, Jordan sat before me having recently undergone a bone marrow transfusion.  Neither of the twins' older brothers were able to serve as donors, but their younger brother was found to be a perfect match and was able to give both of his brothers a chance to be cured by donating bone marrow.  To hear Christina tell their story was such a joy as light was seriously shooting out from her face.  Jordan, though at an age where he might want to appear "cool", was misty eyed and nodding enthusiastically as we talked.  Their marriage was restored and they have five healthy sons.  Praise God certainly for their healing, but also for His faithfulness to use their circumstances for His glory.

define that big "R" word please!

Josiah  had a long but good treatment day today.  He went to the clinic for a blood draw and check-up, then to the hospital for a spinal tap with chemo, then back to the clinic for a blood transfusion because his hemoglobin (red blood cells) was too low.  

It has been brought to my attention that there is some confusion about the term "remission" that I used in my previous blog.  According to the National Cancer Institute, remission is "a decrease in or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer.  In partial remission, some, but not all, signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.  In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer may still be in the body."

I'm not sure about all the technicalities, but I do know that during the first phase of treatment, the goal was to "force him into remission" and that was successful.  Assuming the best, he will continue weekly treatments for several more months before the frequency of appointments decreases.

Remission!

Josiah has enjoyed almost a week straight of "good days".  It has been so fun to hear him giggle and watch him run around having fun!  We decided to not participate in the clinical study.  Thank you for praying.  That was one of those decision where I didn't have much time to decide and had to go with my intuition.  I have continued to feel peace and confirmation since.  

This weekend we all got to enjoy a birthday party with friends, going to church together, taking cookies to the fire station with our life group, and last night we went to Mary's school christmas concert.  

He went in yesterday to start the second phase of treatment.  Now that the cancer has been knocked on its behind, treatment continues to keep it from returning.  Yesterday he received new chemo drugs in the clinic along with about 6 hours of fluids to decrease the concentration in his urine and protect his plumbing.  The nurse and I lost track of the number of trips to the loo, but I assure you it was near 30 over about 8 hours.  He also has new meds to take at home and none of us are looking forward to giving shots. :(

To leave you on a happy note, the kids were delighted by a surprise Santa drop off on Saturday thanks to a program for children in Phoenix Children's cancer center.  All three kids are uncontrollably giddy about a beautiful doll house that Mary received and Josiah has been living in an astronaut suit compete with boots, gloves and helmet.  So fun!

Good News!

Today was a great day!  Josiah completed the first phase (induction) of his treatment!

• His counts were great and doctor's orders were to "go have fun this weekend!"  He is looking forward to getting to go to church and a friend's birthday party!
• His CT scan results were "beautiful" or in doctor talk, "significantly resolved".  We will get more results from today's tests in a few days.  
• Aaron and I need to decide whether or not to have Josiah join a clinical study that involves the use of the drug Nelarabin.  Please pray for wisdom and peace in this decision.
• I was able to meet and exchange contact info with the foster mom of a friend Josiah made while in the hospital.  This little girl "L" has been on our hearts and we were praying for an opportunity to connect with her family!
• When I asked him how he wants to celebrate tomorrow he chose "make gingerbread cookies!"

Josiah and I read about Paul and Silas in prison last night.  Here is an overview of the story that starts in Act 16:16.  They didn't do anything wrong, yet were thrown in the slammer.  What did they do?  They prayed and sang (hymns).  An earthquake released their chains and opened the doors.  They stayed put and were were soon celebrating with the jailer and his family who had become believers in God.  That's good stuff.  Here's what I got out of that:  When life throws you in "unfair" circumstances, keep your eyes on Jesus, stay put, and watch as God makes himself known to you and those around you.