A Braver Boy Facing Tomorrow's MRI

Tonight as I put Nathan to bed I thought about how God makes us strong by taking us through difficult times. His attitude toward tomorrow's MRI is so different from the first ones he had before and after brain surgery. I think he was more afraid of the MRIs than the surgery. Now, it's not a big deal, and he is looking forward to seeing how the tumor is doing. And he knows he is going to get a 45 minute foot rub from me as I hold on to his feet while he's in the tube watching a video with the sound of jackhammers all around him.

What Are Your Favorite Christmas Albums?

The Christmas album we listen to most and consider a treasure is CHRISTMAS WITH MATTHEW WARD. I recently learned that by the time he was 10 his mother had died of a brain tumor and his father died of leukemia. He and his older sisters began singing together when he was 12, and people were awed at the way their voices blended (probably the best harmony you'll ever hear). They formed the group The Second Chapter of Acts, and basically pioneered the contemporary Christian music movement, and years later Matthew Ward went off on his own. We think he has the best voice of any male singer. About ten years ago he had his own bout with cancer, and after that put out two albums that are our all-time favorites - My Redeemer and Even Now.

What are your favorite Christmas albums to listen to as you're baking cookies?

Baby It Was Cold Outside

For those of you outside Colorado who are wondering what -15 degrees feels like, it's COLD. We had not turned on our very old furnace for about 2 years, just using our woodburning stove for heat, which normally works pretty well. The last time we had turned it on, it smelled pretty bad. Well, when Aaron came home from work chilled to the bone (he had to fix some things outside in the cold), and the house was 59 degrees he decided to try the furnace. Instant heat is a very nice invention.

But, after some of the coldest weather in Denver's history, we had a nice warm (30-40 f) day yesterday. The Aurora Police were at Children's Hospital while we were there, handing out presents and visiting with the patients. Nathan wanted to know if they knew Officer Crump, the man who visited him the day before his brain surgery. The officer said, "Oh, he told me about you." Nathan said, "He DID?"

(Photo courtesy of Elizabeth at XarisStudio)

www.XarisStudio.com

Some Good Improvements

If I didn't have enough incentive to stay well, I have it now. Yesterday, since I had a sore throat and a cold I had to wear a mask to protect the other patients while we were at the oncology clinic. Nathan and I played basketball and catch in the little playroom there. Compared to a few months ago, he can catch a ball and shoot baskets noticeably better. So his perception and coordination are improving. Also, he ate regular ol' cheese pizza at the cafeteria, something he couldn't eat a few months ago.

His next MRI is scheduled for the morning of New Year's Eve, and we should have the results that day. The doctor said that sometimes they can't tell much on the first MRI, but we're obviously hoping that we see the tumor shrinking.

Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

For the first time we got a permit to cut our own Christmas tree. It was a lot of fun driving into the mountains listening to Christmas music, and then hiking through the woods together to find the perfect tree. The only problem was that all the trees in this area were spindly things you could see through. Dania was the one who found "Charlie" and we brought him home. Hope all the needles won't fall off before Christmas.

Chemo Buddy

Nathan's treatment day went well. I was especially thankful that the snow that was forecast for Wednesday didn't come in until after we got home.

On Wednesday we met a boy named Justin and his mom. He is also five and his birthday is one day before Nathan's, and he has all sisters and a brain tumor. What they don't have in common is that Justin's tumor is cancerous and he has lost vision in one eye because of it. And they have to go to the oncology clinic every day instead of once a week. Justin's mom is a cheerful and thankful person. In fact, most of the moms I have met there are markedly cheerful and thankful. What I admired most about her is that she doesn't handicap her son by her attitudes. When talking about his loss of vision she said, "but there's still lots of things he can do and will do." Please pray for little Justin and for his healing if you think about it.

Nathan had gotten an invitation by the Make-A-Wish Foundation to a Christmas shopping spree they set up at Children's Hospital on Friday, where he could "buy" gifts for his family. But we ended up having car trouble and no babysitter for the girls, so we couldn't go. That night on the news they showed that event, and patients in wheelchairs shopping, and the camera focussed on a gift bag with the name NATHAN on it. As I wondered why the Lord didn't allow Nathan to go, I realized that it would be better for him to have a special shopping time with Aaron or me in stores like everybody else, since he is healthy is every way except this thing growing in the wrong spot. It is such a worthy and good event that they hosted for these children, but I'm glad that Nathan can go out and spend a few dollars at Target or somewhere.

Happy Thanksgiving

It was a very happy Thanksgiving.

Business or Pleasure?

Got our dinosaur of a digital camera working again in time to capture the kids in their latest endeavor. I told them they could finish playing after they brought in some firewood.

Nathan said, "We're not playing, we're building a FORT!" They worked with so much zest and ambition that it got me thinking, "What if adults did their work the way children do in their play?"

thankful

It's the night before Thanksgiving and we have much to thank God for. Like you, we're thankful for life and love, family and friends, a home and a job. Mostly, for a God who is a "very present help in time of trouble", a living Savior who is compassionate and merciful. A few people have told us recently that they pray for Nathan and us every day. Thank you!

We're also thankful that Nathan is alive and well, and that his tumor had made a cyst so that we would know it was there. Otherwise it could have kept growing until it did critical damage. Children's Hospital and the staff are something else we thank God for. You would, too, if you were there.

I'm also glad for dirty dishes, Nathan's shoes in the middle of the floor, and the laundry I need to put away (yes, I should be doing that now :) and that Aaron gets a few days off.

Nathan had a full chemo treatment today. He is just not having one of his better days, but hopefully he'll perk up tomorrow.

This trial has made us more thankful people, and for that we're thankful.

A Little Relief

Nathan did fine last week, and this week was a short appointment with just an injection of one of the chemo drugs, and no i.v. drip. And next week will be the same. Then after that the schedule will be 4 weeks of the regular treatment, then, 2 weeks off for the remainder of the time. His first two weeks off will be during Christmas and New Years. What great timing! Nathan's energy is good and so is his appetite without that other drug that causes all the nausea. I'll be making lots of pumpkin pies for him (his fav.). His head must be feeling pretty good because he did a headstand this week.

Yesterday after the treatment Nathan and I went shopping for Aaron's 40th birthday, which is this Saturday. I'm so thankful for these special times with him. Tonight Melissa said, "Daddy, we bought you chocolate for your birthday!" Now we know we have to be more careful what we say around her. What a stinker!

He's Looking On The Bright Side

It's now becoming part of life to drive to Children's Hospital in the morning together. The new thing we did today was go to the very nice library they have there. We sat on the floor and read a great book called Barkis about a boy and his puppy.(One of the top 10 best books for a 5 year old boy.) Later as we were sitting in the oncology clinic painting a picture Nathan said it's actually good that "this happened" (his tumor). His reasons? We get to spend time together reading and painting; we get to go out to eat together; and he doesn't have to take a nap. We have a lot to learn from children, don't we?

Kids and Politics

Just because I think it's cute......

Nathan thinks Obama rhymes with Alabama and says it like he's slugging someone. "o- BAM- a." Melissa calls him "OhMama".

We were out walking the other day and 2 year old Melissa saw a yard sign and pointed and said, "John McCain!" (it was a John McCain sign, too) She's been hearing the girls point out McCain signs lately.

Natalie: "Don't you wish we lived back then when we could curtsy, and when there was no Obama?"

Dania: "So why DO we want a woman to be the vice president anyway?"

2nd Chemo Day

Our big, brave boy Nathan faced today without tears or complaints. They lowered the dose because of the side effects he had last week, so hopefully he will have a better week.

We took the I.V. pole he named "Rattles" down to the cafeteria. Then back in the oncology clinic Nathan had fun painting a picture. We sat around an art table with two other moms and girls and a "play therapist." The patients and their parents have sweet attitudes even though what they're going through is difficult.

So far, the speech therapist, occupational therapist, and the neuro-psychologist who have evaluated Nathan have all found the same areas of weakness in his brain functioning, most likely related to the tumor. Hopefully these areas will get stronger once the tumor shrinks.

A Good Day

Nathan is doing great today. Thank you, God. Energy and appetite back to normal, so we're feeding him like an athlete before his event. Wish you could have seen him and his sisters stomping through the fall leaves today. Sorry, no pictures, our camera isn't working now. He was "sherrif Nathan" all day, wearing his sherrif badge and Aurora P.D. ballcap.

He asked tonight, "So, if the chemo is bad and makes me feel bad, why are you wanting me to have it?" We answered with a garden/weeds/weedkiller analogy. And again, pointing him to faith in Jesus, that he can go to Him in prayer and tell Him his requests. Because Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

JINGLE BELLS AND SIDE EFFECTS

Two of the side effects the doctor said might affect Nathan were jaw pain and loss of appetite. He has had both the past two days. Not good for a skinny boy like him, so please pray that he would still be able and willing to eat all that his body needs, and that the side effects would go away.

But, on a good note, I always know that he is feeling good and happy when he breaks into singing his version of Jingle Bells (crossed with "Old Mac Donald"), which he did this morning, running through the house:
"...jingle all the way,
old Mc fun it is to ride
in a once old open sleigh,hey!"

How The Lord Provides

I know some of you might be going through some hardship right now, and I want to encourage you by sharing how God has cared for us lately. This week some people got a collection together to pay for Nathan's Mannatech supplements for the next six months. We believe these, by God's grace, have really helped his health. What a gift! On Monday, minutes before I was going to go to the grocery store, with limited funds just this week, I opened a card from someone I had never met who gave us a grocery store gift card. And we received other generous gifts, none we deserve, but God is gracious. This week we were gone every day, and housecleaning was suffering , but a family with the most amazing young ladies you'll ever meet came over to help us with housecleaning yesterday. What a boost! Other people fixed us meals the last few weeks, someone else came over to help Aaron stack our wood for the winter. The cherry on top is that some women who have volunteered to take care of the girls while Nathan and I are gone are the BEST, most joyful and diligent homemakers I know! The girls will have a course in Homemaking 101, and will learn some valuable things from these godly women that will help them for their lives.
Nathan is feeling well today, and it's the most beautiful of Fall days.

First Chemo Day

As Aaron and I walked Nathan into Children's Hospital yesterday for his first dose of chemo, our hearts were broken, but we were trying to act cheerful and nonchalant for Nathan's sake. We were there 5 hours because they had to draw blood, do tests, explain things. The hour before they actually put in the I.V., nurses and "Child Life Specialists" would come in and offer movies, games, activities. But his whole attitude and demeanor said,"This isn't a game, so stop trying to make it seem like one. " We asked him if he just wanted to get the show on the road, and he said yes.
He didn't feel the needle poke into his mediport because we put numbing cream on him in the morning. For the hour of I.V. hydration he was free to walk around the hospital, so we took his I.V. on a rolling pole and went down to the cafeteria to have lunch at an outside table. We had a good laugh when he ate a cherry tomato and squirted it out all over me. For the 2nd hour of chemo we had to stay in the oncology clinic. Nathan was now up to playing. Someone brought him some Model Magic clay, and that was a winner. When it was done he got to pick a prize, then ran out of the clinic.
We were encouraged that he acted normal the rest of the day, so normal that I forgot to give him the anti-nausea pill I was supposed to give him. In the middle of the night he woke up mumbling about the bad medicine the doctors were giving him, then started crying and was very nauseous and sick. I gave him the pill, sat in the dark bathroom holding him, praying and thinking "what did we let them do to him?" Thankfully he was able to start feeling better and went back to sleep. In the morning he looked and acted totally normal.
This is going to be a long road. Please pray that Nathan would not experience bad side-effects from the chemo, and that he would not need to have it for a year like the doctor has said, and that we might bring honor to God through this time.

Looking Good

Here are some pictures of Nathan yesterday, the day after his mediport surgery. His incision is healing nicely, and the rest of it is hidden by his hair. He wanted to walk to the playground today. I think he is happier now that his sisters aren't so careful and nice to him, and that they're back to teasing and bickering.

Build-A-Bear Says....

The Build-A-Bear that the Watsons gave Nathan before his surgery had a recording of the Watson kids reading three verses. Those verses comforted us so much during those days. Good verses for your children to have in their hearts for such a time as this.

"When I am afraid I will trust in You."

"Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."

"Great is the Lord and mighty in power."

Here's a picture of Nathan's first meal at home. Still using left hand.

Going Home!

Nathan surprised all the staff by how quickly he bounced back after the surgery. Here is Nathan and Dr. Handler, the neurosurgeon who performed the surgery. We are forever grateful to him. Can you believe Nathan wanted to pull his wagon of stuff out of the hospital?

Day 3

Began occupational therapy to check the use of his right arm. Nathan getting restless and a little depressed because he wanted to go home.

Day After Brain Surgery

Through all this we saw strength and courage in Nathan that we didn't know he had in him. Maybe he didn't, but God put in there when he needed it.

Day Before Brain Surgery

While Aaron and the girls were across the street at Chipotle's with Grandma Glenda and Aunt Nicole who came out from Calif. & Ariz., they met some police officers. When they heard about Nathan they wanted to visit him. Nathan was very surprised when two policemen walked into his room Sunday morning asking if he had called 911. He said, "No, but I think my sister Melissa did." (She had been playing with the phone the night before.)

A Robber, A Kidnapper, Or An Indian

The day we got the diagnosis of Nathan's brain tumor and cyst was a rough one. While we sat in Children's Hospital waiting to have the 2nd MRI done Nathan said, "Mommy, this should be happening to a robber, a kidnapper or an Indian, but not to me."

Post Surgery

It went so well that Nathan went home, skipped his nap, and went to the hardware store with Dad! He will have some soreness for about a week.
The biggest prayer request now is that God would protect his body from the effects of the chemo.
Chemo starts next Wednesday at 10:00.

The Medi Port

Nathan's medi-port is used to make administering the chemo more efficient and less painful.

This is what it looks like before surgery.

And after placement.

We'll be letting everyone know how surgery went later tonight or tomorrow.

Prayer for Surgery....

TODAY, at 10:00 MST, Nathan will be going in for a 30 minute surgery to put in the medi-port (shunt). The shunt is to administer the chemo. Please pray that the surgery will go well, and for comfort for Nathan's heart. Our biggest concern right now is that he would not have bad side effects from the chemo. He is bright-eyed and energetic at home and we don't want to see him slip backwards.