Hello Winter: You're Just In Time For Spring

This is what our 2nd major snowstorm of the year looked like this morning. Good snowman material.

A Nice Spring Day

This week's chemo treatment went smoothly. Just an injection into his mediport and away we go. An added blessing: this drug doesn't make him nauseous. All the girls came along, which Nathan seems to like, and it makes them realize what a brave brother they have.
The Unknown Cowgirl.

Sherriff Nathan in action.

An Answer

Regarding our decision about Nathan's new treatment, many people have been praying that we would be unified, that we would have peace, and that it would be clear to us what to do. And God answered all those prayers with a "yes" today. Thank you for all your prayers.

Nathan's going to start with a new drug this Wednesday which will just be an injection into his mediport. So instead of the two and a half hours minimum we were at the hospital before, now we should be in and out in half an hour. It will still be 4 weeks on, 2 weeks off. And this drug doesn't seem to have as bad side effects as the old ones. Our prayer is that it would be effective against the tumor- or that the Lord would just take the tumor away, if that would bring Him the most glory, and be the best for all.

Are my kids the only weird ones? I was just on the phone a few minutes today and next thing I knew they were standing out in the cold wind, under the sprinkler, with boxes over their heads. Another photo moment lost.

Just Checking In

Hello again. I had to drop out of blogging world for a while. There just hasn't been time, and not much to post. Any "spare" time I've had lately has gone into researching & phone calls, trying to cover all our bases before we go ahead with a new treatment. It hasn't been a simple decision. But James 1:5 says,"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." We know He will show us the way He wants us to go. A friend reminded me today that God loves Nathan a whole lot more than Aaron and I do. Psalm 27:13-14 has had special meaning for us lately: "I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage, yes, wait on the Lord."

Nathan has a glow of health right now - good color and energy. It makes me happy to look at him. His pants are starting to look like capri pants, so we know he's growing taller. He and the girls ran through the sprinkler today - unheard-of in Colorado in March. He's been bringing me fistfuls of the first Spring flowers - my favorite, blue grape hyacinths, until tulips start to bloom.

Meeting With Doctor

Just wanted you all to know that we met with Nathan's neuro-oncologist today. There are a few treatment options, and he said it is fine for us to wait and think it over. So we will be thinking and praying and talking and reading, and trusting God that whichever way we go, we'll be in His will, and Nathan will be in His perfect care.

The Doctor Said, "That's It."

This was a doozy. Today Nathan went off to chemo like it was a special day because he got to go with our good friend Judy. I still wasn't well enough to take him. A few minutes into the chemo infusion, Nathan had the worst reaction ever and they had to give him a shot of epinephrine when the benedryl and cortisone didn't work. The doctor and a swarm of assistants were in the room tending to him, thank God, and they kept him for observation for a while. Judy said he was such a trooper through it all. And he came home looking perfectly normal. With a new Lego set. (Only at Children's Hospital.)

We've asked for wisdom to know which path to take, and the Lord is clearly shutting this door, since the doctor announced that Nathan will not ever receive those chemo drugs again. Next up is a meeting with the doctor in a week to discuss a few different options. Your prayers are much appreciated.