A Deep Breath of Relief

As we close our eyes tonight and thank God for the life that we have, we remember all that has happened over the last 7 days. We went from not knowing if our child was going to live, to spending a quiet evening at home in the comfort of our home. Tonight we can breath easy know God is in control. Every ring of fire that we have passed through this week was one step closer to the safety of our own food and beds. Leaving the fears of the unknown behind, we will take this journey of surviving cancer with all seriousness. We will fight and we will win. The devastation of the diagnosis will turn into the hope for many days to come with our son. I will go to work tomorrow knowing God will sustain my little boys body since it cannot do so on it's own. You may imagine a child weak and suffering because his immune system is in shutdown mode, but God grants him plenty of energy as a boy should have. I look forward to coming home each day to hear him run to the door to tell me he missed me. Jenny's first day with the medications was pleasent. She crushes a pill and mixes it in chocolate syrup and put it into his mouth with a syringe. Twice a day is all. It's not always easy getting him to open his mouth, and brushing his teeth is a challenge too, but he is getting used to the thermometer under his arm. We still notice a few of the minor side effects but they are even mild at best. He is drinking as much as he used to and may be eating more already. One more day this week and then the weekend routine begins. A different medication for A couple of days and lots of time making Legos together. Taking a deep breath and off to bed.

I added this music video that is related to a relationship but says a lot when it comes to life changing events

Home-Sweet Home

Today is our first full day at home. Last night Lincoln played with his sister Emma and played doctor with their toys. He showed her how to use the stethoscope and other instruments he got in his doctors bag of play instruments. It was a happy evening that made everything feel ok again. Unfortunately things have changed and will change.

Today I return to my job which takes me far away to Sweet Home, Oregon. I want to be closer to Home but I only have to spend a few days there. These next few days could be critical as Lincoln's white blood cell drop even lower and his risk for infection increases. As soon as we notice the slightest little change in his health we need to check for a temperature of 100.4. Then we go to the Salem ER to start IV antibiotics. Pray this never happens because it will be scary.

Until we see any real hit to his health we will be watching closely, washing our hands a lot and sanitizing with a sneeze or a cough because bacteria is abundant and wants to find a way to upset things.

Cramming for Finals

As we prepare to leave the hospital we carry a load of information. We were not prepared for leukemia but we are preparing for Lincoln's journey, as fast as possible. There is a Manuel of instructions we need to follow closely to care for our boy. No more nurses doctors or hospital room to stay on course, it's time to sail this ship.

Lincoln is still doing great as a little boy should but his blood counts are getting to the lowest point. Killing cancer cells means killing the bodied immune system temporeraly. Now come the tough part. The road ahead is long and rough but we are survivors.

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Going the Distance

Tonight feels like the night before graduation from high school. For a very long time, in some cases 4 years and in others, 4 days, we prepare to go out into the great unknown.

The excitement of completing the course and the fear of the unknown, while still knowing next to nothing when it comes to the real world, are stirring inside. We just took a crash course and now were off to finish this race called life.

There are many obstacles that dissolved before us from the time Lincoln was diagnosed until now, but there are a few more that have an opportunity to present serious challenges.

We have heard a lot about the steroid Dexamethasone that has some more serious side effects from constipation to extreme mood swings, and that could be for the next 6 months.

We may be leaving tomorrow but we will be back every Monday and Thursday for clinic.

There are still some unknown genetic issues we could discover that could complicate or even lower some risks.

The biggest thing is a very real change in lifestyle that could be 3-5 years until he is completely cured.

Cancer has been exposed to the medical field and is losing it's power, but it can still be sneaky and it still kills 1000s of children each year.

I refuse to believe medicine and doctors are the only chance of survival from life threatening diseases. God, family and friends who support the victim of cancer with prayer, communication and every day living needs are more significant than could be expected.

Thanks is not enough from our family to yours. With so many blessings We want to give it all back and then pay it forward to someone else in need.

A new direction

Thank you for visiting my blog to hear more about Lincoln and his new journey. I promise I will have plenty to share and everyone will have a chance to hear.
Here's what's new: his animea is getting better, his white blood cells (both good and bad)are decreasing, he has had very minor side effects to the treatment but that's not all. We very well may be going home tomorrow!! Can you believe it?

Lincoln has had more prayer and good thoughts sent his way than one could ever imagine. The evidence of God's grace and mercy are abundant. It's actually almost to good to be true, under the circumstances. Thank you all, you made a difference. But we all know there is still a journey to complete.

For the next three years our lives will change dramatically to keep this little one healthy. Keep praying, keep hoping, keep believing. More soon...