The last I wrote to you we'd just finished the first quarter of treatment. Now we're nearing halftime. We've done two long weeks, an emergency trip up to Randall's, and have started putting on weight! Life is still crazy and unbelievable and (believe it or not) the world keeps turning. Right now as I type this Isaac is sedated and getting an MRI and CT scan, soon to be followed by an EKG and Echocardiogram. We'll be looking in his lungs and abdomen to make sure the tumor isn't growing anywhere, and we'll be looking at his heart as one of the chemo drugs (doxorubicin) can cause damage there.
From Isaac's perspective things are continuing to go well. I've felt much more awareness from him in the last month that things aren't normal. Questions about his "bump" (port) and conversations about his surgery. Last Saturday we were up at Randall's and saw one of his main surgeons making the rounds and on Wednesday we saw one of the nurses who cared for us right after surgery. Both commented how much he'd changed. I added one of those pictures so all of you could see it. Miracles. Nothing but miracles performed by the hands of angels.
We started a second appetite stimulant medicine and it seems to be helping. We're not holding our breath as the effects can wear off, but we've been able to stave off an NG tube for another month or so. Over the last week Isaac caught a small cold which lead to our first special run up to Portland. We checked in at 2:00 and we weren't able to leave until 9:30, but we had some antibiotics and a transfusion and we were set to tackle the next few days.
It's crazy how quick his counts change. Last Monday his ANC (absolute neutrophil count aka the defenders against infections) was at 1900. On Wednesday it was 30! This was somewhat expected as his chemo from the week before was kicking in, but it still shocked us all. (The transfusion was actually more for his hemoglobin as that had dropped from 8.0 to 7.0, but that number isn't as exciting! Haha)
The kid keeps soldiering on though. I worry about long term effects of spoiling him and making him tough things out, but we'll cross that bridge when it comes.
It feels like cancer has been a part of our life for longer than four months but the calendar doesn't lie. Four months that have felt like years. Months that have felt dark and weary. Weeks that seemed to be never-ending. But HOPE has been our constant companion and I want you all to hear that more than anything.
I can't say I've experienced hope like Isaiah wrote--"but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.(40:31)"
Our hope more feels like what David wrote in Psalms 3--"Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side."
I have plenty more to write but felt the need to kick this out to you all.
Thanks for keeping us in your prayers and loving on us so well.
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