Monday, May 31, 2010

May 30, 2010

Let me first apologize for not updating this in the past few days. In my selfishness, I failed to let everyone know that we are OUT of the hospital again! After so many days of hospital living, we're all kind of worn out and being selfish with our time together.

After Friday’s infusions of more anti-rejection chemos and IV steroid, we were given the weekend off. Garrett was allowed to stay at the motel with us and we just hunkered down to soak up the sunshine that had just been injected into our lives. In addition to the IV immune globulin treatment to help develop antibodies to protect against infections, they infused a substance called Rituximab. It’s frequently used in chemotherapy treatment for types of non-Hodgkins lymphomas as a T-cell attack. So far, Garrett has not had any significant reaction to this medicine like he did with the anti-thymocite globulin used last time, but we won’t be clear of that possibility for about a week.

The past few days have been wonderful. Garrett and Jessi have been laughing and playing like they haven’t done for two months. We’re keeping a close eye on his activities so he won’t over do it, but at the same time we don’t want to make him live in a bubble and are letting him be a little boy for a few days. On Tuesday, we’ll be back to the hospital for a checkup and if the echo shows improvement, we have even more reason to be hopeful. If so, he gets to stay out of the hospital and move back to his aunt’s house. If not, he may end up back in-patient for more infusions. Either way, we’re back to step-one of the waiting game. Another biopsy is planned in about 6 weeks.

We ran into another family the other day, who like us, have a very sick child. We hurt for them because they don’t seem to have the spiritual healing and faith to help them fight their predicament. One of the father’s comments was “we’re just getting by one day at a time and it just sucks the wind out of you”. “The whole thing sucks. Financially, our backs are against the wall and we just wake every day to see if (their child) is worse, or just crappy”. I’ve said it before, but I really don’t know how anyone can go through this type of emotional trauma without God to help the heartbreak. We’re praying for them and would appreciate it if you would, too.

Don’t get me wrong, we’re not running around singing and dancing every day, but if we wake up tomorrow, we know we have the chance to keep fighting and praise God for that opportunity. We’ve sure felt like dancing the past few days, though. With his little body starting to replace the good things removed during the plasmapheresis, Garrett is feeling so much better. It really is a joy to see the transformation. His color is back and there’s a twinkle in his eyes. Let’s just keep praying that the future reveals that the rejection is now stopped and only healing remains. His heart rate continues to bounce around, but I’m hoping it’s only because like any wounded muscle, it needs time to get back into shape.

For now, we’re having fun with our new found freedom and may even go watch a roping on Memorial Day. His immune system is drained again so extra-special precautions are in order, but he’s happy and right now, that’s good enough. We're not out of the woods, but I think I might see timberline up ahead. We know that we’re ok. One way or the other, God promised over and over again. We have to believe in that fact. While the fear still resides, we won't let it win because we keep reminding ourselves of our Lord's promises.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Hard to argue with that, huh?


God bless,

JD

3 comments:

Christy said...

JD--don't apologize, you guys need your time! Gavin and I check the blog every morning and I jsut tell him when it isn't updated (and he hasn't talked to Garrett) that hopefully Garrett is busy being happy and having some fun! Love hearing that you all have had a great last few days...hope to see you soon!

Vpatt said...

Glad thing are going GREAT!!!! all my thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all.

Victoria

LizAdelle said...

I look for updates every day, JD, and print them out to post at my desk so everyone who comes by can read how Garrett is doing.

Missing the past few days is a blessing - for you because it means you are enjoying some well deserved together time as a family, and for us because we know "no news is good news".

Enjoy the time together and know that my prayers continue to be with the little warrior and his inspirational family. Also praying for the family you wrote about - for their child, but more for the spiritual healing and grace they so desperately need.

God bless.