August 29, 2010

Howdy folks! Garrett continues to feel better after a two week bout with a bug from school. His system just isn't real strong yet, but we're excited that he is beating it. He's been starting to get nervous about his biopsy next month, so we keep busy doing fun things. A highlight recently was a special trip to a Rockies' ball game, courtesy of Make A Wish. Garrett was given a bat and got to spend time on the field during batting practice. He met several of the players, who signed his bat. Todd Helton even gave Garrett the batting gloves he'd just worn. To cap off the day, he got to visit with Jason Giambi, who Dinger really likes. It's a toss up between Helton, Tulo and Giambi for his favorite player. All three were gentlemen and kind to our little cowboy.

The nightmares are coming back again, but I'm sure it's because of the surgery next month. I had to wake him last night a couple of times because he was literally fighting so hard he was going to fall of the edge of the bed. We handled it like we always have, staying up together and watching baseball and rodeo. He's tired today, but in good spirits. We went to church this morning and he was so excited to be there. He truly understands the need to have Christ in our lives every day, to serve rather than be served, and to give back to God on Sunday for that special hour or so where we are in His house and worshiping the most loving of fathers.

Later today he gets a really big surprise. His "auntie" Barb is going to take him to the Bronco/Steeler game. Garrett doesn't know. He thinks he's just getting a ride to Denver to meet with his mom for the Rx apt. in the morning.

Garrett's blood pressure and heart rate continue to stay consistent, which is good. At least it's not getting worse. The biopsy will tell the story and let us know if we've beaten this illness once and for all, or if it's just knocked down and will eventually re-attack. Of course, that's always a possibility, but we hope and pray that for a while at least, the bad lymphocytes, T and B cells, are destroyed and his immune system is re-building as a more gracious host.

We didn't do too well with our hunt for a new horse yet. We've had a few nice offers, but are holding out until we find just the right one for him. After missing so much the past few years, he really needs a stick that will let him build his confidence back up.

Please keep Garrett's cousin Levi in your prayers when you remember the little cowboy. Levi and Garrett are so close, and Levi's brother Noah was taken Home a few months ago very suddenly. It's been pretty tough on the family this year and Levi is in stage IV cancer. We keep praying that both boys will beat their illnesses and let us go into the holidays as complete a family was possible.

I hope this update finds you all blessed and enjoying the last days of summer as God starts to change the colors and prepare us for Christmas. They will be more to follow, but I wanted to let everyone know that it's "business as usual". We're not out of the woods, but we can see timberline.

God bless and remember to smile. Your prayers have helped us stay strong and we continue to fight.

JD