July 21, 2012 ---- Phil 4:13

We were given a really special gift tonight!  Garrett got to leave the hospital and sleep in a real bed at his aunt's place for the night.  Because he’s been handling the treatments better than expected, they are placing us on a work release program.  We have to be back bright and early in the morning and if we stay out of trouble throughout the day and do what we’re told, we can leave again tomorrow night.  We’ll repeat this process over the course of the next week.  Then we’ll take a break and actually get to go back HOME.  We’ll have to come up a few times a week for a 6-8 weeks with another biopsy scheduled down the road.

The ATG infusion is the one that made Garrett so incredibly sick a few years ago.  We ended up in the emergency room in the middle of the night because of it.  But a few years, better meds ahead of time, a few pounds and some more progress later, the only complaints he’s had so far is an upset stomach, lethargy, flushed face and a few aches and pains.  Not nearly enough for him to want to go back and sleep in a hospital bed.  To see the pure joy in his face being able to get away, even for a night, is incredible.  I need to get back to work soon if he continues to do relatively well on this chemo course, but for now will keep my promise to the family to stay here step by step with them at least for a few more days to make sure.  I was gone one time before when he got sick in the middle of the night and Garrett cried out for me all night.  It was very hard on them all.  I want to be pretty sure he's not going to relapse while I'm gone.

A down side to this little respite is that that his immune system is severely compromised again because of the ATG and IVIG, so the less time he can spend in a germ filled hospital, the better.  He can’t go to ball parks or stores or even church, but he can retreat to a real house with baseball on t.v.   That’s a huge plus!  Even starting school is in question right now, but we’ll make a plan that will help keep him from getting too far behind. Right now, I just monitor his vital signs frequently and keep him as comfortable as we can.

So far there are no new signs of antibody rejection, which indicates the earlier spring treatments did some good.  Even Garrett made the comment that we’d be in real trouble if they hadn’t found the rejection in April and softened the enemy attack.  God has a plan and if we’d just stay out of His way, He’ll work it to perfection.

We’ve survived the day, complete in the blanket of safety born of the Blood of the Savior and we are blessed.  Tomorrow, we’ll again wrap ourselves in the Armor of God and wade back into the fight, comforted by the love of friends and family.

Many thanks for all the prayers, calls and visits.  Your love helps fuel Garrett’s tenacity to win this battle.  No war was ever won without plenty of support from home.

I’ll continue to update here every day until we’re back in Falcon.  Please know we keep you all in our prayers as well, ever grateful for you.

God bless,

Phil 4:13  "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"